Love can calm a brewing fight!
Perform a simple experiment with vinegar and soda, to create “fizz,” then snuff out the fizz with water.
You will need:
- 1 tbsp of vinegar
- 1 tsp of baking soda
- 2 tbsp of water coloured with a few drops of red food colouring
- a small bowl
Begin by placing the vinegar in a bowl. The vinegar represents a child playing happily with a toy. The baking soda represents another child interrupting and asking for the toy. Add the baking soda to the vinegar and you will see a lot of fizz. Tell your children that the fizz is fighting. The first child says, “No, you can’t have my toy!” The second child starts yelling, “I’ll tell Mum and Dad if you don’t share!” Be sure to pour the red coloured water into the bowl before the fizzing stops. With the addition of the red water, all will be calm again.
Key concepts
Explain that the red water represents love. The Bible tells us that loves covers any amount of sin (1 Peter 4:8). Love will help a child offer a turn with a toy (Luke 6:33). Love is not easily angered, love is kind and love does not demand its own way (1 Corinthians 13:4-7). Summarize by saying that responding to others in difficult situations with love results in peace instead of discord.
Discussion Question
Have your children think of scenarios in their lives where they need to choose to respond in love to maintain harmony. Redo the experiment for each example and allow them to pour in the red water and say, “Love covers sin.” Close by praying that God would fill your hearts with His love so you have lots of love to offer each other.
Relevant Scripture
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all love each other deeply, because love covers a multitude of sins.”