For Kids · 3 min with a grown-up
Proverbs 18 is full of wise sayings about two things we do every day - talking and listening. It turns out our words are a lot more powerful than we think.
Today's Story
Proverbs 18 says something amazing about words: “Your tongue has the power of life and death.”
That sounds huge - and it is! It means the things you say really matter. Words can build a person up or knock them down. “You can do it!” gives life. “You're so dumb” takes it away. Same little tongue, two very different results.
The chapter also gives great advice about listening: “To answer before listening - that is foolish.” Have you ever started arguing before you even heard the whole story? Wise people close their mouths and open their ears first. They listen all the way, and then they speak.
And it has a sweet line about friendship: there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother. Some friends are so loyal, they feel like family.
So today, remember your words have real power. Use them to give life. And listen all the way before you answer.
A Big Word
Memory Verse
Talk About It
- Words can give life or take it away. What is something someone said that made you feel really good? What is something that hurt?
- The verse says it's foolish to answer before you listen. Why is it hard to wait and listen all the way before you speak?
- If your words really do have power, what is one life-giving thing you want to say to someone today?