The Power of Words
Lesson Plan

Introduction:
Today’s lesson focuses on our thoughts and the power of our words in our lives as well as in the lives of those around us.  May this lesson bless the hearts of each one that reads and hears and may Gods love shine upon you resulting in a deeper relationship with Him.  In Jesus name…Amen.

Handout:  The Power of Words

Outline:

  1. There is an old popular saying among children that says.  “Sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me.”  I suppose this little verse was intended to make children feel better if someone was calling them names or saying hurtful things to or about them.  However intended, still the fact remains that words do hurt and are very powerful.  Words have the power to heal and to destroy.

 In the book of Psalms, chapter 10 verse 7 it says that a wicked man’s mouth is full of cursing and deceit and fraud: and that under his tongue is mischief and vanity. 

Psalm 37:30 “The mouth of the righteous speaketh wisdom, and his tongue talketh of judgment.”

We all have the power to say good, positive words to ourselves and to others, or we can choose to say bad and negative things.  We must make a conscious choice to stay positive and encouraging to ourselves and others.  We never know what one may be going through and how much our words may affect their life.  You may think, how can my little words make a difference to anyone?   Let’s see what God’s word says about our tongue and words. 

James 3:6 “And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature: and it is set on fire of hell.  7.  For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind: 8.  But the tongue can no man tame: it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.”

This is powerful and therefore it is so important that we watch what we say and how we speak to ourselves and to others.  We can choose words to help and to heal the hearts of those around us.  We have a responsibility as children of God to be positive and encouraging with our thoughts, our words and the way we live.


2.  Proverbs 18:21 “Death and life are in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.”

This reminds me of a short story about two frogs that fell into a pit.  The story goes like this. 

A group of frogs were traveling through the woods, and two of them fell into a deep pit. When the other frogs circled the pit, and peering down into it saw how deep the pit was, they told the two frogs that they were as good as dead. The two frogs ignored the comments and tried to jump up out of the pit with all their strength.

The other frogs kept yelling down and telling them to stop, that there was no way they could jump out and that they were as good as dead. Finally, exhausted, one of the frogs took heed to what the other frogs were saying and gave up. He fell down and in a matter of minutes, with all hope gone, he died.

The other frog continued to jump as hard as he could. Once again, the crowd of frogs yelled at him to stop the pain and just die. He jumped even harder and finally made it out. When he got out, the other frogs said, “Did you not hear us?” The frog explained to them that he was deaf.  He thought they were encouraging him to get out the entire time.

Your words may just be the words to encourage someone that is ready to give up.  Your next words may just be the words that change the life of someone around you that you don’t even realize you would have an impact on.  We must always choose our words carefully and speak in love and truth and the words of Christ.

3.  Just like your words may affect others.  Your words and thoughts also affect you more than you might realize.  The Bible says this,

Proverbs 21:23 “Whoso keepeth his mouth and his tongue keepeth his soul from troubles.”

1Peter 3:10 “ For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:

Just like the little story about the two frogs, the words we tell ourselves affect the way we live life and how successful we are at the things we must accomplish.  Our minds are constantly working and processing thoughts or words to our own minds.  Those thoughts and words determine what steps and paths we take in life.

Proverbs 23:7 For as he thinketh in his heart, so is he:

 

Proverbs 8:7 “For my mouth shall speak truth; and wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

Psalms 145:21 “My mouth shall speak the praise of the LORD; and let all flesh bless his holy name for ever and ever.

Proverbs 23:9  “Yea, my reins shall rejoice, when thy lips speak right things.”

If our words were not that important, why would all these verses of wisdom about our words be in God’s word? 

Proverbs 15:1 “A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.”

Proverbs 15:2  “The tongue of the wise useth knowledge aright: but the mouth of fools poureth out foolishness.”

Proverbs 15:3  “A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.”

Never underestimate the power of your words over your own life and the lives of others.  Speak blessings and God’s word in your own heart and in the lives of your family and friends.  Parents should bless their children with the words of encouragement and of God.  It was tradition in biblical days for the Fathers to speak blessings over their children and what they said, would come to pass.  There are times when people around us need encouragement to just go on.  There are many times when we ourselves need to be encouraged.    We can and should encourage ourselves in Christ.  We find David doing this very thing in the book of 1 Samuel.

1 Samuel 30:6  “ And David was greatly distressed; for the people spake of stoning him, because of the soul of all the people was grieved, every man for his sons and for his daughters: but David encouraged himself in the LORD his God.”

Yes little children, we must encourage ourselves in the LORD our God continually and believe God and his promises for our lives and say those things that are not as if they are according to God’s word by faith.  We can live happy lives of peace and joy if we are aware and refuse to let the enemy fill our minds and hearts with negative and hurtful words and thoughts, instead letting the Holy Spirit fill us with himself and his words so that we can move into the plan and destiny God has made for each of our lives.  May God Bless each and every one of you.  I love you all.


Discussion:  Discuss ways to stay positive and focus on the good things

Prayer:
Dear righteous Heavenly FATHER...

Thank you so much for who YOU are...there is none like You.  You are Almighty, Holy, and Righteous.  FATHER we come to you sincerely now, asking you to help us seek you fully with our whole hearts.  Father we desire to think and speak only the words that you would be pleased with and that you would have us to speak.  We thank you for freedom of choice and we choose to love you as well as others.  We need your guidance everyday, every minute to help us stay aware of our thoughts and our words.  Help us be encouraging to those that we may come in contact with everyday.  Remind us to tell them of your love and to live a life that they will see you and your love shine through.  We ask you to protect us and our families and loved ones as we live here for you.  We will be forever thankful and we will always worship and praise you for you are truly worthy of all praise.  Let our lives be all for your glory.  Thank you for this past week and for sweet Jesus.  In Jesus name we pray and ask these things.  AMEN.

~*Cindygirl*~
August 23, 2020