Lesson Learned: Think before you speak.
Materials Needed: construction paper, scissors, markers, glue
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.
Proverbs 29:20
20 Do you see someone who speaks in haste?
There is more hope for a fool than for them.
Talking Points: We should always think about what we’re going to say before we say it. Will what you’re about to say hurt someones feelings? Will it make them angry? Will it make God sad? We should not just say the first thing that comes into our head because it may hurt that person. If you want a toy from someone, you should not just grab it and take it from your friend. Instead, you should think about how God would want you to act in that situation. He may want you to politely ask if you can share the toy with your friend. God wants us to think before we speak.
Questions: What would you do if your friend had a toy and you wanted to play with it? What do you think God would want you to do? What would you say if your mom or dad asked you to pick up your toys and you didn’t want to? What would God want you so say?
Activity:
Make a snail with the child and then use it to show them what slow means.
Cut 2 strips of construction paper the same length, about 1 inch wide and 6-8 inches long. Fold one strip into a circle and glue the ends together. With the other, cut a small notch out of one end for the “antennas”. Draw a face under the antennas. Glue the circle to the other strip. Demonstrate how a snail moves slowly, just the way we should speak.
Prayer: Dear God, please help us to think before we say things. Help us to be slow in our speech and remember You in all we say and do. Amen!