A note to parents: This lesson is geared toward your school-aged children. However, it can be modified to fit any age group--just water down the wording and examples to make it more age-appropriate.
And, by the way--you will learn as much or more than your children through this...humility is key. When they see that your heart is open to growing with Jesus, they will be more likely to be fertile ground for the seeds to fall into.
READ: James 1:19-25(NIrV)
19 My dear brothers and sisters, pay attention to what I say. Everyone should be quick to listen. But they should be slow to speak. They should be slow to get angry. 20 Human anger doesn’t produce the holy life God wants. 21 So get rid of everything that is sinful. Get rid of the evil that is all around us. Don’t be too proud to accept the word that is planted in you. It can save you.
22 Don’t just listen to the word. You fool yourselves if you do that. You must do what it says. 23 Suppose someone listens to the word but doesn’t do what it says. Then they are like a person who looks at their face in a mirror. 24 After looking at themselves, they leave. And right away they forget what they look like. 25 But suppose someone takes a good look at the perfect law that gives freedom. And they keep looking at it. Suppose they don’t forget what they’ve heard, but they do what the law says. Then this person will be blessed in what they do.
Break it Apart:
Why does James say brothers and sisters? (Anyone know?) Well, James was writing a letter to Christians. In the whole book of James, he uses some tough and strong words to encourage other Christians to follow Christ in the right way.
Quick to listen, slow to speak. God gave you two ears and one mouth for a reason. He wants you to listen carefully to your parents, siblings, friends, and teachers. Why is this? (Respect) When we listen to what others say, we are having respect for them. It doesn't always mean we agree with what they say. Sometimes, you will respectfully disagree with people. (Parents, this is where you can interject examples of when it's important for your child(ren) to listen to you.)
S--l--o--w to get angry. Do you get angry very easily? Sometimes it's pretty hard to stay calm when someone says something that you don't like. James reminds us that having a quick temper and not using your God-giving listening skills are not glorifying to God.
I really like the way the NIrV phrases things for kids, but I looked at the New Living Translation to help me understand verse 21. It says: So get rid of all the filth and evil in your lives, and humbly accept the word God has planted in your hearts, for it has the power to save your souls.
The original word for filth can mean earwax! Earwax is pretty gross. James is telling us to clean out our ears and listen to God. We can let a lot of worldly things get in the way of listening to God, can't we? He wants us to get rid of those things that distract us from His Word.
Do it!! You can't just read and memorize the Bible. Those things are important, but don't mean much if you don't do what it says. You have to OBEY it. Name some verses that you have learned. What is God telling you through them? How can you change by obeying what He is telling you?
God says that if we will obey Him that we will be blessed. What are some ways He has blessed you when you have listened to His Word and obeyed Him?
Pray:
Pray that God will help you to listen carefully to others and especially to His Word. Pray that He will help you to control your anger and listen with respect. Thank God for the chance to learn more about Him.
