This week our family time activity fits right in with the sermon from July 10, which was on James 3:1-12 – the power of the tongue! Our words are powerful. The Proverbs say that life and death are in the power of the tongue! So using words of life in our family is so important!
The following activity was put together by an organization aptly called “Family Time.” Feel free to conform this to fit your family. And take note that you’ll need a very special item this week: a cow tongue! Check with your grocery store butcher to see if they carry them! GROSS…but AWESOME!
Powerful Weapon
Teaching Goal: Speaking words of Life
Materials: Cow Tongue, blindfold, Bible, Paper, pen
Pray
Lesson and discussion: Words that are written in bold are when you, the parent, are speaking. Feel free to use your own words.
Prep- put oil on the cow tongue to make it extra slippery!
ACTIVITY
Tell your kids- We are going to make a list of the most powerful weapons you can think of- ex: gun, knife, bomb
Write down everything they say
I have a weapon more powerful than anything you listed. It’s here in our house, and each of you is going to get to hold it. You will be blindfolded, and when I hand you the weapon, you will have one chance to guess what it is.
Remove the kids into the next room. Bring them in one at a time blindfolded. Put the “weapon” in their hand so they can guess what it is.
Point to the list and say: The tongue is more powerful than any of these weapons. In fact those weapons wouldn’t even be used if it weren’t for hurtful and hateful words between people. God want us to recognize the power of our tongues. We need to use them for good and to be peacemakers when talking with others.
Scripture: If they are able, ask your children to read the following verses
Matthew 5:9 (MSG) 9 You’re blessed when you can show people how to cooperate instead of compete or fight. That’s when you discover who you really are, and your place in God’s family.
James 3:9-10 (NIV) 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Proverbs 18:21a (NIV) 21 The tongue has the power of life and death…
Confess to your family how you fail to tame your tongue. Ask for forgiveness if you need to.
Close in Prayer: Pray together for the strength to speak words of life, love and encouragement to each other and those you meet.
