Hands-on Faith for Families – week of May 8, 2017
Theme: Live the Fruit of the Spirit
The Flavor of Kindness
Scripture: “Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones.” (Proverbs 16:24)
Play: 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.
Talk: 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.
Pray: Thank God for giving you the ability to speak. Ask Him to show you how to use your words carefully.
— Bridgette Booth
