Bible Crafts and Learning Games About Controlling the Tongue
Students are encouraged to identify and avoid the negative habits of whining and complaining in the fourth lesson of a five-part series titled "Watching Your Ways." This lesson emphasizes the importance of steering clear of these detrimental behaviors. Students will reflect on the concepts presented in the lesson, along with the corresponding Bible verse, through enjoyable crafts, coloring sheets, and engaging games. The lesson can be adapted for children in grades Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Teaching Concept: We do not like it when our dogs whine, and we teach them not to do it. God teaches us through his words that he does not like us to whine and complain.
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The following Bible crafts and Bible activities come from the Watchdog Bible series of lessons on The Resource Room. They are also available as instant digital downloads.
“No Whining” Coloring Sheet
This dog-themed coloring sheet introduces children to relatable yet challenging situations that might spark their tendency to whine or complain. Brightly illustrated, it features playful puppies navigating a series of slightly frustrating antics, each encouraging a lesson in patience. At the bottom, a Bible verse from Philippians 2:14 serves to remind them to approach life’s challenges without whining, arguing, murmuring, or disputing. (Available in both KJV and NIV)
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Philippians 2:14 Bible Verse Coloring Sheet
This coloring sheet serves as a joyful reminder for children to approach unpleasant tasks, such as taking a bath, with a positive attitude instead of whining or grumbling. The delightful illustration of a slightly disgruntled dog in a tub adds a playful touch to this important message. Coupled with the powerful Bible verse, "Do everything without grumbling or arguing," this activity encourages kids to embrace challenges with a cheerful spirit. Let's inspire our little ones to tackle their tasks with gratitude and enthusiasm!
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Dog Holding Bible Verse Craft
Children will delight in crafting this engaging and memorable project, designed to help them commit their Bible verse to memory. They begin by coloring the dog's body. Next, they make the dog's face by folding a square pattern, bringing a whimsical touch to their creation. Finally, they place their Bible verse, written on a bright sticky note, into the dog's mouth, transforming it into a cheerful reminder to review the Bible verse each day at home.
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“No More Whining” Dog Craft
This fun craft is a bit more involved, but with some guidance from the teacher, kids can create a cute 3D dog that will remind them review their Bible verse throughout the week.
It can also be used as a tool at home to show how much they whine or don’t whine, encouraging better behavior! Have parents jot down what their child is whining about on a sticky note and place it in the dog's mouth whenever they hear a complaint. Each evening, they can take out the notes and have a little chat about whining. And to make it even more exciting, let their child know that if he can make it through a whole day without whining, he can replace those sticky notes with a fun dog bone in the dog’s mouth instead!
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“I Will Not Whine” Itty Bitty Book
This ten-page, itty bitty book is an excellent reminder to children not to whine or complain. Children will love the child-sized pages, only 3" x 3", and will enjoy using colored pencils to color the illustrations to make it a unique creation. This little book takes only two sheets of regular-sized typing paper. It reminds them not to whine or complain in situations that may not be comfortable or require patience, such as when they have to wait, are hungry, things don't go my way, or have to do their homework.
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Bible Lesson
The Bible lesson centers on Matthew 20, specifically "The Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard." In this powerful story, when the workers grumble about their pay, Jesus gently reminds them to appreciate what they received — what they had originally agreed to. This lesson draws an insightful parallel between complaining humans and whiny dogs, emphasizing that no one enjoys their company. Children are encouraged to embrace a spirit of gratitude and contentment, focusing on their blessings rather than fixating on perceived injustices or what they lack. This understanding fosters a more positive and harmonious environment for everyone.
“No More Whining’ Watchdog Matching Card Game
Use these cards to play a matching game that encourages discussions about whining and complaining. Each card has a corresponding matching card, although they are not identical. Start by drawing your students' attention to one card and then have them find the matching card that features a similar image. When a child discovers the corresponding card, ask him to provide an example of what might cause someone to whine in the situation depicted on the card.
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Watchdog Training Board Game
Introducing an engaging game that empowers your students to tackle challenges without whining or complaining! As children navigate the board, they’ll encounter spaces that prompt them to pick up cards. The teacher will read the scenario on each card, guiding students to brainstorm positive ways to resolve the issue at hand. But watch out for the dogcatcher's truck!
If a child lands here, they'll need to recite a Bible verse, head to the dog pound, and miss their next turn. Once they've lost a turn, they can choose to start again from any space on the board.
This fun and interactive game encourages children to think about how they approach a problem and use their bad responses to difficult situations.
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Songs
Younger children will love singing songs about not whining and complaining set to familiar tunes such as "Happy Birthday," "If You're Happy and You Know It," and "Deep and Wide."
