A couple of months ago, I sat down one Thursday to prepare the children's sermon I was supposed to deliver on that coming Sunday. While we have been livestreaming only during COVID, I have been trying to do something "eye-catching" during my messages that will really grab the children's attention. However, when I first read the scripture passage the pastor would be using, I was stumped. It was James 3:1-12.
". . . . .How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature,[b] and is itself set on fire by hell . . . . "
Not exactly what I would call a "kid-friendly" passage! After I read and re-read the passage, prayed, and thought about it, I realized that the passage is ultimately about using our words wisely & kindly, and THAT is, indeed, a message that children need to hear. I remembered an illustration I had seen a long time ago comparing words to toothpaste which I thought would certainly pique interest and be a visual representation of the lesson.
I put a tube of toothpaste, a toothbrush, and paper plate in a bag. As I began, I asked the kids if they had any guesses what might be in my bag. (Since we were livestreaming, there were no children actually gathered around me). Then, I pulled out the toothpaste to show them.
I explained that toothpaste can be very good and helpful when we use it properly. We put it on a toothbrush and brush our teeth so that our teeth and gums stay clean and healthy. It keeps us from getting cavities and gives us fresh, minty breath!
Then, I explained that, if we do not use toothpaste properly, it can also create a big mess. I pulled out the paper plate and began squirting the toothpaste all over the plate as I said, "You could take toothpaste and just squirt it all over the bathroom sink and counter, all over the floor, or even all over your brother or sister! What would happen if you did that??? Well, you would, of course, make a big mess. You would probably also get in LOTS of trouble. You might even have to clean it all up AND, then, you would be all out of toothpaste because you can't put that toothpaste back in the tube, can you?!?!"
Well, words are kind of like toothpaste. We can use our words to be helpful and kind (hold up the toothbrush) OR we can use ugly, mean words that just create a big mess and get us in trouble! (show the plate of toothpaste) PLUS, once our words come out of our mouths, we can't just put them back in. Even if we say we're sorry, we still might have hurt someone's feelings with the words we said.
I acknowledged that it can be hard to control our words - even for grownups - because sometimes we get frustrated or angry and, sometimes, other people don't use kind words towards us. I told the kids that, language is a gift given to us by God and that God would not want us to use our language for hurting others. I said the next time they were tempted to use harsh words, I wanted them to think about my toothpaste and the mess I made squirting it all over the plate. Instead of "squirting out" unhelpful words, they could use their words to talk to God and ask for help.
Prayer:
Dear God,
Thank you for the gift of words.
Forgive us when we slip up and use hurtful words.
Help us remember to use our words to be helpful, kind, and encouraging so that we can share your grace and love with others.
Amen.
I think the message went well and even got an email from an adult member of our congregation who said the visual really stuck with her. It is not always a great idea to use metaphors like this as young children would have a hard time transferring the meaning of "using words properly" to "using toothpaste properly," but given the circumstances of livestreaming and challenges of engaging children through a screen, I am hopeful it worked for this one!!
**I recommend using a cheap, very colorful toothpaste. You can usually get a tube of bright blue or pink kids' toothpaste at the Dollar Store.**
What ideas do you have for sharing this message with children?
