Proverbs
1:2–7
Proverbs teach us many things. Thinky says reading the book of Proverbs is important. If you do, you will learn to make wise choices. And this will help you live a good life.
Make a list of the things these verses teach you. Then answer this question.
Where must you begin if you really want to gain knowledge? Read verse 7.
1:8–16
Who should children listen to? Who should children not listen to?
Talky knows that we learn more from our parents than from anyone else. Why do you think you can listen to their advice? Because they love you, and they want you to be happy.
What kinds of things do parents teach their children?
Talk to your friends about the good advice that your parents give you.
3:13–15
Arty has an idea to make a bookmark. Decide on the shape you want your bookmark to be. On one side, write Wisdom is worth more than rubies.
Keep your bookmark in your Bible. When you read, look for verses that teach you about wisdom. Write the book, chapter, and verse on the back of the bookmark. Make a ruby red box around each reference. See how many rubies you can find as you read God’s Word.
4:6–9
What is the dream you have for your life when you grow up?
What are your ideas about what you want your life to be like? Inny was thinking about these questions. Let us see what the writer of Proverbs says about what is really important. He thinks gaining wisdom is the best dream you can possibly have.
Why is having wisdom so important?
The writer says in verse 6 that wisdom will keep you safe. Why will it keep you safe?
6:16–23
Read these verses. Then Thinky wants you to make a list of the things the Lord hates.
Do you ever do any of these things? The truth is there are times we all probably do some of them.
Read verses 20–23. You will find out how you can stay away from doing what God hates. Write the answer next to the list you made. Remember to do what these verses tell you to do.
10 – 22
In these chapters, there are many short proverbs that teach us how to live wisely. They give us good advice about everyday life.
If you see a proverb that you like, you should write it down. Then keep it where you will often see it.
10:1
Solomon believed that there are two kinds of people. Wise people and foolish people. Wise people serve the Lord and obey him. Foolish people don’t listen to advice. And they certainly don’t listen to the Lord’s advice.
Solomon shows us what happens to both the wise and the foolish person. We each live with the results of the choices we make.
11:1–6
Inny discovered that there are many proverbs about honesty.
Do you believe it’s important to be honest?
- Why are people dishonest? Why do they cheat?
- Why is it so difficult to trust someone again after they have been dishonest?
- Do you want to be friends with honest people or cheaters?
- What does verse 6 say about godly people?
15:1
Hearty can always tell when people are angry.
- What do you do when you are angry? What do you look like?
- Have you ever seen how gentle words can calm an angry person?
- Has it ever happened to you? How did the gentle words make you feel?
- Has anyone ever made you even angrier with their angry words?
- What happened then?
Try this the next time you meet an angry person. Answer them with gentle words and see what happens!
18:2–9
Read these verses. They tell us what foolish people do. Talky suggests talking with your group about the things that foolish people do.
- What does a foolish person use that causes the most harm?
Talk about the four important things you have to remember about words. Write them down so that you don’t forget them. And remind one another of these things.
Do you know anyone whose words are like a fountain of wisdom? Listen to that person!
20:27
The Lord sees what is inside each person. He sees things that even the person themselves can’t see. Nothing is hidden from the Lord.
Hearty wonders how you feel about that. Are you glad that the Lord knows everything about you? Or don’t you like the thought of this?
How does the Lord feel about us when he knows everything about us?
You can read the answer in John 3:16.
21:31
We can do our best to plan. But we always have to remember that the Lord is in control of the world. We can’t do anything without him.
That means we can safely put our lives in his hands. The Lord loves us. He will show us the way. And he will help us.
22:6
Things we learn when we are children stay with us when we are adults. The things we learn also help us for the rest of our lives.
You can learn many, many things while you are a child and you are going to school. Don’t waste the opportunity!
22:15, 24–25
We are often corrected by our parents and teachers. And we usually don’t like it! Adults correct you because they know it will help you to do what is right.
They know it will keep you from doing things that may harm you. But you can also make the choice to do what is right yourself. Read the proverb in verses 24–25! Choose your friends wisely.
23:19–21, 29–35
This passage describes someone who has had too much to drink and become drunk. It may seem very grown-up to drink alcohol, but it never helps you.
Drinking too much doesn’t solve your problems. It doesn’t make your problems go away. In fact, it makes your problems worse. And it makes you ill. It’s much better to listen to the advice in verses 19–21.
24:29
When people are mean to us, we want to get back at them. And sometimes we make plans to hurt the other person.
Crafty doesn’t think that this is a good plan.
One reason is that the person will then have to hurt you back again. This can go on for a long, long time. It will make your whole life unhappy.
The apostle Paul had a much better plan. Read what he had to say in Romans 12:17–21.
25:28
Inny knows that one of the most difficult things to learn is self-control.
Having self-control means that you can manage yourself. You stop yourself from saying or doing things that aren’t good for you or others.
You don’t say or do the first thing that comes into your head.
You think before you act or speak. You don’t rush in and do something. Instead, you wait and think about what will be the best thing to do.
Self-control is one of the things that helps you become a wise person.
26:22
Why do we like gossip? Maybe because we like to hear that someone else has problems. It could also be because we are jealous or mean.
For some reason, we easily believe gossip. People hardly ever try to find out if what they have heard is true.
Inny always tries to make sure that a story he has heard is true. He says it’s also good to ask yourself these questions. Is it kind? Is it necessary?
You will quickly find out that gossip never passes these tests. Don’t spread gossip!
27:6, 9
Friends who really care about you will be honest with you. Even when the truth hurts, it’s better than lies.
People who aren’t your friends won’t always be honest with you. They say one thing in front of you but think or say another behind your back.
Crafty has an idea. Go and do something nice for your best friend. If they ask you why, say that you are glad that you are friends.
28:13
It’s not easy to admit that you are wrong. But each time you pretend you aren’t wrong, you suppress a part of your conscience.
If you continue to do wrong, your conscience soon won’t be a good guide. It won’t be able to guide you to do what is right.
When you are wrong, admit it. Say you are sorry. Try to make things right if you did something harmful.
And also confess to the Lord what you did wrong. Tell him you are sorry. He will forgive you.
31:30
This chapter gives a list of the things a woman does in her home. However, in the end, there is only one thing that is really important.
Can you find it in verse 30?
Inny believes that this is true for all of us.
It’s also the most important thing we learn in Proverbs.
Have you told the Lord you want to serve him? You can do it right now.
Ask him to help you to continue serving him every day.
