Day 3 Virtue Demo: RESPECT
You’ll need:
- 1 dozen raw eggs
- Cookie sheet (with sides)
Today our demonstration is going to teach us about the virtue of respect.
Ask:
Who can tell me what the word “respect” means?
Treating others with extreme kindness and politeness, honoring someone, etc.
How would you describe this raw egg?
Breakable, fragile, delicate, etc.
This egg represents our hearts. Our hearts and bodies are very delicate. We need to remember that everyone has a heart that resembles this egg. We need to treat others very gently with our words and actions to avoid hurting them. We need to be respectful.
Demonstrate:
I need 2 youth leaders to come and help me.
Have your volunteers hold the cookie sheet and give them each an egg.
Let’s say that you were rude to your mom or dad. Have one leader crack an egg.
See what happens when we are disrespectful? Can you see what damage disrespect does to a person? Show the cracked egg.
What are some other examples of things we do that are disrspectful?
Hand the leaders more eggs.
Have the children try to list a few other examples of being disrespectful. Each time an example is mentioned, crack an egg on the cookie sheet.
(Talking back to parents, name calling, bullying, laughing at others, gossiping, lying, taking something that does not belong to you, fighting with others, saying inappropriate words, etc.)
Show the kids all the cracked eggs on the cookie sheet.
Being disrespectful causes a mess and a lot of broken hearts!
Set the cookie sheet aside. Have your volunteers stay standing.
Explain:
If we have caused damage to anyone, we must ask for their forgiveness. We need to treat others how we want to be treated. This is why respect is such an important virtue.
The Bible says, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart… and your neighbor as yourself.” Luke 10:27
Demonstrate:
Hand an egg to one of your volunteers. As each example is mentioned, have the volunteers pass the egg gently, back and forth to each other.
Can you think of some ways we can treat others with respect?
Treat others how we want to be treated, not judging others, include everyone, speak kindly, be gentle, accept authority (obedience), serve others, be generous, be courteous, love everyone like Jesus would, etc.
Remember to respect everyone equally just as Jesus would do.
Repeat after me: Lord Jesus…please show us how to be gentle with others…and respect all people at all times. Amen.
