Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones...

Transcription

1 Sticks and Stones May Break My Bones... A Bible Study for Adults and Youth on Bullying By Dianne Daniels Bullying is one issue of human exploitation that most of us have participated in. We have either been the bully, the victim, or the bystander. Too many times, we have accepted the old opinion that bullying is part of growing up. Unfortunately, we will encounter bullies throughout all of our life, whether we are in school, at work, at play, or at church. The purpose of this Bible study is to examine a biblical perspective on bullying. It is written for adults and youth. Materials needed: Bibles Pencils Crayons/colored pencils White paper Tape Sticks and Stones poster Copy of group worksheet for each participant Introduction: 1. As participants enter the room, give them a piece of paper, and allow them to choose several colors of crayons/colored pencils. Ask each person to either: draw a picture of what a bully looks like or make a mini-poster that describes a bully. 2. When participants finish, give them the option of putting their picture/poster on the wall. Some may feel timid with what they have drawn or written and may not wish to hang their poster on the wall. 3. When everyone is finished, explain that the purpose of this lesson is to look at the issue of bullying. Say: Let s see what you thought about bullying. Take time to review the pictures/posters that are on the wall. Point out that bullies can look like anyone and that bullying actions are committed by all of us. Input: 1. Say: Bullying is defined as the act of repeatedly treating others in an abusive and disrespectful manner in person or electronically. Explain that all of us are guilty of treating others abusively/disrespectfully. However, the key to bullying is that these actions are repeated over and over toward one person or one group of persons. 2. Say: name some examples of bullying or victims of bullying from the Bible. Possible answers include Goliath, Saul (the king), Ahab, Zaccheus, Saul (later known as Paul), Roman soldiers who abused Jesus, the Pharisees, and the youth who mocked Elisha. These are only suggestions. You or your students may think of other examples.

2 3. Point out that each of these examples involves at least three people in an act of bullying: the bully, the victim, and the bystander. If we are present when an act of bullying occurs, then we fall into one of those categories. 4. Explain that while the Bible shows us many examples of bullying, it also teaches us precepts and strategies that we can use if we find ourselves present during an act of bullying. Small Group 1. Say: We re going to break into three groups and look at those precepts and strategies. Divide the group into three small groups. 2. Allow about 20 minutes for the groups to work. Remind them to work only on their group s assignment. Ask each group to be prepared to share their findings with the larger group. 3. You may want to play soft music in the background as the groups work. Be sure to walk around and be available to help the groups if necessary. During this time, place the Sticks and Stones Poster on the wall at the front of the room. 4. Call time at the end of 20 minutes. Large Group 1. Ask the groups to rejoin and form the larger group again. Point to the poster, and read the old proverb that is quoted on the picture. Remind the group that many of us have heard this. Now, let s see if it is true according to what we have studied. 2. Ask groups to share their findings. List suggestions on a board or a piece of paper. Study the materials in this section on bullying and add in any information about bullying that is not included in the suggestions. 3. When all groups have shared, say: Is it true that sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me? Of course not. Think now about yourself. When have you been guilty of being a bully? When have you been a victim? When were you a bystander? How can you change your life in the future to deal with bullies and bullying? Conclusion 1. Ask participants to name prayer requests that they have based on the Bible study. If they know someone who is being bullied, ask for the initials only of the person and add them to the prayer list. 2. Close with sentence prayer.

3 Sticks and Stones Group Work Instructions: Complete the section that is assigned to your group Group 1: Read I Samuel 17:1-11, 20-32, 45-49; Psalm 34:1 and James 3:17. Answer the questions at the bottom of the page. Group 2: Read 1 Samuel 24:1-16; Micah 6:8; Matthew 7:12. Answer the questions at the bottom of the page. Group 3: Read Luke 19:1-9; Mark 12:28-31 and Matthew 5: Answer the questions at the bottom of the page. ************************************************************************ 1. Who is the bully in the story? Identify the characteristics of the bully. 2. Who is the person(s) being bullied? How do they react to the bully? 3. What do the bystanders do? 4. How is the situation handled? 5. From the scriptures that your group read, identify some strategies that could be used in a bullying situation. List them here. Be prepared to share them with the larger group.

4 Scriptures Related to Bullying Psalm 34:13 (NIV) Keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies. Psalm 121:7 8 (NIV) The LORD will keep you from all harm he will watch over your life; the LORD will watch over your coming and going now and forevermore. Proverbs 12:18 (NIV) Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Proverbs 12:19 (NIV) Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue lasts only a moment. Proverbs 15:4 (NIV) The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life, but the deceitful tongue crushes the spirit. Proverbs 15:1 A soft answer turneth away wrath: but grievous words stir up anger (KJV). A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a hard word stirs up anger (NIV). Proverbs 18:21 The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit (NIV). Death and life are in the power of the tongue; and they that love it shall eat the fruit thereof (KJV). Galatians 5:13 15 (GNT) As for you, my brothers, you were called to be free. But do not let this freedom become an excuse for letting your physical desires control you. But instead, let love make you serve one another. For the whole Law is summed up in one commandment: Love your neighbor as you love yourself. But if you act like wild animals, hurting and harming each other, then watch out, or you will completely destroy one another. James 3:5 6 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth! 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 (KJV). Likewise the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil

5 among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell (NIV). 1 Peter 3:10 For, Whoever would love life and see good days must keep his tongue from evil and his lips from deceitful speech (NIV). 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 (KJV).