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WISE UP: WISDOM IN PROVERBS

Written by: Cherie Noel


Copyright 1993, 2007 by Positive Action For Christ, Inc.
P.O. Box 700, 502 West Pippen Street, Whitakers, NC 27891-0700.
All rights reserved. No part may be reproduced in any manner without
permission in writing from the publisher.
Printed in the United States of America
ISBN: 1-929784-16-3
Published by Positive Action For Christ
Design by Shannon Brown
Chapter Artwork by Del Thompson
Published by
CONTENTS
Preface 4
Lesson 1 What Is Wisdom? 14
Lesson 2 Wisdom And Foolishness 27
Lesson 3 The Example Of Wise Men 40
Lesson 4 Our Home Life 55
Lesson 5 Honoring Our Parents 71
Lesson 6 Freedom And Responsibility 85
Lesson 7 How Attitudes Affect Actions 102
Lesson 8 Right Attitudes About Myself 117
Lesson 9 Good Friends And Bad Friends 130
Lesson 10 Choosing The Right Friends 140
Lesson 11 How To Keep Good Friends 151
Lesson 12 Loving All People 164
Lesson 13 Dealing With The Flesh 178
Lesson 14 Recognizing The Sins Of The Flesh 191
Lesson 15 Walking In The Spirit 200
Lesson 16 What Is Character? 212
Lesson 17 Love And Gentleness 226
Lesson 18 Integrity 237
Lesson 19 Meekness And Humility 246
Lesson 20 Hard Work And Faithfulness 258
Lesson 21 Self-Control 270
Lesson 22 Courage 282
Lesson 23 Submission And Obedience 293
Lesson 24 Knowing Gods Will 304
Lesson 25 Staying In Gods Will 315
Lesson 26 Learning How To Use Money 325
Lesson 27 Having Right Thoughts 337
Lesson 28 Making Right Decisions 348
Lesson 29 Keeping Our Promises 357
Lesson 30 Controlling What We Say 365
Lesson 31 What We Say Affects Others 378
Lesson 32 True Success 388
Lesson 33 Being A Success 401
Lesson 34 Being A Good Leader 410
Lesson 35 Spending Time With God 419
PREFACE
The primary goals of Wise Up! (and of all the Positive Action secondary level Bible studies) are to make
the Word of God more meaningful and to have a life-changing impact on the lives of your students. As
an administrator of a Christian school, I have used a variety of curriculum approaches with my students.
Too often, however, I found that my students had mastered a great deal of material and factual knowledge
without really having seen the truth of the Scriptures at work in their own lives.

Therefore, it has been my goal as I developed this study that students would draw knowledge, wisdom, and
understanding for themselves from the Word of God. They need to learn that Gods Word has something
to say about guidance and direction for every area of their lives. They need to have realistic scenarios
placed before them that teach them how to make choices based on Gods Word. They need to discern and
follow Gods calling on their livesnow and in the future.

A key emphasis in this study is establishing students soundly in the Word of God so they can find answers
for themselves. While it is important to begin with sound doctrine and factual knowledge of the Scriptures,
students need to go beyond this and apply their knowledge. They need to be presented with the type of
material that will help them comprehend, analyze, and derive personal applications in line with Gods
Word. Wise Up! has been written in such a way that it should help students form personal convictions,
based on their own study of Gods Word.

In this study on Wisdom in Proverbs, students will encounter a variety of concepts that are applicable to
their own lives. Each lesson will use life application sections to help students learn specific applications of
Bible truths. In addition, one objective for this study is to see the Holy Spirit use it to work in the lives of
the students to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29). Genuine character development
requires the Holy Spirits involvement to grow the fruit of the Spirit within the life of each student. Wise
Up! includes a variety of activities designed to help students get the connection between biblical wisdom
and everyday life.

In order to accomplish our goals, two basic points must be emphasized. First, teachers must spend the
necessary time teaching their students how to apply Gods Word to their everyday lives. The teacher is an
integral part of Bible class. You cannot assume that the goals are accomplished simply because students
have completed a workbook assignment. Gods Word is alive, and this should be evident in your dynamic
teaching style and in the way you live it out yourself. Secondly, as you complete each lesson, use it as a
launch-pad for class discussion to make sure that the students are rightly understanding and applying
biblical principles. General facts and Bible knowledge are important, but discussion and activities will help
make these facts more real in the lives of your students.

Wise Up! provides adequate material and enough variety to keep Bible class both interesting and profitable.
Focus on the living Word of God, and pray for the privilege of seeing your students walking in its truth.

Mrs. Cherie Noel

4 | PREFACE
CURRICULUM GOALS AND OBJECTIVES
This study recognizes the typical characteristics of the middle school student. Young teens desire to be
independent and think for themselves, but they still need reliable guidance and direction. They may not
realize their strong need for firm direction, but this need is profound. The middle school years are a time
of questioning conventional rules and ideals. Students are trying to understand whether the customary
boundaries and ways of interacting with adults still apply. They recognize that they are no longer children,
but they also know that they are not yet adults. They are a special place in their lives, and they need to be
dealt with both in firmness and in love. Perhaps at no other time do they need to feel our love more than
during these years when they are often unloving or less lovable themselves. Our example of firmness and
strong love will continue to reinforce what they have learned about themselves in their earlier years.
Wise Up! focuses on the particular needs of a typical twelve- to fourteen-year-old student. From this study
of Proverbs, your middle school students can gain great insight into the Word of God and into the worth
and purpose of their own lives.
In addition to the above, this study is also distinguished by the following features:
Students will receive strong biblical instruction in truths that particularly need to be reinforced during
this period of their lives. Through these truths, your students should recognize the importance of the
family and the need to acknowledge the counsel and direction of their parents. They will also recog-
nize the value of their teachers and other authority figures in their lives and the need to respect and
heed their input. They will learn about godly interpersonal relationships and how to react in a variety
of inevitable life situations that they will face.
Students will be reminded of who God is and the importance of His claim on their lives. They will
learn why they were created, where they fit into the scope of what God is doing, and how they can
honor Him with their lives. They will learn that God has a plan and purpose for each of them, and that
their schoolwork fits into that plan.
Students will experience a strong emphasis on life application principles so that they will learn how to
apply Scripture faithfully and directly to everyday reality.
A variety of activities and ideas included in the book will enable students to use scriptural truths.
Suggested activities include skits, compositions, journals, story-writing, and poetry.
Scripture memorization selections prioritize the following elements:
Passages of Scripture rather than verses removed from their contexts
Passages that are immediately applicable to students lives
Structure that encourages families to memorize passages together
Passages that are manageable and complementary to the students other obligations

PREFACE |5
EFFECTIVE TEACHING STRATEGIES

Classroom Atmosphere
The climate of your classroom is so important! Teacher, make sure you prepare for success by establishing
an atmosphere of welcome and openness and collaboration. Discussion times will be crucial as you and
your students work through the lessons this year. Your class periods should be a time when students are
encouraged to get involved with candor and humility, and yet with confidence that what they say will
not be broadcast. As the teacher, you set the tone to help students feel free to share their opinions and
questions without fear of embarrassment. Make sure your students understand that we cannot condone sin,
but we must learn to overcome sin.

Encouraging Deeper Thinking


It can be tempting to present the material in Proverbs and drill the students simply for mastery of the
facts. Do not take this easier route! Your students need to go beyond a superficial level of thinking.
When reading a supernatural book, it is not enough to read it as though it were a dusty textbook full of
superstitious axioms or pointless trivia. The material for this series should engage your students hearts
as well as their minds. Are they making the necessary connections between theology and practical living?
There are crucial connections between doctrine (what they believe) and experience (how they really live
out what they say they believe). Make certain that your students do not latch on to head knowledge merely
so they might ace the next quiz. They need to form genuine heart convictions and personal standards
based on the knowledge they are gaining. Teach them the difference between knowing religious principles
from Proverbs and having an actual relationship with the living God who authored Proverbs.
Lesson questions focus on multiple, progressive levels of thinking:
Knowledgelearning basic facts
Comprehensionunderstanding concepts and ideas; recognizing allusions and patterns
Analysisthinking through the different implications of new information
Discernmentperceiving truth from revealed facts and concepts
Evaluationdrawing conclusions; interpreting values to form personal decisions
Applicationusing information learned; applying truths to personal life
In order that your students might learn to think on these different levels, it is important for certain
attitudes to prevail in your teaching.
Become an integral part of your class. Use every opportunity to talk to and work with your stu-
dents.
Even if a workbook assignment has been completed, do not assume that the lesson will certainly
have been learned or that the students heart has been transformed.

6 | PREFACE
Recognize, especially in teaching the Bible, that factual knowledge is not equivalent to heart con-
viction. Students need to be guided in their thinking. Help them learn how to analyze material and
reach their own conclusions.
A Bible-based discussion should become the heart of your time with the students. Spend adequate
time to make the students understand the Bible principles and that they are making life applica-
tions.
Most students are in the habit of stopping short once they have learned the facts. If thinking beyond
mere facts is not customary for them, you cannot expect them to handle your questions without some
difficulty at first. You will have to serve as their guide. Lead them gradually but consistently into a habit
of thinking through information on a different level.
The following suggestions may help you encourage your students toward deeper thinking:
Complete the first question of each lesson with your students and let them complete the remaining
questions on their own. This works well with charts and sequential types of exercises.
Arrange for students to work in pairs, sharing ideas and coming to conclusions together. They can
then share their answers together, which may give them more confidence.
Guide your students step by step through a series of questions. Let them look up material in their
Bibles and complete the answers. When it is necessary to analyze a concept or draw a conclusion,
work on the idea together. As the semester progresses, begin to give them more material to cover
without your aid. Always discuss their answers afterwards, so they will gain right insight into these
concepts.
Lead students step by step to analyze what they are learning. Do not give away answers, but do
give the discussion direction. Ask a thought-provoking question to steer the conversation, or drop
occasional hints if they seem to be getting off-track.
Discuss a particularly difficult concept with your class before they see the lesson. After a thorough
discussion, have them turn to the lesson and complete it themselves. Have a review discussion
afterwards to insure these concepts are understood.
Never conclude a lesson without some type of discussion or follow-up. Talking through the mate-
rial will help your students learn to think more productively. They will discover aspects they had
never considered previously. Otherwise, your lessons will become only an academic exercise rather
than a convicting spiritual exercise.
During discussion times, do not voice immediate or harsh criticisms in response to students
answers. Accept all reasonable answers, redirecting the emphasis if necessary. Your students should
not have to feel like they must walk on egg-shells to avoid quickly-formed negative judgments from
you or their peers.
Note: Thinking skills are learned skills. You are teaching students how they ought to think about God and
how they can learn to live for Him. It will thrill you to see your students develop into wise thinkers and
to see God work in their lives.

PREFACE |7
Inner Character Development
One of the primary goals of this study is to teach your students how urgently we all need the Holy Spirit
to produce the fruit of the Spirit within us. Because we recognize that He must work change in our
students lives to conform them to the image of Jesus Christ (Rom. 8:29), this study strongly emphasizes
God-enabled inner character development.
You may give the self-evaluation quizzes periodically to encourage your students to consider their own
lives and to what extent God is truly working in their lives. These quizzes are not meant to measure
students comprehension but rather to provide them opportunities to be honest with themselves before
the Lord. When these self-evaluation quizzes are used, exhort the students to humble themselves before
the Lord and to be willing to respond honestly as the Holy Spirit reveals their shortcomings through His
Word.
After taking a self-evaluation quiz, students should thoughtfully consider how God can change them to be
more like His Son. You could encourage them to pray for His help to desire that kind of genuine change
and to obey with humility and enthusiasm. Like adults, your middle school students need to learn how
to be a vessel set apart for the Holy Spirit to work in and through. One aim of activities like the self-
evaluation quiz is to help them recognize Gods claim upon every area of their lives.

Life Principles
A profitable follow-up activity each week would be to have students write out life principles based on the
material that has been covered during the week. Life principles are basic truths applied in a practical
way to our lives. Share ideas together and have the class determine a life principle for each lesson. These
may be written in personal life principle notebooks or kept in a class notebook, for occasional reference
and review throughout the year.

Life Application Sections


To further enable students to recognize Gods claim on their lives, most lessons include a life application
section. The general design of these sections is to enable students to personalize the truths taught
throughout the week. We want students to form personal convictions based on the Word of Godgoing
from head knowledge to life application.
Students will therefore be expected to analyze and apply information and draw conclusions for their own
lives. It is of utmost importance that an atmosphere of acceptance and openness be established. We do not
want to condone sin but rather to recognize that we all have sin problems that require attention. Students
need to feel free, not necessarily to admit specific sins openly in the classroom, but to discuss areas of
common problems.
Your students will most probably feel somewhat inhibited at first. As you continue to guide their thinking
and use discussion time to share common issues, this section should become the most engrossing activity
of the week.

8 | PREFACE
Teachers Lessons (Overhead Transparencies)
One unique feature in many Positive Action Bible studies is the Teachers Lesson designed to be taught
through the use of an overhead projector. (The overhead masters for these transparencies are found with
the teachers material for each lesson. Printed transparencies are available from Positive Action for Christ.)
As the teacher discusses this material, students should complete the notes under the corresponding
Teachers Lesson section in their books. This helps students to identify and analyze the ideas being
presented and also helps them to keep focused on these thoughts. The Teachers Lesson complements
the students lesson itself and supplements it with insights not previously covered. You will notice that,
due to the nature or length of some lessons, there are no Teachers Lesson sections (and thus no overhead
masters) for those particular lessons.

Weekly Quizzes
The weekly quizzes are intentionally short, and they tend to test the objective facts covered in each lesson.
We cannot really test life application material via the short-answer quizzes, so that is not their purpose.
As the teacher, however, you should feel free to add questions relevant to any particular emphases you have
made during the week. You may want to ask your students to write a few essay sentences or even a brief
composition about some concept you highlighted repeatedly during the week.
If you are using the life principle notebook idea given above, you may want to ask your students to write
the life principle from each lesson as part of the quiz. You may also want to ask them to give an example
of a life principle at workeither an example from Scripture or from their own real-life experience.
This would help you to evaluate how well they have grasped the principle and its implications for daily
Christian living.

WEEKLY LESSON PLANS

5-Day Week
Day One: Introduce new Scripture memory verses for the week and discuss key ideas. Discuss Target
Truths for the week from the teachers supplement section. Have students begin working through the
first sections of the students lesson.
Day Two: Drill Scripture memory verses for the week.
Continue to work through sections of material in students manual. Provide discussion time to make
sure that the concepts are well understood.
Day Three: Drill Scripture memory verses. Drill overall passage for review. Review material from the
last two days.
Finish students lesson, including life application section, focusing on internal conviction. Include
discussion time to make sure concepts are well understood.

PREFACE |9
Day Four: Drill Scripture memory verses. Review material for quiz.
Use Additional Teaching Suggestions from the teachers supplement section. Teach and discuss the
teachers lesson.
Day Five: Give the weekly quiz.
Check Scripture memory report sheets.
Discuss principles learned from the weeks material.

4-Day Week
Day One: Introduce Scripture memory verses and discuss what they mean.
Discuss Target Truths for the week from the teachers supplement section and assign material from
the students lesson.
Day Two: Drill Scripture memory verses.
Continue to work through sections in the students manual. Provide discussion time to make sure that
concepts are understood.
Day Three: Drill Scripture memory verses for the week and the complete passage. Teach and discuss
the teachers lesson.
Discuss the life application section in the students lesson, focusing on internal conviction. Provide
overview and review for the quiz.
Day Four: Give the weekly quiz.
Check Scripture memory report sheets.
Do some activities from the Additional Teaching Suggestions in the teachers supplement section.

3-Day Week
Day One: Introduce Scripture memory verses and discuss them briefly.
Introduce key ideas from the Target Truths in the teachers supplement section. Introduce lesson
and allow students to work on assigned material. Evaluate which material you will focus on during
the week and leave the remainder for extra-credit work or for use in another subject area (English,
literature or social studies).
Day Two: Drill Scripture memory verses.
Continue to work through the students lesson together and focus on the life application section at the
end. Teach and discuss the teachers lesson.
Day Three: Give a quiz either weekly or bimonthly.
Use Additional Teaching Suggestions if there is time. Discuss overall principles for the weeks lesson.
* If there is too much material for the class as a whole or for the amount of time available, simply decide
what you feel is most important to cover, based on the special needs of your class.
* Some activities may be used for an English composition or a project in another related subject if you teach the
same students in other class subjects.

10 | PREFACE
SCRIPTURE MEMORY PROGRAM
Purposes
As touched upon under Curriculum Goals and Objectives, the Wise Up! Scripture memorization selections
prioritize the following elements:
Passages of Scripture rather than verses removed from their contexts: We want to encourage students
to approach Gods Word rightly, rather than isolating and perhaps twisting verses away from their
divinely appointed original context.
Passages that are immediately applicable to students lives: We want the students to recognize that God
does intend His Word to be relevant today and to them individually.
Structure that encourages families to memorize passages together: We want to include parents in the
process and keep them an integral part of the spiritual training of their children.
Passages that are manageable and complementary to the students other obligations: We want to encour-
age students to be attempting Scripture memory work in reasonable portions that also coincide with
(rather than detract from) what they may already be learning at home or in their local churches.

How To Use The Program


Each week in class, spend time discussing the meaning of the verses you have assigned for that week.
If students are to learn these verses for life, and for real-life application, they must first know what the
verses mean.
Encourage students to recite verses to their parents at home. (Other arrangements may need to be
made to accommodate some students whose parents may not wish to participate.) This accomplishes
two purposes: (a) You need not spend class time listening to each student quote verses, and (b) parents
can take this as a unique opportunity to involve themselves in their childrens spiritual training.
You might copy and distribute a Scripture memorization report sheet at the beginning of a new school
year. Each student could keep his sheet at home and bring it in once a week with a parents signature
to assure you that he has successfully recited the weeks memory work. A sample report sheet form is
provided on the next page.
As you drill the verses each week, continue to drill and review verses from that passage that were
learned in previous weeks. We want these verses to become a part of your students lives so that the
principles contained in them will not be forgotten.
Notice that review weeks (italicized) are provided during which the entire passage that has previously
been learned can be thoroughly reviewed and quoted together. If your students are drilled on the
verses week by week, quoting the entire passage together during this review week will be easy for most
of them.
The danger in any Scripture memory program is that the students memorize words only to meet a
deadline and then move on to the next group of words. We should make sure that these Scripture
verses become more than just words to our students and then do all we can to see that they understand
their true meaning and make them an integral part of their everyday lives.
Provide a systematic way of rewarding students who demonstrate that they have truly memorized all
the Scripture for the year.
PREFACE | 11
WISE UP! SCRIPTURE MEMORIZATION REPORT SHEET
Name __________________________________________________________________________________________

Teacher __________________________________________________________ Grade ________________________

Week Scripture Due Date Parents Signature


1 Prov. 1:5-6
2 Prov. 1:7-9
3 Prov. 1:10-11
4 Prov. 1:12-14
5 Prov. 1:15-16
6 Prov. 1:5-16
7 1 John 2:3-4
8 1 John 2:5-6
9 1 John 2:7-8
10 1 John 2:9-10
11 1 John 2:11-12
12 1 John 2:3-12
13 Eph. 4:22-23
14 Eph. 4:24-25
15 Eph. 4:26-28
16 Eph. 4:29-30
17 Eph. 4:31-32
18 Eph. 4:22-32
19 2 Pet. 1:2-3
20 2 Pet. 1:4-5
21 2 Pet. 1:6-7
22 2 Pet. 1:8-9
23 2 Pet. 1:2-9
24 Josh. 1:5-6
25 Josh. 1:7
26 Josh. 1:8-9
27 Josh. 1:5-9
28 James 3:3-4
29 James 3:5-6
30 James 3:7-8
31 James 3:3-8
32 James 3:9-10
33 James 3:11-12
34 James 3:13-14
35 James 3:3-14
TEACHERS MANUAL
L E S S O N 1

WHAT IS WISDOM?

TARGET TRUTHS
Wisdom comes only from God.
The religion of humanism is man's view of the world.
Wisdom is a Person (Jesus Christ).
A wise person follows the principles of the Word of God.

TEACHING STRATEGY

Mans Ways Vs. The Ways Of God


As this section is read, discuss the differences between humanism (man-centered thinking) and Gods
ways. Write two headings on the board. As you discuss aspects of humanistic thought, invite students to
explain how Gods ways differ.
For example:

Humanism
1. There is no Creator.
2. Man is the center of all things.
3. There is no absolute or universal right or wrong (or, we each have the right to determine right and
wrong for ourselves).

Gods ways
1. God is the Creator of all things.
2. God is the center of the universe.
3. God has commandments and absolute principles by which we should live our lives.

The Future Of All Humanistic Thought


With the above list of ideas on the board, have students read Proverbs 1:24-33 and discuss the future that
will befall those who reject God and rely on self. Explain that the natural tendency of our sinful flesh is
to accept humanistic thought, so there are some areas in our own lives that will drift toward humanism
if we are not careful. It is important to realize that Gods principles and commandments are there for our
goodnot to squelch the enjoyment of life. The truth is, only Christians can truly enjoy the benefits of

14 |LESSON 1
life within the framework that God designed. The humanists way of life does not lead to happiness, but
eventually to dissatisfaction. A life of seeking temporary pleasures and doing only what you desire to do
without considering others will only cause you to keep on wanting more and more. Because you essentially
make yourself a god, you are assured of having a god who cannot meet all your needs. Soon, you will find
that nothing in life satisfies. The only way anyone can be fully satisfied and content is to yield to Gods
way to live and His purpose for our lives. God created us to be content only when we are trusting in Him
and seeking to please Him.
Thus, the first indication of wisdom is the understanding that there are two different points of view about
the meaning and purpose of life: Gods view and mans view. The truly wise person understands that the
Creator God has made him or her for a divine purpose that will bring great satisfaction and contentment.

