A harsh king and a gentle king

Read 1 Kings 12:12-17, Zechariah 9:9 and Matthew 11:28-30.

Questions for discussion

1. Did Rehoboam sound like nice king?
2. Did the people want to serve him?
3. If you were a king, what kind of king would you be?
4. What kind of a king is Jesus?
5. Can you think of someone whom you just love to be with? Who is it?
6. What is it that makes them nice to be around?
7. What do you think Jesus was like when He lived on earth in a human body? Do you think He would have had a mean voice or a gentle voice? Do you think that He would have had kind and gentle hands?
8. Do you think that He would have liked kids or do you think that He disliked being around kids?
9. When Jesus lived on earth He told the people He was gentle and humble. Why do you think Jesus said this?
10. Have you told Jesus you would like Him to be the king in your life?

Key concepts

Rehoboam was a harsh and cruel king. The Israelites, also known as Jews, had become used to living under the authority of harsh kings or rulers. In fact, at the time that Zechariah lived, the Jewish people had just been released from living in slavery in Babylon and had been allowed to go back to Jerusalem.

Zechariah encouraged the people by telling them that they could look forward to the coming of another king. He told them the coming king would bring salvation, and righteousness. He also said the new king would be gentle and come to them riding on a donkey. He was talking about Jesus.

When Jesus did come, the Jews were still waiting for their “Messiah” or “Saviour.” They were expecting an earthly king, but God sent a heavenly king. Jesus told the people He was gentle and humble and that He would carry their burdens and give them a light “yoke.” He was reminding them that He would not be a harsh and cruel ruler, but a kind and gentle leader. Jesus came to save the Jewish people from their sins and He came to do that for us, too.

A gentle shepherd

Read Psalm 23:1-3, Isaiah 40:11 and Hebrews 12:1-11.

Questions for discussion

1. How do shepherds care for their sheep?
2. If a sheep wanted to stand in the middle of the road where it might get hit by a truck, what do you think the shepherd would do?
3. Where do shepherds take their sheep?
4. What kind of shepherd does the Bible say Jesus is?
5. Why do you think a shepherd would discipline a sheep that always wandered off?
6. How does Jesus lead us?
7. What kinds of things do your parents have you do that are “good for you,” but not necessarily enjoyable?

Key concepts

The Bible compares Jesus to a shepherd. The description in Isaiah refers to Him as leading gently and carrying lambs close to His heart. He is a loving shepherd. Psalm 23 describes how shepherds take their sheep to green pastures where there are quiet waters. It also says that Jesus guides the sheep, meaning us, in “paths of righteousness.” This means that when we follow Jesus, He will lead us to do what is right.

God gives children parents for the same reason that sheep need shepherds. As a shepherd guides sheep to safe places to eat and drink, parents guide their children in life and in following God in righteousness. Children may not enjoy eating vegetables or obeying all of the rules their parents give them, but these things are for their benefit. Ultimately, God is our Heavenly Father who cares for parents and children, and disciplines everyone as He sees best. As sheep trust their shepherds, we can completely trust God.

Jesus is gentle

Read John 8:1-11 and Galatians 6:1.

Questions for discussion

1. What was the punishment for someone who was caught in adultery? (You might want to explain the woman’s adultery as “giving her heart to another man, even though she already had a husband.”)
2. Why did the Pharisees bring the woman to Jesus?
3. What did Jesus say and do?
4. Was this a gentle or harsh way to point out to her that she had sinned?
5. Would she have learned to love Jesus if He had thrown stones at her?
6. What did Jesus tell the woman to do?
7. What are we to do when we “catch” other people sinning?

Key concepts

The Old Testament law said that a man or woman who gave their love and attention to someone who was not their wife or husband should be stoned to death. The Pharisees brought the woman to Jesus who had sinned in this way. They wanted to try and trap Jesus so they would have a reason to accuse Him of wrongdoing. Instead of telling them to stone her, Jesus began writing on the ground. Then Jesus said, “If any one of you is without sin, let him be the first to throw a stone at her” (John 8:7).

People began to leave, one by one. Finally, only Jesus and the woman were left. Jesus didn’t throw any stones at her, but He did tell her to leave her life of sin. We can follow Jesus’ example by gently correcting those who do wrong and offering them forgiveness.

Gentleness is contagious

Read Ephesians 4:2-3, Proverbs 22:24-25 and Luke 6:31.

Questions for discussion

1. How would you describe a peaceful home?
2. When someone corrects you harshly, how do you feel?
3. Can you think of ways that children boss each other around?
4. How do you feel when someone tattles every time that you do something wrong?
5. How do most people act when other people are harsh with them?
6. Can you think of someone who is gentle?
7. How do most people act when other people are gentle and kind to them?

Key concepts

We often begin to treat others the same way that they treat us. The Bible says we are not to make friends with a hot-tempered person or we will learn to act like them. It also says we are not to envy a violent man or choose to act like him because God is not happy when people are violent.

God’s basic instructions on how to treat people are found in the Bible. Jesus tells us we are to love others as we love ourselves and we are to treat others the way you would like to be treated (Matthew 22:39, Luke 6:31). It is much more pleasant to be with friends and family members who are gentle and gracious than those who are harsh and unforgiving.

Salty owies

Read Colossians 3:12, Proverbs 16:21 and Ephesians 4:15-16.

Questions for discussion

1. Would you prefer to eat a spoonful of sugar or a spoonful of salt?
2. What does it feel like when you get salt on a cut or a scratch?
3. How does it feel when you have done something wrong and someone corrects you harshly?
4. How does the Bible say we should speak to each other?
5. Is it easy to be gentle and loving to others all of the time?
6. Who can help us?

Key concepts

When we correct people harshly, it can make them feel worse than they already do, just like it stings when you get salt in a cut. When a person has done something wrong, they usually know it. It makes that person feel bad when another person corrects them aggressively, instead of gently.

The Bible says that we are to correct those who are caught sinning gently and to speak the truth in love. We can do this by praying before we talk to people about their wrongdoing. When we have God’s love in our hearts, we will find it easier to be gentle, kind, patient and humble when we talk to those who have hurt us or done wrong.

Have your children pray a prayer from the kids talk with God section, or have them come up with their own prayers requesting the Holy Spirit’s help in developing a gentle attitude.

Gentle words are “God’s bandages”

Read Proverbs 15:1, Proverbs 16:24 and Proverbs 12:18.

Questions for discussion

1. What are some examples of how people speak harshly to you?
2. When someone speaks to you unkindly, how do you feel?
3. What does the Bible say about people who speak angrily?
4. How does the Bible say you should respond to those who speak in anger?
5. How do you imagine it would feel if you were pierced with a sword?
6. What are reckless words?
7. How does God want us to talk to each other?
8. How can words be like adhesive bandages?

Key concepts

Use your discussion time to talk respectfully about people who have spoken harshly to your children. Possible examples include children who speak unkindly during playtime and neighbours who yell at children. Emphasize the following ideas during your discussion:

The Bible tells us that we accomplish more by responding to those who are cruel or angry with gentleness. When people lash out and say hurtful things, it is often because they have pain in their hearts. God wants us to be people who say kind things that will help “heal” the hurt in others. Kind words are like “God’s bandages” for people who have “bleeding hearts.”

Pray with your children and ask God to help all of you show His love to hurting people by speaking words of encouragement.

Note: The “take 1; take 2; take 3!” exercise in the hands-on options section is a good complement to this discussion.