In the Verse Kit Box:
(Nothing)
Use blocks or legos from home while students are working on this verse. Heads up: Connect this activity after completing the lesson by discussing how we don’t like someone knocking over our creation, just like we need to use our words to build (encourage) others, instead of knocking them down.
Review:
Lesson:
Actions:
Do not let – put your arms and hands in front of your chest in the shape of an X, symbolizing NOT
any unwholesome talk – move your dominant hand like a mouth talking
come out of your mouth – point to your mouth
but only what is helpful – thumbs up, symbolizing good
for building others up – one fist on top of another, and then switch fists, symbolizing building
according to their needs – open hands, palm up, fingers moving back and forth, like a child signaling “give me”
that it may benefit – OK sign
those who listen. – cup your ear with your hand
Introduction: Determine before starting what part of the verse your student will memorize. Then introduce the lesson by reading through the whole verse, in order to give context. Say: “This is the part we are going to learn tonight,” and then read through that section, showing the accompanying signs. Read through the selected part again, doing the motions again, having the student repeat after you and doing the motions as much as possible. Include the following information, as appropriate for your student based on age/understanding/etc.
Context for Lesson: Paul wrote the book of Ephesians while he was in prison in Rome. Ephesians were the people who lived in Ephesus. (Consider looking at a Bible map during the time of Paul’s missionary journeys. Locate both Rome and Ephesus.)
Threads to Weave into the Lesson: Often, we think children are the ones that need to be instructed to “watch their language” or “be nice.” But Paul wasn’t writing to children! He was writing to adults–adults in a church! Ask your student: “Can you think of an adult that you wish was nicer with their words?” (it can be someone at church, or outside of church).
Vocabulary Words:
unwholesome: UN [not] WHOLESOME [healthy, sound, complete] (depending on the age range of your child, this breakdown may not have helped!) Consider asking your student what they think the word means, based on context.
Fun Element: Discuss together what the circle with the crossed out line means. What other places do they see this symbol? Ask them to be observant over the next week to see if they see it in other places. Challenge them to say the verse out loud or to themselves when they see the sign!
Wrap up the Lesson: Bring the focus back to the verse by re-reading the portion your student will memorize and doing the hand motions. Ask the student to read it/recite it back to you while doing the accompanying sign language. Continue this teacher read/student repeat cycle until you are pretty sure they have it in their short-term memory. (Review over the next 3 weeks will move it to long-term memory.) Use the activity below to wrap up the lesson.
Kit:
Use blocks or legos from home while students are working on the verse. Discuss how we don’t like someone knocking over our creation, just like we need to use our words to build (encourage) others, instead of knocking them down.
Bible Literacy:
Help your student find Ephesians 4:29 in their Bible and highlight or underline it.
