October is Bullying Awareness Month, a time when schools everywhere talk about standing up for others and choosing kindness. But what if, instead of just teaching students not to bully, we taught them how to use their words to build?
At Generous Classroom, we believe generosity isn’t just about giving things. It’s about giving yourself.
One of the most powerful ways students can do that is through Generous Words. These are words that encourage, include, and lift others.
Students often freeze when they see unkindness. They want to help but don’t know what to say or do. That’s where Generous Words come in. We can empower students to transition from silent bystanders to active builders—those who use their voices to protect and uplift others.
Here are a few ideas:
Practice “building words” daily. Start your morning meeting or circle time with a 30-second challenge: say one Generous Word to someone new.
Role-play real moments. Ask, “What could you say if someone was being teased?” and brainstorm ways to use words to include, defend, or comfort.
Celebrate “word heroes.” Highlight students who use their words to encourage or invite others in. Recognition reinforces the behavior.
When students begin to see how their words have power, they’re not just avoiding harm; they’re creating healing.
Biblical SEL in Action
This is where Biblical SEL truly shines. Social-emotional learning helps students recognize emotions and respond with empathy, and through a biblical lens, it goes deeper. It reminds them why kindness matters: because every person is made in God’s image.
Generous Words give students the chance to practice emotional awareness and self-control.
When they pause before responding, they can ask themselves, “Does this build up or tear down?” That’s wisdom in action.
The Bible reminds us in Ephesians 4:29,
“Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up.”
Words hold weight. They can heal or hurt, encourage or embarrass. And when students begin to see that their words carry spiritual influence, they realize their role in shaping the classroom atmosphere. Every word becomes a brick, and they get to choose whether that's one that either builds or breaks.
This Bullying Awareness Month, let’s go beyond the posters and pledges. Let’s teach our students that their words are tools for generosity. Together, we can raise a generation of builders and students who reflect the heart of Jesus by using their voices to love well.
If you’re looking for more ways to build a classroom rooted in generosity and biblical SEL, check out Generous Classroom and our Generous Students curriculum—where kids learn that one of the most powerful gifts they can give is their words.