Studiousness

Virtue: Studiousness

(For Kindergarten–2nd Grade)

“The mind of the intelligent gains knowledge, and the ear of the wise seeks knowledge.”
— Proverbs 18:15

What is Studiousness?

Studiousness means working carefully and patiently to learn something well.

Being studious means:

• We listen carefully.
• We pay attention.
• We ask questions.
• We take our time.
• We keep our work neat.
• We practice.
• We try again when something is difficult.
• We don't give up.
• We do our best because we want to use our gifts for God.

Being studious does not mean you have to be the best or get every answer right.It means you keep trying and learning.

Storytime: Jesus in the Temple
Luke 2:41-52 adapted for children grades Kindergarten–2nd Grade

Every year, Jesus' parents, Mary and Joseph, traveled to the city of Jerusalem for a special celebration called Passover.Passover was a very important feast for God's people. Families traveled together to pray, worship God, and celebrate what God had done for His people.

When Jesus was twelve years old, He traveled with Mary and Joseph to Jerusalem.They spent several days there celebrating the feast.Then it was time to go home to their town of Nazareth.Mary and Joseph began the journey home with their family and friends.They thought Jesus was traveling somewhere in the large group.But Jesus wasn't with them!

Mary and Joseph began looking for Jesus, they were very worried.They looked among their relatives.They looked among their friends. They asked people, “Have you seen Jesus?”But no one knew where He was.They turned around and hurried back to Jerusalem.

They searched and searched.One day passed.Then another.Finally, after three days, they found Jesus! Jesus was in the Temple!Mary and Joseph found Jesus in the Temple, God's holy house in Jerusalem.Jesus was sitting with the teachers.But He wasn't playing.He wasn't running around.He wasn't distracted.Jesus was listening.He was also asking questions.The teachers listened to Jesus, too.They were amazed by how much Jesus understood.They could see that Jesus had great wisdom.

Mary and Joseph were relieved to find Him. Mary asked Jesus why He had stayed behind.Jesus explained that He needed to be in His Father's house.

Jesus was talking about God the Father.The Temple was a special place to pray, learn about God, and worship Him.

What Can We Learn from Jesus?

Listen.

Ask questions.

Pay attention.

Practice.

Think carefully.

Keep trying.

Jesus shows us that learning is something good!

How to practice being Studious

Sometimes we make mistakes.And that's okay.Making a mistake doesn't mean you are bad at something.It means you are learning.

Being studious doesn't mean rushing through your work just to say: “I'm finished!”

Instead, we:

We take our time.

We check our work.

We keep our papers neat.

We put our supplies away.

We practice things we haven't mastered.

We ask for help when we need it.

We make an effort to understand what we are learning.

Ways to be Studious

Remember:Slow and careful is better than fast and careless.

At School
I will:

• Listen when my teacher is talking.
• Pay attention.
• Ask questions when I don't understand.
• Keep my work neat.
• Take my time.
• Try again when something is difficult.

At Home

I will:

• Finish my homework before playing.
• Practice something I am learning.
• Put away distractions.
• Keep my books and supplies organized.
• Ask for help when I need it.
• Do my best instead of rushing.

With God

I will:

• Pray before I begin difficult work.
• Thank God for my ability to learn.
• Remember that my gifts come from God.
• Offer my work to Jesus.

Activities:

I work carefully and patiently to learn.

I do what is good and important, even when I don't feel like it.

I choose what is right instead of what is easy.

I keep trying when something is difficult.

I trust God to help me.

And when learning gets hard, remember:

Pray. Try. Practice. Don't Give Up!

God gave you a beautiful brain. Use it for His glory!

A Prayer for Studiousness

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for giving me a beautiful brain.Help me to be a good student.Help me listen carefully.When something is difficult, give me the willpower to keep trying.Help me control distractions and choose what is good.Help me remember that I don't have to be perfect.I just need to do my best and never give up.

Amen.