Introduction for Grown-Ups: This guide prepared by TWTW is based on Father Joe's video and is designed to help a parent, teacher, or group leader to help kids talk about the big ideas Father presents.

Core Lesson: Our words are powerful. We can choose words that are "soft and gentle" like a teddy bear, or "sharp and hurtful" like a pin. Jesus shows us how to be kind and use our words to help, not hurt.

Key Theme: "Are our words soft and gentle, or are our words sharp and hurtful? It matters very much what our words are like."

Part 1: Understanding the Message

This section helps unpack the main analogies from the lesson.

1. The Big Question: The lesson starts with a central question: Are our words "soft" or "sharp"? This sets up a simple, powerful choice for children to understand.

2. The "Big Al" Balloon & Teddy Bear Analogy:

• The Balloon: Represents our hearts or feelings. It's special and important.
• Soft Words (The Teddy Bear 🧸): These are words that are "soft and gentle." They are safe and comforting, like a teddy bear. They protect people's feelings.
• Sharp Words (The Pin 📌): These are words that are "hurtful and mean." They are "sharp" like a pin. They can "pop" the balloon, which represents hurting someone's heart.

3. The Impact of Our Words:

• Hurtful words make people feel "so sad."
• They "can really hurt a person's heart." This is the key consequence to understand. It's not just a sound; it's an action that has a real effect on someone else.

4. The Example: "Kind Like Jesus"

• This is the "why" and "how" of our kindness.
• How was Jesus kind? "Jesus always stood with people who got left out or picked on or made fun of."
• What does Jesus want? "He doesn't want us to hurt anybody. He wants us to stay with them, too."

Part 2: Discussion Questions for Kids

Use these questions to start a conversation. Encourage children to share their own thoughts and experiences in a safe, non-judgmental way.

Warm-Up:

1. What was the name of the balloon in the story? (Big Al)
2. What two kinds of words did we learn about today? (Soft/gentle and sharp/hurtful)
3. What animal did the "soft" words feel like? (A teddy bear)
4. What sharp object were the "hurtful" words like? (A pin)

Going Deeper:

1. Can you think of an example of a "soft and gentle" word? (e.g., "Thank you," "You're a good friend," "I like your drawing," "Can I help?")
2. Can you think of an example of a "sharp and hurtful" word? (e.g., "You're stupid," "I hate you," "You can't play," "That's ugly.")
3. How do you feel inside when someone uses "sharp" words on you?
4. How do you feel inside when someone uses "soft" words on you?
5. Why do you think "sharp" words hurt so much? (The guide says they "hurt a person's heart.")

Being Like Jesus:

1. The story says Jesus stood with people who were "left out or picked on." Have you ever seen someone being left out?
2. What do you think Jesus would do in that situation?
3. What are some "soft" words we could use to help someone who is being picked on or feeling left out? (e.g., "You can sit with me," "Do you want to play?", "Stop picking on him.")
4. Is it easier to use "soft" words or "sharp" words when you are feeling angry or sad?
5. What can we do to help us choose "soft" words even when we are upset? (e.g., Take a deep breath, walk away for a minute, ask God for help.)

Part 3: Activities to Reinforce the Lesson

1. "Soft" vs. "Sharp" Word Sort

• You'll Need: Index cards (or small pieces of paper) and a marker.
• Activity: Write different words or phrases on the cards (e.g., "You're nice," "Go away," "Great job!," "I don't like you," "Thank you," "That's dumb"). Create two "piles" or "buckets": one labeled with a happy face 😊 (Soft) and one with a sad face 😢 (Sharp). Have the children read the cards (or read them aloud) and sort them into the correct piles.

2. The Kindness Balloon (Gently!)

• You'll Need: A balloon (like Big Al!) and a non-sharp marker (like a washable marker, not a sharpie which could pop it).
• Activity: Inflate the balloon. Have the children sit in a circle. Each child gets a turn to gently write one "soft" or "kind" word on the balloon. When you're done, toss the balloon gently around the circle, with each child reading a kind word as they tap it. Emphasize how we are being gentle with the balloon, just like we should be gentle with our words.

3. Teddy Bear Compliments

• You'll Need: A teddy bear or other soft stuffed animal.
• Activity: Sit in a circle. Pass the teddy bear around. Whoever is holding the "soft" teddy bear must give a "soft" word (a compliment or kind thought) to the person next to them. (e.g., "I like playing with you," "You are good at sharing," "You have a nice smile.")

Closing Prayer

"Dear God, thank you for our words. Please help us remember to be 'kind like Jesus.' Help us choose 'soft and gentle' words that make people feel warm and happy like a teddy bear, and not 'sharp' words that hurt people's hearts. Amen."