My talk was about how rocks or stones were used in the Bible. Rocks
and stones were used to build fences, to make pathways, to create
altars, to hurt others, to slay people, etc. It was easy to find
stories and scriptures to bring this message across for all age
levels.
I then spoke about the words that we speak as Christians - being
like the rocks and stones of the Bible. But, as Christians, our
words should be different because we have "Jesus in our
hearts". Our words can still do today, every thing that
rocks did in the Bible. But - as a Christian, we should be more
aware and more determined to use our "rocks" to honor
God.
*
I asked my audience to think about how many times had they been
hurt by "flying (words) rocks" from others ----- even by
Christians. I challenged them to think about how they have used their
words. Have they consistently used them to make pathways
to Calvary --- or build a fence of protection for our children (TV
- movies etc.) OR - a fence that kept someone out of desiring
to be a Christian or to join a work within the ministry? Did they
use their words to create an altar of worship with praise and
adoration for the Lord? --- or perhaps they had hurled a
rock that hurt someone or killed a tender spirit.
It ended up being pretty powerful for the adults, and hopefully a
thought provoking guide for the children.
At the end I passed the basket (or box) of the tissue
wrapped rocks. I told them, as we unwrapped them together, to
notice the small stone - having the "Jesus in my heart"
symbol. I asked them to hold them tightly in their hand as we
prayed together for God's forgiveness, and for HIS guidance of our
words and deeds as we represented His Son, with our lives daily. I
told them to keep the stone where they would see it often, in
their purse or car, in their pocket, near their bed, etc. I
reminded them to let this little stone be a check point for them
to reflect on their behavior as a Child of the King. Rocks are
powerful and so are our words. They can be used for good. They can
also be used to hurt and destroy.
At the end of my speech at the Ladies' Retreat, I also gave a larger
rock to the Pastor's wife. I asked her, and the other ladies of
the church, to put that rock on the church property. Every time a
child or other adult would happen to find the rock in
the flower bed etc. if they overheard a comment about
it, they could use this opportunity to tell others what
the heart in cross on the rock represented.
I recently heard comments that reminded me of this presentation
and thought that I would share the way that I used the rock
as an object lesson -- it was a good reminder to me even as I did
so.
YSIC -
Joyfully Serving HIM,
Copyright 2002 Emmalea
joyfullyservingHIM@nlbaptist.com
* Click here to get Emmalea's Word Rocks worksheet.
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