Wisdom Is A Person
Have students read the verses and complete the section before discussion. As the material is discussed,
make the comparisons between the passages in Proverbs and John very evident. After the discussion,
write the following equation on the board and discuss its truth based on the Scriptures already studied.
God = Jesus = Word of God = Wisdom

How Wisdom Acts/How The Unwise Act


Take time during these sections to share Gods plan of salvation. You may wish to ask your students to
write a short paper sharing their personal salvation testimonies. If you do something like this during the
first couple of weeks of school, you might gain a good idea early on about which students may not yet have
a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Dont forget the possibility that some of your students, even the
ones who seem to say the right things and who hold a good testimony around school, may still be outside
of Christ. They may have gone through the motions of Christianity and followed all the rules. They may
even sincerely believe that they have done enough externally to prove they merit salvation, and yet they
still might not be truly trusting and obeying Him. Therefore, you must be careful not to give them a pat
answer about biblical salvation. Salvation is a new life oriented toward and dependent on God, not just
praying a prayer and making a public profession. You need seek wisdom from the Holy Spirit to lead you
in how to approach the topic with each student individually and with your class as a whole.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS


Commercials
If your students watch television, ask them to take notes on commercials for a few days. Ask each student
to be prepared to give an example of a commercial that invites the audience to respond to its message
based on foolish reasoning.

Share Gods Plan Of Salvation


Using the discussions as a springboard, you should be sure to share the following basic facts about the
gospel of Jesus Christ.
LESSON 1 | 15
All of mankind is unrighteous and sinful before a holy God. We are unable to save ourselves because
of our sinful condition (Romans 3:23).
If we die in our sins, then we have no hope of heaven. A righteous, holy God cannot allow sin in His
presence. Therefore, sinners must die physically and endure an eternity of spiritual death (torment and
separation from God) as well (Romans 6:23).
Even though God is holy, pure, and righteous, He is also loving and merciful. Jesus, the Son of God,
came to earth to die for our sins. He had no sin of His own for which to die; but out of His great love
for us, He came to die for ours (Romans 5:8).
If we believe that Jesus Christ is God and that He took our place on the cross, and if we receive Him as
our Savior, our sins are forgiven. We become the sons of God and have the assurance of heaven (John
1:12).

TEACHERS LESSON (OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCY)


Definition Of Humanism
Humanism is mans attempt to solve his problems independently of God.
Instead of using the truth of the Word of God as the basis for solving problems and understanding the
world we live in, humanists try to find another way of explaining truth. For instance, to explain the origin
of the universe, humanists offered the theory of evolutionthe idea that everything came into existence
by itself. The theory is that from insignificant life forms to the most complex of beings (mankind),
everything has evolved over millions of years. Evolutionists reject the Creator God, and thus they reject
true knowledge and understanding. All of life is seen from this perspective. Science, history, philosophy,
sociology, and political scienceevery avenue of study is based on this false idea.
God talks very specifically about such people when He says that when they claimed to be wise, they
became fools (Romans 1:22). Jeremiah 8:9 says that when wise men reject the word of the Lord, there is
really no wisdom at all in them, and they are put to shame.

Two Ways Of Looking At Knowledge


Thus there are two ways of looking at the various fields of study. We can either look at all fields of study
through the eyes of the Word of God, or we can look at the Word of God through the eyes of the various
fields of study. These disciplines in and of themselves are not evil because they can be viewed in the light
of Gods Word. But when those who study these things fail to acknowledge the absolute truth of the Bible
and leave God out of their studies, they are bound to fall short in their efforts to discover and use truth.
Science that teaches evolution rather than creation must either reject the Bible or change the Bible to fit
their notions.
History that records events as though mankind could control his own destiny or which fails to acknowledge
Gods sovereignty and constancy over the centuries falls short of teaching the total truth.

16 |LESSON 1
Psychology that theorizes mans problems are merely mental or physical and able to be solved by personal
resolve and various therapies (without factoring in the reality of spiritual needs and the sufficiency of the
Bible) cannot truly offer lasting help to anyone.
Sociology that assumes drunkenness, aggression, homosexuality, or other sins are just diseases rather than
grievances against God cannot offer any effective solutions to the social problems which pervade our
culture.
Therefore, if you eliminate the Word of God, you eliminate your access to reliable truth! An education
without God will not provide you with fullness of knowledge. Education apart from God is not true
wisdom.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1.
Silver
Gold
Rubies
Anything else you may desire
2.
Mans wisdom
Gods wisdom
3. Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and ideas. Wisdom is knowing how to apply facts and ideas so
that important choices can be made rightly.
4. Jesus Christ
5. Wisdom seeks salvation from hell.
Wisdom is obedient.
Wisdom wins souls.
Wisdom plans (or prepares) for the future.
Wisdom fears the Lord.
Wisdom is peaceable.
6. Humanism is mans attempt to solve his problems independently of God.

LESSON 1 | 17
LESSON 1 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 1

WHAT IS WISDOM?
This year we are going to center our study on the key word of the book of Proverbs
wisdom. Your years in middle school are a very important time in your life. No longer
are you a child, but neither are you an adult. You are entering a time of life when you must
learn what it means to be a mature, responsible young man or woman. You will have
many important choices to make, and your parents will have to trust that you can make
wise choices as you journey through the next few years. In some situations, learning to
be wise will mean the difference between success and failure. Learn to be wise, and you
will have success.
According to Proverbs 3:13-15, what four things cannot compare to the value or
importance of wisdom?

1. silver
_______________________________________________________________

2. gold
_______________________________________________________________

3. rubies
_______________________________________________________________

4. anything else you may desire


_______________________________________________________________

Many people would value these things above anything else. But why is wisdom more
valuable than any of these things?
Wisdom is more important and will last longer than any material possessions. By
______________________________________________________________________
wisdom we understand how to obey God and receive His blessing.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What Wisdom Is Not


Gods Word is very specific about what wisdom is and what it is not. In the next few
lessons we will study exactly what wisdom is. But first, lets make sure we understand
what it is not.

18 |LESSON 1
LESSON 1 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

According to 1 Corinthians 2:4-8, there are two types of wisdom. What are the two types?

1. Gods wisdom
_______________________________________________________________

2. mans wisdom
_______________________________________________________________

How is the wisdom that comes from God described in these verses?
ordained by God before Earth was created; powerful; of the Holy Spirit
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Read Proverbs 21:30. Explain in your own words exactly where wisdom is found and
where it is not found.
Wisdom can be found only in the Lord. It will never be found apart from the Lord.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Mans Ways Vs. The Ways Of God


Anything that denies or belittles God is not wisdom. Without God, there can be no true
wisdom. What does Isaiah 55:8 teach us about Gods thoughts and actions?
They are different from the ways of the world.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Therefore, atheism or godlessness in any form is not wisdom. One system of thought that
teaches ideas opposed to God in todays society is humanism. Humanists say:
God is not the center of all things. In fact, there is no God, and there
is no Creator. Instead, the world came into existence by itself. There is
no God to tell us right from wrong. Man is the center of all things and
in control of everything that happens. Right is anything that pleases
man and adds to his pleasure. Wrong is anything that man dislikes. It
is good and right for us to do our own thing or whatever will bring us
pleasure and contentment.
Humanists say that education is the source of wisdom. Many people in the world have
learned much of the knowledge of the world, but that does not mean they are wise.

LESSON 1 | 19
LESSON 1 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Humanists say that good grades are the measure of wisdom. However, you may be the
most intelligent person in your school and make all the honor rolls, but this does not
necessarily mean that you are wise.
Make sure you understand the difference. Education and good grades do not make us
wise. God alone makes us wise. A truly wise person will study hard and get the best
grades possible because a wise person knows that God has given us the opportunity to
understand the world He has created.
Knowledge is the accumulation of facts and ideas. Wisdom is knowing
how to apply facts and ideas so that important choices can be made
rightly.

Knowledge
Humanism says: Education Wisdom
Good Grades

Right Knowledge
Christianity says: God Wisdom Proper Education
Good Grades

Read 1 Corinthians 1:19-21 and 3:19-20 and answer the following questions.

What will God destroy? (1:19)


the wisdom of the wise
_______________________________________________________________

What is the world unable to use in order to know God? (1:21)


its own (worldly) wisdom
_______________________________________________________________

What did it please God to use in saving those who believe? (1:21)
the foolishness of preaching
_______________________________________________________________

What is the worlds wisdom in Gods sight? (3:19)


foolishness
_______________________________________________________________

In Gods sight, what are the thoughts of those who are wise in the worldly
sense? (3:20)
vain or futile
_______________________________________________________________

20 |LESSON 1
LESSON 1 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

The Future Of All Humanistic Thought


Go back to Gods wisdom book, Proverbs, and see what God promises will happen to all
those who do not listen to Him and follow Him. Read Proverbs 1:20-33, and describe
what will happen to those who reject God and His wisdom.
God will mock when what they fear has come upon them. Destruction and calamity
______________________________________________________________________
will come to them. They will experience distress and anguish. God will not answer
______________________________________________________________________
them.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Wisdom Is A Person
Read Proverbs 8:22-31. Compare what is said there with what is said in the New
Testament in John 1:1-3, 10-12.

Both passages are describing Whom?


Jesus (wisdom personified)
_______________________________________________________________

Read Colossians 2:3. According to this verse, what is in Christ?


all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge
_______________________________________________________________
The Christ of Creation is the very wisdom and knowledge of God. If you know Jesus, you
know God. And if you know and fear the Lord God, you will have wisdom.

How Wisdom Acts


We now understand that true wisdom comes only from God and only through knowing
His Son, Jesus Christ. What then does wisdom have to do with salvation?
The first step toward wisdom is trusting Christ as your Savior.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

When we know Jesus Christ, we have the capability to act wisely. He can instruct us in wisdom
and enable us to be wise. If you are trusting and obeying Christ as the Savior and Lord of your
life, then He will change you to help you be more and more like Him (including in His wisdom)
in all aspects of life! As we continue through our study of Proverbs this year, we will learn how
wisdom applies to every aspect of our lives. Match the following verses to see just a few of the
ways that having wisdom will affect your life:

LESSON 1 | 21
LESSON 1 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

D or A 1. Wisdom prepares for the future. A. Prov. 22:3


G 2. Wisdom seeks salvation from hell. B. Prov. 11:30
C. James 3:17
E 3. Wisdom is obedient.
D. Prov. 30:24-26
B 4. Wisdom wins souls. E. Prov. 28:7
D or A 5. Wisdom plans for the future. F. Prov. 15:33
G. Prov. 15:24
F 6. Wisdom fears the Lord.

C 7. Wisdom is peaceable.

How The Unwise Act


Using the seven examples above that show how wisdom acts, describe how the unwise
act. In your explanation, do not just write the exact opposite of what the verse says. Use
different wording to explain your ideas. For example, for the first one, do not simply say
that the unwise do not prepare for the future. Instead, you might say that the unwise are
concerned only about what is happening right now. The unwise

1. are concerned only about now (today).


_______________________________________________________________

2. do not worry about heaven and hell


_______________________________________________________________

3. are stubborn and rebellious


_______________________________________________________________

4. do not care about others


_______________________________________________________________

5. do not plan for the future


_______________________________________________________________

6. do not respect God


_______________________________________________________________

7. have problems getting along with others


_______________________________________________________________

This year, as we study how wisdom works in our lives, we will be studying about our
homes, our relationships with others, how we make decisions, what the future will be
like, and many, many other ideas. To begin, look at the lists under How Wisdom Acts
and How The Unwise Act and think through how wise you are in these seven areas.

22 |LESSON 1
LESSON 1 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

List each idea in one of the boxes below. For example, take item #1 from above. Do you
prepare well for the future? If so, write this statement in the first row under the first
column: I prepare for the future. If this is not true of you, write this statement in the
first row under the second column: I am concerned only about now. From this you will
begin to see those areas in which you need to grow in wisdom, and you will be able to
plan how to respond wisely in particular situations.

Wise Unwise

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

6.

7.

10

LESSON 1 | 23
LESSON 1 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Teachers Lesson
solve his problems
Humanism is mans attempt to _________________________________ independently
God
of ______.

Christian Secular
Education Education

11

24 |LESSON 1
L E S S O N 1 Q U I Z
WHAT IS WISDOM?
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date_____________________ Score ___________

1. According to Proverbs 3:13-15, what four things cannot compare with the value or importance of
wisdom?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. According to 1 Corinthians 2:4-8, what are the two types of wisdom?


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

4. According to Proverbs 8:22-31 and John 1:1-3 and 10-12, who is wisdom? ____________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. List four ways in which wisdom acts. (Hint: One way wisdom acts is that it prepares for the future.)
Wisdom _____________________________________________________________________ .
Wisdom _____________________________________________________________________ .
Wisdom _____________________________________________________________________ .
Wisdom _____________________________________________________________________ .

6. What is humanism? _______________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 1 QUIZ
Humanism is mans attempt to solve his
problems independently of God

Christian Secular
Education Education

LESSON 1 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 2

WISDOM AND FOOLISHNESS

TARGET TRUTHS
The Bible makes a great distinction between the actions of a wise man and a fool.
Whether we are wise or not is not a matter of age, but rather of knowing and fearing God.
We need to evaluate our own lives from time to time to recognize any foolish tendencies in our lives.

TEACHING STRATEGY
As your students read the first paragraph of the lesson, emphasize that wisdom has nothing to do with age.
Young people can have great wisdom if they are willing to listen to Gods Word and follow it. An adult who
refuses to follow God and obey Him can be very foolish, or his additional experience in life can enhance
biblical wisdom that comes from obeying God.

Wise And Foolish Reactions


One of the greatest insights or keys as to whether we have wisdom or foolishness in our hearts is the way
we react to such things as rules, correction, instruction, disagreements, and sin in our lives. Tell your
students that as they take notes on each area, they should really consider how they react in such situations.
This section can show them more than any other how wise they are. A wise person will take heed to areas
that need to be corrected.
The reason for this is that a wise person is not filled with pride. Pride does not want to admit weakness. A
persons pride does not want to admit it when he has done wrong. Pride does not want to be corrected or
admonished in any way and does not want to accept rules for his life. A proud person is not wise.
After students have taken notes on each section, spend time reviewing and discussing the differences
between a wise person and a foolish person. Explain that the word reaction means response. These are
things we do not begin or initiate ourselves but must respond to when we are confronted by them. God
is not as interested in the problems we face as in how we respond to the problems. God knows we will be
faced with situations we do not enjoy, but our response in each case shows what our inner character is
really like. It is our character with which God is most concerned.

The Key To Wisdom And Maturity


When a young child begins to try to walk, there is a day when it takes the first step. The first step to
becoming a mature and wise person involves recognizing that we did not make ourselves. We were created
by a loving and wise God to fulfill a unique and special purpose in life. To recognize that great God and
the place He holds in our lives is wise indeed. Thus, the first step to wisdom and maturity is having great

LESSON 2 | 27
respect for and trust in God. These verses say that God searches the earth for those who love Him, respect
who He is, and trust Him. Unless we fear the Lord, we will live out our lives in abominable iniquity with
no other hope.

More About The Fool And The Wise Man


Read the directions with your class, and perhaps do the first section together. Your students should look
up what the Bible says about the fool and write the opposite characteristic that would be a part of a wise
persons life.
Let students complete this on their own and then share ideas with the class. At the end of the section, ask
students to consider what areas in their lives are foolish and wise. They should look at the first section
regarding reactions as well as this last section in completing their evaluation. Consider leading in a time
of prayer before they begin to think through these things. Praying before the Lord will encourage them
to take self-evaluation more seriously. Do not go over these but explain that later during the year, we will
return to this section to check up and see how we are growing in wisdom.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

The Meaning And Use Of Fear In Scripture


Have students use a concordance to look up the word fear as it is used in Scripture. See if you can find
different meanings that this word has in Scripture. Be prepared to discuss the different meanings with
your class.

Composition
Ask the students to think of unwise actions they have observed in their own lives. The lists they made
in this lesson may help them. Instruct them to write a composition on how their actions have affected
others.

Making Decisions
Have students discuss some decisions they will have to make this weekin class, with friends, or at home.
For each one, have students explain what would be a wise decision and a foolish decision.

Courtesy And Rudeness


Discuss the difference between the wisdom of courteous behavior and the foolishness of being rude.

The House On The Rock


Review the story of the house built on the rock and the house built on sand from Matthew 7:24-27. Give
students the challenge of finding another similar analogy to emphasize wisdom and foolishness. They can
write their own short parable or draw a picture of the comparison.

28 |LESSON 2
TEACHERS LESSON (OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCY)

Definition Of A Proverb
A proverb is a short sentence expressing in a few words a well-known truth.
The book of Proverbs is made up of 31 chapters and over 900 proverbs that were spoken, written, or
collected by King Solomon, Agur, and King Lemuel. The vast majority of the proverbs were those of
Solomon, who spoke 3,000 proverbs, according to 1 Kings 4:32. Many of the proverbs, as you will see,
were written in the form of a comparison. In other words, a great truth was often compared to something
common with which everyone could identify. Since the proverbs were written thousands of years ago, the
comparison is sometimes difficult for us to understand, but the truth is everlasting from generation to
generation.

The Main Purposes For Studying Proverbs


Proverbs 1:2-4 suggests five purposes or objectives for studying Proverbs.
To know God
Proverbs 1:7 says that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Therefore, one of the key
purposes for any study of Proverbs is to build a closer relationship to God by learning who He is
and how He thinks. When we begin to learn who God truly is, we will begin to grow in wisdom and
knowledge.
To know the Word of God
As we study the Word of God, we learn to know God, how He thinks and how to discern His wisdom.
By learning how God thinks, we will begin to understand how He acts and how He intends to work
in our lives.
To know Gods principles
Gods Word is filled with Gods principles that show us how to live our lives successfully. As we study
Proverbs, we will learn how to make right decisions in life. Our life choices will be right when they are
based on truth.
To learn how to apply Gods wisdom
Everyone has rough edges that must be smoothed away. The rough edges God is concerned about are
primarily in our character and inner attitudes. When He smooths out these ugly aspects of our lives,
our lives will follow a beautiful and wonderful path and demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit.
To give purpose to life
The Bible talks about people being tossed about with no direction, purpose or understanding in life.
God wants our lives to have direction, goals, and a purpose.

LESSON 2 | 29
How To Understand Proverbs
Recognize you have a need
If you think you know all you need to know for your life and that you have no more need to learn, you
will not grow. Only by recognizing that we have problems and areas that we need to repent of our sin
and change can we begin to grow in wisdom and knowledge.
Hear
We must be willing to listen attentively to what we will be taught. But hearing in order to learn and
grow must be done with the heart and not just the mind. If we just allow the message to affect our ears
and part of our minds, we will not change. If we hear with our hearts, we will begin to see differences
in our lives.
Pray
Begin to pray and ask God to help you in two important ways. First, you need to pray that God will
help you to understand the great and important truths that you will be taught. Second, you need to
pray that God will help you to apply the truths you learn to your own life.
Study
You need to apply yourself to your study of Proverbs this year. You will be looking up many verses in
Proverbs and many other books to teach you great truths and principles for your life. You must be will-
ing to apply yourself to your study, knowing that you will benefit from your study and perseverance.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1-5. Many answers are possible. Their answers should reflect portions of the material studied under the
section Wise And Foolish Reactions in the student lesson.
6-9. Answers for these should include concepts presented in the section More About The Fool And The Wise
Man in the student lesson.
10. the fear of the Lord (recognizing who God is and developing a great respect for and trust in Him)

30 |LESSON 2
LESSON 2 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 2

WISDOM AND
FOOLISHNESS
Proverbs contains many comparisons between a wise man and a fool. Being a wise
person often has nothing to do with age. Usually an older person does have knowledge
and wisdom because of all the experiences of life. One basic reason we need to listen
to older people is that they have already dealt with many of the same problems we are
facing. But just because a person is old does not mean that he or she is truly wise because
true wisdom comes only from God. Sometimes older people still act very foolishly, while
young people have great wisdom because they know and follow God.

Wise And Foolish Reactions


Read the following verses in Proverbs, and record how a wise man and a fool react to the
following types of situations. Be ready to use your notes to discuss each section.

