What not to say

BIBLICAL REFERENCE

Proverbs 10.11

PURPOSE OF THE LESSON

Teach children that we must not swear because it displeases God.

MEMORIZE THE VERSE

“The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.”(Proverbs 10.11)

INTRODUCTION

Biblical Educator, take to the class pictures of people arguing (it can be children or adults), a boss yelling at an employee (with swearing symbols). These illustrations are easy to find on websites. Start the introduction showing the pictures and asking: How do you think these people are feeling right now? In a moment of anger, many people say ugly things and insult their neighbour. Today we are going to see a story of two boys that went through the same situation as these people here (show the pictures again). Do you want to know what happened? So listen carefully.

WHAT NOT TO SAY

THERE WAS a boy called Gil. He was very smart and full of friends. His parents educated him according to the Word of God and Gil knew he shouldn’t get involved with wrong things or swearing.

One day, a new student arrived at school; his name was Jimmy, a very naughty boy that didn’t care, had a bad attitude and didn’t respect anybody. He always created a lot of confusion and therefore no one wanted to be his friend. Gil was different, he treated all his friends well and Jimmy was jealous of him.

It happened that one day they were at school and Jimmy began to scold Gil in front of his friends. He thought that Gil would defend himself by saying bad words too. Little friends, once more Gil showed that he was different and said:

- Those words are so ugly, don’t say that. Someday you will find someone who will mistreat you but I ask God to bless you! My mother taught me that we must treat people well.

Gil went away and Jimmy was so ashamed that he could barely look at the other boys. Jimmy realized that Gil was a different boy and asked him why he had not treated him badly. Gil explained to him he had learned from his parents and in to respect people. He invited Jimmy to go to the ; he accepted the invitation and learned about the Word of God. What a beautiful thing, isn’t it?

CONCLUSION

Kids, we must know what kind of fountain comes out of our mouth: a fountain that speaks only good and kind words or a bad fountain that speaks bad words. We must please God and say nice words. Many people say bad words that sadden others but we should say words that please God and people around us, Amen children?

FUN CHAT

Biblical Educator, take pictures of a rubbish bin (with rubbish), insects?, candy covered with ants and a piece of cardboard. Draw a big mouth (follow the model below) on the cardboard and stick it on the wall. Write down the picture the verse of the week.

Begin the Fun Chat asking the kids: what would you feel if you see a cockroach on a barbecue? (Show the pictures and wait for their participation). They will probably make disgusting or repulsive faces. Keep talking: what if you see a candy covered with ants? Who here likes the smell coming out of the rubbish bin? All these examples are disgusting, right? When a child swears and says offensive things to others it’s like all these dirty things are coming out of their mouth. Our mouths are to say good and nice things. Gossiping, saying bad words about your friends are attitudes that the Lord Jesus dislikes. The words spoken in a moment of anger sadden the person who is listening, do you understand?

Biblical Educator, ask the kids to write nice and kind words inside the mouth you made (write for illiterate kids). Then make the following questions ( don’t forget to pray for them at the end):

1. What would you do if a friend swears at you?

2. What is your opinion about people who react when they are insulted?

3. What is your opinion about the habit of swearing?

4. Have you ever sworn at someone? How did you feel about doing it?

5. Why should we not swear?

6. Was Gil’s attitude important? Why?

7. If you were Jimmy’s friend, what would you say to him?

ACTIVITIES for the week

(Make copies of the drawings from the Educator’s Magazine)

Age 2-3

SUNDAY Free drawing. Distribute office paper and crayons; ask the kids to draw Eddy and Peter. (Page 16)

MONDAY Modelling. Distribute modelling clay to the kids and ask them to make Eddy and Peter from the story.

WEDNESDAY Painting with cotton swabs. Peter learned that we couldn’t say bad words. Using cotton swabs, paint the drawing. Obs: Biblical Educator, use water colours in this activity.

