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WHY PROVERBS?
Someone said, A smart man makes a mistake, learns from it, and never makes
that mistake again. But a wise man finds a smart man and learns from him how to
avoid the mistake altogether. From this definition we can deduce that a foolish
person is one who does not learn from mistakes, whether his own or others. In fact,
the extreme form of foolishness, insanity, is defined this way it is doing the same
thing over and over again and expecting different results.
The Book of Proverbs is a collection of short sayings of King Solomon and other
wise men. Many of their sayings are a product of observing people, animals and
even insects. Some of these people became wise by learning the hard and painful
way. Those observations and lessons were made into a collection of short sayings of
timeless principles to guide those who would come after them to learn how to live
fruitful, Godly lives. This is what Proverbs 1:2-6 says:
The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and
discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings. Through
these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good
conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair. These proverbs will
make the simpleminded clever. They will give knowledge and
purpose to young people. Let those who are wise listen to these
proverbs and become even wiser. And let those who understand
receive guidance by exploring the depth of meaning in these
proverbs, parables, wise sayings, and riddles. (NLT)
Begin with a word of prayer. The leader or another family member then reads
aloud the main verse. Next, read each question aloud; encourage family members
to state their views. Do not read the answers until after everyone has had the
opportunity to share their responses to the question. The leader may then read or
paraphrase the example given in the third part of the guide.
The application questions are vital. They make this devotional relevant to each
member of the family and to the family as a whole. Pray for sensitivity and humility
so that the sharing will be productive, even if some hurts are unearthed.
The prayer guide contains suggestions on how to bring to the Lord the learnings
from the Bible and the family sharing. Each family member may participate in a
conversational prayer of the entire family. Pray in pairs, or individually, with
someone closing in prayer. Share your individual concerns, and pray for each
others concerns.
If used weekly, as we recommend it should be, this devotional booklet has
enough materials to last for a quarter of a year.
For best results, the leader must study the guide before the family meets for the
devotional. He or she must facilitate and encourage everyone to share their views.
The leader should not dominate the discussions or the prayer time. In fact, no
one should. Parents should realize that as facilitators, they are assuming a role that
is quite different from everyday life.
This guide may not suit the exact family situations, but the discussion leader can
creatively adapt the guide to the current situation of the family, hopefully clearly
communicating the main points of the passage.
Sources:
http://www.suite101.com/content/10-tips-for-fun-family-devotions-a17073
http://christian.families.com/blog/5-tips-for-having-devotions-with-toddlers
http://www.ehow.com/how_4615706_have-daily-family-devotion.html
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. THE FEAR OF THE LORD ................................................ 1
2. TRUST IN THE LORD ...................................................... 3
3. INTEGRITY..................................................................... 5
4. HUMILITY BRINGS HONOR ............................................ 7
5. THE SLUGGARD AND THE DILIGENT .............................. 9
6. ENCOURAGING WORDS .............................................. 11
7. HONESTY ..................................................................... 13
8. SELF-CONTROL ............................................................. 15
9. GUARD YOUR HEART .................................................... 17
10. PRIDE ............................................................................ 19
11. GOOD COMPANY ........................................................ 21
12. GENEROSITY................................................................. 23
13. HONEST SCALES ........................................................... 25
Families should love each other, but children also respect and fear their parents
because they will be disciplined when they do not do what is right. Children who are
secure in the love and discipline of their parents want to learn from them.
From the healthy fear of parents children have a model of fearing God. Children
learn to put God first in their lives. They want to learn from God. If we fearlove
and respectGod, then evil ideas will not attract us; on the contrary, we will strive to
do everything that will make God happy.
Do you fear the Lord? Is your fear of God a case of good fear or bad fear?
Explain.
Has your fear of God led you to make wise decisions that please Him?
Does everyone in your family know and fear the Lord? If not, ask God for
wisdom how best you can share Gods love with those who do not know Him.
