Review and Discuss with Parents.

Explanation of Virtues and Virtue Formation

1. 1. Virtues are good habits of the heart and soul.

1. 2. They’re not just things we believe, but ways we train ourselves to act—choosing what is good, even when it’s hard.

1. 3. For Christians, virtue formation matters because following Jesus isn’t only about knowing the right things; it’s about becoming the kind of person who loves God and loves others well.



1. 4. When we practice virtues, we’re shaped little by little to live like Christ—especially when no one is watching.

Virtue - Love

Most people think love starts with us—how we feel, what we choose, who deserves it. The Bible says that’s backwards.

1. John 4:19 - “We love because He first loved us.”
2. God didn’t wait for us to clean up, behave better, or feel spiritual. He moved first.

What God’s love looks like

1. Romans 5:8 - “While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”

1. 1. God’s love is not approval of everything we do.
2. 2. God’s love is action, not emotion.
3. 3. He loved us when we were at our worst, not our best.
4. 4. God didn’t love a future version of you. He loves you as you are now.

Why That Matters

1. John 15:13 - “If you love me, you will keep my commandments”
2. Luke 9:23 - “Let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”

1. 1. Loving God is not just singing or saying you believe.
2. 2. Loving God shows up in choices—especially hard ones.
3. 3. Love means obedience when no one is watching.
4. 4. You don’t prove love with words—you prove it with what you obey.

Call to action

This week, pick one area where you usually choose comfort over obedience.

Choose God once, on purpose.

Examples:

1. 1. Telling the truth when lying would be easier.
2. 2. Stop the habit you already know you shouldn’t be doing.
3. 3. Show respect when you feel justified in being rude.
4. 4. Pray—even when you don’t feel like it.

1. 1 John 5:3 - “This is the love of God, that we keep his commandments.”

Prayer:

Lord, I pray that you would help me to understand the reality of your love for me and what that means for my life. Help me to choose to love you back with all of my heart, my soul, and my mind. Give me the wisdom to see opportunities to love you in return and choose to take action in those moments. Thank you for your unconditional, unwavering love for me.