October2008

Ways to Watch Your Words

As parents and children quickly learn, words are powerful. What we Ask God:
say and how we say it affects moods, relationships, and self-esteem.
1. To help you choose words
The Bible provides lots of insight about our words. For example, wisely and avoid outbursts,
Proverbs 12:18 says, “Some people make cutting remarks, but the swearing, and putdowns.
words of the wise bring healing.” And James 3:8 says, “No one can
tame the tongue.” God repeatedly tells us to guard our mouths, 2. To help your children think
knowing the damage they can do. before they speak.

This month’s issue of “The Parent Link” looks into some ways to 3. To bless your family with
harness your family’s speech and make it pleasant and uplifting. Christlike conversations that
Here are some things to remember as you work toward that goal: encourage and nurture one
another.
Your example speaks volumes. Children are sponges who absorb
everything they hear. If you want them to use acceptable language,
monitor your own words and model appropriate talk. Parenting Insights
In With All Their Heart, Christine
Feelings can be tough to express. Yount Jones says a child’s speech
When kids vent their anger or is the barometer of his or her
frustration through bad language, heart. She offers these guidelines
acknowledge their emotions but help for inspiring pure hearts that
them find better words to use. By result in pure speech:
overreacting, you could trigger even
more inappropriate talk. • Encourage children to be an
example for others in how
Words can offer healing and they speak. (See 1 Timothy
forgiveness. Teach children how words can hurt other people. When 4:12.)
siblings and playmates fight or scream at one another, encourage
verbal apologies and hugs to end disputes. • Encourage children to
understand that their
Cleaning Up Our Conversations speech is a large part of
their testimony for Christ.
In a poll of more than 1,000 American adults, 74% said they’re
(See Titus 2:7-8.)
frequently or occasionally subjected to profanity outside the home.
And 67% said cursing has increased during the past 20 years.
• Encourage children to
speak words that help
But there’s good news, too. Last year, 14-year-old McKay Hatch
others. (See Ephesians 4:29.)
started a “No Cussing” club at his school. Before long, the club had
more than 20,000 members, who take the following pledge: “I
• If your children use words
won’t cuss, swear, use bad language, or tell dirty jokes. Clean
carelessly, encourage them
language is the sign of intelligence and always demands respect. I
to say less instead of more.
will use my language to uplift, encourage, and motivate. I will leave
(See Proverbs 10:19-20.)
people better than I found them!”
 “You must all be quick to
listen, slow to speak, and
slow to get angry.”
James 1:19

These are wise yet challenging

commands for families. When
When’s the last time your family had a chat about how you
we give our ears a workout and
talk? Discuss the power of words by pondering these questions:
our tongue a rest, our homes
become more peaceful places.
1. What are some words that put you in a good mood? What are
Teachable Moments some words that bring you down?

1. Can You Hear Me 2. What do people think about us based on what we say and how
Now?—Play a game of we say it? Do your words show that you love Jesus?
Telephone (whispering a
message from person to 3. What types of sinful talking do you struggle with: cursing?
person) to reinforce the teasing? complaining? other? How can we tackle that problem?
importance of good
listening. Afterward, see 4. What are some ways that we as a family can improve how we
how the original message talk to one another?
was altered and talk
about what it feels like to
be heard incorrectly.
Family Experience: Making “God” Statements
When people built the Tower of Babel (Genesis 11), they all
spoke the same language. But they also were puffed up with
pride. Here’s an excerpt from Group’s FaithWeaver curriculum
that you can use to help family members think about what’s
behind their words:

Together, build a tower out of LEGO toys, blocks, boxes, or throw

pillows. Then brainstorm statements people make that show they’re
thinking about themselves instead of about how great God is. For
2. Word Out!—Work to
example, someone might say, “I’m
make your home a
the best runner in class.” Think of
complaint-free and
things you’ve actually heard or
gossip-free zone. Put
said yourself. Write the
everyone in charge of
statements on self-stick notes and
pointing out that kind of
attach them to your tower.
talk. Also recognize when
family members catch
themselves mid-sentence Say, “Our tower is full of
and reword negative statements people make when
statements. they’re not thinking about God.”
Ask, “Do you notice anything these statements have in common?”
3. Encouraging Words— (They’re all about things people do; they all begin with the word I.)
Jot down on index cards
kind words about your Say, “When we’re focused on ourselves, we’re not focused on God.
children. Once a week, Now let’s think of ways to turn each of these ‘I’ statements into ‘God’
give kids each a card. statements. For example, ‘I’m the best runner in class’ can become
They can collect—and ‘God gave me good running skills.’”
treasure—these
encouragements in Replace the “I”-focused notes with new “God”-focused notes. Close by
inexpensive photo saying kind words about each other. Then have fun by knocking over
albums. your tower together.
 This page is designed to help educate parents and isn’t meant to endorse any movie, music, or product.
Our prayer is that you’ll make informed decisions about what your children watch, listen to, and wear.