For parents and for children who live with your parents:
Parents, have you provided your children a good model of fearing God? What are
your strengths and weaknesses in loving and disciplining them properly? Then, ask
them for their honest opinion. Parents, be prepared to listen and do not be
defensive; children, state your views honestly and lovingly to your parents.
For adult children who may no longer live with parents:
Did your own parents provide a good model of fearing God? If yes, thank them and
thank God. If not, forgive them for their shortcoming.
Worship the Lord. Express to Him your fear and love. Ask Him to deepen your
wisdom to live a life that will please and glorify Him. Pray for love and forgiveness.
Pray for each one in the family so your home will be a good place to teach and
practice the fear and love of the Lord.
2
When a scuba diver is deep underwater, it's difficult to tell which way is up because
the water diffuses the light and he can't feel the pull of gravity. He can easily become
disoriented and lose his sense of direction. His mind will start playing tricks on him,
telling him that up is down and down is up. If the diver panics, he will place his life in
danger if he swims in the wrong direction.
The diver can get out of his predicament if he'll remember one simple rule--to follow
his air bubbles. Scuba divers are taught that no matter which way he thinks is the
right direction, the bubbles are always correct. They never go sideways or down.
They always go up. The diver must ignore his own feelings and sense of direction,
and place his entire faith in his air bubbles.
In today's confusing world it's easy for us to get disoriented. Voices are constantly
telling us that right is wrong and wrong is right. When we are confused about which
way to go, we need to remember one simple rule--to follow the Lord's directions.
Like the scuba diver's air bubbles, the Bible is always correct, no matter how we feel.
(Source: http://kentcrockett.blogspot.com/search?q=trust+in+the+Lord)
People of the world pray when all things fail. How would you as Gods child
practice prayer?
Ask for everyones prayer requests and encourage someone in the family to lead
the prayer.
3.INTEGRITY
Even children are known by the way they act,
whether their conduct is pure, and whether it is right.
Proverbs 20:11
In front of the teacher every kid tries to look honest, helpful and good. They can be
very respectful, and appear to be the perfect child they are always on their best
behavior in front of the teacher.
But what do they do when there is an exam, especially when no one is looking?
During the exam you can see their real character: do they look for opportunities to
cheat, or do they resist the temptation to cheat?
What are some situations where your words and your actions do not match,
when you pretend to be good but really are not?
Share two situations this week where you will be more consistent in doing right
rather than just appearing to do what is right.
Ask each family member what you can pray for them and then pray together.
Who has authority over you in the family? Do you willingly submit?
If you have household staff, how can you demonstrate humility toward them?
Make a plan, and make sure it is implemented.
Pray for a humble spirit for everyone in the family, with parents showing humility
toward their children and children toward their parents. Pray that you, as a family,
can follow your plan of demonstrating humility toward your household staff. Pray
that the humility practiced in your home can spread to people outside the home.
1. Who is a sluggard?
Answers:
It is a person who is lazy.
A person who does not like to work hard.
2. The sluggard wants many things but he does not want to work to get
them. So what does he get?
Answer: Nothing!
3. What does diligent mean?
Answer: Diligent means to work hard.
4. What are some characteristics of a diligent person?
Answers:
He prioritizes what is important.
He does his work first and then has fun later.
He pays first and plays later.
He does his best for Jesus in all that he does.
5. What does the diligent get for being hard working and disciplined?
Answer: His soul is fat he is fulfilled, he is blessed
Examples of a sluggard:
He sleeps late and gets up late
He watches TV or plays computer games instead of studying
He is usually late when he goes somewhere.
He is sloppy.
Examples of a diligent person:
He does his responsibilities such as school assignments first before playing or
watching TV or playing computer games.
He strives for excellence in all that he does.
He is dependable He does what he says he will do.
He has a disciplined life.
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6.ENCOURAGING WORDS
Like apples of gold in settings of silver
Is a word spoken in right circumstances.
Proverbs 25:11
1. What is one of the most impressive works of art you have seen
whether a painting, sculpture or other? How did you feel when you
were looking at it? How much did you think it was worth?
