Devotion: Caught By Words
Ephesians 4:29 says, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
Sounds great but how do we actually “teach” our kids to follow this verse. Here’s a thought…Try it with a fun game that can be used as a devotion. Read the verse to your kids and then announce the game. Say,” We are going to look for 5 ways our family uses unwholesome (or dishonoring) speech: arguing, boasting/bragging, whining, complaining, talking too much or being bossy.” Anyone in the family who hears dishonoring speech is to say “Whoops!” and then identify why that speech was dishonoring. Then you family can work together to offer suggestions on how to say the same thing in a more honorable way. And don’t forget that Mom’s and Dad’s are to get a “Whoops!” just the same as the kids!
When someone says “Why can’t I have another cookie?” in that whiny voice, someone else might say “Whoops!” and then identify that as whining and suggest that they ask the same question in a different way.
At the same time, everyone is to be on the lookout for speech that is honoring and that is rewarded with a “Yahoo!” Examples would include words of gratefulness, praise, compliments and affirmation. If a child says, “Thanks Dad, for helping me learn that game.” Dad can say “Yahoo!”
Play the game for an hour or so during normal family activities. Keep score of how many “Whoops!” and how many “Yahoo’s” your family earns. You might be surprised at how quickly this game will raise the awareness level of how each family member is speaking to one another and create a positive change without the lecture!