Be a Bandage

Blessed are the peacemakers,
for they will be called sons of God. Matthew 5:9 (NIV)

Props: Several large bandages labeled with the following: kind words, prayer, friendship, listening, God’s Word

Call forward a volunteer to act as a “hurt person.”

Why is fighting so wrong? (Allow for response). If you’re fighting, it will hurt you and the one you’re fighting with. Yet so many people choose to pick fights and join arguments.
God has called you to be a peacemaker. Matthew 5:9 says, “God blesses those who work for peace, for they will be called the children of God.” All around you are people who are arguing and fighting. And if they’re fighting, that means they’re hurt, even if they don’t know or admit it. You may not see cuts and bruises on them, but many people are hurt on the inside. Since you are called to be a peacemaker, you are called to bring God’s healing to people when they are hurt.
How can you bring healing to someone who has been hurt by all the arguing and fighting in their world? (Allow for response and help guide the kids if necessary. Place the bandages on the volunteer as each one is mentioned). You can be a friend to someone whom everyone else makes fun of. You can choose not to listen when you hear gossip about someone, and you can definitely choose not to repeat gossip. That will help bring healing to someone who’s talked about. The Bible says, “He who covers over an offense promotes love, but whoever repeats the matter separates close friends.” (Proverbs 17:9) You can say kind words and decide to always tell the truth. Proverbs 10:12 says “Hatred stirs up dissension, but love covers over all wrongs.”
You can pray for those who have been hurt and tell them about God’s peace. 1 Peter 4:8 says “Above all, love each other deeply, because love covers over a multitude of sins.”
When you are a peacemaker, you bring healing to others and you will be blessed!