As you watch this video, think of a time when you had to choose the best way to interact with another person.

Share the following video [2:45]:
Life lessons sharing and respecting others

The moose and the bear had a problem. Only one could cross the bridge at a time. The moose insisted the bear go back so the moose could cross. The bear insisted the moose go back so the bear could cross.

• Why did the moose and bear each think he should be the one to cross the bridge first? (Answers may vary including: They were both in a hurry; they both thought they got there first; neither felt like going back and waiting, each thought he was more important, etc.) 
• Why is it so hard to let someone else go first? (Answers will vary).

When the raccoon and the rabbit came along and wanted to cross the bridge, neither the moose nor the bear gave them a chance. The moose and bear used their size to push around the raccoon and the rabbit.

• Can you think of a time when you have put off or pushed aside someone who is younger or smaller than you, so you could do as you pleased? We’ve all done it—is anyone willing to tell us about their experience? (Answers will vary; be prepared to share your own experience as your students may be nervous about owning up to this.) 
• When has someone older or bigger pushed you out of the way or opted not to include you in something? (Answers will vary; be sure students’ comments are appropriate and they don’t use names.)

The raccoon and the rabbit worked together to get back at the moose and bear for the way they were treated. Have you tried to get back at someone for hurting your feelings or doing something that you did not like? Let students respond positively without taking individual comments.

• Why do we often respond to being hurt by hurting—or wanting to hurt—the person who hurt us? (Answers will vary. Students may mention wanting to equalize the situation, striking out because they were embarrassed, etc.) 
• Do you think if the raccoon or rabbit had been alone that either would have cut the bridge’s rope to make the moose and bear fall? When has peer pressure played a role in how you treated others? (Answers will vary.)

The raccoon and the rabbit approached the bridge-crossing differently from the way the moose and the bear handled it.

• Which approach to the bridge-crossing do you prefer and why—moose and bear or raccoon and rabbit? (Answers will vary; accept all answers without judgement, but hopefully most will choose raccoon and rabbit because they were kind, helpful, and found a way for both to cross the bridge.)

Getting along with others is easy sometimes and challenging at other times. The way we treat others might depend on our mood, on how they treat us, on peer pressure, or on what we want at the time. Let’s find out about God’s way for how we should treat others at all times.