Listening is an important part of following Jesus. The Bible talks about listening a lot and Jesus often used the saying “he who has ears to hear, let him hear”. What do you think Jesus means when he says that?
It can be hard to listen sometimes but we can actually get better at listening. Let’s watch this together and learn three ways to be a good listener:
1 – Let’s review: what are the three skills to practice to be a good listener?
2 – What does it mean to be warm? What are ways we can show respect to someone who is talking? What does it mean to have empathy for someone?
3 – Let’s take an honest look at our family. How well do we do in listening to each other? What are some ways that we can grow in listening as a family?
*ProTip: Parents, let your kids guide this conversation and encourage them to be really honest. It’s easy to think that our kids aren’t great listeners (they sometimes aren’t), but we sometimes miss the ways we don’t show our kids warmth, respect and empathy. Let them answer first and be sure to encourage what they do well.
Bonus: Summertime can sometimes bring out some relational challenges in families. Not listening and being quick to speak can often lead to anger. Start off the summer by memorizing James 1:19-20 together and make “quick to listen and slow to speak” your motto as a family! Ask the Lord to help you and your kids grow in this area this summer.