Key Verse

Psalm 34:13

Additional Verses

Ephesians 4:29; Proverbs 15:1; Proverbs 12:18; James 1:26; Proverbs 18:21

Materials Needed

• Log
• Axe or hatchet

Preparation

You may want to anchor the log to the floor to keep it from moving.

Object Lesson

Have you ever heard the phrase, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me?” Do you believe it? Well many people say that and try to act like words don’t hurt them, but in reality words do cut like a knife.

Have we ever said something that hurt someone? I think we all probably have at some point in our lives. James talks a lot about the power of the tongue and how dangerous it really is. In Psalm 34:13 it says that we should keep out tongue from saying evil things.

(Take a couple of chops into the log. Be careful that you don’t hit anyone with the chips.)

Sometimes we say things that are hurtful and then we say that we are “just kidding.” That is kind of like chopping into this log (take a couple more chops into the log) and then telling it that I was just kidding.

The damage has already been done. We need to be very careful with our words, because they cut even deeper than this axe does. The Bible tells us often to encourage others. Are our words encouraging to others?