Grade 10 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
Grade 10 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
Grade 10 - Coptic Orthodox Diocese of the Southern United States
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Sunday School Curriculum <strong>Grade</strong> <strong>10</strong><br />
Week 2 - The Effect <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> S<strong>of</strong>tly Spoken Word<br />
Objective:<br />
To demonstrate <strong>the</strong> benefits <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tly spoken word.<br />
To learn from <strong>the</strong> example <strong>of</strong> our Lord and His wisdom <strong>of</strong> speech.<br />
Memory Verse:<br />
―The heart <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> righteous studies how to answer‖ (Proverbs 15:28).<br />
References:<br />
The applied explanation <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Bible - Bruce B. Barton, et al.<br />
―The Tongue‖ - A sermon by Pope Shenouda III.<br />
Introduction:<br />
The ultimate goal <strong>of</strong> any Christian is to resemble our Lord Jesus Christ in everything. We try<br />
to change ourselves gradually to reflect His image in our lives. When Jesus Christ was among<br />
people, He was obedient and helpful to His parents. He also fulfilled all <strong>the</strong> characters <strong>of</strong><br />
Sonship to God ―He will not quarrel nor cry out, nor will anyone hear His voice in <strong>the</strong> streets.<br />
A bruised reed He will not break, and a smoking flax He will not quench‖ (Isaiah 42:1-3;<br />
Mat<strong>the</strong>w 12:18-21). Thus, He was gentle and kind to <strong>the</strong> weak and <strong>the</strong> sinner. He encouraged<br />
<strong>the</strong> broken hearted and streng<strong>the</strong>ned <strong>the</strong> weary. Even in <strong>the</strong> critical discussions and testing by<br />
<strong>the</strong> pharisees and <strong>the</strong> priests, He was firm and strong, yet He never insulted or used unsuitable<br />
words. For example when He was slapped by one <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> <strong>of</strong>ficers <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> high priest, Jesus said:<br />
―If I have spoken evil, bear witness <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> evil; but if well, why do you strike Me‖ (John<br />
18:23).<br />
Lesson Outline:<br />
The virtue <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> s<strong>of</strong>tly spoken word and controlling <strong>the</strong> tongue is an important virtue for<br />
every Christian. King David talked about it and said: ―Lord who may abide in Your<br />
tabernacle? … He who does not backbite with his tongue, nor does evil to his neighbor, Nor<br />
does he take reproach against his friend‖ (Psalm 15:3). Also, St James said about <strong>the</strong> tongue<br />
―If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man able also to bridle <strong>the</strong> whole body‖<br />
(James 3:2-12).<br />
What is <strong>the</strong> value <strong>of</strong> controlling my words?<br />
Words can lead us to evil and sin or it can lead us to blessings and spiritual growth. For<br />
example lying is a sin and praising God is a blessing and <strong>the</strong>y are both expressed by words.<br />
Remember a word from Herod <strong>the</strong> king to Herodias‘ daughter lead to <strong>the</strong> death <strong>of</strong> St. John <strong>the</strong><br />
Baptist (Mark 6:22-23).<br />
Through our words we can make friends or enemies, love or hate, peace or war.<br />
We can bring <strong>the</strong> non-believers to <strong>the</strong> faith through our words. A message becomes stronger<br />
when it is delivered through gentle and kind words, as in <strong>the</strong> example <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Lord‘s words to<br />
<strong>the</strong> Samaritan woman.<br />
PENTECOST PERIOD 129