Day 4 Virtue Demo: TEMPERANCE
You’ll need:
- Balloon
Ask:
Does anyone know what the virtue of temperance is?
Temperance means doing things in a proper, balanced way; and controlling your behavior. If you have trouble remembering what temperance means, just remember that temper is short for temperance. When you practice the virtue of temperance, you have great self-control and you don’t lose your temper.
What is the opposite of temperance? Being uncontrollable, unpredictable, etc.
Demonstrate:
I am going to blow up this balloon. Blow up a balloon without tying a knot on the end and let go.
Woah! Did you see that? I hope I didn’t scare anyone. Retrieve the balloon.
When we don’t practice temperance, we act just like this balloon that took off. Just as the balloon went out of control, we can get out of control too, sometimes.
We become uncontrollable and unpredictable.
For example, a person who doesn’t practice temperance will eat a whole bag of candy, instead of just one or two pieces. Someone who doesn’t practice temperance will watch 3 hours of TV, instead of maybe 30 minutes.
Ask:
What are some other examples of things in our life that can get out of control? Spending too much money, wasting too much time on our electronics or video games, yelling, sleeping in or staying up really late every day, getting angry, being mean to our siblings, etc.
Demonstrate:
I am going to blow up this balloon once again, but this time I’ll tie a knot to represent temperance. Let’s see what happens.
Blow up the balloon again and tie a knot on the end. Toss it in the air a few times.
A balloon with a knot tied on the end is like a person who practices temperance. It’s what the balloon was intended for; to have fun in a proper, safe and balanced way. It reminds us that when we’re practicing temperance we are in control of our actions. We have self-control. We’re a lot more fun to be around and are less likely to hurt others.
Explain:
We need to remember to enjoy things in moderation. We should balance 3 things: work, play and pray. If we want to become Champions for Christ, we need to practice the virtue of temperance.
