One of the many keys to avoiding sin is to practice impulse control. Many sins occur because people forget to stop and think before speaking or acting. Instead, they say or do the first thing that pops into their head. Rarely is that the best, most godly option. Children and teens can especially struggle with impulse control – blurting out something inappropriate or lashing out physically at the slightest provocation.
Impulse control must be taught and practiced if it is to be a natural way to react to the world.Some schools and homes probably work on it a bit, but it’s also something that can easily be worked into your Bible class curricula.
Start by looking at your Bible lessons. Which people had problems because of poor impulse control? Cain, Esau and Samson come quickly to mind, but there are many others. Ask students what the consequences were for acting or speaking without thinking first. How might things have been different had the person thought for even just a few seconds first?
You can play Bible trivia games with elements of Red Light Green Light, Simon Says, and other impulse control games to encourage kids to practice impulse control. Have them act out scenarios where it is tempting to respond without thinking. Encourage them to act out what happens when they don’t think first and when they do. Finally, teach them the STOP technique.
When anyone says or does something to them, they should STOP. Immediately stop and say or do nothing. Then think about some of the options they have. Finally pray about those options and pick the one they believe would be the one God would want them to choose. In most cases, slowing down the process, almost immediately improves impulse control. Taking some class time to work on impulse control can make it easier for your students to live the Christian life in the future.