Speaking God’s Life-Giving Words
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
1 Thessalonians 5:11, Psalm 19:14
Memory Verse
“Words can bring death or life! Talk too much, and you will eat everything you say.”
Have you ever seen a toddler try to build a tall tower? They put blocks on top of each other, but the blocks fall down. Then, they stack blocks, and the blocks tumble down. Finally, they build a solid base on the bottom first and then place blocks on top. A strong foundation at the bottom is essential for a tower of blocks, and the toddler can carefully set each block on top. Now, think about how we build relationships with other people. Our words are like those blocks, and how we use them is crucial. With God as our foundation, we can strengthen and build others up with our words. But just like a tower of blocks that topples over and crashes, our words can also make a mess.
Proverbs 18:21 says our words are powerful. We can speak words of life or words of death. Have you ever had someone speak words of death? What does that even mean? Those words are insulting and hurtful. They bring people down and make them feel bad about themselves. Maybe you have made someone cry or run away to hide because of your destructive and harmful words. Or perhaps you remember when someone’s mean words hurt you.
On the other hand, words of life build someone up and point them to God, who gives life. God calls us to “build each other up” (1 Thessalonians 5:11) with our words. By using words of life, we can bless others by what we say. We remind people who they are and that they are one of God’s kids. Words of life are about God’s love, peace, and protection: he is with us, he is for us, and he will never leave us. This gives us strength and freedom to play our role in his kingdom story.
Prayer
Dear Jesus, plant your word in my heart so that the words that come out of my mouth please you and bless others. Guard my tongue against speaking anything other than words of life. May my words build others up and encourage them to draw closer to you. Thank you that your Word says I am yours forever and always. Amen.Related Resources
Holly Sperling
Holly Sperling teaches grade 2 at Edmonton Christian School in Edmonton, Alberta. She loves journeying with children and their families to discover God’s redemptive love and role in His story. Holly and her husband, Burke have a blended family of five, enjoying being grandparents and are attempting to train their very active Pyrenees Poodle.