2. What words can you think of to describe apples of gold in settings of
silver?
Answer: Probably the two most appropriate are beautiful and precious.
3. To what does the Bible compare apples of gold in settings of silver?
What do you think this means?
Answer: It compares it to a word spoken in right circumstances. It can
mean good advice to someone who has problems or needs direction; it
could mean encouragement to someone who needs motivation.
4. Can anyone share an experience when someone said something to
you at the time you needed to hear it? Like apples of gold in
settings of silver, how was it beautiful and precious to you?
Answer: (Let one or more share . . .)
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According to Jim Burns For every critical comment we receive, it takes nine
affirming comments to even out the negative effect in our life. So we need to
specialize in affirming words than in critical comments.
(Source: Nelsons Complete Book of Stories, Illustrations, & Quotes,
Robert J. Morgan, ed. Thomas Nelson Publishers, 2000)
Before praying, let each family member say what they appreciate about another
family member. Make sure no family member is left out.
Ask each family member what you can pray for them and then pray together.
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7.HONESTY
Bread obtained by falsehood is sweet to a man,
But afterward his mouth will be filled with gravel.
Proverbs 20:17
13
Charles Finney once said, A person who is dishonest in little things isnt really
honest in anything.
We may not be guilty of big crimes like robbery and extortion but in our own
spheres of influence, what are some of the ways in which we can be guilty of
bread obtained by falsehood? (e.g. not returning excess change when we pay,
dishonesty, cheating in school, etc.)
What should we guard ourselves against that may lead us to this problem? (e.g.
envy, covetousness, lying, bad company)
Ask each family member what you can pray for them and then pray together.
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8.SELF-CONTROL
Like a city that is broken into and without walls
Is a man who has no control over his spirit.
Proverbs 25:28
15
Are there habits that control us, like spending hours in computer games?
Facebook? Pornography? What will you do to have self-control?
Ask each family member what you can pray for them and then pray together.
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17
Show your family an empty bottle and ask, How do you remove air from an empty
bottle?
Answer: Fill the bottle with liquid and air inside the empty bottle will be pushed out.
In the same way we can push out bad thoughts, bad attitudes from our minds by
regularly studying the Bible and obeying what God teaches us.
What concrete measures are you taking to be able to complete reading the
whole Bible?
Ask each family member what you can pray for them and then pray together.
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10.PRIDE
Pride goes before destruction
And a haughty spirit before stumbling.
Proverbs 16:18
1. What is pride?
2. What does it mean to have a haughty spirit?
Answer: Haughty comes from the same Latin root as high. It describes the
kind of person who thinks theyre above others. Better than others.
3. How do people show pride? Give some examples.
Possible answers:
They think they are always right
They dont want to listen to others
They get upset when they are corrected
They feel superior to others
They take credit for all they accomplish and forget that it is by Gods grace
They talk about themselves a lot and their accomplishments
4. What happens to a proud person?
Answer: They experience destruction, ruin, harm
5. In 1 Peter 5:5, how does God react to the proud? The humble?
Answer: God is opposed to the proud but gives grace to the humble.
6. What are some possible scenarios where God will oppose the proud?
Answers: God will not allow his plans to succeed; even his health may fail.
7. What is humble?
Answer: Humble is the opposite of proud and haughty.
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Two geese were about to go south for the winter, when they were asked by a frog
to take him with them. The geese said it would be ok if he could find a way, so the
frog took a piece of long grass, got the two geese to take it one by each end while
he clung to it by his mouth in the middle. In this manner the three were making
their journey when they were noticed from below by some men.
The men loudly expressed their admiration for the device and wondered who had
been clever enough to discover it. The frog opened his mouth to say, It was I, lost
his hold, fell to the earth, and was dashed to pieces.
(Source: http://sermons.org/boasting.html)
Give examples of humble people.
Possible answers:
They listen to others
They respect others
They listen to correction
They dont always think they are right
They know that God is the one who helps them in all they do.