1. Reaction To Rebuke, Reproof Or Correction

Wise Mans Reaction Fools Reaction

loves the one who rebukes


(9:8) _______________________________ hates the one who reproves him
(9:8) ______________________________
___________________________________ __________________________________
lives among other wise people
(15:31) _____________________________ doesnt listen
(13:1) _____________________________
___________________________________ __________________________________
accepts it
(17:10) _____________________________ (15:12) will not go to the wise for advice
____________________________
___________________________________ __________________________________
doesnt accept it
(17:10) ____________________________
__________________________________

13

LESSON 2 | 31
LESSON 2 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

2. Reaction To Rules, Regulations, And Authority


Wise Mans Reaction Fools Reaction
receives commandments
(10:8) _____________________________ falls because he doesnt listen
(10:8) _____________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________

(10:23) enjoys doing wickedness


____________________________
__________________________________

seeks rebellion
(17:11) ____________________________
__________________________________

3. Reaction To Advice, Instruction, Teaching, And Preaching


Wise Mans Reaction Fools Reaction
loves knowledge
(12:1) ______________________________ despises wisdom and instruction
(1:7) ______________________________
___________________________________ __________________________________
listens to counsel
(12:15) _____________________________ delights in scorning or mockery
(1:22) _____________________________
___________________________________ __________________________________
seeks knowledge
(15:14) _____________________________ believes his own way is right
(12:15) ____________________________
___________________________________ __________________________________
seeks and gets knowledge
(18:15) ____________________________ despises fathers instruction
(15:5) _____________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________

(17:16) has no heart for wisdom


____________________________
__________________________________
despises wisdom
(23:9) _____________________________
__________________________________

4. Reaction To Arguing, Fighting, And Disagreements


Wise Mans Reaction Fools Reaction

keeps quiet
(11:12) ____________________________ creates contention
(18:6) _____________________________
__________________________________ __________________________________
says everything he thinks
(29:11) ____________________________
__________________________________

14

32 |LESSON 2
LESSON 2 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

5. Reaction To Sin And Wrongdoing


Wise Mans Reaction Fools Reaction
fears God and departs from evil
(14:16) _____________________________ mocks sin
(14:9) _____________________________
___________________________________ __________________________________

(22:3) anticipates uncontrolled and careless or


evil and hides from it (14:16) ____________________________
____________________________
__________________________________ reckless
__________________________________

The Key To Wisdom And Maturity


As you have seen from the last exercise, the major concern of the Scriptures is not
whether people are rich or poor, athletic or musical, smart or slow to learn, well dressed
or poorly dressed, outgoing or shy or friendly or lonely. In fact, foolish people judge
others by some of these external standards, but maturity teaches us to view others as
God views them. God judges us by whether we are wise or foolish. A fool rejects the one
true God and does not recognize that the world was created and is held together by
Him. A fool does not consider Who it is that provides everything we have. He does not
even recognize Who gives him life. He is indeed a fool.
Read Psalm 14:1-3, and explain in your own words how King David described the fool.
He says there is no God. He is corrupt. He does abominable works. He does no
______________________________________________________________________
good. He does not seek God.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

According to Proverbs 15:33, what keeps a person from being a fool?


the fear of the Lord
______________________________________________________________________

When the Bible talks about fearing the Lord (as in Proverbs 15:33), it does not mean
being afraid of God in the way that we fear danger or pain. In this verse and many others,
fear means to have a deep respect for God and to give Him great honor. Compare the
above verses, and explain what you think really is the key to growing up into maturity.
The key to wisdom and maturity is recognizing who God is and developing a deep
______________________________________________________________________
respect for, submission to, and trust in Him.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

15

LESSON 2 | 33
LESSON 2 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

More About The Fool And The Wise Man


Each of the following areas are very important aspects of our lives. Look up each verse in
Proverbs and think about what the Bible says about the fool. Then, in your own words,
write the opposite attitude or action that a wise person would have or show. If there are
words in the verses that you do not understand, use a dictionary to look them up.

1. Attitudes

12:15 A wise person is willing to admit that he is not always right.

14:3 A wise person does not allow pride to control him.

2. Home Life

10:1 A wise person encourages his mother.

15:5 A wise person listens closely to his fathers instructions.

15:20 A wise person loves and honors his mother.

3. What We Say

15:2 A wise person says the right thing at the right time.

A wise person disperses (spreads) knowledge and says things that are
15:7
wise.

29:11 A wise person chooses his words carefully.

16

34 |LESSON 2
LESSON 2 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

4. Attitude Toward Sin

13:19 A wise person departs from sin.

14:9 A wise person does not make light of sin.

14:16 A wise person fears the Lord and avoids sin.

5. Getting Angry

10:19 A wise person does not say things he shouldnt.

12:16 A wise person does not let his anger get the best of him.

14:17 A wise person controls his anger.

6. Setting Goals And Completing Tasks

10:14 A wise person will not be destroyed for failing to use his knowledge.

15:14 A wise person seeks knowledge about what he should do.

A wise person will be careful with his possessions and make wise use of
21:20
what he has.

Look over the verses in Proverbs that we have studied in this lesson. List some of the
characteristics (both of the foolish man and the wise man) that you see existing in your
life right now. A wise person evaluates himself and knows himself. As you evaluate
yourself, God can help you weed out those foolish reactions and strengthen the areas in
which you are showing wisdom in your life.

17

LESSON 2 | 35
LESSON 2 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Foolish Characteristics In My Life Wise Characteristics In My Life

18

36 |LESSON 2
LESSON 2 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

TEACHERS LESSON

Definition of a proverb
sentence
A short __________________ few words
expressing in a ____________________________ a
well-known
____________________ truth.

The main purposes for studying Proverbs:


God
To know ______

of God
To know the Word ____________

Gods principles
To know ________________________________

apply
To learn how to __________ Gods wisdom

purpose
To give ______________ to life

How to understand Proverbs:


need
Recognize you have a _________________.

Hear
___________________________________

Pray
___________________________________

Study
___________________________________

19

LESSON 2 | 37
L E S S O N 2 Q U I Z
WISDOM AND FOOLISHNESS
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

Tell how a wise person responds or reacts to each of the following things:

1. Correction or rebuke: ______________________________________________________________

2. Rules and authority: _______________________________________________________________

3. Advice and instruction: ____________________________________________________________

4. Arguing and disagreements: ________________________________________________________

5. Sin and wrongdoing: ______________________________________________________________


Tell how a wise person shows his wisdom in each of the following areas.

6. His home life (relationship with his parents): ___________________________________________

7. What he says: ___________________________________________________________________

8. Getting angry: ___________________________________________________________________

9. Setting goals and completing tasks: ___________________________________________________

10. According to Proverbs 15:33, what is the key to becoming wise and mature? ___________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 2 QUIZ
Definition Of A Proverb
A short sentence expressing in a
few words a well-known truth.
The Main Purposes For Studying Proverbs
To know God
To know the Word of God
To know Gods principles
To learn how to apply Gods wisdom
To give purpose to life
How To Understand Proverbs
Recognize you have a need.
Hear.
Pray.
Study.
LESSON 2 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 3

THE EXAMPLE OF WISE MEN

TARGET TRUTHS
It is possible to learn wisdom by studying the examples of wise men.
A wise person knows how to handle conflicts.
It is important to choose priorities wisely.

TEACHING STRATEGY

King Solomon
As your students study King Solomons values, use the following survey of Ephesians 5-6 to help them
understand what priorities are and why they are important to God:
Read and explain Ephesians 5:18-6:9 and Colossians 3:14-25 to help your students understand more about
priorities. Here is an outline of the Ephesians passage:
1. Eph. 5:18-21a right relationship with God
2. Eph. 5:22-33a right relationship with your spouse
3. Eph. 6:1-4a right relationship with your family
4. Eph. 6:5-9right relationships with authorities at work or school
Young people need to see that their relationship with God is to be their first priority in life (just as it
should be their parents first priority). Since your students are not married, their second priority ought to
be their relationships with their parents and siblings. They need to make sure they follow through with
their obligations at home. Next in the line of importance is their relationship to their authorities outside
their family, particularly the leaders of their church and their teachers. These three areas must be of prime
importance to them as God builds wisdom into their lives.
Ask your students to show you where activities and friends fit into the Ephesians outline of priorities.
Does this mean that God is not interested in their friendships? The fact is, God is very interested in their
activities and friendships, and there is nothing inherently wrong with themjust as long as they are kept
in the proper perspective!
Having right priorities means that we put first things first and that we manage our lives decently and in
order in accordance with Gods priorities as revealed in the Bible. This is how Solomon ordered his lifeat
least the first partand he became the wisest man ever known. He had such great wisdom that God used
him to write a book full of wisdom.

40 |LESSON 3
As students complete the last part of this section, they need to do so with the above teachings in mind.
Before you leave the study of Solomon, however, explain that later in his life, Solomon strayed from the
commands of God. He married heathen women and began to worship their gods. When this happened, he
did not have the wisdom of God in his life like he had before. It is important for your students to realize
that walking with God and learning His wisdom is a continuing need in our lives. We can never allow
ourselves to assume that we can get along without God.

Daniel
This section is self-explanatory for the most part. Have your students complete the material on their own
and then discuss each conflict as a class. Ask the students to read James 1:5-8 to see how we can obtain
wisdom when we need it. Make sure to emphasize the following points:
1. We need to ask God for wisdom.
2. We need to ask in faith, not allowing our emotions or circumstances to toss us about with indeci-
sion.
3. We should not be double-minded. We should not want Gods way and another way. Gods will must
take first priority.

My Own Conflicts
As students evaluate their own conflicts, explain that for this assignment the most important aspect is not
whether or not they handled the example conflict wisely. The important thing is that they learn through
this example how to seek Gods wisdom faithfully in order to resolve future conflicts.

Blessings In Using The Wisdom Of God


One of the greatest blessings that comes in using the wisdom of God is the confidence we have that God
knows the ultimate outcome and will work things out for the best as we trust and obey Him, even if the
immediate results do not seem to make sense. Not every conflict or problem will be resolved because we
cannot change the hearts and lives of others. But we can have confidence that we have submitted ourselves
to what God wants, and that His way is best even when it is hard.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION

Wise Leaders God Has Given Me


Have your students list those people in their lives whom God has used to instruct them and teach them
wisdom. Next to each name they write, ask them to describe something specific that the person has taught
them about living wisely.

LESSON 3 | 41
TEACHERS LESSON
We have just studied the life examples of men who sought the wisdom of God and allowed this wisdom
to guide their lives. In Proverbs 30, God gives us four examples of wisdom in action. He uses four tiny
creatures that have wisdom because of the way they were created to act and that can teach us some
important principles.

The Ant: Forethought And Preparation (Proverbs 30:25)


Prepares for the future
The ant prepares for the future by gathering its food during the long summer months in preparation
for the winter when he cannot get outside and search for food.
You must prepare for the future in many ways. First, you ought to prepare for your eternal future by
repenting of your sins and trusting in Christ alone for salvation. Only in this way will you know that
your sins are forgiven and that you can enter heaven one day. Second, you must prepare for the imme-
diate future by getting the knowledge necessary for your life while you have the opportunity (such as
during your years in school).
Prepares to fight against temptation
We need to learn to recognize that Satan will tempt us again and again in many different ways, par-
ticularly while we are young. He does not want us to find satisfaction in trusting and obeying God. He
does not want our lives to be successful tools in Gods hands. We need to prepare in advance for Satans
attacks so that we will know how to combat him and gain victory over temptation. (Throughout the
year, we will continue to discuss ways to prevent and avoid sin.)

The Coney (or possibly rock badger) : Security Despite Weakness


(Proverbs 30:26)
The coney was some sort of creature, perhaps similar to a rabbit, that lived in the rocks and caves of
Palestine and Lebanon. The coney teaches us two outstanding lessons from its two major characteristics.
Realizes its feebleness
We need likewise to recognize our sinfulness and inadequacy before God. As long as we think that we
can live profitable lives without God, we will never see what wonderful things God can do with our
lives (for His glory and for our good)!
Hides in rocks for its defense
Throughout the Bible, God compares Jesus to a rock. A rock is something that is strong and sure,
something that we can trust not to budge if we put our weight on it. That is what Jesus is like after we
trust Him as Savior. He is our protector and our defense. This is what the coney in its wisdom also
realized it neededprotection and defense from its enemies.

42 |LESSON 3
The Locust: Unity And Cooperation (Proverbs 30:27)
The strength of the locusts is in their unity and orderliness. They are not independent of each other; rather,
they depend on one another. Even without a leader, they fly in perfect ranks and formation. We can learn
the need to be unified in Christnot bickering or gossiping or being jealous and critical of one another,
but relying on one another for counsel and strength.

The Lizard (or spider): Boldness (Proverbs 30:28)


We do not possess enough linguistic evidence to determine with certainty whether this Hebrew word
refers to a lizard or a spider. Whichever animal is in view, an outstanding characteristic of it is boldness.
Though small and despised, these creatures live in the palaces of kings. This is a wonderful picture of
sinful man. Though there is nothing in ourselves that merits a special status, we have the right (through
Jesus) to enter daily into the very throne room of God.

LESSON 3 | 43
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Solomon
2. an understanding heart to be able to discern between right and wrong
3. any four of the following would be acceptable:
without blemish or defect
handsome (may be translated well-favored)
skillful in all wisdom (intelligent)
possessing much knowledge
gifted in understanding and discernment
able to serve in the king's palace
able to learn a new language
4. He was asked to eat the kings food.
5. He proposed a testing period during which he and his friends would only have vegetables and
water.
6. King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that none of his wise men could interpret. The wise men were
to be killed for their inability to interpret the dream.
7. Daniel asked the king not to kill the wise men if he could interpret the dream, and God gave
Daniel the correct interpretation.
8. Any five of the following would be acceptable:
safety and lack of fear of evil
long life and peace
happiness
pleasant, peaceful life
lack of fear; ability to sleep easily
protection from stumbling
good health
favor from the Lord
strength
reward
9.
lizard or spider
locust
ant
coney or rock badger

44 |LESSON 3
SELF-EVALUATION

Do I Use Sound Wisdom?


Have your students rate themselves on a scale of 1 to 5 for each of the following, with l being the lowest and
5 being the highest level of wisdom used in each situation.
1. ____ I listen to adults instructions willingly so I will know how to discern right from wrong
and choose right.
2. ____ I ask the Lord to give me the wisdom I need for difficult situations.
3. ____ I study Gods Word on my own so I will be able to judge right from wrong.
4. ____ I do not make decisions frivolously. I carefully think through what I should do.
5. ____ I do not go along with my friends ideas without thinking through what is right and wrong.
6. ____ When my parents or a teacher must correct me, I listen closely to learn from my mistakes.
7. ____ I do not decide what I will do based on my feelings and what others are doing, but rather
on what the Bible teaches.
8. ____ I do not argue about obeying Gods rules when they are clearly set forth in the Bible.
9. ____ When I get involved in a possible conflict, I listen carefully and think through what I will do
and say.
10. ____ When I am organizing my time, I think about my priorities and what is the most important
thing to do first.
What do my answers to these questions suggest about how well I apply wisdom?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Which areas of my life most need to grow in wisdom?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 3 HAND OUT


LESSON 3 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 3

THE EXAMPLE OF
WISE MEN
We are going to spend most of this lesson seeing how two men pursued Gods wisdom.
God had greatly blessed both of these men, King Solomon and Daniel. They both became
famous and were able to influence the lives of many people with whom they came in
contact. Not only were they wise, but they also enjoyed fame, fortune, and great success
during their lifetimes. Look carefully at how and why God blessed them, and think about
how you could glorify God if He would bless you with wisdom and help you make right
choices throughout your life.

King Solomon
One great reason to study the life of Solomon is that he is the primary author of our main
textbook for this class this yearthe book of Proverbs. God can use the life of this great
king to teach us the difference between the wisdom of God and the perceived wisdom
of the world.

King Solomon was the son of the great King David. He was fortunate to have had a
father like David who loved the Lord God all the days of his life. David taught Solomon
the value of trusting in God and having the wisdom of God above all else. If you read
Solomons story, you will see once again the value of having the fear of God as your first
priority. Our priorities are what we value as important in our lives. Read part of the
story of Solomon (1 Kings 3:3-15), and answer each question below:

What did Solomon learn from his father? (vss. 3 and 6)


He learned to love the LORD and walk in His commandments and to have truth,
______________________________________________________________________
righteousness, and uprightness of heart.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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46 |LESSON 3
LESSON 3 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

How did Solomon view himself? (vss. 7 and 8)


as a servant of Goda child who did not know how to act in the midst of a great
______________________________________________________________________
people
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

For what did Solomon ask? (vs. 9)


an understanding heart to be able to discern between right and wrong
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

For what did Solomon not ask? (vs. 11)


long life, riches, or vengeance on his enemies
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

List what God gave Solomon (in the order of their priorities). (vss. 12 and 13)
a wise and understanding heart, then riches and honor
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What did God require of Solomon? (vs. 14)


Solomon had to keep Gods commandments.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What reward did He promise him? (vs. 14)


God would lengthen his days.
______________________________________________________________________

Solomon was the king of Israel. He was rich and famous, andhumanly speakinghe
had no need of anyone or anything. Yet Solomon saw the need to seek God and the
wisdom of God first. What conclusion can you reach about priorities for your own life?
Make a list of things that are important to you. You might include friends, school, music,
sports, family, church, or anything else that is important to you.

1. _______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________

22

LESSON 3 | 47
LESSON 3 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

5. _______________________________________________________________

6. _______________________________________________________________

Of the things you have listed, which three do you think ought to have the highest priority
in your life?

1. _______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________

Daniel
During the reign of Jehoiakim, Daniel and three of his companions were taken captive
to Babylon. Their superiors recognized them to be excellent young men. Because of their
special qualifications, they were selected to be trained for the kings service.
Daniel 1:4 explains specifically what the Babylonians saw in Daniel and his friends that
impressed them. List these things below:

1. without blemish or defect


_______________________________________________________________

2. handsome (may be translated well-favored)


_______________________________________________________________

3. skillful in all wisdom (intelligent)


_______________________________________________________________

4. possessing much knowledge


_______________________________________________________________

5. gifted in understanding and discernment


_______________________________________________________________

6. able to serve in the kings palace


_______________________________________________________________

7. able to learn a new language


_______________________________________________________________

All of these are qualities that people might admire in you, also. Good looks and a noble
heritage are nice to have, but notice the emphasis on the wisdom of these young men and
on their aptitude to learn and to teach.

23

48 |LESSON 3
LESSON 3 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Daniel and his friends got their wisdom from God! Their wise responses helped them
through three conflicts with the Babylonians.
Read Daniel 1:8-16. What was the first conflict?
They were asked to eat the kings food, supposedly so they could grow stronger.
______________________________________________________________________
But to eat that kind of food, they would be forced to violate Gods laws, and they
______________________________________________________________________
did not want to go against God.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How did the wisdom of God help Daniel resolve the conflict?
Daniel proposed a creative alternative. He respectfully proposed a testing period
______________________________________________________________________
during which he and his friends would eat only vegetables and water. God blessed
______________________________________________________________________
them and caused them to prosper during this periodso much so that their
______________________________________________________________________
authorities were amazed and gladly permitted them to continue honoring God.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Read Daniel 2 to find out about the conflict between pagan magic and the wisdom of
God. What was the conflict?
King Nebuchadnezzar had a dream that none of his wise men could interpret. As
______________________________________________________________________
a result, it was decided that the wise men were to be killed for their inability to
______________________________________________________________________
interpret the dream.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How did the wisdom of God help Daniel resolve the conflict?
Daniel asked the king not to kill the wise men if he could interpret the dream, and
______________________________________________________________________
God gave Daniel the correct interpretation.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

24

LESSON 3 | 49
LESSON 3 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Read Daniel 3 to find out about the conflict between heathen idolatry and loyalty to the
true God. What was the conflict?
Daniels friends would be thrown into the fiery furnace if they did not bow down
______________________________________________________________________
before the kings image.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How did the wisdom of God help Daniels friends resolve the conflict?
They remained loyal to God and were thrown into the furnace, but God did not
______________________________________________________________________
allow them to be burned.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

You will learn that you will have conflicts of many kinds in your life. Friends will try to
tempt you to do wrong. Situations will arise in which you will have to make important
decisions for yourself. As in Daniels situation, your parents may not be able to help you
make a decision. You will be responsible to make wise choices on your own.
Share a situation in which you had a conflict to resolve. What was the conflict?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How did the wisdom of God relate to the situation?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What choice did you make in the situation? Was it a wise choice?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Blessings For Applying The Wisdom Of God


God blesses our lives in many different ways as we trust in His wisdomjust as Solomon
and Daniel received great blessings. Read the verses from Proverbs listed below, and write
out each blessing God promises for using the wisdom that comes from Him. After seeing

25

50 |LESSON 3
LESSON 3 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

some of the rewards and results of true wisdom, it is obvious why God says that those
who reject Him are truly foolish.

safety and lack of fear of evil


1:33 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

long life and peace


3:2 ____________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

happiness
3:13 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

pleasant, peaceful life


3:17 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

lack of fear; ability to sleep peacefully


3:24 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

protection from stumbling


4:12 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

good health
4:22 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

favor from the Lord


8:35 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

strength
24:5 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

reward
24:14 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

26

LESSON 3 | 51
LESSON 3 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

TEACHERS LESSON

Proverbs 30:24-28

forethought and preparation security despite weakness

unity and cooperation boldness

27

52 |LESSON 3
L E S S O N 3 Q U I Z
THE EXAMPLE OF WISE MEN
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. Who wrote most of the book of Proverbs? _____________________________________________

2. When God told this man He would grant his request, for what did he ask?
________________________________________________________________________________

3. Daniel 1:4 mentions seven things that impressed the Babylonians about Daniel and his three friends.
What were four of those things?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

4. What conflict did Daniel face in Daniel l? ______________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

5. How did the wisdom of God help Daniel resolve this conflict? _____________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

6. What conflict did Daniel face in Daniel 2? ______________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

7. How did the wisdom of God help Daniel resolve this conflict? _____________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

8. We noted ten blessings in Proverbs for using the wisdom of God. List five of those blessings.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

9. Which animals are used as illustrations of these important lessons in Proverbs 30?
Boldness: _____________________________________________________________________
Unity and cooperation: __________________________________________________________
Forethought and preparation: ____________________________________________________
Security despite weakness: _______________________________________________________

LESSON 3 QUIZ
Proverbs 30:24-28

forethought and preparation security despite weakness

unity and cooperation boldness

LESSON 3 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 4

OUR HOME LIFE

TARGET TRUTHS
The family is a God-given framework designed for Gods glory and our benefit.
All the people in a family must fulfill their God-given roles and responsibilities in order for the family
to function in a way that glorifies God and benefits the whole family.
A young person's right attitude is essential to harmonious family life.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Read the opening paragraphs together as a class and emphasize two key ideas:
Everyone in a family has God-given roles and responsibilities within the household.
Any member of the family who fails to fulfill these obligations will hinder the whole family. For a par-
ent or a child to shirk their family obligations is to disobey God and to disregard the way He created
the family to function.

