Food vs. Words

Read It: Matthew 15:10-12 (NRSV)

10 Then he called the crowd to him and said to them, “Listen and understand: 11 it is not what goes into the mouth that defiles a person, but it is what comes out of the mouth that defiles.” 12 Then the disciples approached and said to him, “Do you know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard what you said?” 

Learn It:

In the Old Testament there are different laws about what types of food you can and cannot eat.  For Jesus to basically say that you can eat any kind of food goes against a number of laws that the Pharisees hold onto as part of their faith.  Jesus tries to point out that the greater evil of the mouth is not what goes in (food and water) but what comes out (our words).  When I was little I used to hear and even say the phrase, "sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me".  I have since learned that that phrase is not true at all.  There are things that we say that is not nice or helpful and when we're angry we even say things that are downright mean.  We may later feel sick for things we ate or how much we ate but there are times when the words we say can cause great trouble and rifts.  Words are more dangerous than the food we eat.

Share It:

What might be some things recently that you have said that you later regretted saying because you realize that it might have been wrong or hurtful to say?  Why do you think that we sometimes say things before we think them through?  What are some specific ways that we can use words to build each other up?  What are ways that we can be more careful of the words we choose to say?  

Live It:

This next week spend some time building people up with words of kindness.  Take this week to really think about the words that come out of your mouth before you say them.  When you are talking to someone really listen to what they have to say, think about how to respond, then respond to them with your carefully chosen words.  See how spending some intentional time choosing words might affect your conversations this week and in the future.  

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Soul Relief

Read It: 1 Peter 5:7-8 (NRSV)

 7 Cast all your anxiety on him, because he cares for you. 8 Discipline yourselves, keep alert. Like a roaring lion your adversary the devil prowls around, looking for someone to devour. 

Learn It:

Lost and Found is a band (a duo) that sings a song called "Lions" (a.k.a. "The Slinky Song") and they use the second half of verse 8 above as the text for the song.  (It was also taught to our  kids a month or so ago during our kid's song time).  It's a great song and I encourage you to check it out...here is a YouTube video of the song.     There is another video here that has a great explanation of this verse and the song.  Michael says this, "The one that is in each of us in this place, is greater than the one in this world."  I think that speaks a lot to who we are as Christians.  We have this wonderful gift of the Holy Spirit residing in us and it truly is greater than anything that is in this world.  So with that confidence we can cast all our anxiety on God because we know that in the end God will carry us through.

Share It:

Really take a few minutes and watch the first video (it's less than three minutes) with the whole family and listen to the words of the song.  It is a fun...and funny song but what parts of the song stuck out to you?  Were there any parts that were words of encouragement or phrases that stuck with you as you listened to this song?  After you listen to this song (at least once!) read the verse above and see if you have any anxiety or if you just have joy.  How or why do you think your cares and anxieties went away?  Spend some time talking about these ideas.

Live It:

I encourage you to bookmark this video or go out and buy Lost and Found's CD with this song and listen to it each day this week...at the start of your day.  I want you to see if this song can get you going on a good start.  I think there is something powerful about beginning the day with a wonderful word from God each day whether it's through scripture, song, prayer or whatever might be your method.  Use this song this week as a way to cast all your cares and anxieties on God.

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Grounded

Read It: Matthew 4:1-11 (NRSV)

Then Jesus was led up by the Spirit into the wilderness to be tempted by the devil. 2He fasted forty days and forty nights, and afterwards he was famished.3The tempter came and said to him, “If you are the Son of God, command these stones to become loaves of bread.” 4But he answered, “It is written, ‘One does not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes from the mouth of God.’” 5Then the devil took him to the holy city and placed him on the pinnacle of the temple,6saying to him, “If you are the Son of God, throw yourself down; for it is written, ‘He will command his angels concerning you,’ and ‘On their hands they will bear you up, so that you will not dash your foot against a stone.’” 7Jesus said to him, “Again it is written, ‘Do not put the Lord your God to the test.’” 8Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor;9and he said to him, “All these I will give you, if you will fall down and worship me.”10Jesus said to him, “Away with you, Satan! for it is written, ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him.’” 11Then the devil left him, and suddenly angels came and waited on him.

Learn It:

The temptations of Jesus is a very famous passage and many people know all about Satan coming and tempting Jesus three times and Jesus denying every time. One of the best parts of this passage is a great example of how well Jesus knew scripture. When Jesus says that "One does not live by bread alone..." he is quoting Deuteronomy 8:3. Then again when Jesus says, "Do not put the Lord your God to the test," comes from Deuteronomy 6:16. When Jesus is tempted a third time he quotes, "Worship the Lord your God, and serve only him," which is a quote from Deuteronomy 6:13. Jesus was able to fend off temptation which is great, but the amazing example that he gives us is that he is able to do it so well by quoting the Bible.

Share It:

Look again at the first thing that Jesus is tempted with...food. Not all temptations in our lives are BIG things. What are some of the things that tempt you in your life? What are some of the ways that you have been able to resist that temptation? Have you ever used scripture to resist temptation? Talk with your family about some of these things and other ways that you are tempted either by friends or things.

Live It:

Spend some time as a family or by yourself and search through the Bible for some scriptures that you think would be great verses to say to yourself when you are experiencing times of temptation. You could also use the scriptures that Jesus used in the verses above. Write down or think about what ways that Word of God was able help you resist temptation. God's Word is a very powerful tool.

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