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11.GOOD COMPANY
He who walks with wise men will be wise,
But the companion of fools will suffer harm.
Proverbs 13:20
21
Let's say your faith life and prayer life and church attendance are not what they
should be. If you hang around with people who do not pray and do not go to
church, people who make fun of God or never think about Him, your faith life and
prayer life and church attendance cannot improve; in fact, they can only get worse.
To improve your level of spirituality you need to get other friends, people who love
the Lord Jesus and read the Bible and faithfully attend worship services.
Adrian Dieleman
(Source: http://www.trinityurcvisalia.com/sermons/1co15v33.html)
Your future can be predicted by knowing who you are fond of spending a lot of
time with. If you spend a lot of time with wise people, you will be wise. But if you
spend a lot of time with foolish people you will get into trouble. Are there friends
in your life that you need to let go of?
Who are the wise people in your life that you need to spend more time with?
Ask each family member what you can pray for them and then pray together asking
from God to give each of you wisdom in choosing the right friends and spending
time on activities that will make you wiser.
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12.GENEROSITY
A generous man will prosper;
He who refreshes others will himself be refreshed.
Proverbs 11:25
23
Have you ever experienced someone generously providing for your need? Who
was it? How did it feel to be the recipient of generosity? Did it change you?
Have you had the opportunity to be generous to another person? Were you
blessed by being generous? How did being generous change you?
Praise God for His generosity in giving us Jesus. Thank God for opportunities for you
to be generous. Ask for forgiveness if you have not, or if you have been stingy or
cautious when people ask you for help. Pray that Gods Spirit will infuse everyone in
the family with a spirit of generosity and trust in Gods guidance and protection.
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13.HONEST SCALES
A just balance and scales belong to the LORD;
All the weights of the bag are His concern.
Proverbs 16:11
Back when Solomon wrote the Book of Proverbs, businesspeople used scales and
weights to measure the goods they sold. Some had scales and weights that showed
the wrong weight in order to cheat customers.
1. According to Prov. 16:11, what kinds of scales and measures
belong to God?
Answer: Honest scales and weights belong to God
2. What does it mean for honest scales and measures to belong to
God?
Answer: To belong implies ownership, but it also means to fit, to be
suitable, or to be acceptable. Prov. 11:1 tells us that the LORD detests
dishonest scales. See also Deuteronomy 25:1316. Because sins of
cheating and deception are hateful to the Lord, only honest scales and
measures are acceptable to God.
3. Why would God care about a businesspersons weights and scales?
Answer: Because God is a God of truth and justice. With dishonest scales
and weights, it is all too easy to cheat customers, especially the poor. The allknowing and all-seeing God takes very close interest in the smallest details of
our lives. And He delights to see us dealing fairly and honestly with all
people, especially the poor.
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Recently, I left the post office with a handful of stamps. Later I found that I had been
given eight more stamps than I paid for. I went back to the employee who had sold
me the stamps, but it took a lot of explaining to make him understand why I was
returning them. Why did you bring them back? No one wouldve known.
Its the right thing to do, I explained, suddenly not even sure why I had made the
effort. But my 12yearold daughter nodded and smiled at me.
Should we go out of our way to be honest? After all, with the post office situation, I
didnt steal the stamps; it was the postal worker who made the mistake. But does
my honesty depend on the actions of another?
(Source: Kathryn Lay, www.kyria.com/topics/spiritualformation/theologyspiritualissues/11.46.html)
Have you had the opportunity to practice honesty even when you could get
away with it? Why did you choose to be honest?
Children, have you been honest in handling the money that your parents
provide for you?
Parents and grown children, have you been honest and fair in all your economic
dealings? Discuss some of your struggles in this area.
If you have been dishonest, ask God for forgiveness and, if you can pay back, pray
for how you will do it. Pray that everyone in the family will be honest, especially in
grey areas where falling short of honesty will not be known or discovered by others.
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