FAITH CHALLENGE
Wisdom: Proverbs 10-22
(Week 1)
Scripture: Proverbs 10-22
Memory Verse: Each student will choose five
proverbs to memorize.
Concepts:
- We can learn how to live as God’s people by observing everyday life.
- Living faithfully requires us to make choices about how we act every day.
- We learn the faith from others’ experiences and we teach it through our actions.
Objectives:
· Students will learn that the book of Proverbs is called wisdom literature and contains practical advice for living.
· Students will choose five (or more) Proverbs that are meaningful to them and create a small book of these proverbs.
Gathering Time/Introductions (Coach)
1.
Before students
arrive, take the timeline icons off the classroom timeline and place them on a
table or the floor in random order. Also
place the names of the Bible stories (attached) on separate pieces of paper on
the floor or table. As students arrive,
ask them to work together to match the icons with the names of the Bible
stories. Then ask them to put the icons
in the proper order and in the proper section of the timeline. Answer key at the end of this lesson. Note:
This is a “before class” activity to provide a review time for
early-arriving students.
2.
Review the
timeline and matching from above. Spend
a few minutes to be sure students have the correct order of events. Tell students that this is the first week of
a new unit, again from the Old Testament.
The Guide will provide greater explanation of the unit.
3.
The Coach leads
the opening routine: snack, fellowship, prayer wall activity, and prayer
chain. Nametags are available.
4.
The Coach
collects the offering. We will continue
to collect money for the Presbyterian Disaster
Assistance Iraqi Relief Fund. This
collection was begun during our last unit on Peacemaking and will continue
throughout the summer.
5. The Coach introduces the Guide who leads the lesson.
Workshop Lesson Procedure: (Guide takes over from here)
Application:
1. Pass out the Famous Quotations worksheet (attached). Ask students to place an X through the number corresponding to any quotes they think did not come from the Bible. Allow several minutes to read and mark the quotes.
2.
When most have finished, review the list and
provide the correct answers as listed on the answer key.
3. Use this activity to explain that the Bible contains all types of writing—including the book of Proverbs from which all of the Bible quotes on this worksheet were taken.
4. Pass out Bibles and ask students to find Proverbs 10-22. Ask them to spend a few minutes browsing these chapters. Use the following questions for a brief discussion.
· What do you notice about the Proverbs? They do not always sound like what you would expect the Bible to say. They talk about practical, life issues and how to deal with them rather than deeper theology. They sound like what a parent might want to teach a child. Students may have other observations.
· How is the book organized? It appears somewhat random—there is a proverb on one topic and then the next one is on a very different topic. They are not grouped by subject.
5. Spend a few minutes sharing the following background information about Proverbs. It might be helpful to have these points written briefly on chart paper.
· Proverbs is part of biblical literature called “Wisdom.” Other books in the wisdom tradition are Job and Ecclesiastes.
· Wisdom literature has little reference to standard Old Testament beliefs, traditions, or theology. Instead it is based on the belief that experience teaches us lessons we need for living.
· Much of Proverbs is attributed to King Solomon who lived during 1004-926 BCE. The proverbs we will be studying are thought to be from Solomon who was considered a very wise King of Israel. However, other sections of Proverbs are from other writers over a wide span of time in the Old Testament.
· The purpose of the book is “to teach youth how to cope with life through observation, docility, self-control, and the fear of the Lord.”[1]
6. Pass out the handout labeled “Verses from Proverbs 10-22” and one colored pencil per student. Explain that this handout contains quotes from the book of Proverbs (CEV) that are grouped by topic for ease in reading rather than in random order as found in the Bible.
7. Allow the class several minutes to read the proverbs and to circle in colored pencil five proverbs they would like to memorize. Ask them to choose ones that seem meaningful for their lives today—advice that might be helpful to them.
8. Tell the class they will now make a small book and write their chosen proverbs in the book. Explain that they can choose the style of book they will make from three possibilities. Have the supplies for each type of book set up on separate tables and ask students to move to the table with the style of book they wish to make.
9. Spend the rest of the time with each student making a small book and writing their proverbs in the book.
Wrap-up/Closing (Coach):
1. Ask students to tidy up.
2. The Coach conducts the closing prayer.
3. Close/lock the door and turn off the lights.
Guide preparation in advance:
1. Make examples of each type of book.
2. Make copies of the Famous Quotations and Verses from Proverbs papers, one per student
3. Post the “visual” on the timeline. (attached)
Supply List
· Bibles, flip chart paper, markers, colored pencils
· Book-making supplies
· Famous Quotations and Selected Proverbs worksheets
References
· Writers’ Bible study materials titled “Wisdom: Proverbs 10-22” prepared by Susan Mazzara
·
Roland
E. Murphy. “The Proverbs” and “wisdom,” Harper’s
Bible Dictionary (HBD). Achtemeier, Paul J., ed.
Timeline Key
God Chooses a
People
·
Abraham---
·
Joseph---
·
Moses/Ten Commandments—picture of Moses
holding the tablets of stone
God Judges and Redeems a Nation
·
Ruth—copy of painting of people gleaning
·
Gideon—clip art of trumpet with colorful
banner on it
·
Isaiah/Peacemaking—dove with olive branch
God Sends a son
·
Jesus’ Birth—wise man on camel
·
Jesus’ Baptism—copy of painting of Jesus
being baptized
·
Helping others—sheep and goat clip art
·
Zaccheaus—name
written
·
Dealing with conflict—
·
Death/Ressurection—cross
We have not studied
any stories from the “God Creates the World” or “God Empowers a Church”
sections of the timeline.