Have you ever heard the old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? The truth is, that old saying is totally wrong! When someone calls you a mean name at recess or makes fun of your favorite shirt, it doesn’t just pass by—it stings, and those hurtful words can make you feel sad, angry, or super small inside.

Words are way more powerful than we realize. In fact, our words can act just like medicine that helps people feel better, or like a drop of poison that hurts everyone around us. God cares deeply about the things we say because our words show what is living inside our hearts, and he wants us to use our voices to build people up instead of knocking them down!

Proverbs 18:21 The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.

So what does it actually look like to speak words of life instead of poison? It means pausing before you speak and giving your words a quick safety test! Before saying something out loud, ask yourself: “Is this going to help my friend, or is it going to hurt them?” If you’re feeling mad at a sibling or annoyed with a teammate, throwing a toxic, mean comment at them will only make the situation worse. Choosing to stay calm and use gentle words can completely change the vibe of your whole room!

When you catch yourself wanting to whisper gossip, say a put-down, or yell in anger, ask Jesus to help you control your tongue. You can use your voice to pay someone a high-five compliment, cheer on a classmate who is trying hard, or say “I’m sorry” when you make a mistake. When we rely on God to tame our tongue, our words will shine his amazing love to everyone who hears us!

Talk About It

  1. If you had a remote control that could mute any silly or noisy sound in the world for an hour, what sound would you press mute on first?
  2. What is our main Bible truth today, and where can we find it in the Bible?
  3. Parents, when you were kids, what was a time someone said something really encouraging to you, and how did those helpful words make you feel?
  4. Why is it so easy to let poisonous words slip out when we get mad at a sibling or friend, and how can Jesus help us pause before we speak?
  5. What is one specific compliment or encouraging phrase our family can practice saying out loud to each other every single day this week?