We have officially started up “Shabbat” or the Sabbath (our day of rest). Our family refers to it as Shabbat which is the Jewish word for “rest” or “cessation”. I will probably do a “Life Lesson” on Shabbat but I have decided to focus on some memory verses/quotes regarding pleasant words for this week. Below is a list of verses that have to do with kind words or pleasant words. I am going to discuss the importance of pleasant words, review these verses and then assign one verse to each person in the family to memorize and repeat at the next Shabbat:
Proverbs 16:24 – (Assigned to Canaan)
Kind words are like honey—sweet to the soul and healthy for the body.
Proverbs 10:11
The words of the godly are a life-giving fountain;the words of the wicked conceal violent intentions.
Proverbs 10:21
The words of the godly encourage many,but fools are destroyed by their lack of common sense.
Proverbs 10:32
The lips of the godly speak helpful words,but the mouth of the wicked speaks perverse words.
Proverbs 12:14
Wise words bring many benefits,and hard work brings rewards.
Proverbs 12:18
Some people make cutting remarks,but the words of the wise bring healing.
Proverbs 12:19
Truthful words stand the test of time,but lies are soon exposed.
Proverbs 14:3
A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him,but the words of the wise keep them safe.
Proverbs 15:1
A gentle answer deflects anger,but harsh words make tempers flare.
Proverbs 15:28
The heart of the godly thinks carefully before speaking;the mouth of the wicked overflows with evil words.
Proverbs 31:25-27 (New Living Translation) – (Assigned to Mommy)
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
Ephesians 4:31
Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior.
No formal lesson. I just want to talk to my kids about “words” and ask them some questions about the kind of words that come out of their mouths. Are they using encouraging words? Are they building up others or tearing them down?
I may also share some of these qoutes with them:
… a word of …
Did is a word of achievement,
Won’t is a word of retreat,
Might is a word of bereavement,
Can’t is a word of defeat,
Ought is a word of duty,
Try is a word of each hour,
Will is a word of beauty,
Can is a word of power.
— Unknown Author (Assigned to Haven)
“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.”
— Mother Teresa (1910-1997)
“You have it easily in your power to increase the sum total of this world’s happiness now. How? By giving a few words of sincere appreciation to someone who is lonely or discouraged. Perhaps you will forget tomorrow the kind words you say today, but the recipient may cherish them over a lifetime.”
— Dale Carnegie (Assigned to Daddy)
“A careless word may kindle strife,
A cruel word may wreck a life,
A timely word may lessen stress,
A loving word may heal and bless.”
— Author Unknown – (Assigned to Mannah)
“Even if your friends and associates commonly use cuss words, you will be perceived as more mature, intelligent, articulate, polite, considerate and pleasant if you control your language and the emotions that typically prompt expletives. You can choose to have character and class, or be considered rude, crude and crass.”
— James O’Connor (author and founder of the Cuss Control Academy)
“A good word costs no
more than a bad one.” (Assigned to Noble)
— (English proverb)
I’ll report back here and let you know how it goes:
I did too many verses again…ended up not reading several of them. However, the discussion went well. Our family really needed to stop and reflect on our words and how we speak to each other. Its easy for families to get in a rut of talking in a way that tears each other down and that is not respectful or loving of the other person. I don’t really know why that happens…probably just because of familiarity and taking each other for granted. Anyway, I am hopeful that after the lesson we had tonight that we will learn to build each other up and encourage each other with our words.
