One Way Words

Contributors	J. Boulos
Objective	Teach the power and danger of our tongue unbridled. Words, once said, cannot be taken back. Think before you speak.
Materials Needed	Several small (travel size) tubes of toothpaste and the same number of plates (plastic or styrofoam is fine). Bring paper towels and something to clean hands with after...baby wipes or some germ-x.
Summary	"Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark." --James 3:4-5 Have the students squeeze the toothpaste out of the tubes onto their plate. Set up a race to see who can get all of their toothpaste back into the tube fastest. Once they are done attempting this futile task, guide them through discussion to the fact that it isn't possible to put all the toothpaste back. From here begin explaining about the power of the tongue and the damage it can do. The words we say can never be taken back and the harm they could potentially do is irreplaceable.
Additional Resources
Keywords	toothpaste, loose lips sink ships, gossip
Date Submitted	11//2008