Parents Responsibilities
The responsibilities of parents are spelled out in detail by God. Parents have a divine commission to
fulfill these obligations. Ask your to students complete the chart by themselves and then discuss each
point together. Point out that no human being can ever hope to be a perfect parent. Everyones parents
will fail sometimes. Everyone mishandles situations at one time or another. Therefore, one of the greatest
responsibilities a young person has toward his parents is to pray for them that they would be the right kind
of parents. Parents have great burdens to bear and need support from those who love them mosttheir
children.

How Your Attitudes And Actions Affect Your Family


This section follows the ideas expressed above regarding the need of young people to pray for and support
their parents even when they are wrong.
Young people need to be told often over the next few years how very important their parents are to their
lives and that they will be an important part of their lives long after they make new friends. This entire
section thus focuses on the attitude of young people toward their parents. Young people need to realize
their attitudes at home affect their lives in every area. Even though they are young, they have a great
responsibility for the attitudes and actions that will help to create a healthy atmosphere in the family.
Explain that parents measure their own success by evaluating the attitudes of their children. More than
anything else, they want to do what is ultimately the best for their children. Sometimes that means rewards

LESSON 4 | 55
and encouragement; sometimes it means teaching children how to work and fulfill home responsibilities;
sometimes it means purchasing things that are both needed and desired; sometimes it means discipline and
correction. In each unique situation, the childrens responses and reactions will reflect whether a parent has
succeeded in their ultimate responsibilities. Young people should demonstrate by their attitudes that they
are supportive of what their parents (and, therefore, God) are working to accomplish in their lives.

Parents Are Human, Too


Read and discuss this section together as a class. Allow students to discuss general scenarios that might
happen in their own homes (not really specific examples, lest it degenerate into a gossip session). In every
idea or situation they discuss, remind them of the first paragraph, helping students to see the big-scope
picture of what their parents are responsible to accomplish in their lives. After the discussion, it might be
helpful to read this section again in its entirety.

Gods Attitude Toward Rebellion


Hopefully, by this time we have set the background necessary for the students to recognize that rebellion
against parents is never an option in the life of a young Christian. The reasons for this are:
Young people have a responsibility before God to fulfill certain God-given obligations within the
family.
Young people need to recognize and accept that their parents are also imperfect humans. If they are
Christians, they are still growing spiritually and are trying to fulfill their own obligations rightly.
As part of his God-given responsibilities, a young person must also demonstrate the proper attitudes
in response to each situation at home.
Rebellion is severely condemned in the Bible.

A Root Of Bitterness
If we do not learn to react properly to problems that arise, we will allow a root of bitterness to develop
toward those people whom we should love the most. A bitter attitude dishonors God because it reveals
that you think you know better than God does what will be best for you. It also hurts your parents, but you
must also recognize that ultimately, the person you hurt the most is yourself. You may feel you are justified
in holding a grudge because your parents have mishandled some situation, or perhaps you were treated
unfairly or hurt by a decision they made, but if you allow yourself to develop a spirit of bitterness toward
them, you will begin to reap more and more consequences at home. It can become a cyclea downward
spiral of negative situations and damaging responses. If you can learn to accept what your parents say
and forgive them even if they have done something that is truly wrong, then God will honor your efforts
to honor your parents. You will not continue the negative cycle by adding sin to sin. Instead, you will be
supporting your parents and encouraging them to handle situations rightly in the future.
Remember, your response to what is happening is crucial. Your attitude is crucial. Life is not always
going to go the way you want it to go; but by Gods grace, you can choose to respond rightly to your

56 |LESSON 4
circumstances. If you strive to respond wisely before God, then you are seeking His kingdom first and the
other things eventually will fall into place.

An Important Promise
Most of your students have probably already memorized portions of Ephesians 6 at one time or another.
This section emphasizes once again the truth of these verses, and it should also demonstrate that God
makes the same promises multiple times in His Word. When God repeats Himself deliberately, it is
obvious that He wants us to take note and to be assured that He means what He says.

Gratefulness Overcomes Wrong Attitudes


Finally, we should realize that if we are genuinely grateful for what our parents provide for us, we will find
it impossible to be bitter, rebellious, resentful, or difficult. A thankful spirit cannot coexist with negative
attitudes.
If they are willing, ask your students to share items from their lists with the class. Some students who have
wrong attitudes now may have difficulty with their lists because of their personal problems. It will help
them to see the positives in their own homes by hearing the items mentioned by others. Also, there are
always a few who consider it cool even at this age to talk negatively about their parents. It will help them
to hear others speak positively about their parents.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Courtesy at home
The real test of your character is how you behave and interact with others in your home. Discuss with the
students how they respond to various family situations, particularly when their siblings dont do things
like they would like them to do. Have them list each member of their families, along with at least one act
of courtesy they could do this week for each of those people. Encourage them to follow through on these
ideas and then share the results with the class. How did the family member respond to an act of kindness?
Was there a difference in the family members attitude toward the student? Did the student discover in
himself a different attitude toward his family member? What general life principle might we learn from
this experiment?

Composition
It may prove beneficial for your class to write short essays on what it means to honor ones parents. You
might even require that their parents read, discuss, and sign their papers. This type of project will enhance
the relationship between parents and young people and will help build communication at home. It will
also serve to involve parents to an extent, drawing them into the discussions that are going on at school.

LESSON 4 | 57
TEACHERS LESSON (OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCY)

Five Facts About Discipline


This lesson brings out scriptural understandings of the purposes behind parental discipline. Neither
parents nor children enjoy discipline, but it is necessary for the following reasons.
Discipline is natural and correct (Hebrews 12:7).
First of all, disciplining children is a very normal thing for parents to do. It is natural for all parents to
want to teach their children how to act. Proverbs 3:12 tells us that the father who delights in his son
corrects him.
Secondly, it is scripturally correct for parents to discipline their children. Not only do earthly fathers
correct their children, but God the Father also corrects and disciplines His children. In fact, one of
the ways that you can know that you are a child of God is because He will correct you when you are
wrong. Those who do not belong to God often get by with sin and never feel guilty. But Gods children
cannot get by with it because God convicts us of sin. Our earthly fathers are following the example of
our heavenly Father.
Discipline is commanded by God.
As we have shown in our lesson, a parent who withholds discipline when it is necessary is actually
disobeying God. When a parent fails to discipline his child, negative results will no doubt occur later
on for that child. One of King Davids sons was named Adonijah. First Kings 1:5-6 says that David did
not adequately train and discipline his son. He allowed the child to grow up doing whatever he pleased
with no hindrances. The result of this lack of correction was that Adonijah eventually turned against
his own father, tried to take the kingdom for himself, and was killed in the attempt (1 Kings 2:25). Had
David taught his son to do right and to honor his father through consistent discipline, he might never
have come to such an end.
Discipline is due to love (Hebrews 12:6).
To a child, it may seem strange to equate discipline with love; but as we mature, we come to understand
that love and discipline are inseparable. Consider a toddler who must take medicine for a bad cough.
The cough medicine is made to taste like cherries. After taking a dose of medicine, the child wants
more. Would it be loving for the mother to let this baby have more medicine, knowing that too much
medicine at one time could be harmful? Even if he cries and fights to the point of requiring discipline,
ultimately the mothers love keeps her from giving him something that would harm him.
As middle school students, you can understand this scenario because you are so much older than
a toddler, and you are aware of more than he understands. You understand more from experience.
But you need to learn to apply the same standard to situations when you do not understand why our
parents say no to you. You must recognize that they are older and experienced enough to be aware of
something you may not yet know. They understand better than you do what is ultimately best for you,
and they are acting out of love rather than spite.

58 |LESSON 4
Discipline produces godliness (Hebrews 12:11).
After studying the example of David and Adonijah, we can see that proper discipline and training
could do a much better job of preventing foolish thinking and evil actions. Proper training will also
develop within young people the maturity to make choices that are wise instead of merely doing
whatever seems right at the moment. Maturity is really a form of wisdom. It helps you do what you
should, when you should do it, whether you feel like it or not. Sometimes you will choose to allow your
emotions to keep you from responding maturely or wisely; if so, you will suffer consequences later.
Rules and regulations are like a high fence around a young person. We need to understand their true
purpose. They remind you to respond maturely and wisely. A young person has a lot to battle already
within his own flesh if he is striving to be godly. The high fence of rules and regulations also prevents
damaging attacks from outside sources. Rules and regulations are designed not only to keep you in but
also to keep dangers out.
The most important factor in discipline is attitude.
This last point is a review of what you have already discussed in this lesson. If young people do not
understand this key principle, they will have continual conflicts with their parents. Instead, they need
to thank God for discipline, and they ought to pray for their parents. Parents are God's tools for mold-
ing your students into the grateful, wise, mature, godly people He wants them to be.
The hammer and chisel artwork illustrates this factthat parents are God's tools to turn a child from
an ugly rock into a sparkling gem. The hammer represents God. The chisel represents the father
and the mother who are tools God uses to chip away at the rough edges of the young person. To get
upset at the tools is to get upset at God because it is actually God who is doing the chiseling and chip-
ping away at your life. His ultimate, loving purpose is to make something beautiful and useful out of
you in the end. God is doing what He is doingand He is using your parents to do itfor His own
glory and for your best good.

LESSON 4 | 59
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Any three of the following would be acceptable:
Teach them the things of God continually and diligently.
Train them in the way they should go.
Take care of their needs.
Dont provoke them to anger but train them in the Lord.
Rule their homes and keep them in submission.
Love them.
1. He makes them glad.
2. He brings him sorrow, grief, shame, and disgrace.
3. He brings her grief, bitterness, shame, and disgrace.
4. They were stoned.
5. bitterness
6. gratefulness
7.
natural
commanded
love
godliness
attitude

60 |LESSON 4
LESSON 4 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 4

OUR HOME LIFE


To help us mature physically, emotionally, and spiritually, God has provided us with a
family. We all need people who will love us and help us become godly young people.
God intends for a family to be a place where you are loved and valued and cared for and
protected from the world. Your home should be the place where you learn how to be the
right kind of person, love others, and serve them.
For the home and family to be effective in this mission, everyone must share
responsibilities. Your attitude and willingness to be a part of the family are important.
God has given parents special responsibilities for the love and care of their children. Parents
who choose to avoid their obligations to their children are choosing to disobey God.

Parents Responsibilities
We are going to talk about the parents responsibilities first, and then we will see how
your attitudes and actions affect the family. Read the verses below and explain the
responsibilities indicated.

Verse Parents Responsibility


Teach the things of God to the children
Deuteronomy 6:67
continually and diligently.

Proverbs 22:6 Train children in the way they should go.

2 Corinthians 12:14 Take care of the needs of their children.

Ephesians 6:4 Dont provoke children to anger, but train them in the Lord.

1 Timothy 3:4 Rule their homes and keep their children in submission.

Titus 2:4 Love their children.

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LESSON 4 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

How Your Attitudes And Actions


Affect Your Family
Sometimes young people do not realize the importance of their attitudes and how they
will affect their future. There is so much for young people to do once they are in middle
school. School life, studies, sports, church, hobbies, and friends take up so much time and
energy. All of these may have a rightful place. But sometimes these outside things become
so important that we forget about the most important people in our livesour parents.
As young people, you probably do not realize that your parents will still be important
long after you no longer have to study or long after you go to college and acquire new
friendships. For most of you, your parents will not leave you or forget about you. That
is difficult to realize right now because so many other things take up your thoughts and
time. But it is still true.
God knows that the most important lessons for all of your youth are those you learn at
home. If you learn from your parents and honor them, you will be better prepared to be
a wonderful parent yourself. Part of growing up to be a mature person is understanding
how much your attitudes and actions at home affect your whole life, and how you live
reflects a picture to others about Jesus Christ. When you dishonor your parents, you
dishonor Him as well.
Read the verses listed below, and record the effects your wise or foolish actions have upon
your parents.

The Wise Young Person


Proverb Father

10:1 makes him glad

15:20 makes him glad

23:24 brings him joy

27:11 makes his heart glad

29:3 makes him rejoice

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LESSON 4 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

The Foolish Young Person

Proverb Father Mother

10:1 brings grief to her heart

15:20 despises her

17:21 provokes sorrow; brings no joy

17:25 causes him to grieve brings bitterness to her

19:13 brings calamity to him

causes her shame; brings disgrace


19:26 causes shame; brings disgrace
upon her

28:7 brings shame upon him

30:11 curses him does not bless her

Your attitude toward your parents affects them greatly because much of their happiness
and success is affected by your attitudes and actions.

Parents Are Human, Too


It is true that there will be times when your parents do things that make you angry. This
can happen for many reasons. First, parents have bad days themselves and carry many
concerns of which you are not aware. They have great responsibilities, one of which is to
keep a good home for your family. Sometimes their hearts are heavy, and they dont seem
to be hearing your problems. This is probably not because they do not care. They might
be preoccupied with matters they have not mentioned to you. Secondly, sometimes your
parents must say no to your wishes for reasons that you might not understand. When
this happens, you should accept that they have wisdom beyond your understanding. They
are concerned with your protection and welfare. It is always difficult to accept a no

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from your parents, but when you realize that God works through your parents to bless
you, it is easier to accept and submit to their final decisions as Gods will for you. He gave
you your parents, and He is giving them their wisdom.
Mothers and fathers have their own particular problems that God discusses in His
Word. When your parents married, God says they became one flesh. But this does not
mean that you are one flesh with your parents. You are separate from them and will one
day leave their home and have your own home. This can be a problem for your mother
because she has nurtured you and cared for you since you were born. She knows that
you must leave one day, but it is hard for her to watch you grow up. She wants to keep
you close to her.
Often, a dads greatest struggle is in the area of discipline. Although he is commanded to
discipline, a dad might be guilty of either under-disciplining or of over-disciplining.
What does Ephesians 6:4 say about this second problem?
Dont cause your children to be angry, but teach them the things of the Lord.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Although your dad may not always discipline you the way you think he should, remember
that he loves you. The correction he gives is intended for your benefit. No one does
everything perfectly at all times. You make mistakes, and so do your parents. When your
parents mishandle a situation, you need to accept their mistake and forgive them. This
is the same response you hope for from them if you make a mistake. You can trust that
they will keep loving you anyway and not hold your past mistakes against you.

Gods Attitude Toward Rebellion


In the Old Testament, a rebellious and ungrateful young person received severe
discipline. While this would not happen today, it shows us clearly how God feels about
a young person who dishonors his parents. Read Deuteronomy 21:18-21, and answer
the questions below.
What wrong attitudes did the parents find in their son?
stubbornness and rebellion; would not obey his parents or listen to them
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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What discipline was given because of these attitudes?


The parents took him before the elders who then had the son stoned so that all
______________________________________________________________________
would listen and fear.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Other passages in the Old Testament show how seriously God takes the sin of
dishonoring parents. Read Exodus 21:15; Leviticus 20:9; and Proverbs 30:17. Although
you do not have to worry about this type of treatment today, what penalty was given
for those who showed rebellion against their parents?
death
______________________________________________________________________

What do these stories prove to us about how God views our attitudes toward our
parents?
He treats it very seriously.
______________________________________________________________________

A Root Of Bitterness
God does not bless a young person who is rebellious (inwardly or outwardly) toward
his parents. If we do not accept what our parents tell us, if we cause them heartache
and worry instead, and if we are not at peace with them in our own hearts, what will
spring up in our hearts? (See Heb. 12:15.)
a root of bitterness
______________________________________________________________________

Some bitterness begins in the home with a wrong attitude toward your parents or
brothers and sisters. Since it begins as a root in your life, it soon grows like cancer
deeper into your heart, until it gradually affects your relationship with your teachers,
your pastor, and even your friends. A bitter, rebellious attitude will affect everyone
in your life, whether you want it to or not. Hebrews 12:15 describes two effects of
bitterness in our life. What are they?

1. It causes trouble.
_______________________________________________________________

2. It defiles many people.


_______________________________________________________________

Be honest! How do you feel about your fathers instruction and advice?
______________________________________________________________________

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How do you react to your parents correction and punishment?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

An Important Promise
Read Exodus 20:12, Deuteronomy 5:16; and Ephesians 6:1-3; and explain Gods
promise to young people who honor and obey their parents.
Their days will be prolonged on the land, and things will go well in their lives.
______________________________________________________________________
(This promise ultimately refers to eternal life in heaventhe land where God
______________________________________________________________________
rules.)
______________________________________________________________________

It is also important to understand that if your parents were to allow you to have a wrong
attitude, if they let you disobey or show disrespect without correcting you, they would
not be helping you. In the long run, they would be keeping Gods blessings from you, and
that would not be loving. Part of their loving you is their correcting you.

Gratefulness Overcomes Wrong Attitudes


One way to handle those times when you do not agree with your parents is to remind
yourself of the wonderful things they have done for you. Remind yourself that your
parents have loved you and provided for you and have been planning for your future.
Remember the things they have done for you, and be thankful. A thankful attitude
cannot hold on to bitterness and anger. List below some of the things that your parents
do to show they love you, care for your needs, and want the best for you.

1. _______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________

6. _______________________________________________________________

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LESSON 4 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

7. _______________________________________________________________

8. _______________________________________________________________

9. _______________________________________________________________

10. _______________________________________________________________

Teachers Lesson

Five Facts About Discipline


natural
1. Discipline is ______________ correct
and ______________.

commanded
2. Discipline is __________________ by God.

love
3. Discipline is due to ________.

godliness ______.
4. Discipline produces __________________.
ed just
Rules and regulations are not designed
to keep you in ________
____________________________________
to keep dangers out ________.
but are also __________________________.

line is
5. The most important factor in discipline
attitude
______________.

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L E S S O N 4 Q U I Z
OUR HOME LIFE
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ___________

1. List three responsibilities God has given parents concerning their children.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

1. How does a wise young person affect his father? ________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

2. How does a foolish young person affect his father? ______________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

3. How does a foolish young person affect his mother? ______________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

4. What happened to children in Old Testament times who were rebellious toward their parents?
________________________________________________________________________________

5. What springs up in our hearts when we resent our parents and do not have a good relationship with
them? __________________________________________________________________________

6. What characteristic overcomes wrong attitudes of rebellion? _______________________________

7. Complete the following important facts about discipline.


Discipline is ____________ and correct.
Discipline is ___________________ by God.
Discipline is due to ______________.
Discipline produces _____________________________________.
The most important factor in discipline is ________________________.

LESSON 4 QUIZ
Five Facts About Discipline
1. Discipline is natural and correct.
2. Discipline is commanded by God.
3. Discipline is due to love.
4. Discipline produces godliness.
Rules and regulations are not designed
just to keep you in but are also to keep
dangers out.
LESSON 4 OVERHEAD
5. The most important factor in
discipline is attitude.

LESSON 4 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 5

HONORING OUR PARENTS


TARGET TRUTHS
Each of us should honor and respect our parents all the days of our lives.
We will definitely suffer consequences in our lives if we dishonor our parents.
God holds parents responsible for their actions, too.
Our parents are to be the main instructors in our lives.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Read through the introductory paragraph together with the illustration of Jesus regard for His mother even
while He was on the cross. As always, Jesus is our perfect example for how we should live and act toward
others. By His actions, He showed that honoring parents should be an important goal in our lives.

Ways We Dishonor Our Parents


Help your students to approach this section seriously and thoughtfully. For some of them, it will be difficult
to list actions and attitudes they need to change in regard to their parents, especially since some of them
may not want to admit wrong thinking or behavior. Be candid with them about your own struggles and
lessons (as a child learning to honor your own parents, both when you were younger and now). Review
some of the key ideas from the first three chapters on wisdom, including the concept that we must be
willing to admit when we are wrong. Give your students time to pray individually, or pray together as a
class, asking the Lord to show all of you areas that need to be changed in your lives.

The Story Of The Prodigal Son


This story illustrates a downward slide due to disrespect for ones home and family. The prodigal son did
not do anything directly aggressive against his family, but by his attitude he showed that he did not truly
honor them. The transformation came when he saw the life he had created for himself and came to a place
of repentance. The problem was not with his father, although his father surely was not perfect. But his
father was still willing to forgive and welcome his son home.
Many times, it can be easy to paint parents as the bad guysthe guilty culpritsand to blame them for
our own wrong attitudes; but, like the prodigal son, we must realize that if we have a problem honoring
our parents, it is usually a problem that lies within our own hearts. As soon as we recognize this, we can
seek forgiveness and reconciliation with God and with our family members.
You will be able to tell from the paragraphs your students write whether they have learned what was taught
in Lessons 4 and 5. Some students might benefit from private counseling in order to overcome some of
their attitudes before they become worse.
LESSON 5 | 71
God Also Cares How Parents Act
This section serves to acknowledge the balance of responsibility before God and between parent and child.
God cares about how both sides handle themselves, and parents are not always right. Generally, however,
children can trust the fact that their parents do know best based on their wisdom and experience. Unless
asked to do something that blatantly violates Gods Word, they need to yield to their parents as though
yielding directly to God.

