BRIDLE

(Lesson Suitable for 6 - 12 years old)

INTRODUCTION

Can you please tell me the name of the animal in the picture above?

Have you seen this animal in real life before?

Have you ridden this animal before?

How useful is this animal? What can we use it for?

Do you know any special abilities that this animal has? Can it dance, swim, can it jump over a barrier? Does it get tired easily? How tall or large do you think this animal is?

A horse is a very strong animal used for

1.  Travel

2.  Race/Sport

3.  War etc

We can go on and on to talk about horses. They are beautiful and strong creatures. Did you know that a horse could swim, jump a high huddle or even help in fighting war? Horses are very strong and useful to whosoever who owns them.

A person who mounts a horse, rides and controls them is called HORSERIDER.

I would also like you to know that as useful as a horse is, it has a tendency to be proud, uncontrollable and dangerous if not handled with care. I have seen in movies where people fall from horses and die.



However, today, we are going to discuss an important equipment that helps horse riders control horses. It is called BRIDLE. A bridle is worn on the mouth of a horse. It helps the horse rider control the performance of the horse at every time.  

Let us watch this video on how to bridle a horse

A horse could be dangerous if it’s not bridled or if it’s not well handled.

See this video below

DISCUSSION

Today I would like you to, for a moment, imagine that you were a horse. And God is your horse rider. God can go to many places, reach out to many people in the world to save them, by traveling around on you, as his horse. 

Imagine that you were the horse in the picture above, and God is one on your back, ready to travel through you and minister unto others.

God’s children, are horses in His hands, which he can use to fight wars, or go to places, to deliver messages, the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Bible calls them useful instruments 2 Tim 2 v 21 (NIV), Another version of the Bible calls them Vessels unto Honour.

Bridled horses are calm, controllable and highly useful to their MASTERs. See the picture above.



If you allow the Holyspirit to take over your live, He will set a guard over your mouth, and make your words to be full of love and wisdom.

Unbridled Christians

Can you also imagine, as you are a horse, that you do not have a Bridle. How dangerous and uncontrollable do you think you could be?

Or do you think your horse rider will be delighted in using you for his works? NO!

No horse rider wants to use an unbridled horse! They are dangerous and possessed by the devil. They are full of rage, anger and lies.

CHILDREN OF GOD MUST HAVE BRIDLED TONGUE

I told you earlier that a Bridle is worn on the mouth of a horse. A horse master wears the bridle on the mouth of his horse, to have full control of the horse.

Similarly, God delights in people who can, by the help of the Holyspirit, control the use of their mouth/tongue. God wants you to bridle your tongue.

Now to make you understand, can you tell me two major functions you use your mouth for?

Eating and Talking.

Let us consider 'Talking'

Talking/Speaking –

·       Should you speak without caution?

·       Should you just open your mouth and use vulgar words?

·       Should you speak rudely to other people or curse them with your mouth?

·       Should you hurt the feelings of others with the words of your mouth?

·       Is it okay to curse yourself, or use your mouth to destroy the things you have?

·       What about lying and giving false witness?

·       What about denying being a Christian, with your mouth?

·       How do you use your mouth, in the moment of anger? Tell me.

Open your Bible and read James 1 v 26 (NKJV)

If anyone among you thinks he is religious, and does not BRIDLE his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless.

Also open your Bible to Prov 12 v 22-23 GNT

The Lord hates liars, but is pleased with those who keep their word.

Smart people keep quiet about what they know, but stupid people advertise their ignorance.

Today I want you to know that a bridled tongue is what God desires from his children. A tongue that only speaks of what edifies (glorifies) the name of God. It is okay to talk freely and be expressive….but be sure they are full of love and wisdom of God.

I encourage you today to always think carefully before you speak. Let the words of your mouth be acceptable unto the Lord. Psalm 19 v 14. Let the words of your mouth give glory, honour and worship unto your God. Do not say things that Jesus would frown at! Why? Because Jesus hears everything you say, every time, any where.

The best use of your mouth, is to proclaim that Jesus is Lord. Sing Halleluyah. Speak of God’s goodness and make confession unto Salvation. Read Romans 10 v 10

For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Do you understand.

Any questions?

Q&A time.

Does God want us to keep quiet and act dumb all the time? No!

Is it bad to freely, humbly, express ourselves and make our opinions heard? No!

So what exactly does it mean to speak freely, fearlessly, yet be bridled? Explain to me in your own words.

Let us consider 'Eating'

We will go further to discuss another function of the mouth which is Eating.

As children, can we bridle our tongue when it comes to eating.

1. We must have self control when it comes to eating.
2. We must eat healthy.
3. We must be mindful of how we behave when strangers offer us edible gifts
4. We must not become unsettled at mere sight of food, or smell of its of aroma



Read Daniel 1 v 8 - 16

Daniel was offered the King's royal food, delicious and inviting. However, he politely declined the offer, because at that time, he decided to eat healthy fruits and vegetables only, fast and spend some time with God in prayers. The Bible says Daniel and his friends looked healthier and finer than others, in a matter of about two weeks. So my young friends, I encourage you today, to make a decision to not only eat healthy, but also have self control over eating excessively and from strangers.

Always remember, A child of God without a bridled tongue, is prone to be used by the devil.

Memory verse

Psalm 19 v 14

May my words and my thoughts be acceptable to you,  O Lord, my refuge and my redeemer!



Let us pray

Dear father I have heard your word today, I yield to your desire to bridle my tongue Lord. I release myself to the help the Holyspirit, to control what I say, how I say it, and when I say it.

Help me to speak words that are full of your love.

From today, I make a promise to you Jesus, that I will never tell lies, curse nor hurt my friends and other people around with me, with the words of my mouth.

Help me Jesus to praise and worship you….and never to be possessed by the devil to use sinful words, give false witness or deny you as my Lord. 

Song of the day

Every move I make