What’s Playing at the Movies

Culture & Trends
Movie: High School Musical 3: Senior Year (Oct. 24)
Genre: Musical What’s happening right
Rating: G now that may affect your
Cast: Zac Efron, Vanessa Hudgens, Ashley Tisdale, children and family:
Corbin Bleu
Synopsis: Seniors Troy and Gabriella face the • Researchers have found
prospect of separation as they head to different that children who have a
colleges. With the rest of the East High Wildcats, they TV set in their bedroom
stage an elaborate spring musical reflecting their are more likely to be
experiences, hopes, and fears about the future. New music and dance overweight. They’ve also
numbers are designed to take maximum advantage of the big screen. recently found that obese
(This is the first High School Musical film to debut in theaters.) children are at risk for
Discussion Questions: What song from the movie best reflects your life? liver disease.
What things are you most excited and most scared about now, and why?
If you could ask God about anything in your future, what would it be? • Many birthday parties
are now doubling as
workouts, where guests
What Music Is Releasing get moving. Activities
range from swimming
Artist: Jessica Simpson and gym time to
Album: Do You Know? scavenger hunts and Wii
Artist Info: Simpson, a pop princess, is the tournaments.
daughter of a Baptist minister. She was in the
spotlight with an MTV reality show with then- ______________
husband Nick Lachey and now dates NFL star Tony
Romo. This is Simpson’s sixth album but her first Quick Stats
that crosses over into country music.
Summary: This album has mature themes and isn’t suitable for younger • In a recent poll, kids
listeners. Topics include sexual and abusive relationships. “Still Don’t Stop valued God’s opinion of
Me” contains foul language. “Remember That” makes an alcohol reference. them (27%) second only
Positive messages include leaving a hurtful relationship, praying, and to their parents’ opinion
being emotionally strong. of them (37%).
Discussion Questions: What might it be like to have your life portrayed (Kidscreen magazine)
on a reality show? How does it feel to know that God sees everything you
do? What are some ways you can show that you love and believe in Jesus?

What Games Are Out

Rating &
Title Content
Platform
In this family-oriented baseball game,
Mario Super
players choose characters and stadiums. It E; Wii
Sluggers
contains comic mischief.
The popular football game’s 20th-anniversary E; Nintendo DS,
Madden NFL 09 edition has new features and graphics. The Nintendo Wii, PS 2, • When adults were asked
soundtrack has no off-color lyrics. PS 3 about their most
important relationships,
In this single-player online game, you help a
Spore species evolve. It contains comic mischief, E10+; Nintendo DS
70% chose their family,
fantasy violence, and animated blood. 19% chose God, and 2%
chose their best friend.
GAME RATINGS KEY: EC=Early Childhood, E=Everyone (ages 6+), E10+ (ages 10+),
(Barna Group)
T=Teen (ages 13+)
 1 1 2 1 2 3 4
~Rangers &
Mpact Girls,
7:00-8:15 PM ~
Ethan Nivens

~
Jayden Orr
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
~9:00 ~Rangers &
Sunday School Mpact Girls,
~10:00 7:00-8:15 PM
Kids Ignited,
Sparks,
Sparklers, ~
Little Lights Elizabeth
Miller

BGMC
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
~9:00 ~Rangers & ~5th Grade
Sunday School Mpact Girls, Free Store
~10:00 ~ 7:00-8:15 PM ~ Missions Trip,
Kids Ignited, Jacob Smith Maggie 9:30 AM -2:30
Sparks, Fladberg PM
Sparklers, ~
Little Lights Sienna Fickell
~Hayride /
Bonfire @ the
Kelly’s, 5:30-
8:00
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
~9:00 ~Rangers & ~Kids Ignited
Sunday School Mpact Girls, Movie Night,
~10:00 7:00-8:15 PM ~ 6-9 PM, $2
Kids Ignited, Élise
Sparks, Lemasters
Sparklers,
Little Lights

~
Amelia Scheetz
26 27 28 29 30 31
~9:00 ~Rangers & ~Light the
Sunday School Mpact Girls, Night, 6-8 PM,
~10:00 ~ 7:00-8:15 PM Upper
Kids Ignited, Grace Bylaw Arlington
Sparks,
Sparklers,
Little Lights

A Few Extra Things:

☺ Our BGMC Goal is $1500 and we’re at about $500 so far! Please encourage your kids to save their change (or your
change!). They can do small jobs around the house or neighborhood to earn some extra money, too!
☺ The Poinsettia Sale begins in November. More info to come.
☺ The Kids Christmas Program will be during the 10:00 AM service this year, December 14.
☺ If you have not turned in a Registration/Emergency Medical Form for each child, please do so ASAP.
☺ Did I miss a birthday? Please let me know.