Especially for Younger Students: Holy or Holier-Than-Thou

(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will judge whether certain actions are indicative of a holy person or a self-righteous person.

(10 minutes, easy set-up)

Write the word holy on a piece of paper. Write the term self-righteous on a second sheet of paper. Then post the papers on opposite walls. Explain that you will read a characteristic or action of a person and that students must judge whether the description best fits a holy or a self-righteousperson by moving close to the appropriate sign. Then read the following descriptions:

He shares a verse that he read from his quiet time so that his friend will know that he had one.
She anonymously buys Christmas presents for a needy family.
He is arrogant.
She is humble.
He prays for God to give her strength to get through a difficult time.
She wants to buy an expensive purse but decides to donate the money to a charity instead.
He signs up to work at a soup kitchen but switches to work at a children’s shelter when he finds out that the local news station is doing a special story there.
She chooses clothing based on guarding the hearts of others who look at her.
He is patient.
She does not forgive someone who has wronged him.

After each statement has been read, encourage students to explain briefly why they made their choice. After all statements have been discussed, explain that today’s lesson is about what it means to be truly holy as God is holy.