Heart and Mind: How the Bible Shapes Social-Emotional Learning (Part 3 of 4 Installments)

Part 3 of 4: Self-Awareness and Self-Management: Biblical Examples and SEL Connections

In the beginning, God breathed identity into man, creating us in His image and calling us to reflect his character. From the outset, scripture reveals the importance of understanding who we are in relation to him. The Bible is filled with stories and characters who wrestle with their own identities, feelings, and desires. Sometimes, these figures yielded to temptation, and other times, they demonstrated remarkable restraint and trust in God's purpose. Biblical self-awareness begins with the acknowledgment that our true identity is rooted (John 15:5) in God's creation and his redemptive work through Jesus Christ. Psalm 139 reminds us that we are "fearfully and wonderfully made,” and that God, through Jesus, sees us as His “very good” creation (Genesis 1:26-31). This truth is a gift that calls us to examine ourselves with honesty and humility, recognizing both our blemishes and our worth as loved children of God. Self-management then flows from this foundation. Learning to respond rather than react; exercising patience and self-control; and pursuing virtues such as humility and perseverance. Scripture models these traits through individuals who trust in God's strength. As we examine biblical examples, we recognize how God's Spirit enables us to grow into the likeness of Christ. The evidence of God's Spirit at work in us is seen in the Fruit of the Spirit: love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23). These qualities reflect not only spiritual maturity but also the foundation of biblical self-awareness and self-management.

According to CASEL, self-awareness is “the ability to understand one's own emotions, thoughts, and values, and how they influence behavior across different contexts” (CASEL, 2020, p. 2). Self-management, on the other hand, “is the ability to manage one's emotions, thoughts, and behaviors in different situations and to achieve goals and aspirations” (CASEL, 2020, p. 2). Self-awareness and self-management can be demonstrated through specific attributes. Many of these align closely with the Fruit of the Spirit described in Galatians 5:22-23. Where CASEL identifies qualities such as self-discipline, emotional regulation, and a sense of purpose, Scripture reveals that these attributes are ultimately nurtured by the Spirit’s transforming work within us. The chart below illustrates these connections by aligning each CASEL attribute with one or more corresponding Fruits of the Spirit, along with biblical figures who either embodied these traits or struggled to do so.

Many biblical characters exemplify the power of growth in self-awareness and self-management, revealing that transformation is a journey rather than a moment. David’s life story unfolds as a series of growth points in understanding his strengths and weaknesses, from his humble beginnings as a shepherd to recognizing his moral failures after the affair with Bathsheba, and ultimately, to his heartfelt repentance, as seen in Psalm 51. His story illustrates how learning from mistakes and humbly returning to God can foster a deeper self-awareness. Similarly, Paul’s trajectory from a zealous persecutor to a committed servant of Christ illustrates profound development in self-awareness and discipline. Over time, Paul’s writings reveal a growing understanding of his own motives, failures, and God's grace, culminating in a life wholly centered on purposeful service (Philippians 3:13-14). Others, like Abraham, Moses, Esther, Daniel, and Joseph, demonstrate how self-awareness and self-management can lead to courage, perseverance, and wise leadership under pressure. Their lives reveal the Spirit’s transforming work, producing the Fruit of the Spirit. These qualities are not simply traits of emotionally intelligent people, but marks of spiritual maturity, formed over time. Their stories invite us to recognize that growth in self-awareness and self-management is a lifelong process, a transformation made possible by God’s Spirit at work within us.

References

CASEL. (2020). CASEL’s SEL framework. https://casel.org/casel-sel-framework-11-2020/?view=true

Sara Morgan is an Associate Professor of Teacher Credentialing, the Education Specialist Credential Program Director, and the Faculty Lead for the CalTPA at Concordia University, Irvine. She worked in K-12 public education for many years as a teacher, TOSA, and Program Specialist. She supported the preparation of Education Specialists in acquiring their Autism Authorization and developed training courses for instructional assistants to support positive behavior intervention and effective teaching strategies. Her scholarship focuses on integrating Social-Emotional Learning competencies and Universal Design for Learning guidelines to promote equity and access for diverse populations.

Robin Gomes serves as an Assistant Professor of Education at Concordia University Irvine, where she teaches in both the Teacher Credential and MAED programs. With over 25 years of experience in Lutheran education, Robin has served as a teacher, assistant principal, and principal in Lutheran elementary schools across Nevada and California. She holds a Master of Arts in Education with an emphasis in Curriculum and Instruction from Concordia University Irvine and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Teacher Education at Chapman University. Robin is passionate about preparing future educators to create inclusive, engaging learning environments that support all learners.