During the lesson, the information for you to know is written in regular type, and what we suggest speaking or reading aloud to children is in bold. All resources for this lesson, including the Teacher Guide, Student Page, Family Connection Card, and other resources can be downloaded in a ZIP file by clicking on the following link:
In some lessons you will find "resource articles." These are articles written by experts from around the world to help equip you for your work with children and adolescents. Share them with parents or guardians if you consider it appropriate.
My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry.
James 1:19
We show we care by how well we listen. Do you believe this statement is true? Active listening helps us communicate clearly. God wants us to listen to Him. In fact, He commands it. “Hear the word of the Lord” appears 34 times in Scripture, and the word “listen” is found nearly 200 times. In order for us to grow in our relationship with God and to know what He wants us to do, we must listen.
The example for active listening was set by Jesus. It is an act of love, motivated by a humble heart that puts the needs of another above our own. It is an opportunity to show the love of Christ to others as we truly listen with our ears and our hearts. This is the kind of listening that reflects God.
As you prepare to help your students learn to actively listen to God and to others, spend a few minutes praying that He will give you His ears to hear your students’ needs.
Encourage your students to ask a family member or caregiver to share a favorite memory or other story. While the person is talking, the student should practice active listening.
Teacher Tip: If possible, email or text the Family Connection Card to the families of your students.
Welcome your teens and let them know that today’s lesson is all about listening. While you are waiting for the class to gather, you may want to ask a few of the students who have arrived early to share a happy memory. As they share, be sure to practice active listening.
Tell the students that you are going to read a short story 2 times. The second time you read it, there will be changes made to the story. They should note as many changes as they can when they hear the story the second time. Read through the 2 versions of the story with only a short pause between them.
A small black hen saw the lovely peacocks. She loved the long feathers of their tails. The blues, greens, and purples reminded her of flowers. One day she found several feathers on the ground. She tied them onto her tail and began strutting about like she was a peacock, too. When the peacocks saw her, they plucked out the feathers and mocked her. The black hen went back to the other black hens, but they teased her for being silly enough to think she could be a peacock.
The changes the teens should note are shown in italics.
A small turkey saw the lovely peacocks. He loved the long feathers of their wings. The blues, greens, and reds reminded him of rainbows. One day he found several old feathers in a tree. He tied them onto his head and began strutting about like he was a peacock, too. When the peacocks saw him, they plucked out the feathers and laughed at him. The turkey went back to the other turkeys, but they teased him for being proud enough to think he could be a peacock.
Congratulate the teens who recogniZed all of the changes.
For the second game, ask the students to stand up. Give them easy commands to follow, such as “Put your hand on your head” and “Raise your right hand.” As you say the commands, do the actions with the students. The students should stay in these positions until the next instructions are given. After you have given 8–10 commands, say, “Put your finger on your nose.” Instead of putting your finger on your nose, place your finger on your forehead. Ask the students to look around to see how many copied your actions instead of listening to your words.
They both required good listening skills.
Ask students to find partners and to stand slightly apart from the other pairs of students. Ask the first partner in each pair to talk about anything he would like for 1 minute. The other partner will stand and listen. Ask them to position their bodies in the way they would to listen carefully to the person who is speaking. After a minute, ask the partners to switch roles. As they interact, ask them to observe the physical posture of good listening. After the students have demonstrated what good listening looks like, have everyone sit down.
Allow students to share their thoughts.
Active listening uses your body as much as your ears and your brain. When you actively listen, you give your full attention to the person, communicate using body language, and keep yourself quiet so you are not distracted. Active listening means letting the other person know with your whole body that you are listening carefully to what he has to say.
The heart of the discerning acquires knowledge, for the ears of the wise seek it out.
Proverbs 18:15
Practice encouragement, show honor, listen carefully, speak truthfully, and recognize responsibility.
As a good communicator, you want the person you are communicating with to feel respected and cared for. Your goals are the same when you are being an active listener. So the keys to active listening are very similar. They are to show respect, give your full attention, listen with your ears and your heart, and respond with love.
When it comes to listening, we have a perfect example in the Bible—Jesus! He is fully God, so, when He was here on earth, He already knew what others would say to Him. But because He was also fully human He listened and showed that He cared about what people had to say. Listen as we read this example from Scripture.
Ask a student to read the following verses directly from the Bible.
