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Time for Talking

Talking like Jesus – The Lord’s Prayer

I am Listening

Brand-new World – God talks and Noah listens

Day 1

Day 16

Day 10

Day 25

What’sWhat’sWhat’sWhat’sinside?

Helping you to get

to know God more

Written by

Alexa

Tewkesbury

Hey Squiggle,are you good at listening?

Huh?

GodFather

Every day a short Bible reading

is brought to life with the help

of the Pens characters.

A related question and prayer

apply this to daily life. Written

in four sections, two focusing

on the lives of Pens and two

on Bible characters, young

children will be inspired to learn

more of God and His Word.

Denzil’swonderfulwords

4 5

Day 1

‘Kind words are like honey – sweet to the taste and good for your health.’ (Proverbs 16 v 24)

TIME FOR TALKING

What do you like talking

about?

Pens PrayerThank You, Father, for

words to share with each

other. Please help me

always to use my words

kindly. Amen.

Denzil wanted his friends to know how much he loved them.

He said to Philippa, ‘You’re so clever. You always know the right thing to say.’

He said to Max, ‘You’re such a great footballer.’

He said to Gloria, ‘You look lovely in your new hat.’

He said to Charlotte, ‘Your singing sounds even better than usual.’

Marco looked surprised. ‘Wow, Denzil,’ he remarked. ‘You seem so happy.’

Denzil grinned. ‘To tell the truth,’ he replied, ‘I’ve never felt happier.’

Talking kindly to others is good for them, and good for us, too.

6 7

Pens PrayerLord God, please teach

me the right words to

use so that I can be an

encourager. Amen.

Do you know someone who needs encouraging

today?

‘What?’ asked Charlotte.

Gloria sighed. ‘I don’t think my idea’s very good.’

Charlotte gazed at Gloria’s picture. The hat looked exactly like a beautiful cake.

‘That’s brilliant!’ squealed Charlotte. ‘It’ll be the best hat in the parade.’

‘Thank you!’ beamed Gloria. ‘Let’s make it right now.’

Encouraging talk helps people do amazing things.

‘Kind words bring life …’ (Proverbs 15 v 4)

When Charlotte went to visit Gloria, Gloria was busy drawing.

Time for TalkingDay 2

TheTheThe

besthat

What are you drawing?

I’m designing a hat to make. There’s going to be a best hat parade and I want to be in it. It’s just …

8 9

Pens PrayerDear Father God, sometimes

telling a lie seems easier than

telling the truth. Help me to

remember that You want me

to talk truthfully. Amen.

Why do you think it’s important to tell the truth?

Squiggle and Splodge had borrowed Denzil’s favourite book. But when Denzil wanted it back, they couldn’t fi nd it.

They searched and they hunted.

‘Oh, no!’ shrieked Squiggle.

The book was outside – wet through because it had rained!

‘I’m telling Denzil you left it there, Splodge,’ said Squiggle.

‘I’m telling Denzil you left it there, Squiggle,’ said Splodge.

They made each other very unhappy, until they decided to tell Denzil the truth: they’d both left the book outside, and they’d both save enough money to buy him a new one.

God is sad when we tell lies. He wants us to speak the truth.

‘… my lips will never say anything evil, my tongue will never tell a lie.’ (Job 27 v 4)

Time for TalkingDay 3

Denzil’sbook

10 11

Pens PrayerLord Jesus, when I feel

cross, please help me not

to say spiteful words that

might upset people. I want

to talk with love the way

You do. Amen.

How do you feel when someone says something unkind to you?

Max and Marco were going to a birthday party, but Max was cross. Marco was late. They were missing the games. They were missing the fun. Worst of all, they were missing the party food.

When Marco arrived, Max grumbled, ‘Why couldn’t you be on time; you’re so STUPID!’

Marco looked miserable.

‘Please don’t be cross, Max,’ said Philippa. ‘Marco didn’t mean to be late and now you’ve made him sad.’

‘Sorry, Marco,’ smiled Max. ‘Come on then, I’m sure we’ll be in time for cake.’

Unkind talk makes people unhappy.

‘Do not use harmful words …’ (Ephesians 4 v 29)

Time for TalkingDay 4

Themissedparty

12 13

Pens PrayerThank You, dear God, for

creating me. Help me never

to forget that You have

given me so much that is

wonderful. Amen.

What gifts has God

given You?

Gloria was looking pleased with herself.

‘My garden has more fl owers than anyone else’s,’ she boasted proudly.

Max was looking pleased with himself, too.

‘I’m better at football than anyone I know,’ he bragged loudly.

‘Never mind football,’ retorted Charlotte. ‘I’ve got the best singing voice in the world. Haven’t I, Philippa?’

Philippa was looking serious. ‘You have got a lovely voice,’ she said, ‘but God has given us the good things we have, so we shouldn’t show off about them. We should thank Him for them instead.’

Talking boastfully is a bit like being ungrateful to God.

‘… all … boasting is wrong.’ (James 4 v 16)

Time for TalkingDay 5

Tooproudproudproudpens