Age 4-7

SUNDAY Playing and memorizing (Page 46)

WEDNESDAY Learning the colours (Page 49)

FRIDAY Discover (Page 51)

Age 8-10

SUNDAY Be smart (Page 81)

WEDNESDAY Playing and memorizing (Page 84)

FRIDAY Paint and memorize (Page 85)

Lessons 5 & 6 for 3rd Week of April 2012

5th Meeting

Biblical Reference:

Psalm 119.163 and 2 Kings 5.1-27

Purpose of the meeting:

Teach teenagers that lies displease God and bring serious consequences

Key verse:

“I hate and detest falsehood.” (Psalm 119.163)

Initiating the meeting:

Educators, for the “conclusion” you will need: three black pencils and a yarn of wool (any colour). Using the wool, go around the 1st pencil 7 times. Then go around the 2nd pencil 15 times and 30 times with the 3rd pencil. Start by asking: ‘who here has ever told a lie?’ (Wait for their participation). We all know that lying is something that displeases God therefore His children shouldn’t lie.

Today’s study tells us about a man whose lies brought him serious consequences.

Edifying message:

The consequences of lying

Elisha was a blessed Prophet; his “fame” was known all over Israel and other cities. Naaman, an important commander from the Syrian army, heard that Israel had a Prophet who healed and decided to look for him. Even being a Great War hero, he had a serious disease (at that time it was incurable). Naaman was a leper and even with all his courage, prestige and wealth he could not be healed.

Arriving in Israel, Naaman was told by the Prophet Elisha to go and dip himself in the Jordan River 7 times, and at the end of the 7^th dipping he would be healed. With so much gratitude, Naaman said: “Now I know that there is no God in all the world except in Israel. So please accept a gift from your servant.” (2 Kings 5.15). Naaman recognized that Elisha was a servant of a Living God and offered him a gift him but the Prophet refused it.

When Naaman was far from the City, Gehazi, Elisha’s servant, who had listened to the conversation between Elisha and Naaman, run to him. Naaman asked him if everything was all right and Gehazi started to plant the first seeds of his future disgrace, he said: “…My master sent me to say, ‘Two young men from the company of the prophets have just come to me from the hill country of Ephraim. Please give them a talent of silver and two sets of clothing.” (2 Kings 5.22)

Let’s analyze this verse. Elisha never asked Gehazi to say anything and there were no young men. He invented that story with so much detail, which gave foundation to his lie. Gehazi did this just to take advantage of the situation. Ah, how many young people do the same! True “artists” that create and stage their own lies because they only care about what they can enjoy.

Naaman gave Gehazi two talents (silver coins) and two sets of clothing happily, he thought he was giving at Elisha’s request! Gehazi returned home and hid what Naaman had given him. Elisha then met Gehazi and asked him where he had gone and Gehazi lied again saying that he didn’t go anywhere.

Elisha was a man of God and knew what had happened. Gehazi couldn’t control himself and he lied all the time because he did not allow himself to be guided by God. The result?...Gehazi’s developed the same disease which Naaman had been healed from. His skin was infested with leprosy and from that day on, all his descendants were born lepers (2 Kings 5.27).

Conclusion:

After he had lied, the first attitude of Gehazi was trying to hide what he had done but everything was discovered. God sees everything we do and lying will always be revealed because it’s written: “…for there is nothing concealed that will not be disclosed, or hidden that will not be made known.” (Matthew 10.26). Lying can even be hidden for a while but there comes a time that the truth comes to light. The person starts with a “little lie” (show the 1st pencil), in time she starts lying more and more (show the 2nd pencil) until lying becomes something natural (show the 3rd pencil) and ends up just like this pencil which is wrapped in lots and lots of wool. That’s why we must be vigilant and hate lies!

Activity for the 5th Meeting

Answer

Read the questionnaire and answer:

1) What is your opinion of Gehazi’s attitude?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

2) In your opinion, why did Gehazi lie?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

3) How could Gehazi have overcome the habit of lying?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

4) What is your opinion of those who deceive others?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

5) Gehazi served the Prophet. In your opinion, how did God feel about his attitude? Justify your answer.

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

6) Have you ever faced consequences of lying? What happened?

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________

___________________________________________________________