Memory Verse Bible Story Reference Supplies Needed

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My ABCʼs....Memorizing Scripture for Life

Memory Verse Bible Story Reference Supplies Needed

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1 David Brings Peace to Saul (1 Samuel 16:14-23) A few Legos or other toys Craft coloring sheet Multi-colored pencils or crayons

OPENING Prayer Pray for God to teach us to use our voices to be peacemakers and to bring His word into every situation in our lives.

BIBLE STORY (1 Samuel 16:14-23) • David was a young shepherd boy, though he had been anointed to be the next king of Israel he was serving his family by taking care of the sheep. • Being a shepherd gave David a lot of alone time—just him and the sheep. He didn’t waste this time, he spent much of it making up songs of praise to God. • David sang to God and played his harp where only the sheep and God heard him. • But the King of Israel, Saul, was in trouble. He had not obeyed God and he was very troubled. He could not rest. He was probably having nightmares and he was often so upset he couldn’t think straight. • One day a servant of the king’s suggested that Saul send for someone to come and play a harp to help soothe him and bring peace to him. • One of the servants at the palace knew of David, the singing shepherd boy. The servant also described David as a mighty man, and most importantly, that the Lord was with him. So, King Saul sent for David. • David was faithfully taking care of the sheep when Saul’s messenger arrived. David left the fields and went to the palace. • Every time the king would get troubled, David would come and gently play his harp and sing. King Saul would become refreshed and well. • Even though David was a strong, young man who could fight bears and lions to defend his sheep, God used David’s voice (his words and tone) to bring peace and comfort to others. He brought a GENTLE answer to the king’s troubled, angry situation. • We can be like David. The Bible tells in Proverbs 15:1 that “A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.” • We can be peacemakers in our homes, our schools, our church, everywhere we go by remembering to use this verse. ACTIVITY Pick several situations and let the children help you act them out. The LEADER should be the one that acts it out WRONGLY (be dramatic). The ASSISTANT or CHILDREN can practice it correctly. Situation Suggestions: Sit on the floor with an ASSISTANT, tell the ASSISTANT to build with the blocks and then reach over and take one from him. When he reacts by saying, “Please, I was using that,” the LEADER says, “NO! I want it!” This should start a little argument. Repeat the same scenario, but this time the LEADER should respond with a gently answer, “I’m sorry, could I use it to finish my tower.” Other possible situations: pushing, ignoring, bossy playmate

Grace Covenant Church, Chantilly, VA

My ABCʼs....Memorizing Scripture for Life

CRAFT Copy of the Coloring Sheet for each child Color the word “GENTLE ANSWER” using Crayola multi-colored pencils or using a SOFT color Color “WRATH” using black Color “ANGER” using red LIFE STORY Share a personal story of when you used the truth in this verse…when you reacted to someone’s anger with a gentle word and it changed the situation. Remind the children that we are responsible for the words that come out of our mouths and how we react to other people’s word. SPEAK and REACT with gentleness. We can’t control what others do, but we can control how we respond. CHALLENGE • How do you speak to your mom when she asks you to do a chore? • We are responsible for what we do and how we respond to a situation. We cannot control how some else responds, but we can do our best to bring peace. • Listen to your voice. Is it calm or huffy? PRAY Dear Father, Open our ears to hear our own voices – our words and our tone. Give us strength to respond to everyone we meet with your peace! PRACTICE THE MEMORY VERSE Repetition is the key to memorizing the verse, so think of different ways to make it fun to repeat the verse and don’t forget the address (Proverbs 15:1)..... Because our tone is important in our speech, say the verse using different emotions.... For example, have the children repeat the verse while they pretend to be: • crying • happy • silly • angry Try different accents.... • very Southern • robotic • Hip-hop • underwater (say it while using your pointer finger to move your lips up and down)

Grace Covenant Church, Chantilly, VA

My ABCʼs....Memorizing Scripture for Life

Aa

Parent Challenge

Aa

Parent Challenge

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

Our mission is to see God’s kingdom come into every situation. Christ in us can change the culture. Our words have power. The tone in which we speak and the words we choose have influence. Are your words to your children full of life? Do they bring out the greatness that God has placed in them? Do you respond to your children with the peace of God, using the word & truth of God for correction?

Our mission is to see God’s kingdom come into every situation. Christ in us can change the culture. Our words have power. The tone in which we speak and the words we choose have influence. Are your words to your children full of life? Do they bring out the greatness that God has placed in them? Do you respond to your children with the peace of God, using the word & truth of God for correction?

Leaders change the culture. Remember this verse. When you hear your child respond to a situation in anger or frustration, stoop next to him and remind him of this verse. Then, pray for God’s peace to reign in his heart and for that peace to flow from his mouth. Be proactive...if you know you and/or your child will face situations during the day that will frustrate you and threaten your peace, pray this verse together to keep you from stumbling.

Leaders change the culture. Remember this verse. When you hear your child respond to a situation in anger or frustration, stoop next to him and remind him of this verse. Then, pray for God’s peace to reign in his heart and for that peace to flow from his mouth. Be proactive...if you know you and/or your child will face situations during the day that will frustrate you and threaten your peace, pray this verse together to keep you from stumbling.

Advancing God’s kingdom and bringing His peace on this earth begins in our own homes.

Advancing God’s kingdom and bringing His peace on this earth begins in our own homes.

Aa

Parent Challenge

Aa

Parent Challenge

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. Proverbs 15:1

Our mission is to see God’s kingdom come into every situation. Christ in us can change the culture. Our words have power. The tone in which we speak and the words we choose have influence. Are your words to your children full of life? Do they bring out the greatness that God has placed in them? Do you respond to your children with the peace of God, using the word & truth of God for correction?

Our mission is to see God’s kingdom come into every situation. Christ in us can change the culture. Our words have power. The tone in which we speak and the words we choose have influence. Are your words to your children full of life? Do they bring out the greatness that God has placed in them? Do you respond to your children with the peace of God, using the word & truth of God for correction?

Leaders change the culture. Remember this verse. When you hear your child respond to a situation in anger or frustration, stoop next to him and remind him of this verse. Then, pray for God’s peace to reign in his heart and for that peace to flow from his mouth. Be proactive...if you know you and/or your child will face situations during the day that will frustrate you and threaten your peace, pray this verse together to keep you from stumbling.

Leaders change the culture. Remember this verse. When you hear your child respond to a situation in anger or frustration, stoop next to him and remind him of this verse. Then, pray for God’s peace to reign in his heart and for that peace to flow from his mouth. Be proactive...if you know you and/or your child will face situations during the day that will frustrate you and threaten your peace, pray this verse together to keep you from stumbling.

Grace Covenant Church, Chantilly, VA Advancing God’s kingdom and bringing His peace on this earth begins in our own homes.

Advancing God’s kingdom and bringing His peace on this earth begins in our own homes.

My ABCʼs....Memorizing Scripture for Life

Grace Covenant Church, Chantilly, VA