WISE WORDS TO LIVE BY - Bible Activities
STORY GUIDE
PROVERBS 16 ? 17:20
WISE WORDS TO LIVE BY
Old Testament Lesson #207
The book of Proverbs is a book of wisdom,
containing a wide variety of sayings directed to help the reader be faithful to God and follow after His word. They are truly words to live by. Some are stated positively, giving direction as to how a person should live and behave, while others are stated in the negative providing an example of what not to do or how not to behave. Both perspectives are helpful in seeking how to live in a way that is pleasing to God.
To gain this wisdom is something of great value as described here in Proverbs 16. "How much better to get wisdom than gold, to choose understanding rather than silver" (Proverbs 16:16)! "Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is he who trusts in the LORD. The wise in heart are called discerning, and pleasant words promote instruction" (Proverbs 16:2021).
When God's words are followed, they produce positive results in an individual and you can see this by how a person acts and how they treat others. "Understanding is a fountain of life to those who have it, but folly brings punishment to fools. A wise man's heart guides his mouth, and his lips promote instruction. Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones" (Proverbs 16:22-24).
The opposite is also true. If a person is not influenced by God's word to gain understanding and use it as a guide for their lives - they will not behave in a nice way. "A scoundrel plots evil, and his speech is like a scorching fire. A perverse man stirs up dissension, and a gossip separates close friends. A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good" (Proverbs 16:27-29).
Many of the proverbs are presented as a contrast between those who desire wisdom, and those who are fools for not gaining such important understanding. "A rebuke impresses a man of discernment more than a hundred lashes a fool" (Proverbs 17:10). Someone desiring wisdom will be quick to learn when he or she is rebuked by another. It helps them to grow and gain more wisdom. However, the fool will never respond or care, even if they are punished over and over again. They do not appreciate the value in the correction received. They just want to do whatever they think is best, such as: "there is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death" (Proverbs 16:25). It is also summed up by, "A discerning man keeps wisdom in view, but a fool's eyes wander to the ends of the earth" (Proverbs 17:24).
We don't want to be like the fool. We want to be influenced by God's word so that we grow to be kind,
patient and faithful in our lives. We want to develop a love that reflects toward our fellow man. A short but powerful proverb says, "A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity" (Proverbs 17:17). When we're motivated by the Word, we will be ready to display a love for our friends, regardless of what is going on in their lives. We will always be ready to stand by their side to help in whatever circumstance that exists. Those types of friends are precious and do indeed love at all times. They are always there to help during a time of adversity
POINTS TO CONSIDER:
? Earlier in the book of Proverbs, the need to get wisdom is stressed. One such passage says, "Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or swerve from them. Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will watch over you. Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it costs all you have, get understanding. Esteem her, and she will exalt you; embrace her, and she will honor you. She will set a garland of grace on your head and present you with a crown of splendor" (Proverbs 4:5-9).
? "A friend loves at all times" is what Proverbs 17:17 tells us. When Jesus asked what the greatest commandment in the Law was, he said: "Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: Love your neighbor as yourself. All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments" (Matthew 22:37-40).
? For someone to get wisdom there needs to be a reverence for God. He needs to be held in respect and honor. At the start of the book of Proverbs, it puts it simply, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline" (Proverbs 1:7). This comes up similarly in Proverbs 9:10, "The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding." Also, "The fear of the LORD teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor" (Proverbs 15:33).
? David wrote in a pair of psalms about a fool. He writes: "the fool says in his heart, `There is no God'" (Psalm 14:1; 53:1).
? 2010 CRI ? P.O. Box 36269 ? Canton, Ohio 44735 ? 1-800-992-2144 ?
ANSWER KEY:
ANSWER KEY
PROVERBS 16 ? 17:20
WISE WORDS TO LIVE BY
Old Testament Lesson #207
1P 2 O 3 I 4 T 5C 6U 7R 8T
9 R 10N 11T 12 I 13R 14 I 15P 16S
, I 17
18
20 F
22A 23S 24E
25D
. A 28
29
32 D
33E
35B 36L 37L 38E 39Y
42A 43 E 44F 45O 46R 47T 48E
49G
51H 52A 53U 54G 55H 56R
57O 58E 59 S
61B 62E 63F 64O
Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.
A scoundrel plots evil and his speech is like a scorching fire.
A gossip separates close friends.
Pleasant words are sweet to the soul.
20 - 1 = 19 3 x 7 = 21 13 + 13 = 26 3 x 9 = 27 35 - 5 = 30 40 - 9 = 31 30 + 4 = 34 10 x 4 = 40 45 - 4 = 41 5 x 10 = 50 100 - 40 = 60
? 2010 CRI ? P.O. Box 36269 ? Canton, Ohio 44735 ? 1-800-992-2144 ?
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