Then they came to Jericho. As Jesus and his disciples, together with a large crowd, were leaving the city, a blind man, Bartimaeus (which means “son of Timaeus”), was sitting by the roadside begging. When he heard that it was Jesus of Nazareth, he began to shout, “Jesus, Son of David, have mercy on me!” Many rebuked him and told him to be quiet, but he shouted all the more, “Son of David, have mercy on me!”
Mark 10:46–48
Answers may include that he was a beggar and not worthy of Jesus’ attention or that he was looked down on in society because he was blind and poor.
Jesus loves all of us, even those society looks down upon, so He would listen to Bartimaeus.
Let’s find out what Jesus did.
Jesus stopped and said, “Call him.” So they called to the blind man, “Cheer up! On your feet! He’s calling you.” Throwing his cloak aside, he jumped to his feet and came to Jesus.
Mark 10:49–50
He stopped and called for Bartimaeus to come to Him.
He threw off his cloak and jumped up to go to Jesus.
The Bible tells us that Bartimaeus was blind. He could not see Jesus. He was also poor. He probably had only one cloak, and his cloak was important to keep him warm as he sat by the road to beg. But when Jesus called him, Bartimaeus threw his cloak aside. As a blind man, he would have difficulty finding his cloak again, since he could not see it. It might have been stolen or misplaced. But because Jesus showed respect for him, Bartimaeus knew that Jesus cared for him and would take care of him. Compared to the love of Jesus, his cloak was unimportant.
“What do you want me to do for you?” Jesus asked him. The blind man said, “Rabbi, I want to see.”
Mark 10:51
Jesus knew that Bartimaeus was blind and poor. This was obvious to everyone on the road that day. Also, Jesus knew Bartimaeus intimately—He knew what was in Bartimaeus’ heart. So, although Jesus already knew the answer, He asked the question. Because of this, Bartimaeus knew Jesus was listening to him.
Ask a student to continue reading from the Bible. If that is not possible, the verse is listed here:
“Go,” said Jesus, “your faith has healed you.” Immediately he received his sight and followed Jesus along the road.
Mark 10:52
Answers may include that Jesus answered His question and healed him.
Jesus let Bartimaeus know He understood what was in his heart. Jesus knew that Bartimaeus had faith in Him. So, even though Bartimaeus was an unworthy, blind beggar, Jesus saw his heart.
Jesus healed Bartimaeus.
He followed Jesus.
When Jesus healed Bartimaeus, He restored his sight. That part is in the Bible. But it is also likely that Bartimaeus was hurting in many other ways. As a blind beggar and a social outcast, Bartimaeus probably struggled with loneliness, despair, and depression. He may have felt he was unworthy and unlovable. He probably did not have any hope for his future. But the listening ears and loving heart of Jesus can heal all of these wounds. Bartimaeus was made whole by the One who truly listens and loves us in all circumstances. He will do that for you, too!
Active listening takes practice. To do it well, you must show respect for the person you are listening to, give the person your full attention, listen with your ears and your heart, and respond with love.
Active listening is not about what you want to say or do. It is about really hearing what the other person has to say. We will see how well you do this.
Pair the students and have them decide who will speak first. The first person will answer the first question in 1 sentence, and the listener will then repeat back what he heard. Then the speaker will become the listener, and the other student will answer the second question.
You did a great job listening to each other. I can tell that you were showing respect, giving your full attention, listening with your ears and your hearts, and responding with love.
Allow students to share their thoughts. Some may include sitting in a prayerful posture, reading the Bible, and talking with others who know and love Him.
We have learned about how you must use your whole self to listen actively. In different cultures, the behaviors for active listening are different, depending on what is respectful in each culture. But in all cultures, listening requires a person to engage every part of his body to hear and understand what the other person is saying.
Show the students this symbol.
This symbol is the representation for “to listen” in Chinese. This symbol can help you remember how to engage in active listening. You show respect with your whole body. You give your full attention. You listen with your ears and your heart, so you will truly understand. And you respond with love.
Optional: If you are using the Student Pages, the teens can answer this question and look at the diagram on their pages.
Think of someone who is difficult for you to listen to—maybe someone who tells long stories that you do not enjoy or someone who has hurt you in the past. Ask that person a question and practice active listening. You may enjoy listening more when you truly understand what the person is saying. And when you respond with love, you may see and hear that person in a whole new way!
Close your time with a blessing over your students based on Proverbs 2:2:
Blessing: May God grant you His knowledge as you turn your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding.
Life on Life ©2020 David C Cook. Reproducible for home or classroom use only. All other uses require written permission from David C Cook [email protected]. All rights reserved.
