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the World by Word of Mouth?

Bad words are everywhere. It is rare that any of us go through one day without hearing what society considers “bad words”. But how do we stop it? Adults who curse have most likely been using bad words most of their lives. That type of habit is hard to break. So, the most sensible solution is to start with children and teach that “bad words” are not necessary and using them does not make someone more “grown up” or “cool”.



This clever insight into teaching that certain words are not necessary in life gives the reader a glimpse into a fourth and fifth grade Sunday school class. When a bad word is uttered right before the morning lesson, everyone wants to know who said it. However, Brother Rodney and Sister Eunice, the teachers of each week’s message, spontaneously decide to use the incident as an opportunity to teach the youth about ‘why’ bad words are bad, and ‘why’ we should all avoid using them.



As the morning discussion continues, these children are shown that some words are just not worth repeating. They are given an opportunity to look up certain words and when given their “real” meaning and substituting that phrase where a bad word could be used, well, it just sounds ridiculous.



Realizing that bad words don’t make anyone popular or mature, the class decides to stop trying to use them and also to encourage their friends to stop. As they are reminded that we are all God’s children and related in some way, it just doesn’t seem right to cut down someone from your “family” by directing hurtful words at them. This insightful reminder that we can all benefit from leaving harmful and bad words out of our vocabulary is a must-read for families and a very useful teaching tool in Sunday school and spiritual classes. Through blessings and encouragement of each other, the world can truly be a better place.

It was going to be another great Sunday Children’s Church class for Brother Rodney and Sister Eunice to lead. The fourth and fifth-graders who regularly attended the class were gathering in Room 205 which was also known as the “Big Kids Class” as their parents dropped them off one by one at the door. As soon as everyone had arrived, the class opened with roll call. Eunice called out the names as each child eagerly answered back, “Here!” It went like this, “Joshua—Here! Sammy—Here! Kristin—Here! Denzel—Here! Amad—Here! Sayed—Here! Rodney II—Here! Ramiro—Here! Jeffery--Here, and Tran—Here!” Right after roll call, the class leaders prayed, and immediately broke into the praise and worship portion of the class which the children had been waiting for. The children sincerely loved that part of the class, and rejoiced with a lot of clapping, foot stomping, and singing to the Lord. What a wonderful time they had! Then as quickly as it had begun, it seemed, the praise and worship time was over. The excitement was dying down as the last note of the last praise song faded away. What a powerful class it was going to be. All of the smiling children began to settle into their seats. Then, just as the class leaders began to pass out the lesson for the day, “IT” HAPPENED. Sammy, who was sitting in the back of the room, heard “IT” first and quickly pointed his finger and shouted at the top of his voice, “OOOOOOO, YOU SAID A BAD WOOORD!”