Editor's notes: See the the PDF for accompanying pictures and activities (p. 27):
Match these kind words of Jesus to the person or people to whom He said them (all verses NIV, 1984):
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Mourners at Jairus’ house |
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16). |
|
Disciples |
“Leave her alone. . . . She has done a beautiful thing to me” (Mark 14:6). |
|
Man who was lowered through the roof |
“The child is not dead but asleep” (Mark 5:39) |
|
Zacchaeus |
“Come and have breakfast” (John 21:12) |
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Dinner guests and Judas |
“Come to me . . . and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28). |
|
One of the thieves crucified with Jesus |
“Today salvation has come to this house” (Luke 19:9). |
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Nicodemus |
“Your sins are forgiven” (Luke 5:20) |
|
A crowd |
“You will be with me in paradise” (Luke 23:43). |
Our favorite words:
Some researchers discovered that the words we most like to hear are these:
"I love you!"
"I forgive you."
"Supper's ready!"
Jesus said words like these to His friends and still says them to us today!
• What are your favorite words to hear?
• What are some kind things you can say to the people in your family and class?
APPLES IN FRAMES
Solomon said that kind, wise, and helpful words are like “apples of gold in settings [or frames] of silver” (Prov. 25:11, NIV, 1984)
Write some of these special phrases and sentences on the golden apples in this silver frame.
What are some of the kind, wise, and helpful things that people say to you?
Which ones do you like to hear most?
CHOICE WORDS
What kind things could you say to your friends in these situations? Write your caring words in the empty speech bubbles next to theirs.
Oh no! I forgot to bring my lunch!
I feel really sad today because my mommy had to go to hospital
Please, will you play with me?
I don’t feel very well.
My dad has a new job, so we have to move. I’m afraid I won’t have any friends in the new school.
I’m really worried about the math test tomorrow.
PUZZLING PROVERBS
Arrange these mixed-up proverbs about words in the right order. Talk with your family about what you think these proverbs mean. (See the PDF for the puzzle)
Healing and bones to the honeycomb are the sweet words to a gracious soul. Prov. 16:24, NIV
But gentle wrath stirs away a harsh answer up turns a word anger. Prov. 15:1, NIV
They hold silent fools if they keep discerning thought, and even if their tongues are wise. Prov. 17:28, NIV
Guard their calamity from those mouths and their tongues who keep themselves. Prov. 21:23, NIV
CREATIVE WORDS
Find a newspaper or church magazine. Choose a favorite verse from the Bible.
Cut out words and letters from the magazine to spell out the verse.
Stick them on a fresh piece of paper or card to make a trendy poster, a card to give away, or a scrapbook of decorated Bible verses.
Or choose your favorite style of lettering, graphics, and pictures to make a Bible verse collage for your room or your home.
Get inspired by searching the Internet for images of Bible verses on beautiful backgrounds. Why not make a great gift for your mom or dad by decorating their favorite Bible verse?
BIBLE WORD GAMES
• Work with your family to find a Bible verse beginning with each letter of the alphabet. Use “Ex” for X. If you find Q and Z difficult, look for verses that contain a word beginning with one of those letters.
• Choose a long Bible name like Methuselah or Melchizedek and see how many other Bible names you can make from the letters in the long name.
• Gather 5 old dice or 5 wooden cubes. Write a different letter on each side of the cube. Leave out Q and X, and write at least two different vowels on each cube. Take turns rolling the dice and see if you can make a five-letter Bible name from the letters you roll. You may have three rolls per turn. Roll all the dice the first time, and then choose which dice you will throw on the next two turns to try and spell a Bible name.
• Make a Bible name chain. Take turns thinking of a Bible character. Each person has to think of a name beginning with the last letter of the previous name. Example: AbrahaM, MichaeL, LabaN, NaomI, IsaaC, etc.