Reasons To Honor Our Parents


This section gives examples of many parents who are worthy of honor and recaps legitimate reasons for
honoring them.

Receiving Instruction
After seeing the examples given in the last section, students should consider why their own parents are
worthy of honor. Their parents have given them good instruction in many areas of which your students
have probably not even been aware. Ask students to share some of the ideas they have written in this section
in order to help one another see the great worth of what their parents have accomplished in their lives.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION

Letter To Parents
Ask your students to write a letter to their parents detailing why they love, honor, and respect them.
Tell students to use specific examples in their letters to relate their feelings. If they have been failing in
expressing love, honor, or respect, this letter could provide a way to admit their faults to their parents and
ask their forgiveness. They should explain how they will show their respect in the future.

TEACHERS LESSON (OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCY)


There are three main categories of influential relationships in your life.
1. Your relationship with God.
The relationship each family member has to God is the most influential because the well-being of the
whole household is contingent upon the health of this relationship.
2. Your relationships with family members.
The fifth commandment (as well as many other verses) exhorts us to honor and respect our parents.
3. Your relationships with others.
From Gods point of view, our success with others stems from the success of our relationships at home.
If we cannot honor our parents, we will have difficulty honoring a boss, a teacher, or later, a husband
or wife. If we are respectful to one another at home, we will know how to be respectful to friends and
others with whom we have contact. Finally, if our relationships to God and family are right, we will

72 |LESSON 5
probably choose right friends and affect others in a positive way rather than attracting wrong friends
who will tend to pull us down.
Thus, the most important influence in a young persons life is the home. The most important factor
in that influence is not the circumstances or spiritual condition of the parents, but the young persons
attitude toward his home situation.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. by instructing John to take care of her and treat her as if she were his mother
2. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
by cursing our fathers and not blessing our mothers
by becoming enemies against parents
by being disobedient to parents
3. by taking his portion of the inheritance, leaving home, and wasting it
4. He was repentant and willing to admit his guilt.
5. Eli
6. Eunice
7. We will bring them grief, sorrow, and bitterness.
8. because doing so will make me wise and mature
9.
God
our family
others

LESSON 5 | 73
SELF-EVALUATION
Have your students rate themselves from 1 to 5 for each statement, with 1 being the lowest mark and 5
being the highest.

1. _____ My attitude when my parents ask me to do something is usually to follow through right away.

2. _____ I do not have to be reminded to complete my routine chores around the house.

3. _____ When my parents must criticize something I have done, I can accept what they say with a
teachable attitude.

4. _____ Sometimes, I do something that needs to be done around the house beyond my routine
chores without having to be asked.

5. _____ Sometimes, I ask my parents for advice.

6. _____ I have a positive and happy attitude around my family that helps to make my home a pleasant
place to live.

7. _____ I often tell my parents that I love them.

8. _____ I can admit to my parents when I have done something wrong.

9. _____ I actively try to get along with my brothers and sisters.

10. _____ I never talk against my parents behind their backs.

What do you think causes your struggles in the areas you have identified above?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

How would trusting God more help you to overcome your attitude problems?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 5 HAND OUT


LESSON 5 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 5

HONORING OUR
PARENTS
When Jesus was on the cross, He gave us one of the most important lessons of His ministry
on Earth. Jesus had just been through a court trial full of lies and false accusations. He
had been beaten, mocked, bruised, and nailed to a cross where He hung for six hours.
We can only imagine from our studies of how Jesus died just how great the pain and
humiliation were.
If you were Jesus, under those circumstances, it would be easy to dwell on the pain,
shame, and horror of the crucifixion. And yet even then, Jesus did not think about
Himself. Even at this time, Jesus was thinking of others. He asked God to forgive
those who were trying to kill Him. He also took time to make sure His mother would
be taken care of.
Read the story in John 19:25-27, and describe the scene.
Mary and John and others were at the cross of Jesus, .
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What exactly did Jesus do to make sure His mother would be cared for?
Jesus asked John to take care of His mother and treat her as his own mother.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

That we understand the importance of honoring, respecting, and caring for our parents
is always pleasing to God.

Ways We Dishonor Parents


There are many ways we might dishonor our parents. Sometimes we do it deliberately,
and sometimes we dishonor them without even thinking. Read the following verses, and
write some of the ways we fail to honor and respect our parents.

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Verse How Might We Dishonor Parents?

Proverbs 30:11 by cursing our fathers and not blessing our mothers

Micah 7:6 by becoming enemies against parents

2 Timothy 3:2 by being disobedient to parents

After reading these verses, think of some specific things you have done that were
dishonoring to your parents. Ask the Lord to help you remember some things you
might have forgotten. He loves you and your parents, and He wants you to have a right
relationship with both them and Him. He will convict you of the things that need to be
changed, and He can teach you how to change them.

1. _______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________

The Story Of The Prodigal Son


Sometimes young people find themselves in trouble because they have done wrong or
have not handled themselves wisely in some way. There is a story that Jesus told about a
young man who did not handle himself wisely.
This story shows us the downward steps a young person takes when he sets himself
against his parents. Many times a young person forgets all the good that is in his home
and thinks that what is outside is more important, more interesting, or more fun. When
we let the things outside our homes become too important, we begin to slide downward
as did the prodigal son. This story also shows that there is a way to overcome the
problems we have caused.
Read the story in Luke 15:11-24. Beside each verse write what happened. Then select
from the following list of descriptive words an attitude that is shown by the prodigal

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son: self-will, selfishness, destitution, loneliness, humiliation, realization, repentance,


admission of guilt, reconciliation, rejoicing.

Verse(s) What Actually Happened Descriptive Word(s)

The younger of two sons asked


11-12 self-will
his father for his inheritance.

He took his money, left home and


13 selfishness
wasted all his money.

14 There was a famine, and he was hungry. destitution

15 He went to work for a man and fed pigs. humiliation

16 No one came to help him. loneliness

He remembered what it was like at his


17 realization
fathers house.

He decided to return home and


18 repentance
tell his father he had sinned.

He would say he should be one


19 admission of guilt
of his fathers servants.

His father ran to meet him, kissed


20-21 reconciliation
him, and welcomed him back.

22-24 His father treated him like a prince. rejoicing

Think of a situation in which you caused a problem for your parents. What was the
problem? How did your parents learn of the problem? What was done to correct the

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problem and to correct you? What was your attitude at the beginning? At the end? What
decision did you come to regarding the problem? Write a paragraph below explaining
what happened and the steps you took.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How could your attitude have changed the situation at any one of the steps?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Did you ever admit you were wrong? Yes No


Did the consequences help your understanding of how to handle yourself in the
future? Yes No
Remember, if your inner attitude does not change, you will only face problems and cause
friction between you and your parents that will affect all those around you. It is often
difficult to admit we are wrong, but it is always for the best.

God Also Cares How Parents Act


Remember that the Lord is also very concerned about those parents who do not
discipline and care for their children. Read the following verses, and see what displeased
the Lord. To determine who the parent was, you will have to read the context of the verse
(other verses in the same passage).

Verse Parent What Displeased The Lord?

His sons were wicked, and he


1 Samuel 3:13 Eli
did not restrain them.

1 Kings 1:6 David He let his son do whatever he wanted.

Jeremiah 9:14 the Israelites They taught their children to worship Baalim.

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These parents pleased the Lord. Why?

Verse Parent What Pleased The Lord?

His son, Jehoshaphat, walked


2 Chronicles 17:34 Asa
in the ways of the Lord.

Uzziah did right as his father


2 Chronicles 26:4 Amaziah
had taught him.

She demonstrated great faith in


2 Timothy 1:5 Eunice
God and taught Timothy.

Parents feelings are often directly related to the behavior of their children. Using Proverbs
17:6, 21, and 25, explain how what you do affects your parents emotionally.
If we are foolish, we cause our parents grief, sorrow, and bitterness. If we are wise,
______________________________________________________________________
we bring glory and joy to our parents.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

God has given your parents to you for your guidance and protection. When they
discipline you, they are simply being obedient to God by acting out of love and concern
for you. Maybe this scenario will clarify this concept: What would you do if you saw a
baby crawling toward a fire?
______________________________________________________________________

Why would you do this?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What if the baby got mad and cried because you wouldnt let him get into the fire? Would
you still say no?
______________________________________________________________________

What if the baby were somehow able to articulate his feelings? What if the baby argued,
What a cruel person you are! You are not letting me do my own thing. You just dont
understand me! You dont want me to have any fun! Dont you realize that babies like
fire?

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Of course, you do realize all these things, but you also know something that the
baby doesnt know. You know what fire will do to him, and you love him. Your love,
understanding and experience cause you to tell the baby no and possibly to discipline
him if he fails to obey.

Now think about your parents. They understand you and your desires more than you
think they do. They also love you more than you will realize until you have your own
child someday. They have experience far beyond your years. Remember, they were once
teenagers, but you have never been a parent! Part of becoming a mature young adult is
recognizing the importance of these three things: love, understanding, and experience.

Reasons To Honor Our Parents


God has given many examples in the Bible of parents who showed great protection for
their children. Read each passage. Explain who the parent and child were and why the
parent should be honored.

Verses Parent And Child Why Should The Parent Be Honored?

Moses and his


Exodus 2:1-10 She protected him from death.
mother

1 Samuel 1:9-11, Hannah and She kept her vow, gave him to the Lord,
24-28; 2:18-19 Samuel and brought him clothing.

David and his


2 Samuel 12:15-17 He prayed and fasted for his son.
child

God and His


Isaiah 49:13-15 God will never forget those who are His.
people

Jairus and his He prayed and asked Jesus to heal his


Mark 5:22-23
daughter daughter.

prodigal son and He forgave his son and treated him as


Luke 15:20-24
his father though he had done no wrong.

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Receiving Instruction
In His Word, God is very clear about another aspect of your relationship with your
parents that He wants you to understand: You will receive your greatest lessons in life
from your parents. Their instruction is very important for your future. Read Proverbs
4:1-4 and 13:1, and explain what God has to say to you about receiving instruction.
We need to listen to the instruction of our parents and keep their commandments
______________________________________________________________________
so that we will be wise.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The problem with receiving instruction is that sometimes we have too much pride to
show we are interested in listening to instruction. We try to act disinterested, or as if
we do not really need more instruction. One of the most important lessons God wants
you to learn as you go through your middle school and high school years is to learn to
listen faithfully and attentively to your parents. When they instruct you or try to explain
something to you, take the time to hear themnot just with your ears, but with your
mind. A mature person listens to instruction.
Think of some of the things your mother and father have tried to teach you. If you
cannot remember their instruction, ask God to help you so that you can list some of your
parents ideas below.

1. _______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________

Someday soon, there will be some very important things you will want to learn, and
your parents will want to help you learn them. For example, learning to drive a
car is very important to most teenagers. If your parents are going to trust you with
something as important as driving, they will want to be sure that you are interested in and
responsible with their instruction now. We will be talking more about freedom, trust, and
responsibility in our next lesson.

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Teachers Lesson

Three main categories of influential relationships in your life


Your relationships

with God.

with your family.

with others.

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82 |LESSON 5
L E S S O N 5 Q U I Z
HONORING OUR PARENTS
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. As Jesus hung on the cross, how did He show respect for His mother?
_________________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________________

2. Name two ways mentioned in Scripture in which we dishonor our parents.


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. How did the prodigal son show dishonor and disrespect for his father?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

4. What was the prodigal sons attitude when he decided to return home?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. What fathers sons were wicked because he did not restrain them? __________________________

6. What was the name of the woman who demonstrated great faith as she taught her son Timothy?
___________________________

7. According to Proverbs 17:6, 21, and 25, how will we affect our parents if we are foolish?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

8. Why should you be willing to listen to your parents instruction?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

9. What are the three main categories of influential relationships in your life?
Your relationship with __________________________________________________________
Your relationship with __________________________________________________________
Your relationship with __________________________________________________________

LESSON 5 QUIZ
Three Main Categories Of Influential
Relationships In Your Life
Your relationships
1. With God.
2. With your family.
3. With others.

LESSON 5 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 6

FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY

TARGET TRUTHS
Freedom and responsibility go hand in hand.
We must assume responsibility for all of our actions.
We need to use our freedom wisely in order to build trust.
We need to live our lives based on the principles God teaches us.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Students may have difficulty discerning the meaning of Proverbs 9:12; Job 19:4; and Ezekiel 18:20. It
might be best if you discuss these passages together. The major concept presented in this lesson is the
need to accept personal responsibility, and these passages will help you communicate a biblical basis for
this principle.

Making Excuses
This section is an extension of the above verses. There is a root reason for our temptation to make excuses
that goes back to the problem of sin when it first occurred in the Garden of Eden. You may have students
complete this on their own or do it as a class activity. Either way, make sure you read the entire section
with your class, helping them to understand why human beings struggle to accept the blame and to
assume responsibility. Point out the fact that it is easy to assume responsibility if we have done something
praiseworthy, but to accept responsibility when we have done wrong is difficult. This is due to the curse
of the sinful nature that all of mankind has inherited from Adam and Eve. As they complete the section,
make certain that students perceive the three major consequences of sin that have come into our lives
because of what Adam and Eve did.
Guilt
Fear
Blaming others for our wrong choices

Other Examples Of Blaming Others


As has previously been stated, since the beginning of history, man has had a problem accepting
responsibility. Here we see the examples of Aaron and King Saul. The key problem with blame-shifting is
that we can get away with our sins in the eyes of men from time to time, but we can never hide our
sins from God. God always knows exactly what we have done; and like Adam and Eve, we cannot hide
from Him.

LESSON 6 | 85
Becoming A Mature Young Man Or Woman
The key emphasis in this section is helping students recognize that maturity is not a matter of age but of
inner character and wisdom. Again, you should read and discuss the first paragraph together with your
class, and you should discuss the examples of Jesus and David after students have completed the activity
individually.

Wisdom And Responsibility


Have your students complete this section individually. Afterwards, when you discuss the verses with them,
explain that even the most responsible of people could never be perfect. All of us are human and will
eventually stumble. We will all need to confess sin to God and other people from time to time. Willingness
to seek forgiveness is a sign of maturity, as well. Each of the proverbs discussed in this section reminds
us that we will sin and that negative consequences are unavoidable if we refuse to address the sin (if we
attempt to cover it or ignore it). Because God knows everything we do, we can be assured that we will
always reap what we have sowed. This is not because God is out to get us or that He is trying to get even
with us for displeasing Him. God wants His children to be wise, and He is the only One who can really
help us change. His purpose is to change us more and more into the image of His Son, Jesus Christfor
His own glory, and for our best good.

Building Confidence And Trust


Read through this section very carefully with your students since it indicates another key reason why
they ought to accept responsibility. The key reason that has not been yet been mentioned is that assuming
responsibility helps to build trust with others. As your students show that they can act responsibly, their
authorities will have the assurance they need to grant them additional freedom as they grow. Explain that
trust is not the same as love. Parents may love a teenager very muchso much that they want to protect
him or her from any danger. If the teenager has not shown that he can be trusted, love says, I need to protect
you and withhold certain freedoms until I can trust you to handle those freedoms responsibly.

Principles To Live By
As students complete this section, they will be putting into practice some of the concepts they have learned
about a parents point of view. Ask them to complete the section, and then invite them to share their
various ideas aloud, writing and discussing a compiled list on the board of all their suggestions.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Composition: The Responsibility To Make Right Choices


Have your students write about a time when they had an important choice to make. Ask them the
following questions, and have them answer those questions in their compositions: What choice did
you have to make? What affected your decision to do right or wrong? Did you make the right choice? How

86 |LESSON 6
did you handle the situation? What could you have done differently? If you made the wrong choice, what
should you have done when you realized you were wrong?

Interview Parents
Have students hold a meeting with their parents to discuss the following:
What obligations do you expect me to fulfill right now?
With what freedoms do you think I might be trusted right now?
What would need to happen for you to be better able to trust me?
If there ever is a problem that causes you doubt or anger, would you let me know so that I can make
things right?
When they have completed the interview, ask students to fill out a short form or write a paragraph-length
essay to indicate how their parents responded to each interview question. Probe to see what positive
attitudes and other results this interview opportunity might have occasioned between the students and
their parents.

More Thoughts On Responsibility


Have students look up each verse and use its content to complete a statement beginning with the phrase:
I am responsible....

LESSON 6 | 87
MORE THOUGHTS ON RESPONSIBILITY
Look up each verse and use its content to complete a statement
beginning with the phrase: I am responsible....

For example, 2 Corinthians 10:5I am responsible to bring all my thoughts under the control of Jesus.

1 Corinthians 10:31 ______________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Ephesians 5:16 __________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

Colossians 3:20 _________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

1 Thessalonians 5:15-18 __________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2 Timothy 2:15 _________________________________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

1 John 1:9______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

1 John 4:7______________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 6 HAND OUT


TEACHERS LESSON (OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCY)

The Balance Of Freedom And Responsibility: Building Trust


Little babies live in a wonderful, pampered, protected world. They have no responsibility. Parents and
others take care of all their needs. Babies are fed, clothed, changed, bathed, played with, and loved. They
do not have to think for themselves or worry about anything. Babies also live in a tiny, limited world. They
enjoy absolutely no freedom.
The area in the middle of this chart [on the transparency] shows the level of responsibility and freedom of
a preschool child. Think of the boundary as a fence in the back yard. The fence is locked, and the children
are at play where their mother can constantly watch them. Little children may play, but they cannot leave
the protection of their mothers, and they have very little responsibility. The mother cannot let them go out
of the yard for fear they might be kidnapped, fall down, or wander into the street.
Soon the child is old enough to go to school. Now there is more freedom andwith that freedoma
little more responsibility. The child must learn how to cross a street or wait properly for a bus. At school,
the child must be able to find the classroom and take responsibility for his personal behavior. At home,
this child may have learned to complete certain chores such as putting toys away and feeding the pet.
Still, there is little freedom and little responsibility. Parents and teachers still protect and guide the child
through most of his activities.
Through the years, parents gradually allow additional freedom and additional responsibility. There is a
time when the child learns to ride a bike and is allowed to go away from the house on his own. There is
a time when the child can spend the night with a friend. But there are some additional responsibilities as
well. There are more chores to be responsible for at home and more responsibility as a student at school.
Now the child is learning how responsibility and freedom work together.
In middle school you are finding that there is much more freedom in your life, but there is also more
responsibility. How you handle your responsibilities now will build the trust your parents need in order
to give you more freedom in the future. If you understand how important it is always to be truthful and
honest even when you do wrong, you will continue to build your parents trust. Remember, your parents
will always be concerned about guiding and protecting you. When you do something to break their trust,
you will need to give them time to build trust again. Love is not the same thing as trust. Trust is what you
build by being responsible for your own actions. Never do anything that is opposed to what they think is
right and proper. Never deceive your parents in any way. Be honest, and you will build their trust. Then
when the time comes in a couple of years that you will want to drive or enjoy other freedoms, they will be
able to trust you. They will know that you will be trustworthy on the highway and will not go places where
you should not go. They will trust you because they know you will make the right choices.
As you continue to grow into adulthood and attend college, you will be taking on even more responsibilities.
Trust is proportional to freedome plus responsibility. We can portray this ans an equation, as on the
overhead: Trust = Freedom + Responsibility.

LESSON 6 | 89
QUIZ ANSWERS
1.
guilt
fear
blaming others for our wrong choices
2.
Aaron
Saul
3.
David
Jesus

Grade these based on how well they demonstrate that they understand the concepts presented, especially
the material presented in the teachers lesson.

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L E S S O N 6

FREEDOM AND
RESPONSIBILITIES
Proverbs 9:12 tells us about the importance of responsibility. Read this verse and explain
what it says in your own words.
Whether you are a wise person or a scorner is your decision. What you choose
______________________________________________________________________
to do is your responsibility, and you must live with the consequences of your
______________________________________________________________________
actions.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Two other verses support what this verse in Proverbs tells us. Explain the additional ideas
given in Job 19:4 and Ezekiel 18:20.
If we sin, it is our responsibility. Our sin does not belong to our parents. We are
______________________________________________________________________
accountable for our own thoughts and actions. We must accept the responsibility
______________________________________________________________________
for our own mistakes.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Now apply these concepts to your own life as a young person. What is God trying to
make you understand about responsibility?
God wants us to accept responsibility for our own actions, whether good or bad.
______________________________________________________________________
We should not blame others for what we do.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Making Excuses
It can be very difficult to accept responsibility for our actions when we have done wrong.
Perhaps if we understand where this pattern of avoiding responsibility began, we can
learn why we act the way we do.
You have probably studied the story of Adam and Eve many times. God had placed Adam
and Eve in a perfect place. There was no sin in the Garden of Eden, and Adam and Eve

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were very close to God. God would walk and talk with them in the garden. But God did
give Adam and Eve a choice to make, just as you have many choices to make in your life.
God told them specifically that if they ate of the fruit from the tree of the knowledge of
good and evil, then they would surely die (Gen. 2:17).
Notice the word surely. God had given Adam and Eve a choice, and He told them
exactly what the consequences would be if they made the wrong choice. The problem
with Adam and Eve was that they decided not to believe God. They chose to believe what
they wanted to believe. You have similar choices to make. Your parents will teach you
right from wrong, and they will describe to you the consequences of doing wrong. But
you still have the responsibility to make a choice for yourself.
We all know that Adam and Eve listened to the wrong voice and made the wrong decision.
In the garden, Satan talked through a serpent, and they chose to believe Satan. Satan
tempts us in many ways. Always be aware of Satans devices. A serpent will probably not
approach you and talk to you as he did to Adam and Eve. But can you think of some
ways that Satan will try to tempt you to do wrong? Who or what might he use?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

There were many consequences for Adam and Eve for making the wrong choice and
disobeying God. These negative results still affect us today. Read Genesis 3:6-7, and you
will see the first effect. We all know already how it feels to be guilty, but guilt was a new
thing in the Garden of Eden. Adam and Eve had never felt this way before. They knew
they had sinned, and they felt guilty. Our consciences (and, if were believers, the Holy
Spirit within us) tell us when we are wrong.
The second result of sin is found in Genesis 3:8-10. Adam and Eves eyes had been opened,
and they had realized they were naked. So they tried to hide themselves from God when
He called them. They were ashamed. When God called out to Adam, why did Adam say
he was hiding?
because he was afraid
______________________________________________________________________

God knew that Adam and Eve were guilty and that they were ashamed and fearful
because of what they had done. Each one of us has felt what Adam and Eve felt.

