Today’s “Bite-sized Bible Bit” is about getting along with others. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
Do all that you can to live in peace with everyone. -Romans 12:18 NLT
If it’s tough to keep hurtful words from slipping out in heated moments, ask the Holy Spirit for help and ruminate on this: if you wouldn’t say it to Jesus, you shouldn’t say it to another.
“Maybe they should have a tea party,” Maizy says to her little sister, Lila.
“I just want to brush their hair,” Lila says as she runs her own hair brush through the small doll’s straight hair.
“They need to do SOMETHING though, don’t they?” asked Maizy.
“Ouch!” screams Sparrow with a tiny upside-down plastic table dangling from his bare foot.
“My new table!” Lila screamed back at Sparrow, “watch where you’re going!”
Sparrow falls on the couch and pulls the pink, and now slightly red, table legs from his foot. His face turns redder than the specks of blood on the tiny table legs as he wells up with anger. Sparrow throws the table at Lila with a little too much force shouting, “pick up your stinking baby toys!”
“Look who’s the baby,” Maizy retorts, “you look like you’re about to cry!”
“You’re the worst brother in the history of brothers,” Lila adds.
“Woah, woah, woah, guys! What is going on in here?!” Mom asks, walking into her living room turned warzone. The three siblings start talking at the same time, pointing fingers at one another. “Ok, let’s everyone go to their own room to cool off and we’ll talk about this when everyone has cooler heads.”
A few minutes pass and Mom calls everyone back into the living room. Sparrow enters last. His foot is bandaged and he’s walking with a limp. Maizy and Lila roll their eyes hard enough to earn a stern look from their mother.
“Do you need me to get you the crutches from the garage, Sparrow?” Maizy asks.
“That’s enough,” Mom jumps in before another argument can begin. “Sit down, Sparrow, and everyone needs to listen up. Your behavior earlier was not how we conduct ourselves in this house and you all know it. Now one at a time, tell me what happened…calmly, and without anyone interrupting the one speaking.”
After Mom gets the facts, she asks them for examples of how that could have gone better. Sparrow says that he could have counted to ten before chucking the table at his sister out of anger and being unkind. His younger sisters admit they could have played in their room instead of spreading out in the living room. They all agree that tiny plastic objects with sharp points should be mindfully kept with the sharp bits pointed down.
Mom explains that harsh words, when spoken, stir up strife and hurt others, rather than help situations. She also tells them that anger, when not managed in a healthy manner, can cause them to sin. Mom asks the siblings if there’s anything else they would like to say to each other. Being the oldest, Sparrow begins the round of sincere apologies that ends with the youngest, Lila. Mom then suggests they should do something nice for each other to make up for the harsh words spoken earlier. Sparrow begins picking up the doll toys as Maizy rushes to the garage for the crutches. She returns and hands them to Sparrow. Everyone laughs as the day returns to normal.
Weekly Bible Verse: An angry person stirs up conflict, and a hot-tempered person commits many sins. -Proverbs 29:22 NIV
Note to Nibble: When tempers are hot, take time to cool down in order to avoid sinning.
“That better not be TV I hear coming from your room, boys!” Dad warns as he walks down the hall towards their room. The sound of rustling replaces the sound of laugh-tracks as the boys try to quickly shut off the TV and get to their computers for school. Their dad stands in the doorway watching the boys sit at their desks and act as if they’ve been doing math instead of streaming their favorite show.
“Looking real busy here boys, good job crushing that math lesson.” Dad says with a half smile and furrowed brows. The boys turned around from their desks, both computer screens showing question one of the lesson. “What’s going on today, guys? You didn’t do your morning chores, you left your breakfast plates and milk glasses on the table, and your dog is whining at the backdoor to go out. I’m pretty sure he hasn’t been fed his breakfast yet either.”
“Oh dad, can’t we have a break today, like the whole day off?” Roman asked, looking tired.
“Are you sick?” Dad asked.
“No dad, we were up too late last night watching…” Luca trailed off before he could finish his accidental confession.
“So you’re unable to do your chores or school work today because you made the choice to disobey me when I said lights out last night? Sorry, boys but that’s not an excuse I’m going to consider for giving you the day off today.”
“Well, I told Luca that I would take care of the dog if he cleaned up the table, but he wouldn’t do his part, so I’m not doing mine until he does. It’s not fair!” Roman said, banging his fist on the desk.
“I was waiting on you to feed and take out Guadalupe before I cleared the table,” Lucas shot back with venom in his words.
“Boys, boys, that is enough! You both have responsibilities that need to be done in the morning, during school, after school, and at bedtime. I know it’s not always fun but these things build the work ethic you’re going to need later in life. It also helps out the family. We’re all responsible for a lot of things around here. Your mom is talking to clients in her office downstairs while I make sure you get a quality education.” said Dad. Just then mom spoke up from behind him giving him and the boys a bit of a startle. “Where did you come from?” they all said in unison, followed by laughter.
“I couldn’t help but notice a messy table and a whining dog at the back door. I came up here to see if anyone needed to go to the hospital,” Mom said. “Seriously though boys, we need to remember Colossians 3:23. Wasn’t that your memory verse last week? How does it go, boys?” Mom asked.
“Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord…” the boys said together.
“So who are you cleaning the table for or really serving when you take care of your dog?” Mom asked. “Don’t forget God said to take care of the animals too,” remarked Mom, “Remember everything we do we should do as if we’re doing it for God.”
“When I clean up the dog poop in the backyard, I pretend that Jesus is coming over for a BBQ so the yard needs to be pristine,” Dad said. “I think it really helps actually.”
“Why don’t we all go downstairs and take another go on this day,” Mom suggested.
“This time, let’s do it right,” agreed Luca.
