FAITH CHALLENGE

Wisdom: Proverbs 10-22

(Week 2)

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 review information about the book of Proverbs.

·        Students will create a coloring book for younger children to illustrate and teach verses from the book of Proverbs.

·        Students may write their own proverbs about life today. 

Gathering Time/Introductions (Coach)

1.      As students arrive, ask those who were present last week, to share their small book of proverbs with a classmate.  If a student was not there, ask someone who was present to give an overview of the class and what they did.    Note:  This is a “before class” activity to provide a review time for early-arriving students.  There will not be time for students who were not present last week to make books. 

2.      Review the timeline and remind students we are studying Proverbs from the Old Testament. 

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.      Review briefly from last week with the following questions:

·        What is a proverb?  Practical advice delivered in a catchy saying.

·        Who wrote many of the proverbs we are studying?  King Solomon

·        Where is the book of Proverbs found?  Old Testament

·        What type of literature is Proverbs?  Wisdom literature.  What are some other books of the Bible that are also wisdom literature?  Job, Ecc

·        What is the purpose of the book of Proverbs and other wisdom literature?   To teach and provide practical instructions for living.  Proverbs are a way for adults to pass along information to children.

2.      With that purpose in mind—to teach younger people—tell the class they are going to create a coloring book for younger children at the Kirk to help them learn some of the Biblical proverbs.  Explain that the coloring book will have one proverb per page—and one proverb per letter of the alphabet.  The proverbs have already been chosen along with the letter they will represent. 

3.      Display the sample page and explain the following:

·        The letter of the alphabet to which their proverb corresponds is to be written as a large single letter at the top of the page.

·        The proverb is to be written NEATLY at the bottom of the page

·        The illustration is to be drawn SIMPLY in the middle of the page.  Remember this is for younger children and cannot be too complicated or detailed.

·        The illustration must be an OUTLINE in black marker.  Encourage students to draw in pencil first and go over it in black marker. The younger children will color the outlined picture. 

·        You might want to provide some coloring books as a reference for students who have not looked as one recently as a reminder of how simple the drawings can be. 

·        Remind students to work neatly—there is plenty of time to do a good job. 

4.      Ask students to choose a partner for this project.  Encourage students to work in pairs, although if someone wants to work alone, that is ok.  Discourage more than two working together, however.

5.      The proverbs to be illustrated are attached to this lesson.  Cut these so there is one proverb on a strip of paper.  Lay the strips on the table and ask the pairs to choose one they wish to illustrate.  Students may move to the city room where tables are set up with pencils paper and markers. 

6.      When a pair has finished their illustration, ask them to show it to an adult before choosing another proverb to illustrate.  Adults should screen the drawings for appropriateness, neatness and ease of coloring for younger children. 

7.      After the adult’s ok, students may illustrate another proverb.

8.      Have an additional table set up with both the cover and the back of the book laid out.  Ask all students at some time during the morning to stop by this table and sign their name to the back of the book.  The cover and back are all on the same sheet of paper.  The cover is on the right side of the page.  Have the students sign the left side—their signatures will end up on the back.

9.      Although it might be necessary to allow most of the class time to complete the illustrations, you may find some students become bored and the activity needs to be changed.  If so, an additional activity is listed below.  This will probably work best as an entire class, so it is suggested that if this is to be used, the Guide should ask all students to finish the illustration they are doing and return to the country room.

10.  When the students are reassembled, ask if they have noticed anything about the way the proverbs are written.  Answers will vary—but suggest that many are similar to the two listed below.   It would be helpful to have the following written on flip chart paper or the dry erase board.

·        Fools enjoy doing wrong, but anyone with good sense enjoys acting wisely. The two halves of the proverb are structured similarly (x enjoys y), but in each half the x and y are opposites (fools vs. anyone with good sense, doing wrong vs. acting wisely).

·        Fools have no desire to learn; they would much rather give their own opinion.  The second half of the proverb develops or comments on the first half.

11.  Pass out paper, pencil and clip boards Ask students to write at least three of their own proverbs using the above as examples.  .  Remind them the proverbs are to be practical advice to pass along to someone else.  If necessary, spend a few minutes brainstorming.  Ideas such as “Fools spend too much time in front of the computer . . .”    or   “Work hard in school; you will . . .” 

12.  Collect all the proverbs students have written.  An idea might be to type and copy them to hand out next week for all the class to enjoy.  Leave the original and/or the copies in the classroom for next week’s lesson. 

 

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.      Copy and cut into strips the “Selected Proverbs for the coloring book” 

2.      Print the cover for the coloring book on legal-size paper.

Supply List

  • Plain white paper (legal size  cut in half), pencils, black markers
  • Back and front pages of coloring book
  • Clip boards
  • Selected Proverbs for coloring book

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.  New York: HarperCollins, 1985.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 


Selected Proverbs for Coloring Book

 

A     The start of an Argument is like a water leak-- so stop it before real trouble breaks out.  Proverbs 17:14

 

 

B    A dry crust of Bread eaten in peace and quiet is better than a feast eaten where everyone argues.  Proverbs 17:1

 

 

C     Gray hair is a glorious Crown worn by those who have lived right.  Proverbs 16:31

 

 

D    Drawing straws is one way to settle a difficult case.  Proverbs 18:18

 

 

E     A gossip tells Everything, but a true friend will keep a secret.   Proverbs 11 :13

 

 

F    A Friend is always a friend, and relatives are born to share our troubles.  Proverbs 17:17

 

 

G    Grandparents are proud of their grandchildren, and children should be proud of their parents Proverbs 17:6

 

 

H    It's better to be Honest and poor than to be dishonest and rich.  Proverbs 16:8

 

 

I    If you stop learning, you will forget what you already know.   Proverbs 19:27

 

 

J    Sensible words are better than gold or Jewels.   Proverbs 20:15

 

 

K    Kind words are good medicine, but deceitful words can really hurt   Proverbs 15:4

 

 

L   Losing your temper causes a lot of trouble, but staying calm settles arguments.  Proverbs 15:18

 

 

M    Charge too Much for grain, and you will be cursed; sell it at a fair price, and you will be praised.  Proverbs 11:26

 

 

N    No matter how much you want, laziness won't help a bit, but hard work will reward you with more than enough.  Proverbs 13:4

 

O    The lamp of a good person keeps on shining; the lamp of an evil person soon goes Out.  Proverbs 13:9

 

 

 P    Don't be a fool and disobey your Parents.  Be smart! Accept correction.  Proverbs 15:5

 

 

Q    It makes you look good when you avoid a fight-- only fools love to Quarrel.  Proverbs 20:3

 

 

R    Crooks walk down a Road full of thorny traps.  Stay away from there!  Proverbs 22:5

 

 

S     Sharp words cut like a sword, but words of wisdom heal.   Proverbs 12:18

 

 

T    The LORD is a mighty Tower where his people can run for safety-- 11the rich think their money is a wall of protection. Proverbs 18:10

 

 

U    Be sensible and store Up precious treasures--don't waste them like a fool.    Proverbs 21:20

 

 

V    A simple meal with loVe is better than a feast where there is hatred.   Proverbs 15:17

 

 

W    Kind Words are like honey-- they cheer you up and make you feel strong.  Proverbs 16 :24

 

 

X    If you won't help the poor, don't eXpect to be heard when you cry out for help.  Proverbs 21:13

 

 

Y    If You are too lazy to plow, don't expect a harvest.   Proverbs 20:4

 

 

Z    If you are laZy and sleep your time away, you will starve.    Proverbs 19:15