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This story illustrates the negative consequences of sin. A middle school boy found a way
to steal candy bars from the student store in his school. For a while, no one suspected
him. Then he shared what he was doing with a friend, and the friend joined him in
stealing the candy. Soon four boys were involved in the stealing. But finally one boy could
not handle the guilt of what he had been doing. This boy told the truth. Now all of the
boys felt guilt and fear. The one boy admitted what had been done. His punishment was
to be suspended for a day and to pay back the money for the candy bars he had stolen.
The other boys still would not admit what they had been doing. This temptation to deny
the blame (instead of admitting wrongdoing) is the third result of sin.

Read Genesis 3:11-13. When God asked Adam if he had eaten the fruit, how did Adam
respond?
He said Eve had given him the fruit.
______________________________________________________________________

Then, when God asked Eve why she had eaten the fruit, how did she respond?
She said the serpent had tricked her.
______________________________________________________________________

Think through the responses of Adam and Eve, and explain in your own words what the
third basic result of sin is.
blaming others for our sin
______________________________________________________________________

In the case of the candy bar theft, the three boys who would not admit what they had
done began to blame one another, saying that they stole the candy because their friends
had gotten them to do it. One of the boys even blamed a teacher for not locking up the
candy well enough. What should the boys have said?
I was wrong to steal the candy. Please forgive me. I am ready to take the
______________________________________________________________________
consequences.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

There were other consequences of sin as well, but these three are most important for us
to focus on as we study wisdom. Watch for these three results of sin: (1) guilt, (2) fear,
and (3) blaming others for our wrong choices.

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Other Examples Of Blaming Others


There are many examples of people in the Bible who made excuses for their choices. How
did Aaron explain the making of the golden calf to Moses? (Ex. 32:22-24)
He said that the people gave him their gold. He simply threw it in the fire, and
______________________________________________________________________
the calf came out of the fire.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Doesnt it almost sound as though Aaron did not deliberately form the calf? He
made it sound like an accidentas though it happened by itself without anyones help.
Sometimes we say, I dont know how it got there or I dont know what happenedit
just happened! when in fact we ourselves did it.
King Saul tried to make excuses for the wrong he had done by blaming others. God sent
Saul and his army to annihilate the Amalekites because of their wickedness. God told
Saul not to save or take anything from the city. But when they destroyed the city, the
Bible says they saved the Amalekite king and the best of the animals. They destroyed
only those things they decided were not worth saving. When Samuel approached Saul
about this deliberate disobedience, what was Sauls excuse? (1 Sam. 15:19-21)
The people took the spoil. It was not his fault.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Samuel was very specific in the way he responded to Saul. Read 1 Samuel 15:22-23, and
explain Samuels response in your own words.
Obedience is better than offering sacrifices. Rebellion is like witchcraft. God rejected
______________________________________________________________________
Saul from being king because of his sin.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Whether you are old or young, a king or a student, part of the consequences you have
inherited from Adams sin is a strong tendency to blame others for what you have done
wrong. Blame-shifting will never really work. God knows the truth, and others usually
find out. When you have done something wrong, you must learn to deal with your
guilt, fear, and pride.

Becoming A Mature Young Man Or Woman


Often, we think of becoming a mature man or woman as something having to do with
age. Young people think that they become men and women when they can drive a

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car or go on dates, when they go off to college or turn 21, or when they have jobs and
houses and families of their own. But many older people have never become truly mature
men and women because they have never learned to take responsibility for their own
choices. When they make wrong choices, they are always trying to find a way to blame
their mistakes on someone else. To be mature means we can admit when we are wrong.
It means we know that we will fail sometimes, but when we do fail, we can admit
our responsibility and change our ways so that mistake will not happen again. There
are many adults who are still immature in their hearts, and yet there are many young
people who are mature because they have learned this principle.
Jesus was only twelve when He went to the temple during the Passover. David was also
about that age when God chose him to be the next king of Israel. God used both Jesus
and David at this age because of their maturity and wisdom.
Read the passages listed below and write what they tell you about the character, attitudes,
physical attributes, and family lives of these two young men. Be ready to discuss these
things with your class.

JesusStudy Luke 2:49-52.

He knew He needed to follow His Fathers priorities.

He submitted to Mary and Joseph.

He grew physically, mentally, socially, and spiritually.

DavidStudy 1 Samuel 16:7-12, 21-23; 17:32; 18:14.

He was the youngest son of Jesse.

He was responsible for caring for the sheep.

He was handsome and ruddy (could refer to a healthy complexion or a suntan).

He loved and served King Saul.

He had great courage.

He acted wisely.

The Lord was with him.

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Wisdom And Responsibility


Proverbs shows the wisdom of being honest about our actions. Look up the following
verses and apply them to what we have been learning about responsibility in your own
words.

Proverb How Will The Truth Of This Verse Apply To Your Life?

3:24 Confess your sins before going to sleep, and you will rest more easily.

12:14 You will be rewarded for right speech and actions.

12:19 Truthfulness will last forever.

Even when we are young, our actions tell others what our character
20:11
is like.

20:17 Dont be deceitful because you will reap what you sow.

28:13 Dont cover up your sins, but confess them.

Building Confidence And Trust


It is very important that you begin to understand the importance of accepting
responsibility for your actions. Now that you are in middle school, you have been given
a great deal more freedom than you had before. You probably have several teachers,
rather than just one teacher in a single classroom. You may be allowed more freedom in
attending activities at church and school. Life can be so much fun, and as you grow
older, it can grow even more exciting. There are so many things to do as you grow older.
Most of you are looking forward to the day you can learn to drive. When that day comes,
you will have even greater freedom, since you will no longer need to have your parents
take you everywhere you need to go.
But you need to realize a very important truth: The older you become, the more freedom
you desire; and the more freedom you are granted, the more responsibility you will have

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to accept. Freedom and responsibility are inseparable. The glue that holds freedom and
responsibility together is trust. To put it simply, if your parents cannot trust you, they will not
feel they can give you more freedom or responsibility when the time comes.
How do you show your parents that you can be trusted with more freedoms as you grow
older? By accepting responsibility for your actions and choices now! Think now before
you act. Make wise decisions now. Do not go places or do things just because your friends
are pressuring you. Establish guidelines for yourself about how you will handle choices
between right or wrong. Always seek to do right. When there are times that you do fail
and make a wrong choice, be willing to admit it immediately. Dont blame others for
what you have done. Accept responsibility for what you have done. Then your parents
will see you are growing in wisdom. They will begin to trust you as a mature young man
or woman. They will have confidence in you.
The benefits to you personally from earning trust will be terrific. But it is extremely
important for you to remember that the motivation for your maturity should not be
limited to you getting what you want in this life. The gospel ought to direct our thoughts
to what Christ has accomplished on our behalf. He has transformed the hearts of believers
so that they want to show their gratitude and worship of Him by giving their lives to serve
Him.
Consider again the four boys who were caught stealing candy. After the first boy started
stealing and shared his secret with his friends, what should they have done?
They should not have joined him but should have tried to make him stop.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What would this have prevented?


continued sin and the consequences of sin
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Even though all four boys had done wrong, which boy do you think was able to begin
rebuilding some trust and confidence with his parents and teachers?
the one who came forward and confessed his wrongdoing
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Why?
He showed that he knew he was wrong and wanted to make things right.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

What should the other boys have done?


They should have admitted they had done wrong instead of blaming others.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Principles To Live By
A principle is a guideline to live by. It is an idea or rule that is so important we should
never forget to use it. There are several important principles to remember from your
lesson this week. If you could talk to the four boys before they started stealing, what
principles about maturity and life would you share with them?

1. _______________________________________________________________

2. _______________________________________________________________

3. _______________________________________________________________

4. _______________________________________________________________

5. _______________________________________________________________

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LESSON 6 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Teachers Lesson

RESPONSIBILITY
FREEDOM Pre-School Child

5-8 years old

9-11 years old

12-14 years old

Trust Freedom
_________________________=___________________+ Responsibility
_______________________

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LESSON 6 | 99
L E S S O N 6 Q U I Z
FREEDOM AND RESPONSIBILITY
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What three results of sin came to us from the sin Adam and Eve committed in the Garden of
Eden?
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________________

2. Who was an example of blaming others in each of the following references?


Exodus 32:24 _________________________________________________________________
1 Samuel 15:19-23 _____________________________________________________________

3. Who was an example of a mature young man in each of the following references?
1 Samuel 16-18 ________________________________________________________________
Luke 2:49-52 __________________________________________________________________

4. Write a short composition explaining how responsibility and freedom work together.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 6 QUIZ
RESPONSIBILITY
FREEDOM Pre-School Child
5-8 years old
9-11 years old
12-14 years old
LESSON 6 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 7

HOW ATTITUDES AFFECT ACTIONS

TARGET TRUTHS
Our outward actions begin with our inner attitudes.
We need to learn to control negative attitudes toward others.
Jesus always responded properly because His heart attitudes were controlled by love.
God gives us promises for obeying His commands.

TEACHING STRATEGY
We need to discuss and understand two concepts regarding attitudes and actions. The first concept is that
your inner attitudes are the real you, and your actions merely reflect this internal personthis real you.
The second concept we will discuss is that what we choose to put into our inner selves will eventually come
out through our actions. We cannot live around sin and not have it affect who we are and what we do.
Read through the lessons first two paragraphs and have your students read Proverbs 16:20 and answer
the question in the student text. Discuss the fact that the real you is the part no one else can see. It is
the internal part of you that includes your emotions, your thoughts, and your attitudes. In Proverbs 16:20,
we see both parts of a person in actionthe internal person and the external person. Have students read
the part that explains the outward actions (the first half of the verse) and then the part that explains the
inward attitude (the second half). Both are important; but if the internal part of us is not right, our external
actions will not be correct either.

Four Wrong Attitudes


Explain how wrong attitudes spread. They will never help us, nor will they help others in any way. They
will only pull everyone down.
Explain the four wrong attitudes outlined in this lesson. Have students fill in the blanks after reading the
verses indicated. Invite them to take some notes from the verses in preparation for a class discussion.
Involve the students in a discussion of what they have learned about each of these four attitudes. Be sure
that during the discussion your students consider the attitudes possible causes and effects.

The Example Of Jesus


Jesus is the perfect example of One who had the right attitudes in the midst of great trials and tribulations.
Have students complete this section on their own, and then discuss each aspect of what Jesus went through
and His attitude in each incident. Reiterate that Jesus never became angry nor scornful, nor did He desire
revenge. In every situation, He thought first of obeying His Father and honoring Him.

102 |LESSON 7
Emphasize that believers are free and able to respond rightly and to choose the proper attitudes. If anger is
a problem in our lives, we can determine beforehand how we will handle ourselves the next time a situation
arises to which we would normally react in anger. Then when the testing time comes (and it surely will),
we can exhibit a new, godly attitude because Jesus will be changing us and helping us to respond rightly.
It is important to explain the following facts:
We must be willing to admit that wrong internal attitudes are just as sinful as external demonstrations
of those attitudes. Anger (even if only in the heart) is sin. Frowardness is sin; a scornful or vengeful
attitude is sin. We will not change if we do not recognize the sin and the need to change.
We must admit our secret sins to God and trust Him for His forgiveness. He has promised to forgive
us based on Christs shed blood (1 John 1:9).
We must ask God to change our attitudes through the working of the Holy Spirit within us. He has
promised to cleanse us from all unrighteousness and to change us to become more holy.
When a trial comes, we must submit ourselves to the Holy Spirit so He can help us endure the trial
with a right attitude.

Commands And Promises


God does give commands in His Word. He wants us to obey His commandments, and he wants us to
admit when we are wrong. He desires that we would live according to His purposes for our lives. But as
we follow Him, God also promises us great blessings. In fact, God enjoys doing good for His children. The
reason we sometimes do not benefit from the blessings and promises of God is that we allow sinfulness to
invade and permeate our lives. Take time to note specifically from Proverbs 3 each command and principle
for how God blesses those who obey Him. Then, ask students to find other commands and principles from
the book of Proverbs and share what they have found with the rest of the class.
Finally, invite students to consider and share blessings and promises that we may all receive because of
what Jesus did on the cross.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Patient And Impatient Attitudes


One area in which Satan can defeat us very easily in the area of patience. An impatient attitude can defeat
us as easily as anger, scorn, and revenge. Our normal attitude is to want our own waynow!
Ask your students to think through the following situations and then tell you how a patient person would
react to each.
You are trying to figure out a math problem, but it doesnt make sense to you.
You know the answer to the questions being asked, but the teacher never calls on you.
Your friend cheats at a game and insists that he has not done anything wrong.
Your friend has a room of his own, and you have to share yours with your brother or sister.

LESSON 7 | 103
You wanted to wear a particular sweater, but your brother or sister just wore it, and now its dirty.
You are anxious to go to an activity with a friend, but your parents have asked you to stay home
that evening.

Responding Spiritually Instead Of Naturally


Because of our fleshly, sinful tendencies, it is natural for us to respond in sinful ways. Jesus wants us to
learn to respond in a different waya response that will reflect His character honorably, and a response
that will also bless us and prevent a lot of pain.
Have your students use the verses given next to each natural response below to learn how God would teach
them to respond instead.
Get even with anyone who wrongs you. (Matthew 5:38-39 says that if anyone should hit you on the
right cheek, turn the other cheek to him also. This means that you should leave yourself vulnerable
rather than retaliate.)
Hate your enemies. (Matthew 5:43-44 says to love your enemies.)
Curse those who curse you. (Matthew 5:43-44 says to bless those who curse you.)
Do evil things to those who hate you. (Matthew 5:43-44 says to do good to those who hate you.)

TEACHERS LESSON (OVERHEAD TRANSPARENCY)


Of the dozens of occurrences of fool in Proverbs, two Hebrew words are used in almost every occurrence.
A study of these two words suggests that there are two kinds of fools in Proverbs.
First, there is the bull-headed fool. Its root meaning is weak-minded. Yet the word also carries the idea
of being strong-willed and determined. This kind of person acts without counsel out of a will that is too
stubborn to be influenced with wisdom. His only reason for what he does is that he has a mind to do it.
This fool doesnt want anyone to tell him what to do. He does what he wants to do. He is thus bull-headed
and characterized by energy and determination to have his own way.
The other kind of fool is the pig-headed fool. The literal root meaning of this word is fat. Thus, the word
implies one who is mentally fat, dull, and sluggish. We could say that in reference to his character, this
person is a big blob. We are not talking about outward appearance here, but about character. Here then
is a lazy, spoiled, inactive fool.
Thus we have two fools in Proverbs. One is self-willed, hot-headed, determined, and energetic. The other
is fat, spoiled, self-centered, and lazy. In other words, we have a bull and a pig.

104 |LESSON 7
Their Attitudes
The Bull-headed Fool
Confident (Proverbs 12:15)
The evil, strong-willed fool thinks that whatever he does is right, so he does not want to listen to any-
ones advice. He thinks that he always knows what is best for him. He is stubborn and cocky. He does
not realize the problems he will have because of his stubborn, prideful attitude.

The Pig-headed Fool


Complacent (Proverbs 1:32)
Careless (Proverbs 14:16)
Trusts in his own ideas (Proverbs 28:26)
This persons attitude is dangerous because he feels very content and secure in who he is and how he
lives. He is popular and feels he has it made, so he does not feel the need for God. Because he is com-
placent (or self-satisfied), he eventually becomes careless and gets into a great deal of trouble. Part of
this happens because he does not worry about what is right or wrong but believes he can do what he
wants without ever suffering any consequences. He trusts in himself and will eventually fall.

Their Mouths
The Bull-headed Fool
Blames the Lord (and others) for failures (Proverbs 19:3)
Quarrels, argues (Proverbs 20:3)
The bull-headed fool may reveal his attitude more through his behavior than his words, but when he does
speak, he is often very angry and hot-tempered. He does not admit when he has done wrong, but instead
gets angry because of his failures and blames someone else. Nothing is ever his fault.
Instead of listening to advice and counsel, he enjoys arguing and constantly trying to prove that he is not
wrong. He actually enjoys arguing about anything and everything. Perhaps he is enjoying himself at times,
but those around him tire very quickly of listening to an argumentative person.

The Pig-headed Fool


Spreads slander (Proverbs 10:18)
Brags (Proverbs 14:33)
Pours out foolishness (Proverbs 15:2, 14)
Causes strife (Proverbs 18:6-7)
Lies (Proverbs 19:1)

LESSON 7 | 105
Slander is telling a half-truth, twisting the truth, or not telling all the truth, so that a wrong impression is
given. Sometimes the slanderer even pretends to love the person he is slandering.
Pouring out foolishness describes the one who is always talking foolishly and whose mouth is a fountain
of folly. This does not mean we cannot joke and have fun with one another, but when we can never be
serious and talk with one another with wisdom, we are acting like fools.
Another problem with the pig-headed fool is that when his anger or scorn come out, he causes strife
between himself and others. With some people, he always exhibits a contentious attitude. Relational
problems seem to follow him wherever he goes.
One who brags can think only about himself and what he is doing or thinking. He is so concerned with
himself that he is difficult to be around, because it is boring to listen to someone who talks and cares only
about himself. God wants us to be interested in others more than ourselves.
As we have studied, the froward person is a deceiver and a liar. Since he enjoys doing wrong and being
in trouble, he will try to get others in trouble also. Then he will lie to avoid trouble and discipline. Such
a person can never be trusted and can never be counted on as a true friend because he will always lie to
cover up his own sin rather than risk his own interests or reputation in order to be a friend to others.

Their Sinfulness
The Bull-headed Fool
Makes light of sin (Proverbs 14:9)
This person thinks that it is funny to sin. He likes to shock others by what he says or does.

The Pig-headed Fool


Enjoys sin as if it were a game (Proverbs 10:23)
Does not consider the consequences of actions (Proverbs 14:8)
Encourage your students to consider the condition of their own hearts. Some of the following questions
might be helpful: When was the last time you admitted you were wrong? What kinds of things most often
make you laugh? When was the last time you very nearly did or said something, but held back because
you werent sure it was wise? When was the last time you asked someone for advice? How often do you
do something kind for someone else when youre not expected to do so, and when theres something else
you would rather be doing.

106 |LESSON 7
QUIZ ANSWERS
1.
anger
scornfulness
frowardness
vengeance
2.
Bull-headed fool
Pig-headed fool
3. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
When the mob came to arrest Him, Jesus did not hide but went directly to them and talked to
them.
When Peter cut off the mans ear, Jesus rebuked Peter and healed the man.
When Jesus was scourged and mocked, He said nothing.
He carried His own cross (as long as He could).
He asked God to forgive those who crucified Him.
He made sure His mother would be taken care of.
4. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
Keep Gods commandments.
Be merciful and truthful.
Trust in the Lord rather than in your own understanding.
Get your wisdom from God and depart from evil.
Give part of what you earn to the Lord.
Listen to the Lords correction.
5. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
You will have a long, peaceful life.
You will find favor with God and man.
He will direct your paths.
You will have good health.
God will see that your needs are met.
The Lord will love you and delight in you.
6. Evaluate their paragraphs based on how well they have learned the concepts presented in this lesson.

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L E S S O N 7

HOW ATTITUDES
AFFECT ACTIONS
Actions do not begin outwardly with how we treat others or how we handle situations
in life. Actions begin in our minds. How we thinkour inner attitudeaffects what we
do, how we act, and how we treat others. You will constantly meet situations in your
life that you must learn to handle with wisdom. Not all of life is happy or fair and just.
Circumstances will come up that will cause your true character to show through.
It is important to decide before difficult situations arise how you will act and what types
of attitudes you need to avoid. In this lesson we will discuss four attitudes to watch out for
because any of them could hurt us or keep us from success. These attitudes are anger, scorn,
perversion, and vengeance. What does Proverbs 16:20 teach about the blessing God offers
to those who handle matters well?
One who handles a matter wisely finds good, and one who trusts in the Lord finds
______________________________________________________________________
happiness.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Four Wrong Attitudes


A law of nature is that what is polluted does not become pure by itself. Both pollution
and wrongdoing spreadthey are contagious in a harmful way. If you have a cold and
cough near someone, you can spread your germs and make him sick also. But a healthy
person cannot spread health by being near you. Anger is similar in that it that can spread
from one person to the next and never leave anyone better off. Following are some
detailed descriptions of anger and other wrong attitudes. Under each description, look
up the listed verses and write what each verse says about these attitudes.