“This time, let’s do it for Jesus!” exclaimed Roman.
Weekly Bible Verse: Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for human masters, -Colossians 3:23 NIV
Note to Nibble: No matter what you do, do it for the Lord, and do it heartily!
There’s nothing like sit-down family dinners to keep your family close and talking. And we have just the thing to keep the chat going amongst your loved ones. Download our set of 32 free printable “Dive in and Discuss” dinner conversation cards to keep Christ in your discussions and draw your family even closer as you chow down on some delicious eats together.
Today’s “Bite-sized Bible Bit” is about standing in confidence as children of Christ. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
We know that we are children of God and that the world around us is under the control of the evil one. -1 John 5:19 NLT
Remember, stand firm in the One True God that has you, and don’t let yourself be moved by what someone of this world may say about you.
Check out the “Weekly Memory Munchie” with free printable scripture note cards below to cut out and memorize. Click the download button, print, and post on your mirror, fridge, around your house, or add to lunch boxes. Keep an eye out for next week’s “Weekly Memory Munchie” that we will be posting each Sunday .
Sammy’s friend, Phillip, let Sammy in on something major that he’s going through-that he was just diagnosed with cancer and he may be missing a lot of school. Phillip makes Sammy promise that he will never tell anyone about his diagnosis. Sammy pinky swears with Phillip and adds, “If I tell anyone, I promise I will shave my head bald!” Phillip laughs and agrees. Sammy gives his friend a hug and tells him he will be praying for him every day.
That night at dinner, Sammy is feeling down by the news Phillip shared with him at school. His parents notice and ask him what’s wrong. Sammy tells his parents he needs to keep a promise to a friend and isn’t at liberty to say what it is.
Just the other day, Phillip’s parents asked the church to start a prayer chain for their son as he was recently diagnosed with Leukemia, so Sammy’s parents already know what is bothering him. They tell him it’s noble of him to keep such an important promise for a friend. Sammy’s sister, Dahlia, doesn’t like being the only person at the table who doesn’t know what’s going on. Dahlia begins asking over and over for Sammy to tell her the promise he made. Dahlia tells him that it will make him feel better to share the burden, but Sammy knows it’s important to keep his promises.
Dahlia can’t get this out of her mind. All weekend she continues to pester her older brother. Sammy tells his sister a few made-up stories, yet, she never believes him. By Sunday morning, Sammy feels like he can’t take it any longer. Getting ready for church, Dahlia enters his room asking again what he is hiding from her. Before realizing what he’s saying, Sammy blurts out, “Phillip has cancer alright?!” Dahlia’s mouth drops open in surprise and shock. “You definitely shouldn’t have told me that, Sammy!” Dahlia says. Sammy slams his bedroom door in her face, in anger. He feels guilty and ashamed of himself for letting his sister get under his skin and telling her Phillip’s secret. Through tears, Sammy walks to the bathroom and closes the door. They leave for the service shortly afterwards.
Walking into church, Phillip notices his friend Sammy walking through the front door looking much different than normal. Sammy’s wearing his typical Sunday button-up and slacks, but his head is completely shaved. When their eyes meet, Sammy tears up again. In the middle of the lobby, Sammy tells Phillip what happened over the weekend with his sister. Phillip turns and walks away without a word. The boys walk in to find their parents, both boys’ heads hanging low. During the service, the pastor speaks on forgiveness. Sammy prays to himself that Phillip will forgive him for breaking his trust. After the service, Phillip finds Sammy. Phillip lets Sammy know how hurt he is by what Sammy did. He decides to forgive Sammy and rubs his bald head with a laugh. Sammy notices that Philip has already begun to lose some of his hair and says, “remember Phillip, it’s not your hair that gives you strength, it’s God. I know I made that deal with ya’, and I wanna show my support too!”
Bible Verse: Bear with each other and forgive one another if any of you has a grievance against someone. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. -Colossians 3:13 NIV
Note to Nibble: God’s forgiveness is bigger than your mistakes. Choose forgiveness.
Today’s “Bite-sized Bible Bit” is about practicing humility. We hope you listen and find some encouragement for the week!
Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. -Ephesians 4:2 NIV
Remember, choose love, patience, and gentleness over choosing to be right and starting a fight.
Check out the “Weekly Memory Munchie” with free printable scripture note cards below to cut out and memorize. Click the download button, print, and post on your mirror, fridge, around your house, or add to lunch boxes. Keep an eye out for next week’s “Weekly Memory Munchie” that we will be posting each Sunday .
Esma and her cousin, Morley, recently signed up for a summer softball training program. They are super excited about what they’ll learn and the friendships they may make. When they arrive at the training field, they realize the leader is a coach from a rival team. Although he tells everyone during orientation that they will all be treated equally, Esma and Morley have their doubts.
During practice, the coach gives his team breaks while he forces the other teams to continue running laps and drills. When everyone else finally gets a break, they collectively voice their frustration about how the coach is treating them. Morley and a couple other players tell Esma she should talk to the coach because he works at her dad’s law firm. Maybe he will listen to her, they say, trying to convince her.
With a whisper, Esma says a prayer to Jesus for courage and wisdom. She remembers her youth group pastor telling her God will always give wisdom to those who ask. With a gulp, Esma begins walking slowly towards the coach. She then asks him if she could speak with him for a moment.
Esma nervously tells the coach how the other kids are feeling. She says all the kids came to learn, play, and have fun. She further states that only his team looks like they’re having any fun. The coach admits he wasn’t aware of these issues and apologizes to her, then to all of the players. Next, Xavior makes the decision to mix up all of the players into two teams. They end up playing the best game of softball anyone has ever played before and it turns out to be a summer none of the players want to forget.
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. -James 1:5 NIV
Note to Nibble: Seek God’s wisdom in all circumstances.
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