Bullying Conversation Guide

Article July 1, 2020

      In one large study, about 49% of children in grades 4–12 reported being bullied by other students at school at least once during the past month, whereas 30.8% reported bullying others during that time. Bullying can be about a misuse of power over the lives of others, and it’s important to teach children that God does not want anyone to have power misused against them. When the king told the men to bow to the statue, he was trying to force them to do something that they were not OK with. The kids in your group might not face this sort of treatment from an authority figure, but they could be pressured to do things they aren’t OK with. It’s important for the kids to know that they are valuable; God made them and loves them, and that they need to stay loyal to Him. Help make the connection for them that they, too, need to refuse to do things that aren’t OK.

      If this is a sensitive issue for kids in your group, take a minute to talk about this and share with them that they are valuable because God created them, and He wants them to respectfully refuse to do anything that is not OK. You can read Genesis 1:27 and talk about how each person is made in the image of God and valuable to Him, which is why we don’t mistreat anyone or let anyone mistreat us.

Also, encourage any child who is concerned about these issues to talk to a leader about it. Be sure to have leaders ready to listen to these issues and to report any concerning situations, as your church policy outlines.