Anger
An angry person is provoked easily and easily loses control. He uses his quick temper
and cutting words to hurt others. Anyone who knows an angry person wants to stay

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away from him. It never helps to be angry because anger never solves any problem. Anger
always makes things worse. Your anger shows everyone around you that you cannot
control your attitude.

Stop being angry.


Psalm 37:8 ______________________________________________________

An angry person acts foolishly.


Proverbs 14:17 ___________________________________________________

Anger causes more strife.


Proverbs 15:18 ___________________________________________________

One who is slow to become angry has great strength.


Proverbs 16:32 ___________________________________________________

It is better to overlook a problem than to become angry.


Proverbs 19:11 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Dont be friends with an angry person, or you will


Proverbs 22:24-25 ________________________________________________
become like him.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Dont be quick to become angry.


Ecclesiastes 7:9 __________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Scorn
A scorner (or scoffer) is one who mocks what is right. The scorner will put others
down, mock their ideas, and make fun of sin and those who want to do right. He enjoys
making fun of teachers, parents, and others who are trying to help us grow up to have
the right attitudes and values for our lives. He will only hurt those who listen to him. In
the end, a scorners attitude will backfire. He will find he has hurt himself most.

God scorns the scorner.


Proverbs 3:34 ____________________________________________________

A scorner will not listen to good instruction.


Proverbs 13:1 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

A scorner looks for wisdom but cant find it.


Proverbs 14:6 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The scorner will be judged.


Proverbs 19:29 ___________________________________________________

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Get rid of the scorner (or mocker), and conflict will cease.
Proverbs 22:10 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

People do not like a scorner (or mocker).


Proverbs 24:9 ____________________________________________________

Perversion
Sometimes words like froward, devious, or crooked are used to describe the attitude
of perversion. A perverse person has the worst attitude of all. He does not merely lose
control and get angry. He does not simply put down the good in others, as the scorner
does. The froward person actually enjoys doing evil and wickedness. His heart attitude is
actually to revel in sin and to delight in it. He takes pleasure in it. His actions are wrong
because he has rejected the teachings of God. And worst of all, the perverse person wants
to get others to follow in the way he is going.

He walks in darkness. He enjoys doing evil and


Proverbs 2:12-15 _________________________________________________
wickedness. His ways are crooked.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He is an abomination to the Lord.


Proverbs 3:32 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He is an abomination to the Lord.


Proverbs 4:24 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

God hates a perverse mouth.


Proverbs 8:13 ____________________________________________________

Vengeance
One of the hardest things for us to do is to let God handle our problems. We want to
work things out for ourselves. If someone hurts our feelings or does something mean to
us, we want to get even. We want to fight back or get revenge. Vengeance is that attitude
that wants to pay someone back for the wrong he has done to us. The problem is that
a vengeful attitude only makes matters worse, and it always comes back on the person
who is vengeful. When God takes care of the situation, He always takes care of it justly
and thoroughly. We do not have to worry.

Dont repay evil, but instead wait on the Lord.


Proverbs 20:22 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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Dont threaten to hurt someone who has hurt you.


Proverbs 24:29 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Dont repay evil with evil.


Romans 12:17 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Return evil with a blessing because we will inherit blessings


1 Peter 3:9 ______________________________________________________
from God.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The Example Of Jesus


Jesus knew all of the events that were going to happen to Him before they occurred. He
knew that Judas would betray Him. He knew that He would be taken prisoner. He knew
that He would be beaten, cursed, and mocked. He knew that He would go through an
unjust trial. He knew He would be crucified on a cross between two thieves. Was He
angry? Was He scornful or vengeful? Was He perverse? In all of his hardships, Jesus fixed
his heart on the greatest priorities. He knew that whatever happened to Him was part of
Gods perfect purpose for His life.
Remember, nothing ever happens to us that God has not allowed and even planned in
order to accomplish a wonderful purpose in our lives. Jesus had a specific purpose to
fulfill, and He was willing to do it in the right way. Jesus did not complain or scorn. He did
not get angry. He did not become perverse. He did not try in any way to get revenge.
In fact, Jesus attitude caused Him to act in a totally different way. Read about the
following situations concerning the last days of Jesus and explain what His attitude was
and how He responded.

What Were Jesus Attitudes


Verses What Happened?
And Actions?
Jesus did not hide. He went
Judas came with soldiers to
John 18:2-5 directly to them and talked to
take Jesus captive.
them.

John 18:10-11; Peter cut off the ear of the Jesus rebuked Peter and
Luke 22:50-51 high priests servant. healed the mans ear.

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Jesus was scourged, mocked,


John 19:1-9 Jesus said nothing.
and given a crown of thorns.

John 19:15-18 Jesus was crucified. Jesus carried His own cross.

Jesus asked God to forgive


Luke 23:33-34 Jesus was crucified.
those who crucified Him.

Mary and other women stood Jesus arranged His mothers


John 19:25-27
by the cross. care.

In your own words, write a paragraph explaining Jesus attitudes and actions during the
terrible trials He endured throughout His arrest, trial, and crucifixion.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Did Jesus ever seek revenge? Yes No


Did He ever become angry? Yes No
Did He ever scorn or scoff at those who were treating Him badly? Yes No
Did He ever turn against God? Yes No

Jesus offers a perfect example for us, but He endured suffering and died not only to
provide an example, but also to provide salvation for us. This salvation makes it possible
for us to overcome sin as He did. In which of these areas do you tend to have the most
problems when things do not go your way?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What can you do the next time a difficult situation comes into your life?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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How does the salvation Jesus offers give us the hope of handling difficult situations
wisely?
Salvation through Christ brings the presence of the Spirit to our lives, which enables
______________________________________________________________________
and empowers us to live a life of wisdom.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Commands And Promises


God has promised blessings and good that will eventually come if our attitudes and
actions are right. Remember that right actions begin with right attitudes. In the
columns below, write Gods commands and Gods promises of blessing to show the pattern
of how God works.

Proverbs Command Promise

3:1-2 Keep Gods commandments. You will have a long, peaceful life.

You will find favor with God and


3:3-4 Be merciful and truthful.
man.

Trust in the Lord rather than in


3:5-6 He will direct your paths.
your own understanding.

Get your wisdom from God and


3:7-8 You will have good health.
depart from evil.

Give part of what you earn to God will see that your needs are
3:9-10
the Lord. met.

The Lord will love us and delight


3:11-12 Listen to the Lords correction.
in us.

Jesus had the right attitude during His trial and crucifixion and was able to act correctly
toward those around Him. If you have trusted Jesus as your Savior, the Holy Spirit lives
within you, and He will help your attitude and your actions if you allow Him to work
through you.

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The Bible says Jesus kept His focus on the prospect of joy set before Him, so He endured
the trials set before Him. Jesus knew that God would keep His promises to Him if He
would keep trusting and obeying Gods will. Jesus perfect life, death on the cross, and
resurrection all produce blessings for many people, not just Himself. What blessings
came about because of what Jesus endured?
We can have our sins forgiven.
_______________________________________________________________
We can know we will be in heaven.
_______________________________________________________________
We can have victory over sin.
_______________________________________________________________

TEACHERS LESSON
The Bull-headed Fool The Pig-headed Fool
Their Attitudes
12:15 confident 1:32 complacent

14:16 careless

28:26 trusts in his own ideas

Their Mouths
19:3 blames the Lord and others for 10:18 spreads slander
failures
20:3 quarrels, argues 14:33 brags

15:2,14 pours out foolishness

18:6-7 causes strife

19:1 lies

Their Sinfulness
14:9 makes light of sin 10:23 enjoys sin

14:8 does not consider the consequences


of actions

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114 |LESSON 7
L E S S O N 7 Q U I Z
HOW ATTITUDES AFFECT ACTIONS
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What four wrong attitudes discussed in this lesson must we be careful not to allow in our lives?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. What are the two types of fools in Proverbs?


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. Give two examples of how Jesus responded with correct attitudes and actions during His arrest, trial,
and crucifixion.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

4. Give two of Gods commands included in Proverbs 3:1-12.


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

5. Give two of Gods promises included in Proverbs 3:1-12.


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

6. Write a short paragraph explaining how you can overcome wrong attitudes in your life.
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 7 QUIZ
The Bull-headed Fool The Pig-headed Fool
Their Attitudes
12:15 confident 1:32 complacent

14:16 careless

28:26 trusts in his own ideas

Their Mouths
19:3 blames the Lord and others for failures 10:18 spreads slander

20:3 quarrels, argues 14:33 brags

15:2,14 pours out foolishness

18:6-7 causes strife

19:1 lies

Their Sinfulness
14:9 makes light of sin 10:23 enjoys sin

14:8 does not consider the consequences of actions

LESSON 7 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 8

RIGHT ATTITUDES ABOUT MYSELF

TARGET TRUTHS
God wants us to have right attitudes about ourselves.
Our inner attitudes about ourselves affect how we treat others.
We need to understand the place of trials and tribulations in our lives.

TEACHING STRATEGY
At the end of Lesson 7, we emphasized the commands and promises of God in Proverbs 3. Now we are
going to focus on the connection between inner attitudes and the promises of God. Before your students
study Psalm 37 for this exercise, ask them to explain how commands, right attitudes, and Gods promises
relate to each other. Then show them the connection between all three aspects in the following equation.
(Perhaps they may try to come up with an equation of their own before you show them this one.)
Our attitudes toward Gods commandments
plus
Our obedience to Gods commandments
results in
Gods promises and blessings being a part of our lives.

The Story Of Job


Many times we want the promises of God, but are we willing to obey Gods commands and to keep a right
attitude through difficult times of trials? All throughout the Bible, we see a pattern that God has set for
us. This is the pattern:
Promises Principles Proving Provision
God does make promises to us based on certain rules, commands, or laws that we call principles of life.
We want the promises, and we may be willing to follow His principles, but often we do not realize that a
time of testing or proving may precede the blessings or provisions God has promised for us.
In school, our teachers teach us certain facts and principles, but there is always a testing time before we are
finished. When we have done well on our tests, we receive the blessing of good grades and knowing that
we have been wise and obedient to God.
If we try out for the basketball team, we know the coach will have rules for us to follow with the hope of
a successful season in the future. But there is a testing time in which we must work hard and be tested
regarding our abilities before we can have a winning season.

LESSON 8 | 117
This is the common pattern for all of life. It is part of Gods plan that learning life principles be followed
by times of testing prior to a wonderful victory. But when we pass the testing time, the victory time is that
much more exciting and satisfying because we have demonstrated faithful obedience. Anytime the things
of life are received without a cost, they are not valued as much. God wants us to value life and enjoy the
victories that will come when we have a good attitude toward the trials of life.
The story of Job is a valuable lesson to teach us these things. After the discussion on Job, have students
share the various types of trials they must face. If there is time, have them write a paragraph about their
most difficult trial and explain 1) how they can deal with the trial with the right attitude, and 2) what they
learned about trusting God through the trial.

My Attitude About Myself


Middle school is a very important age. Many students have been wounded in their hearts sometime during
their early years and have carried these hurts and attitudes about themselves for many years without really
understanding why they feel about themselves as they do. Because they have allowed themselves to live
with wrong attitudes about God and their own lives, they also have wrong thoughts, words, and actions.
The external actions simply reflect what is going on inside.
When we understand that our external actions simply show our internal attitudes, we can take action
to change. When we begin to think right thoughts about God and ourselves; when we begin to really
understand how much God loves us and how beautifully He designed us, and when we begin to understand
what a great plan and purpose He has for us; then we will not want to do those things that are going to
dishonor Him and hurt ourselves in any way.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

A Forgiving Attitude
In Lesson 7, we focused on patience and impatience. Being able to forgive others often goes along with
the attitude of patience. Help students relate to the following types of situations and discuss the need to
forgive for their own good in each situation. Some of the situations are similar to the ones given in our
last lesson.
Your brother or sister borrows your new shirt and ruins it.
Your brother or sister borrows a book you got from the library for a report and then leaves the
book at schooland your report is due tomorrow!
You expect to be one of the starters for the last basketball game of the year, but the coach makes
you sit on the bench.
Someone in your class is having a party, and almost everyone is invited except you.
Your friend cheats at a game and insists he has done nothing wrong.

118 |LESSON 8
Our Personalities Are Unique
God has given each of us unique personalities, abilities and talents. Sometimes we have wrong attitudes
about ourselves because we have not understood how wonderfully God designed us. We need to accept
the wonderful way God has made us.
Have students think through some of the following ideas concerning how God made them.
Are you quiet or outgoing?
Do you like to have lots of friends, or do you like to be close to only one or two special friends?
Do you have some special ability or talent?
Do you like to be a leader, or would you rather let someone else be in charge?
Are you very creative?
Do you like to be busy with many different projects and activities, or do you like to have a quieter
life?
Which do you enjoy morebeing outdoors or indoors?
Are you interested in music? Sports? Reading? Math? History? English?
As students think through these areas, it will help them to realize that the way they are is the way they were
intended to be. Quiet people do not have to wish they were outgoing, and talkative people do not have to
wish they were quieter. We can learn to relax and be ourselves using our unique gifts to serve others.

Promises, Principles, Proving And Provision


Just like Job, all of us will face trials and tribulations in our lives. This is the proving or testing time. During
these times, if we obey Gods principles and trust in His promises, we will have greater victories ahead of
us.
Use the chart below on a chalkboard to teach the principle that God will bring greater blessing and victory
in our lives through tribulation if we continue to obey and trust Him.

The Ups And Downs In The Life Of Joseph


Head Of 2nd To Pharaoh
Potiphars As Ruler Of Reunited
House Egypt With Family

2 5 7

1 3 4 6

Sold Into Lied About; Interpreted Famine In


Slavery Sent To Prison Dreams Egypt
Notice numbers 2, 5 and 7. These are the times of blessing from the Lord. But also notice that before
each time of blessing, God allowed a tribulation. The next time you are going through a time of trial or
temptation, know that God is planning a greater blessing.
Along with the above example, study Romans 5:1-5 to see this principle explained in still another way.

LESSON 8 | 119
TEACHERS LESSON
One other problem that must be dealt with is how young people view the world. Most Christian young
people see the world from the perspective of Chart A. They are separated from the world out of duty or
because this is how they were raised. But far too often, these young people think the world looks very
good, and many times the young people in the world seem to be having more fun than the Christians have
in their lives. These young people are, in fact, envious of the worldly young people. Therefore, we need to
show Christian young people that God has separated them to a higher way of life that has more purpose
and more pleasure.
See Chart B. God is the Creator God who wants to give us joy and purpose. Our lives should not be dull or
boring or routine. God wants us to live a life that is fully satisfied because it is an indispensable part of His
big plan. The problem is that we are too involved with seeing how the world has fun to allow God to show
us how to have fun by fulfilling the purpose He has created us to accomplish. When is a fish happiest?
When it is swimming in the water. When is a bird happiest? When is is flying or doing the other things
God created it to do. In the same way, God has created us to worship and obey Him. We are happiest when
we are pursuing those goals with our lives.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
Dont worry or become envious of evil people.
Trust in the Lord and do good.
Delight yourself in the Lord.
Commit your way to the Lord.
Rest in the Lord and wait patiently.
Dont be angry or do evil.
2. He was mature and upright. He feared God and hated evil.
3. Job was good and upright because God protected and blessed him.
4. Job was good and upright because God protected his body.
5. He realized that the wonderful truths about God were far beyond his understanding.
6. He had twice as many possessions as before and had seven more sons and three more daughters.
7. Evaluate this paragraph based on how well they know and apply the principles taught in this lesson.

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L E S S O N 8

RIGHT ATTITUDES
ABOUT MYSELF
In Lesson 7, we looked at Proverbs 3 and saw that with every command, God gave a
promise of a special blessing. In this lesson we are going to look at another passage and
focus on a similar concept. But instead of finding commands, we are going to look for
attitudes that the Lord wants us to have and what the Bible says will happen as a result if
we obey. Complete the chart below.

Psalm Attitude Promise

Dont worry or become envious of


37:1-2 Evil people will be cut down.
evil people.

37:3 Trust in the Lord and do good. God will take care of you.

He will give you the desire of your


37:4 Delight yourself in the Lord.
heart.

37:5 Commit your way to the Lord. He will bring it to pass.

37:7 Rest in the Lord and wait patiently.

Evildoers will be cut off.


37:8-9 Dont be angry or do evil.

The Story Of Job


One reason God is very interested in our attitudes is that He intends for our lives to
be blessed and successful. Sometimes to have success we must go through trials. But

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throughout the trials, God is still in control and will see us through to a wonderful
blessing. If we are not allowing God to control our lives, then we will allow attitudes
such as anger, scorn, scoffing, and vengeance to become habits in our lives.

The story of Job most likely took place about the time of Abraham. The book of Job
therefore fits chronologically during the time of the book of Genesis. Read the first
chapter of the book of Job and answer the following questions with short answers.
the land of Uz
Where did Job live? ______________________________________________________
7 How many daughters? _____
How many sons did he have? _____ 3

What did he own?


7000 sheep, 3000 camels, 500 yoke of oxen, 500 female donkeys, and a very large
______________________________________________________________________
household
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What kind of man was Job?


mature and upright, one who feared the Lord and hated evil
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What was Satans accusation against Job?


Job was good and upright because God protected and blessed him.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

To whom was the accusation made?


God
______________________________________________________________________

What did God allow Satan to do?


destroy everything Job had and take the lives of his sons and daughters, but not
______________________________________________________________________
harm Job
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Which verse in Job 1 describes his response to all that was happening?
Either verse 21 or 22 would both be acceptable answers.
____________________________________________________________________

Read Job 2:1-10 and answer the following questions about Job:

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What was Satans new accusation against Job?


Job was good and righteous because God protected his body.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What did God allow Satan to do next?
take away Jobs health and give him boils
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
According to Job 2:10, did Job believe that God had the right to allow bad things in his
life as well as good things? Yes No
Through all that happened, do we ever read of Job having an angry, vengeful, or
scornful attitude toward God? Yes No
There is a great deal more to the story of Job. We will be learning more about his story
later. For right now, you need to see that what God has said is true. If our attitudes and
actions are good and right, Gods blessings will come. This does not mean that we will
become rich in this life and have lots of children, but it does mean that God will bless us
beyond our imaginations in eternity. This book is evidence that God has the power to
bless His people. Turn to the last chapter of Job and see the blessings that came to him.
Read Job 42:1-3 and 10-17 and answer the questions below.
How was Job praying to God now?
He said that he could never understand the wonderful things of God because His
____________________________________________________________________
knowledge was too wonderful for him.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Did Job ever lose his faith in God? Yes No


List all the blessings that God gave to Job at the end of the book and compare these with
what Job had at the beginning of his trials.
He gave Job twice as many possessions as he had before.
______________________________________________________________________
He gave him 7 more sons and 3 more daughters.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Describe the end of Jobs life.


Job had a blessed life and lived until the old age of 140.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

My Attitude About Myself


How we act has a lot to do with how we think about ourselves. If we do not have right
attitudes about ourselves, we will tend to do things that backfire: We will end up hurting
ourselves and others.
Jesus knew He was the Son of God. He knew that His Father loved Him and would love
Him always. God would do only those things that would be a great blessing to Him. Jesus
was not worried about Judas, Pilate, Herod, the soldiers, or the Jewish priests. It did not
matter what they said or did to Him. Jesus knew He had come to earth to obey His Father
and to fulfill an important purpose on the earth. He knew that what mattered most was
that He accomplish the work God had sent Him to do.
Job had a similar attitude. He had a wonderful life, great riches, a beautiful family, and
many possessions. He had good health. But he lost all of these things. He lost his wealth,
his family, his possessions, and even his health. Even then, however, his attitude did not
change. Job knew God loved him. He knew how important it was for him to obey God even
in the midst of difficult circumstances. He knew in spite of it all that God cared for him and
would bless his trust and obedience. His attitude stayed right, and God blessed him.
Young people get caught up in many actions and attitudes that are very wrong. Usually
this happens because they think their purpose in life is to follow their feelings and take
what they want. They do not think that the way they live their lives really matters, so
they try to find a way to make their lives feel like they matter. This is why young people
often make unwise choices. What they do not realize is that these kinds of things distract
them from what is most importanttrusting and obeying God. They do not realize that
by serving their feelings, they are exchanging the far greater blessings God offers for the
cheap things they can enjoy right away. They are sacrificing their greatest joys for smaller
pleasures that will last only an instant.
There is a saying that goes like this: God dont make no junk. When God made you, He
made someone very important to His plan. Your life has a purpose in that plan, even if
some days you dont feel worthwhile and important. You will never be able to win true

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friends by damaging your body, abusing substances, or using foul language, because the
kinds of people who are impressed by those things will never be true friends. Those who
make unwise choices think wrongly about themselves and God. If they trusted Gods
promises to bless their obedience, they would act differently. God elevated you to a high
position when you trusted Christ as your Savior. Read Revelation 1:5-6, and explain in
your own words what God thinks of you.
God loved me enough to send His Son to die on the cross for my sins. He made me
______________________________________________________________________
to be a king and a priest. I will reign with Christ.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
You need to make some very important decisions about the kind of person you want to
be. Do you recognize that God created you for an important purpose? Do you trust God
to keep His promises of blessing to you? Write a paragraph explaining your attitudes
about who God is, who you are, and how you should respond with trust and obedience
in difficult situations.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Teachers Lesson
out of
God has chosen us ____________ the world to a better life.

go into
We are called to ______________ the world to minister to peoples need.

