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Leader Guide

Social Network Activity


Make one copy of the Paul and Barnabas Tweet Sheet for each child, plus extras.

Tweet Others As You Wish To Be Tweeted: Post a message to encourage others.

Can someone name the social network app where you post a short message called a tweet? Twitter.

The tweet can be read by anyone who chooses to follow or subscribe to your messages or from your account page on the internet.

Texting is another way to send short messages to a specific person or a group of people. Texts or tweets can be serious or fun, thoughtful, encouraging, and motivational. Or, they can be careless, destructive, and hurtful.

Can you finish this old saying? “Sticks and stones may break my bones…" But words will never hurt me.

This saying has been around for many years, but it isn’t true. Paul and other apostles were physically stoned by people who opposed their message about Christ (Acts 14:5,19–20). No one would question that sticks or stones can injure someone; however, words hurt others, too!

Whether we want to admit it or not, the words we say do matter. They can tear down or build up. Let’s read Ephesians 4:29 again, which we discussed in our teaching time:

Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.

It would be wise to consider this verse before saying something on social media! Give a Tweet Sheet and a pencil to each child.

In this activity, I am going to read a situation in which someone needs to be encouraged and shown God’s love, mercy, and kindness. You are going to write a text or tweet in ten words or less to encourage and support that person.

Let’s say the SuperVerse together before we begin:

Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. Hebrews 10:24

Read the scenario and give children a minute or two to tweet or text a word of encouragement on their Tweet Sheets. You may substitute your own scenarios that your children will relate to. After each scene, or after the sheet is completed, allow children to share their tweets and discuss the scenario together.

  1. Someone has been hurt by gossip.
  2. Someone is nervous about doing a big presentation at school.
  3. Someone's grandmother died.
  4. Someone was not picked for a team or activity they tried out for.
  5. Someone found out that they must move to another state.


Conclusion: Whether our words are spoken in person or posted through social media, they are powerful to build up or tear down. We must choose our words carefully to encourage others and demonstrate God’s love.