Lesson Learned: Be slow to speak.
Materials Needed: none
Bible Verse:
James 1:19-21
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
Talking Points: God gave you many useful parts. Ears for hearing, hands for coloring, feet for running, a head for thinking, and a mouth for talking and singing. God wants you to use all those parts to honor Him, especially your mouth. James tells us in this Bible passage to be quick to listen and slow to speak. We need to listen to others and be sure that we think about every word that comes out of our mouths. Is what your saying kind or mean? If it’s kind, you can say it. If it’s mean, it’s better not to say it. Be slow to speak and it will honor God.
Questions: Do you know what “opposites” are? Are quick and slow opposites? What does it mean to do something quickly? What does it mean to do something slowly? Why do you think James tells us to speak slowly in these Bible verses?
Activity:
Opposites Game
Ask the child the opposite of various things. For example, what is the opposite of slow? What is the opposite of up? big? tall? happy? soft?
Then, have them run fast. Have them fun slow.
Have them jump high. Have them jump low.
Have them sit up. Have them lie down.
Have them speak quickly. Have them say something very slowly.
Prayer: Praise be to God our Father in Heaven! We love You and we know that we depend on You to help us watch what we say. May You watch our tongues so that we only say what is good and appropriate. Amen!