SUPPLIES:

Flowers

Venus flytrap

Flower seeds

Flower pot

Bee and butterfly decorations



Bees & butterflies are attracted to beautiful flowers. They are attracted to the colors on the outside and the sweetness on the inside.

Just like they are attracted to the flowers, people are attracted to us when our actions (what they see on the outside) mirror Jesus' actions. And the sweetness on the inside is revealed by our words. Our words should sound like Jesus Himself speaking.

What are our words attracting?

Have you ever heard of a Venus Fly Trap?

(Describe: Attracts flies and bugs. Once they land on the leaves, it closes and the bugs are trapped.) 

That's how the devil works. He wants us to get caught up in the things of the world to discredit us as Christians. He wants to influence our words and our conversations because he knows how powerful our words really are. If he can get us away from speaking the truth or thinking the right things, we become trapped. 

You are snared by the words of your mouth;

you are taken by the words of your mouth.

Proverbs 6:2 NKJV

But the Bible tells us what we should be thinking:

Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, noble, just, pure, lovely, of good report,

if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things.

Philippians 4:8, NKJV

If we think right, we will speak right. 

But as He which hath called you is holy,

so be ye holy in all manner of conversation.

1 Peter 1:15, KJV

Our conversation - our words - comes in all manners; even social media. 

Let your conversation be gracious and attractive

so that you will have the right response for everyone.

Colossians 4:6, NLT

Once things are on the Internet, your words or photos, are there for all to see. Once it is out there, it can't be totally removed. You may be able to erase it, but it's still out there.

And just suppose that you were able to keep a conversation from the internet. Maybe just through a text message and then deleted it. It still did not go unnoticed.

Jesus sees what we write. He sees our photos and what we post. And He sees our hearts and what we think.

So let's be like the flowers - sweet on the inside and our actions beautiful on the outside.

Discussion:

1 Peter 1:15 says that we should be holy in all manner of conversation.

What are some ways that we can keep watch over our words?

Prayer:

Father,

We come to You in the Name of Jesus. We ask You to help us keep a guard over our words; words that we speak and words that we write. Help us to keep our words pleasing in Your sight.

In Jesus’ Name. Amen

CRAFT

Plant flower seeds in a small flower pot. Decorate the flower pot with a bee and/or butterfly decorations. Then they can water, nurture and watch their seeds grow into flowers just like watching their words (their conversations).

Additional scriptures:

And there is no creature hidden from His sight, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of Him to whom we must give account. Hebrews 4:13, NKJV

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ. Philippians 1:27, KJV

Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity. 1 Timothy 4:12, KJV

Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. 1 Peter 2:12, NLT

Having your conversation honest among the Gentiles: that, whereas they speak against you as evildoers, they may by your good works, which they shall behold, glorify God in the day of visitation. 1 Peter 2:12, KJV