Weapon of Mass Destruction – The Power of the Tongue

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Note:

This is a really fun lesson but it is ALL in the presentation!  You have to REALLY play this one up making the kids believe that there is something terrible and very dangerous inside the box.  You almost cannot be too dramatic with this one.

What you need:

• A strong stomach (some people just cannot handle figuratively or literally a big nasty cow tongue)
• A cow tongue
  • You can purchase this at most groceries stores including Super-Walmart
• A plastic, leak-proof shoebox or something similar (this is to put the tongue in so it doesn’t leak all over everything)
  • You can purchase these at Dollartree but any plastic container or bin with work
• A dark, opaque box or container that the plastic container can fit inside of and that will hide the tongue completely until it is time to reveal it.  I used a regular old cardboard box and then spraypainted it black.  To make it even more exciting you can print nuclear logos and toxic symbol to glue on the outside.
• Tape to secure the box

Lesson:

Today we are talking about the most terrible, most destructive and most frightening weapon of mass destruction man has EVER DEVISED and I just so happen to have it with me right here and RIGHT NOW!

PULL OUT THE BOX AND SET IT ON THE TABLE

Yes, in this little box is a weapon so deadly that it has destroyed more people than just about ANYTHING ELSE! I know it is close to you but I will do my best to be careful.

Parents, you might want to protect your children in just a little bit because this little thing is… well, let’s just say that it is unpredictable! TERRIFYING might come close to describing it but only just…

You see the weapon of mass destruction that is in this box has not only destroyed individuals… but it has ALSO destroyed WHOLE FAMILIES!

NOT ONLY WHOLE FAMILIES BUT EVEN WHOLE CHURCHES! NOT ONLY WHOLE CHURCHES BUT EVEN NATIONS!

This weapon has torn our world apart… created rifts and chasms in friendships, in relationships and more!

It is a weapon more powerful than chemical warfare!  It is more powerful than a nuclear bomb!

It has been around for a LONG LONG TIME!  It has been creating chaos since man was first created!

It is even mentioned in the bible… many times! In fact, the bible says it has the power of LIFE AND DEATH! The bible says it can make people VICIOUS AND ANGRY EVEN CALLS IT A FIRE AND SAYS IT PIERCES LIKE A SWORD!

It even calls it a weapon of destruction.  A TRUE W. M.D.

Now I am going to open this box here… so you may want to cover your eyes… Cover your ears… Duck and cover… stop, drop and roll… keep your hands and arms inside the car at all…. WAIT NEVER MIND… But here it is… the most dangerous and devastating weapon the world has ever known.  The weapon that has been used more times and to worse effect that ANY other…

MAKE A LONG DRAMATIC PAUSE AND THEN OPEN THE BOX

DROP TO THE FLOOR IN A FETAL POSITION AND AFTER A WHILE, SLOWLY GET UP AND THEN STARE INSIDE OPEN MOUTHED.

PUT ON GLOVES AND SLOWLY PULL OUT…

A COW TONGUE!!!!

Yes, ladies and gentlemen… here it is!  The most dangerous weapon of all… the TONGUE!

• Proverbs 18:21 – Death and life [are] in the power of the tongue: and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof.
• Proverbs 12:18 – There is that speaketh like the piercings of a sword: but the tongue of the wise [is] health.
• Proverbs 13:3 – He that keepeth his mouth keepeth his life: [but] he that openeth wide his lips shall have destruction.
• James 3:6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
• James 3:8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

Churches can have problems if people don’t know when to not open their mouths.  This goes for moms, dad, boys and girls. We have GOT to learn WHEN TO SPEAK and even more importantly… when NOT to speak

James 1:26 – If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man’s religion [is] vain.

We have two ears and one mouth and we should keep our hearing and listening to that ratio.  Listen TWICE as much as you talk.

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NOTE: I am going to be giving a LOT of verses below which will allow you to expand your lesson for as long or as short as your classtime allows.  Use what verses you feel are appropriate and save the rest for later.

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The tongue is SO POWERFUL.  In James chapter 3 it says…

• 3 Behold, we put bits in the horses’ mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.
• 4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.
• 5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!
• 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.
• 7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:
• 8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.
• 9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.
• 10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.
• 11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?
• 12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Thank God, it isn’t all bad though… we can do good with our tongues as well.  Listen to the contrast between the good things and the bad things we can do with our tongues…

• Proverbs 15:1 – A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger.
• Proverbs 10:19 – In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips [is] wise.
• Proverbs 15:28 – The heart of the righteous studieth to answer: but the mouth of the wicked poureth out evil things.
• Proverbs 15:4 – A wholesome tongue [is] a tree of life: but perverseness therein [is] a breach in the spirit.

Some good verses to pray about our tongues:

• Psalms 19:14 – Let the words of my mouth, and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O LORD, my strength, and my redeemer.
• 1 Peter 3:10 – For he that will love life, and see good days, let him refrain his tongue from evil, and his lips that they speak no guile:
• Ephesians 4:29 – Let no corrupt communication proceed out of your mouth, but that which is good to the use of edifying, that it may minister grace unto the hearers.
• Matthew 12:36-37 – But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.
• Psalms 141:3 – Set a watch, O LORD, before my mouth; keep the door of my lips.
• James 1:19 – Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

And on and on and on you can go about the POWER OF THE TONGUE!