Participants play a game replicating real-life situations involving ethical decisions.  At the end of the game, ask where they saw that Star’s good character seeds had been nurtured, and where did they see Star’s negative seeds at work? How could Star have used these situations to nurture their...

A discussion around negative and positive self-talk, rooted in the science of neuroplasticity.  Ask youth what they know about how their brain works.Our brain receives information from our senses—sight, hearing, touch, taste, smell—and from our memories of previous experiences, and interprets...

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint from Activity 3 with traits compiled from group work Small pieces of paper or card stock, pens or markers Optional: a selection of costumes and props 

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity A sheet of poster board as a background (one per group) Colored paper, especially in earth tones, tape, glue, scissors, markers, other craft supplies such as popsicle sticks, pipe cleaners, crepe paper, fabric 

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity This “spectrum” activity allows a bit of movement as participants respond to ten character traits. Give instructions like these: I am going to read ten statements. If you believe the statement represents a positive or wholesome character trait...

Activity time: 10 minutes, Materials for Activity, Story: "Seeds in the Mind-Garden", Preparation for Activity, Read the story. Optional: Copy the story, "Seeds in the Mind-Garden," for volunteers to read aloud

 The website for Plum Village, a monastic community in France founded by Buddhist Monk and Zen Master Thich Nhat Hanh, details his life story. His book, Understanding Our Mind (Parallax Press, 2006), is an examination of Buddhist psychology that shows how the quality of our...

Youth apply the metaphor of the seeds to taking action toward the positive outcomes they want to see in the world. They identify the tools that help them and others nurture good character.

ACTIVITY, MINUTES, Opening 5, Activity 1: Story – The Seeds of Character 10, Activity 2: Wholesome or Unwholesome 10

Photograph of a sign outside the Trinity Church in Gray, Maine.Printing This Handout Download a high-resolution copy of this Handout (PDF) for printing.

Adapted from Christian scripture, John 8: 2-11, New Revised Standard Version. Jesus went to the Mount of Olives. At dawn, he appeared in the temple courts, where all the people gathered around him, and he sat down to teach them. The scribes and the Pharisees brought in a woman caught in sin...

Adapted from Christian scripture, Luke 23, New Revised Standard Version. An angry crowd demanded that Jesus be put to death. Pilate decided to grant their demand, and he surrendered Jesus to the will of the crowd. The crowd grabbed Simon and made him carry the cross behind Jesus....

Zeus was not big on forgiving. He was the chief god on Mount Olympus, and what he said went. When the other gods and goddesses obeyed, fine. When they disobeyed, he threw thunderbolts around and thought up some very nasty punishments....

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Story 3, "Cast the First Stone" Preparation for Activity Read the story. Photocopy Story 3, "Cast the First Stone," one for each participant....

Activity time: 5 minutes Materials for Activity Newsprint and washable markers Preparation for Activity Write and display on newsprint the Alexander Pope quotation at the beginning of the session. Description of Activity Point out the Alexander Pope quotation you have written on newsprint....

Activity time: 15 minutes Materials for Activity Two dice (extra large if possible) of different colors Ethics Play role nametags Ethics Play Scenarios (Session 1, Leader Resources 2-7) Optional: Masks, costumes, and wigs for roles Preparation for Activity If you are or your group is new to Ethic...

Activity time: 10 minutes Description of Activity This activity asks youth to move around to show their answers to some belief questions based on Sessions 9 through 12 of Amazing Grace: Exploring Right and Wrong....

Activity time: 20 minutes Materials for Activity Story 1, "Zeus Punishes," and Story 2, "Jesus Forgives" Preparation for Activity Read the stories. Photocopy Story 1, "Zeus Punishes," and Story 2, "Jesus Forgives," one for each participant....

Valea, Ernest. "Salvation and eternal life in world religions "; an examination of religious approaches to salvation on a comparative religion website. D'Aulaire, Ingri, and Edgar Parin. Book of Greek Myths. (New York: Delacorte Press, 1962). An illustrated book of Greek myths, including...

Meet with your co-leaders after the session to reflect on how it went. How was your mix of discussion and action? Have you successfully found ways to involve all youth fully in your sessions despite any limitations they might have?...