One Trick to Make Kids Stop and Listen

You have a really important point to make to the group of kids you’re teaching. The truth you are about to share is a life-changer. You want to be sure the kids take hold of and remember these words. So how do you grab their attention and make your point stand out?

When you have something important to say… whisper. Doesn’t a whisper always catch your attention? When the Pharisees heard the masses whispering about Jesus, it sure caught their ear – and struck fear in their hearts (John 7:31-32).

Perhaps the most famous whisper of all is found in 1 Kings 19:11-13:

“Go out and stand before me on the mountain,” the Lord told him. And as Elijah stood there, the Lord passed by, and a mighty windstorm hit the mountain. It was such a terrible blast that the rocks were torn loose, but the Lord was not in the wind. After the wind there was an earthquake, but the Lord was not in the earthquake. And after the earthquake there was a fire, but the Lord was not in the fire. And after the fire there was the sound of a gentle whisper. When Elijah heard it, he wrapped his face in his cloak and went out and stood at the entrance of the cave.

The howling wind and rumbling earth were no match for the whisper of the Almighty. A whisper is out of the ordinary. And a whisper is exclusive: it is intended for a select few.There’s something imbedded in human nature that makes us intent on being included in what might be deemed a little bit privileged.

Whispering to grab attention only works for a key phrase or sentence, not an entire lesson. But when you whisper a few words while teaching a room full of kids, they will lean in a bit closer to hear. This trick is not only effective, but it’s fun! Try it and watch every other distraction instantly cease as kids lock their eyes on you. For that moment, they are all ears. Then you can easily (quietly) drive your point home.

For more blog posts from Jodi, go to KidzLife.com.