This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you. – John 15:12

Text: Proverbs 25:11, John 15:12

Prop: a poster of Bambi and Thumper

Summary: Be nice to each other and say kind words.

Alternate video introduction: Show the scene where Bambi stumbles while learning to walk, and Thumper must recite his father’s words.

How many of you have seen the movie Bambi? (show of hands) In one scene Bambi’s friend Thumper, a pink-nosed bunny rabbit, was making fun of Bambi. Bambi stumbles while learning to walk. Thumper says to Bambi’s mother, “He doesn’t walk very good, does he?” Then Thumper’s mother calls him out, “Thumper!” “Yes mother,” Thumper replies shyly, after realizing he is in trouble. His mother continues sternly, “What did your father tell you this morning?” Thumper comes to attention and struggles to recall, then recites slowly, “If you don’t have something nice to say, (pauses) don’t say nothing at all.”

(Correct grammar: don’t say anything at all.) Those are words worth remembering. Listen to this proverb from the Bible:

“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in pictures of silver.” – Proverbs 25:11

That means a kind word said at the right moment is a beautiful sight to see, like golden apples in a silver basket. Our Lord Jesus wants us to be nice to each other and say kind words. Jesus said “This is my commandment, That ye love one another, as I have loved you.” (John 15:12) If we try to put those words into practice, we will be quick to say kind words to each other and slow to find faults. Or, quick to compliment, slow to criticize.

Will you help me think of some kind words? I can think of words such as “please” and “thank you.” (Give some examples and listen to responses.) Our words are worthless if we say them but don’t mean them. Others can tell when we genuinely care or not. Let’s follow the example our Lord Jesus gave us to love one another.
Let us pray. Dear Lord Jesus, thank you for loving me. Help me to be nice and to say kind words. Amen.

Bambi is a 1942 animated film produced by Walt Disney and is based on the 1923 book Bambi, A Life in the Woods by Austrian author Felix Salten. (Source: Wikipedia)

©2007 by Jim Kerlin. All rights reserved.