Controlling the tongue
Children's sermon
Object:
if possible, a bit and a bridle used for horses
Good morning, boys and girls. Does anyone here have a horse or do you ride a horse? (let them answer) Not many people have horses to ride, but we all wish we had our own horse, don't we? What color of horse would you like? (let several children volunteer) Horses are beautiful animals, aren't they? (let them answer) Just imagine how it would feel to ride your horse through the country, jumping fences, with the wind blowing in your face and the sun shining on your back. It sounds like a wonderful day, doesn't it?
Along with a saddle, there is one other thing you must have if you are going to ride a horse and it looks like this! (show them the bit) Do you know what we call this thing? (let them answer) It is called a bit, and do you know where it goes on the horse? (let them answer) That's right, it goes in their mouth and is attached to a bridle and the bridle has reins. The reins are what you hold onto when you are riding a horse. When you pull on the reins the horse knows to turn or to stop or to go faster. You are in charge of the horse when you have the reins and the horse has a bit in its mouth.
Now if the horse obeys because of a bit in its mouth, what should we put in each other's mouth so that we also obey? James, the writer in the Bible, talks about this. He tells us that the same mouth that sings praises to God also says bad things. Do you say nice things with your mouth? (let them answer) That's good. Do you also say bad things to your friends, brothers and sisters, and your mom and dad? (let them answer) Does the good and the bad come from the same mouth? (let them answer) It does, doesn't it? And we must find a way to change so that we do not speak bad things.
We need to ask God to help us obey him and make our mouths good. We want to say thankful things to God and good things to all of our friends and relatives. God doesn't put bits in our mouths, but he asks each one of us to be careful what we say and to think only good things in our mind and heart.
So the next time you see someone riding a horse, I want you to notice the bit in the horse's mouth and how the rider controls the horse. Then you can think about how important it is to control your own mouth.
Along with a saddle, there is one other thing you must have if you are going to ride a horse and it looks like this! (show them the bit) Do you know what we call this thing? (let them answer) It is called a bit, and do you know where it goes on the horse? (let them answer) That's right, it goes in their mouth and is attached to a bridle and the bridle has reins. The reins are what you hold onto when you are riding a horse. When you pull on the reins the horse knows to turn or to stop or to go faster. You are in charge of the horse when you have the reins and the horse has a bit in its mouth.
Now if the horse obeys because of a bit in its mouth, what should we put in each other's mouth so that we also obey? James, the writer in the Bible, talks about this. He tells us that the same mouth that sings praises to God also says bad things. Do you say nice things with your mouth? (let them answer) That's good. Do you also say bad things to your friends, brothers and sisters, and your mom and dad? (let them answer) Does the good and the bad come from the same mouth? (let them answer) It does, doesn't it? And we must find a way to change so that we do not speak bad things.
We need to ask God to help us obey him and make our mouths good. We want to say thankful things to God and good things to all of our friends and relatives. God doesn't put bits in our mouths, but he asks each one of us to be careful what we say and to think only good things in our mind and heart.
So the next time you see someone riding a horse, I want you to notice the bit in the horse's mouth and how the rider controls the horse. Then you can think about how important it is to control your own mouth.
