"Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me" isn't a wise adage. It's the comeback of someone who’s been hurt by words but doesn't want to let it show.
Words wound or heal. They tear apart or bring together. They strengthen or destroy.
The first 14 verses of Nehemiah 4 are an opportunity to teach (and re-teach and re-teach) kids these truths:
1. Following God and achieving success will make you a target of resistance and maybe even ridicule.
2. Words have a powerful impact, whether they are typed, heard, or spoken.
3. God calls us to both prayer and action.
4. There’s a time to take a situation only to God, and there’s a time to speak up and act on behalf of yourself and those being impacted by harmful words.
Teaching about words isn’t a “one & done” activity. Rather, it’s an ongoing task. No matter how much kids may roll their eyes or say, “Yeah, yeah, yeah,” wise parents continue to teach about this critical topic. The power of words – whether those said or heard, texted or read – can’t be overstated, especially with today’s technology. It’s crucial we teach children to be mindful of the words they are sending into the world and those they are absorbing.
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