Hands-on Faith for Families– week of 3/18/13
The Flavor of Kindness
Proverbs 16:24
Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.
Talking to God
Thank God for giving you the ability to speak. Ask Him to show you how to use your words carefully.
Diving In
Have each family member write down six words on a piece of paper: three kind words and three unkind words. Don't share your lists just yet. Fill two bowls with snacks. One bowl should have a sweet snack (candy-coated chocolate) and the other bowl a sour snack (lemon burst). Then, have each family member take a turn reading a word from his list. The others have to guess if it is a kind (sweet) or unkind (sour) word. When guessed correctly, everyone gets a candy-coated chocolate or lemon burst to "taste" the word.
Going Deeper
The words we use make a difference. Words can be sour, or they can be sweet. They can hurt feelings, or they can repair relationships. Words can build people up or tear people down. Because your words are powerful, you need to choose them carefully. In 1 Thessalonians 5:11, the apostle Paul urges believers to “encourage one another and build each other up.” When you choose kind words, you’re giving others a taste of God’s kindness, and that brings Him honor.
Talking to Each Other
• Is it easier for you to think of kind or unkind words? Why?
• How does sharing kind words make you feel? How does receiving kind words make you feel?
• What are some things you can do this week to replace unkind words with kind words?
From Focus on the Family's Thrivingfamily.com. © [2011] [Bridgette Booth]. Used by permission.
