Bible values for children
Choose a better next step than payback.
Choosing safe, good responses instead of payback.
Refusing payback gives us room to choose a safer way forward.
Put it into practice
What does forgoing revenge look like?
Forgoing revenge means choosing not to hurt someone back. We can name what happened, move away and ask for help. Refusing payback gives us room to choose a safer way forward.
If someone calls you a hurtful name, you can say “Stop”, leave the situation and tell an adult instead of finding a cruel name for them.
Talk about it
What could you do instead of trying to get even?
Stories that show forgoing revenge
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David Spares Saul in the Cave
1 Samuel 24:1–22
David refused the chance to kill Saul in the cave. His decision helps us examine a moment when a person could retaliate but chooses another response.
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DavidVerses to remember
Don’t be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.
A little context
Romans 12:17–21 tells believers not to repay evil with evil and to overcome evil with good. It leaves room for seeking protection and holding people accountable.
