I’ve often been asked to share what our Bible study looks like using our methods as outlined in a Bible Based Education. Here is a quick lesson. Bear in mind that I didn’t write this lesson plan before hand…I was reading it in my Bible during my quiet time and thought it was too good (read: relevant) to not share with my children. 😉
Some times we go more in depth with our study and at other times this is it! It isn’t about the time spent nor the amount of work covered – it is a heart issue. So, here’s a lesson from Proverbs.

Verse:

“Like a madman who throws firebrands, arrows, and death is the man who deceives his neighbor and says, “I am only joking!”

Proverbs 26:18-19

“Ha, you’re hair looks real ugly like that sis!” followed by “Nah…only joking.”

Ever heard this kind of thing? I’ve heard it in my own home. I used to think I was just old fashioned or prudish but then I read Proverbs 26 and saw that I wasn’t alone! God has thoughts on it too! So I decided to share this lesson with my children. I’ll try my best to write it out as it happened, using the 4 step process. It isn’t word for word but I’m sure you’ll get the gist of it.

Four step Lesson Process – learn more here

Introduce

We’re all sitting around the kitchen table. I grab my Bible and say, “Hey guys, let me share this with you…what I was reading this morning.”

I read Proverbs 26: 18-19.

Then I ask them “Can you imagine what it would be like to have a wild man, a lunatic, running around shooting people with a gun? Horrendous! Can a mere ‘joking’ excuse that lack of self control?”

Digging Deeper

We use words, tone of voice and facial expression to convey a meaning. Are we guarding our tongue if we just let all manner of dribble spew forth and then think we can excuse it by adding a quick “only joking” at the end?

Read the passage 3 times, in different translations.

Discuss: Our words can be ones of comfort and encouragement or ones of hurt.

Cross-reference by using your concordance to look up other passages on ‘the tongue’. (We use my Thompson Chain Reference)

Share your findings.

Expand & Elaborate

Choose an activity from the Activity Sheets: e.g. Copy the proverb out in your best writing or- What can you learn from this story/book/passage?

Remember our family saying: If it’s not fun for all, then it’s not fun at all. Discuss further.

Application

Write in your Devotional Journal.

Is there an attitude or behaviour that I should avoid? Share.

Pray that Father God will help us to guard our tongue as we seek to glorify Him in all things.

Notes: The children narrated the passage to John over the evening meal. Later on in the afternoon, without making mention of this mornings lesson, I related the story about the boy, the fence and anger issues.

I also strewed the ‘Watch your words’ quote on the fridge.

Watch your thoughts; they become words.
Watch your words; they become actions.
Watch your actions; they become habits.
Watch your habits; they become character.
Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.

I use the 4 step lesson process very naturally. You can download lesson templates and more in the download section.