Bible Lesson, Crafts, and Games About Controlling the Tongue
Watchdog Bible Lesson 5 - Lie Detectors
This is the fifth lesson in Watchdog series of lessons. In this fun lesson, kids will discover the important role that good watchdogs play in keeping us safe by detecting danger. Dogs have an amazing ability to sense sounds and smells, which helps them alert us to potential threats in our surroundings. We’ll connect the skills of these furry detectives to our own ability to spot when they aren't being truthful. Understanding when they are lying can be tricky because lies can come in many shapes and sizes, like white lies, exaggerations, broken promises, withholding information, and flattery. To help sharpen their lie-detection skills, the kids will take part in the exciting "Detect a Lie" game! Once everyone finishes the game, they’ll receive a special "Watchdog Lie Detective" badge to celebrate their new skills. It’s going to be a great time!
The following crafts, games, and activities are including in this lesson. It is available to members on The Resource Room and as an instant digital download.
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Be a Detective Activity Sheet
Children help the dog detective find the burglar and solve the Bible verse mystery by making their way through the maze. To figure out the Bible verse, they write the letters in order in the path to the burglar and separate the letters into words. For help, they can look up Psalm 34:13. As they work, talk about how dogs detect things using mostly their sense of smell and sound, while humans use mostly their sense of sight. Inform them that they will be learning how to be lie detectors today.
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Psalm 34:14 - Types of Lies Coloring and Activity Sheet
Coloring sheets can be an effective tool for teaching children important concepts. This particular coloring sheet introduces them to different types of lies to be aware of and avoid. As they color, take the time to discuss each type of sin and encourage them to provide examples. Instruct the children to take their completed sheets home and display them in a prominent location as a reminder to think carefully about their words. Encourage them to review their Bible verse daily throughout the week. Additionally, they can use the coloring sheet as a prayer or meditation aid to reflect on any lies they may have told and seek forgiveness.
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Help Watchdog Find His Bone Activity Sheet
To help kids sharpen their observation skills, they can join in the fun of helping a dog find a lost bone! While they work, it's a great chance to talk about how dogs use their amazing sense of smell and keen hearing to discover things, unlike humans who mostly rely on their sense of sight. Remind your students that humans have a special ability to know right from wrong, which helps them recognize when they've made a mistake and encourages them to make better choices.
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"Sniff Out a Lie" Coloring Sheet and Poster
Children discover the different types of lies while coloring the charming illustrations of dogs engaged in different activities. From a very long dog, depicting exaggeration, to a disappointed dog looking longingly into an empty bowl, depicting broken promises, each picture tells its own story. Kids will gain a deeper understanding of the various kinds of lies as they color, and the related pictures will help them remember them. This activity will help them reflect on these concepts and consider how to keep honesty as their number one goal.
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Lie Detective Card Game
Each card in this game features a picture of a dog in a different situation, along with a short description of a child's dilemma regarding honesty. To play, the teacher reads the situation described on the card and then shows the students the corresponding picture. Students will interpret how the situation unfolds by examining the images.
For example, the teacher might present a scenario in which a child promises to feed the dog and is later asked if they kept that promise. Students act as "watchdog detectives" by analyzing the matching picture, which shows a sad dog with an empty bowl. Children will conclude that the child lied because they did not follow through on their promise. After playing, award each child a "watchdog lie detective" badge to encourage them to remember the importance of honesty.
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"Sniff Out a Lie: Printable Itty Bitty Book
The Itty Bitty Book serves as an effective educational tool for children to develop their ability to identify various types of lies. Each page presents a distinct category of deceit, accompanied by an illustrative image to aid in retention. As children engage in coloring the book, it provides an excellent opportunity to discuss the nuances of each type of lie. Challenge them to come up with their own examples for every type!
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Make a Play-Dough Animal
Give each of your children a piece of play dough. Tell them to form it into something, but not to let anyone else know what it is. Tell them that they will be using them later.
Make a Mystery Puzzle
Before class, print out the puzzle pattern sheet on card stock. In class, have your children draw a picture on the back of the puzzle pattern. When they are finished, cut them out. Encourage them to trade puzzles and put them together. If you have older children, tell them to draw a mystery puzzle (Don't let anyone see their picture.), cut the pieces apart, and give the puzzle to someone else to try and put together.
Play a Sniffing Game
Before class, place scented objects in paper bags. Use things your children would recognize, such as onions, oranges, apples, cinnamon, lemon, soap, etc. Have them take turns sniffing the bags and seeing if they can detect the correct smell.
Play "Guess What the Animal" Game
Have your children get the play-dough object they made earlier. Give each one a chance to show their object. Have the other children take turns trying to guess what it is. Talk about what clues they can use to determine what it is. For example, the animal may have a long, straight tail, so we know it couldn't be a pig. After playing, discuss different clues that can help people detect lies. For example, we may get a bad feeling when we lie, or someone may get mad at us.
Practice Being Detectives
Send your children out of the room for a few minutes. While they are out, rearrange something in your room. Bring them back in and ask them to see if they can figure out what is different. Tell your children that good detectives have to be aware of things around them at all times. To be good "lie detectives," we have to be aware of what we are saying and how it affects others and ourselves.
Keep From Speaking Evil
Written by Carolyn Warvel and Narita Roady
Sing to the tune of ” Row, Row, Row Your Boat”
Keep, keep, keep your tongue,
Keep it from evil,
Always, always, always, always,
Keep from speaking lies.
Guard, guard, guard your mouth
In all you do and say.
Let all the words you choose to speak
Please God in every way.
Always Tell The Truth
Sing to the tune of “Bingo”
Written by Narita Roady
(Clap hands as you would for the original song when spelling out the word TRUTH)
It’s best to tell the truth
In every situation
T-R-U-T-H!
T-R-U-T-H!
T-R-U-T-H!
Always tell the truth!
Do Not Lie
Sing to the tune of “This Old Man”
Written by Narita Roady
Do not lie. Do not lie.
It will never get you by.
Others will not believe what you say.
Honesty is the best way.
Also See:
Watchdog Lesson 1 - Watch My Ways
Watchdog Lesson 2 - Backbiting
Watchdog Lesson 3 - Tame the Tongue
Watchdog Lesson 4 - Watchdog Training
