(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Students will list and discuss characteristics of holiness.
(10 minutes, easy set-up)
Download the “The Characteristics of Holiness” activity sheet. Print a copy for each student. Also provide a dry erase board, dry erase marker, paper, and pens.
Learning Goal: Students will evaluate how their present standard of righteousness compares to God’s standard of righteousness.
Invite students to describe what makes a “good” Christian. Record their responses on one side of the dry erase board. Next, encourage students to describe God’s holy character. Allow a minute for students to discuss their answers. Then ask: Which of these standards are we to use to in our lives as a picture of holiness? (Answer: God’s standard) Distribute pens, paper, and copies of the “The Characteristics of Holiness”activity sheet at this time. Then share that this list was created in the 1800s to help believers understand the concept of holiness. Divide students into groups of two or three, and assign one or more of each of the statements on the activity sheet to each group. Instruct each group to determine what their assigned characteristic(s) would look like in the lives of teenagers today. After three minutes, call for students to share their responses.
After each characteristic has been discussed, instruct students to individually review the list again and to record those characteristics of which they see evidence in their own lives. Then instruct students to record those characteristics that they realize are missing in their lives. Finally, encourage students to record one thing that they can do to help develop a characteristic of holiness in their lives. Conclude by reminding students that becoming holy is not a one-time event or something that is ever completed in this lifetime. Emphasize that becoming holy is a journey that is part of our lives every day and must be done through the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.