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126 |LESSON 8
L E S S O N 8 Q U I Z
RIGHT ATTITUDES ABOUT MYSELF
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. Name two attitudes mentioned in Psalm 37 that we are to have.


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. What kind of man was Job?


_____________________________________________________________________________

3. What was Satans first charge against Job?


______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

4. What was Satans second charge against Job?


______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

5. What did Job come to understand about Gods ways near the end of the story?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

6. What blessings did Job receive after the greatest trials of his life?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

7. Write a paragraph that answers the following questions:


Why do many young people begin to drink, smoke and take drugs?
What can keep teens from getting involved in these and other activities?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 8 QUIZ
LESSON 8 OVERHEAD
God has chosen us out of the
world to a better life.
We are called to go into the world
to minister to peoples needs.
LESSON 8 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 9

GOOD FRIENDS AND BAD FRIENDS

TARGET TRUTHS
Wrong friends do not have our best interests in mind.
A true friend will want only what is best for us.
We need to stay away from those who would encourage us to do wrong.
We have a need to be accepted, but we must learn not to allow this need to harm our testimony by
doing wrong things just to be accepted by others.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Have your students complete the first section on good and bad friends and review the concepts together
as an introduction to our lessons on friendship. At the middle school level, the subject of friendships is
extremely important. Young people at this age are very concerned about their friends, and they are often
very petty in the way they handle themselves. They are often very gossipy and cruel in the way they treat
one another. The primary cause of this is that middle school students, like older teens and adults, love
themselves more than they love God. But they are immature, and they just havent learned yet how to
conceal their selfish attitudes as well as adults have. They are trying to build themselves up and make
themselves feel valuable. They have a great desire to belong and feel acceptance by themselves and from
others. They want to be popular and involved, but they do not know how to go about these things in the
right way. In their naivety and immaturity, they often tear others down to build themselves up. Discuss
some of these concepts openly with your class and see if they can begin to understand why they do what
they do. Lead the conversation to help them to understand how they are more interested in what people
think of them than what God thinks of them.
Relate this section to your students lives, helping them to understand why some young people join gangs
or yield to peer pressure. Many young people obviously do not get involved in such serious groups. But we
need to understand on a more common level why they get involved with groups at all. There is nothing
wrong with being part of a group if the attitudes and motivations of the group are right.

How Wrong Friends Hurt Us


Have students complete this section on their own or complete it together as a class. Either way, this section
should be thoroughly discussed with examples shared by the students. Read through the entire passage
together and note the pattern that is involved.

130 |LESSON 9
Proverbs 1:10-14showing interest in what wrong companions want you to do; wrong peer
pressure
Proverbs 1:15walking in the same path as kids who make foolish or dangerous choices and get-
ting involved in their mischief
Proverbs 1:16-19running to do the same evil things that the evil companions are doing with no
thought for the consequences of your actions

The Example Of Joash


Have your students complete the work on King Joash on their own. Have students write paragraphs
explaining what happened in the two parts of Joashs life. Emphasize clearly the conclusion that must be
made concerning the change in Joashs life. Very simply, a wrong companion corrupted (made evil) a godly
and upright life. You may need to explain the meaning of 1 Corinthians 15:33 if you are using the KJV in
your class. The Greek word translated as communications means companions in todays English, and
manners means actions.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Peer Pressure And True Friendship


Read Proverbs 1:10-16 once again and have your students discuss the kinds of things their friends tell
them to try to make them go along with wrong actions. Discuss again the feeling of wanting to belong
that is natural to all of us. Assure students that this is a normal feeling, but it can be very destructive
if it is not balanced by the desire to do right no matter what others say.
Discuss what true friendship is in relation to the above. A real friend would not want you to do some-
thing against your convictions or that would get you into trouble. Those who put you down or who try
to force you to do something you really dont want to do are not your true friends. Even if you decide
to go along with them, they will eventually turn on you and show their true colors.

TEACHERS LESSON
Wrong friends build wrong patterns for our lives. We must be very aware of this fact. We have studied this
problem as it is discussed in Proverbs, and we have seen evidence of the problem in our own lives and
in the life of King Joash. Complete the overhead transparency as you discuss the way wrong companions
encourage us to build wrong patterns of life.
Do not go with them (Proverbs 1:15). When we go with the wrong person or crowd, we automatically
place ourselves face to face with temptation. It is important that we do not go to those places that
would invite us to be tempted to do wrong.
Do not yield to their ways (Proverbs 25:26). This verse talks about yielding or wavering in our com-
mitment to do what is right. Sometimes we get caught off guard because we want to belong and be
accepted. This happens in two basic ways: either (1) we overlook their sin, or (2) we honor them.

LESSON 9 | 131
By overlooking their sin (Proverbs 28:23). By allowing sin to take place around us without saying
anything or taking a stand, we are giving our stamp of approval to the wrong that is taking place.
Some of the most common ways this happens is by allowing dirty jokes or words to be said in our
presence without our saying anything about them; by knowing that someone has cheated, stolen,
or lied and saying nothing; and by having knowledge of other types of sin without speaking out.
When we know that something is wrong, we need to follow Matthew 5:21-26 and Matthew 18:15-
20 and deal with the sin, or it will continue and grow even worse.
By honoring them (Proverbs 26:1). When we give honor to those who are knowingly doing wrong,
we are hurting God and we are hurting them. Those who have foul mouths or are known to have
wrong attitudes and actions should not be allowed to hold an important office, be a team captain,
or have leadership positions. It is not right that their attitudes and actions should go unchecked
because it will become more and more difficult for them to change their ways if they are honored
for their sin.
Do not become their friend (Proverbs 22:24). Do not become friends with a person who is caught up
in wrong activities because soon you will become involved in some way yourself. But do remember
not to confuse friendship with friendliness. Gods Word teaches us that we are to be friendly, cheerful,
and kind to all. Friendship, however, implies more than friendliness. Friendship involves going with
them to their favorite places and becoming involved with them. It is important to be friendly always
to everyone but not to develop a close friendship with the wrong crowd.
Do not become a companion to them in their sin (Proverbs 29:24). This is the final step in becoming
involved in sinful activities.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. A good friend helps us be wise, helps us rejoice, gives us good advice, and helps us to be a better person.
A bad friend encourages us to be angry, pulls us down and makes our lives unstable and trouble-
some.
2. to attract by arousing hope or desire; to lure; to tempt
3. to go with them to do wrong, to hurt other people, to desire to have things by stealing them, and to
be a part of their group
4. He did right in the sight of the Lord.
5. Jehoiada the priest
6. the princes of Judah who worshiped idols
7.
patterns
go
yield
friend
companion

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L E S S O N 9

GOOD FRIENDS
AND BAD FRIENDS
It is good to be polite and friendly to everyone we meet. We should always assume the
best about others. We should desire to be kind and helpful to everyone. In this sense,
everyone can be your friend.
But there are other deeper levels of friendship. When we begin to choose our closest
companions, it is important to choose wisely who those companions will be. You
probably desire to have a friend who is interested in you and in what you like to do. You
want friends whom you can trust and who can trust you. You want to be able to confide
in a friend without fear that your thoughts will be shared with anyone else. Having true
friends is a wonderful gift in life.
Read each of these verses and explain in your own words what a true friend will be like.

Proverb How A True Friend Will Help Us

13:20 He helps us be wise.

27:9 He helps us rejoice and gives good advice.

27:17 He helps us to be a better person.

Read these verses and explain what the wrong kind of friends will do.

Proverb What A Bad Friend Will Do

22:24-25 An angry friend will encourage us to be angry and will pull us down.

25:19 An unfaithful friend will make our lives unstable and troublesome.

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How Wrong Friends Hurt Us


Read Proverbs 1:10-19 carefully. Then go back and answer the questions below.
What command does God give us in verse 10 concerning the type of friends we are to have?
If sinners entice us to do something, we should not do it.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What does the word entice mean? Use your dictionary if you need it.
to attract by arousing hope or desire; to lure; to tempt
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What do the following verses say that the wrong types of friends might entice you to do?

to go with them to do wrong and hurt other people


Verses 1112 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

to desire to have things by stealing them


Verse 13 ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

to be a part of their group


Verse 14 ________________________________________________________
These friends are not what they seem. What are they really like, and what will be their
end? (See verses 16-19.)
They are evil and will hurt innocent people. They are greedy. They will eventually
______________________________________________________________________
hurt themselves and perhaps lose their lives.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

A Personal Example
At some time or another, everyone has been enticed to do wrong or to go along silently
while wrong was being done. In the last few months, have you felt enticed to do wrong?
If you can think of an example or two, explain what happened and how you handled it
at the time. If you did not handle yourself wisely, explain what you might do differently
if it were to happen again. Do not be afraid to explain what you did wrong if you did not
handle it rightly, because sometimes it is through our failures that we learn how to do
right the next time.

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LESSON 9 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

An example: _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Another example: ________________________________________________


_______________________________________________________________

The Example Of Joash


Our friends have a great influence on us. Everyone wants his friends to agree with him
and be like him in the way he thinks and acts. Do you remember when we said that our
attitudes affect our actions? If you rebel against God and choose friends who have wrong
attitudes and actions, you will tend to become like them. On the other hand, if you are
thinking in light of Gods wisdom and His good plans for your life, you will desire to seek
friends who will help you live in a way that honors Him. You will choose friends who
also want Gods will.
In the Bible, we can read about Joash, a young king who found out the hard way that his
choice of friends would change the course of his life. Turn to 2 Chronicles 24 and read the
chapter completely. You will find that the life of Joash could be divided into two parts. In
a short paragraph below, explain what Joashs character was like during the earlier and
later portions of his life and what important events happened during each portion.

Part One (24:1-16)


He began to reign at 7 years old and reigned for 40 years.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He did right in the sight of the Lord.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Jehoiada the priest helped him.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He restored the temple.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He collected money from the people in a chest and used it to pay the
_______________________________________________________________
workmen for restoring the temple.
_______________________________________________________________

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Part Two (24:17-27)


After Jehoiada died, those who had turned against the Lord became
_______________________________________________________________
Joashs friends.
_______________________________________________________________

Jehoiadas son, Zechariah, prophesied the Lords warning against the


_______________________________________________________________
people for their idolatry.
_______________________________________________________________

Joash had Zechariah stoned to death.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Joash turned to idolatry.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Joash was slain by his own servants


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

When did Joash begin to change his attitudes and actions?


after Jehoiada died
______________________________________________________________________

Who encouraged this change in Joash?


the princes of Judah who worshiped idols
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What do you think about the change that took place in Joash?
Joash turned to evil when he became friends with evil men.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How might 1 Corinthians 15:33 be applied to the story of Joash?


Joashs life is an illustration of how evil companions can corrupt someones life.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What lesson(s) can you learn from 1 Corinthians 15:33?


To avoid a corrupt life I need to avoid evil companions.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Teachers Lesson

friends
Wrong ________________ patterns
build wrong __________________ for our lives.

go with
Do not ______________ them (Prov. 1:15).

yield
Do not __________ ways
to their ________ (Prov. 25:26).

overlooking
By ______________________ their sin (Prov. 28:23)

honoring
By ________________ them (Prov. 26:1)

friend
Do not become their ____________ (Prov. 22:24).

companion
Do not become a __________________ to them in their sin (Prov. 29:24).

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LESSON 9 | 137
L E S S O N 9 Q U I Z
GOOD FRIENDS AND BAD FRIENDS
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. According to the Book of Proverbs, what is one difference between a good friend and a bad
friend?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. What does the word entice mean?


______________________________________________________________________________

3. According to Proverbs 1, what will the wrong type of friends entice you to do?
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

4. What was Joash like when he first became king?


______________________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________________

5. Who influenced Joash to do good?


______________________________________________________________________________

6. Who influenced Joash to do evil?


_______________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________________

7. Complete the following statements about wrong companions.


Wrong friends build wrong _____________________________________________ for our lives.
Do not _________________________________________________ with them (Proverbs 1:15).
Do not _______________________________________________ to their ways (Proverbs 25:26).
Do not become their _____________________________________________ (Proverbs 22:24).
Do not become a __________________________________to them in their sin (Proverbs 29:24).

LESSON 9 QUIZ
Wrong friends build wrong patterns for our lives.
Do not go with them (Prov. 1:15).
Do not yield to their ways (Prov. 25:26).
By overlooking their sin (Prov. 28:23)
By honoring them (Prov. 26:1)
Do not become their friend (Prov. 22:24).
Do not become a companion to them
in their sin (Prov. 29:24).
LESSON 9 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 1 0

CHOOSING THE RIGHT FRIENDS

TARGET TRUTHS
We must be cautious not to judge and condemn others when we do not have all the facts about their
problem.
We need to learn to listen to our friends and encourage them when they have problems.
We are to stay away from those who would pull us down.
We need to choose our friends carefully.

TEACHING STRATEGY

Jobs Friends
Have your students work through this lesson in pairs and then discuss it together as a class, allowing
each of them to give his or her input. Emphasize the following two attitudes that cause problems: (1) a
judgmental attitude that assumes we know all the circumstances in another persons life (remember that
there are two sides to every situation, and we do not always know the complete truth); (2) a judgmental
attitude that assumes we know what is going on in the heart of another person (we cannot know another
persons heart attitudeonly God can see the heart).

Learning To Listen
Many young people have a difficult time knowing how to communicate. This is a problem that can last
throughout a lifetime if it is not addressed. Middle school students tend to be absorbed in their own lives
and interests and generally talk about things that they have done or things in which they are interested.
Often there is little interaction. Go over the following guidelines to help them understand what true
communication is.
Listen to what your friend is saying so you can respond to him. Dont be thinking, What can I say
about myself? Listen and your turn to talk will come.
Be truly interested in your friend and treat him as you would like to be treated. You want people to
listen to you and be interested in you, so you need to learn to do this to others.
Ask questions about what the other person is talking about so he will know you are interested.
Ask questions when you are talking to someone who is not a close friend to show him that you are
interested in him. Try to draw him out in this way, listen to him, be interested, and you will find that
you will make many friends.

140 |LESSON 10
Companions To Avoid
Have your students complete this section on their own and use it as a basis for discussion or complete it
together as a class. Make sure the meanings of words are clearly understood. Use the teachers lesson with
this section.

Evaluating My Friendships
Before students complete this section, have them discuss again the main ideas about what makes a good
or a bad friend by reviewing Lessons 9 and 10. Then have them list the qualities that they think are
particularly important for a close friend. By evaluating an unnamed friend, they can begin to evaluate
whether they are making wise choices in this area. Do not allow them to share this second area openly so
that they will be honest, and none of their friends will be embarrassed.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION


Have your students write a FRIENDSHIP acrostic. Use words or phrases from the letters in the word
FRIENDSHIP or the phrase A TRUE FRIEND to form an acrostic. Use the best ones as the basis for a
bulletin board display. An example of an acrostic is given below.
Forever true
Real and genuine
Interested in others
Excited about right activities
Never carries tales
Desires my best

TEACHERS LESSON
Wrong companions have qualities about them that we do not want to associate with because they will
bring us down to their level. We may not want to be like them, but sooner or later we will become like
them if we arent careful. We need to be aware of how a wrong companion will act.
His mouth uses unbiblical words
Curses (Exodus 20:7)using the Lords name or any words that refer to the Lord in vain or using
other words that are considered cursing
Uses crude words
Uses immoral words (Ephesians 5:4)such as sex terms and filthy and suggestive talk
Gossips (Ephesians 4:29)involves repeating unhelpful stories about people
Criticizeswords that are said with the intent to destroy or tear down a person
Tells lies (Proverbs 6:16-19)includes all the attitudes embodied in this passage including telling
half-truths

LESSON 10 | 141
His eyesEyes speak in many ways. Many sins begin when we look at wrong things and begin to
desire those things. We also convey certain feelings and attitudes through our eyes. (Have your stu-
dents demonstrate and discuss what certain looks communicate.)
Lustful looks (1 John 2:16)This happens when we look at wrong pictures in magazines, in the
movies, on television, or on the internet.
Jealousy (1 Samuel 18:7-9)We become jealous when someone has something we wish we could
have or when we think another person is more popular than we are or better at sports. We often
show our jealousy in our eyes.
Fault-finding (Matthew 7:3-5)A sneering look shows that we are mocking or critical of someone
else, often with an attitude of ridiculing that person.
Rebelliousness (Proverbs 30:17)This evidences itself by a cold stare or rolling of the eyes in
which we show we are rebellious even if we do not say anything wrong.
His feet (Prov. 6:18)They speak by going places they should not go. Be careful that peer pressure
does not encourage you to go places where you will find trouble.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Since God does not destroy or trouble the righteous, Job must have sinned.
2. Job must have forgotten God. Job was a hypocrite.
3. Zophar
4. They had judgmental attitudes, and they did not know Jobs heart.
5. to offer a sacrifice to Him and to let Job pray for them
6. I should not be their close friends. I should avoid them, forsake them, and not get involved with
them.
7. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
curses
uses crude words
uses immoral words
gossips
criticizes
tells lies
8. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
lustful looks
jealousy
fault-finding
rebelliousness

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LESSON 10 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 1 0

CHOOSING THE
RIGHT FRIENDS
We have already studied the life of Job and learned about his tribulations. We learned
a little about how he continued to trust the Lord and have the right responses
during his trials.
During the time that Job was having so many problems, three of his friends came to help
him.

Jobs Friends
What did Eliphaz believe about God that led him to conclude that sin was the
cause of all Jobs problems? Read Job 4:7-8.
God does not destroy or trouble the righteous, so Job must have sinned.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The problem with this attitude is that it is very judgmental of Job, and it is simply not
what the Bible teaches. This friend was drawing conclusions about Jobs problems and
what God was doing in Jobs life. We should be careful not to think that we understand all
that is happening in other peoples lives. The message of the first two chapters of Job is
actually that very bad things sometimes happen to very godly people. God allows them
into our lives for purposes that we do not always understand.
What did Bildad say was the cause of Jobs problems? Read Job 8:13-15.
Job must have forgotten God, even though Job had been saying he was faithful to
______________________________________________________________________
God. That made Job a hypocrite.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Bildad did not show true friendship because, like Eliphaz, he jumped to conclusions that
were not true. In suggesting that Job was a hypocrite, Bildad was saying that Job was not
telling the truth about himself. He said Job was pretending to be an honest and upright

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man when he was obviously not so. This was a very cruel thing to say since Bildad did not
truly know Jobs heart. No one can know what is in another persons heart as God does.
We need to learn to think the best of one another and not assume the worst.
In response to what Bildad and Eliphaz had told him, Job said that these things were
not true. Job explained that if he had done wrong, God would judge him, and they did
not have to judge him.
Then Jobs third friend, Zophar, told him what he thought. Read Job 11:1-6, and explain
what Zophar told Job.
He said that Job lied and mocked the truth. He said that God was actually lenient in
______________________________________________________________________
His dealings with Job in the light of his sin.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

We have seen what was wrong with Bildad and Eliphazs attitudes toward Job. Now
explain what was also wrong with Zophars attitude.
He had a judgmental attitude. He did not know Jobs heart.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

After all these things had taken place, God showed Jobs friends what He thought of their
attitudes. Read Job 42:7-9. What did God say to Jobs friends about the advice they had
given Job, and what did He tell them to do about this?
God was angry because they did not speak the truth about Him. God told them to
______________________________________________________________________
offer a sacrifice to Him and to let Job pray for them.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Notice that God was angry with Jobs friends because they had not spoken rightly about
Himself, not because they said bad things about Job. We need to learn how the root of
our sin is often that we present a false picture of what God is like. When we fail to trust
Him or worship Him with our whole lives, we tell people around us that He is not worthy
of our trust and worship.
Remember that these were Old Testament times. What is different about what God asked
Jobs friends to do and what He asks you to do today?
God told Jobs friends to offer a sacrifice. We do not have to offer sacrifices today
______________________________________________________________________
because Jesus was our perfect sacrifice. We confess our sins to God when we sin.
______________________________________________________________________

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LESSON 10 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What was Jobs attitude toward his friends through all of these events? Read Job 42:10.
Job prayed for his friends out of concern for them.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What did Jobs relatives and other friends do for him? See verse 11.
They comforted him and brought him gifts.
______________________________________________________________________

After reading about Job and his friends, what lessons can you learn and what conclusions
might you reach to about friendships?

Dont judge others when you dont have all the facts.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Pray for your friends when they hurt you.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Forgive your friends when they do wrong.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Sometimes our friends do not act correctly, and they say things that they should not say.
When this happens and our feelings are hurt, we need to forgive them. Often, our friends
do not understand what they are doing, and it is helpful to talk over a problem with them.
We are commanded to speak the truth in love. Remember that Job prayed for his friends
and forgave them for what they had said. Also remember that it is important to be kind
and understanding toward your friends. When they are in trouble or need help, be a good
listener and tell them that you care about them.

Learning To Listen
One of the most important aspects of being a friend is listening attentively. Many times young
people are so busy talking about their own problems, interests, and activities that they
forget that their friends also have problems, interests, and activities.
Being a good listener means that there is a time to give your friend your full attention and
concern. Sometimes a friend just needs to talk, and we need to listen. Perhaps they dont

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LESSON 10 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

even want advice or inputthey just want to talk to someone they can trust. We will be
the most encouraging kind of friends when we help them think great thoughts about
God and lead them to trust Him. Often our friends will be most willing to hear us talk
about God after we have heard about the burdens on their hearts.
How could Jobs friends have been more faithful to God and Job when Job was sharing his
problems and feelings?
They could have had encouraged Job by helping him to trust in God rather than
____________________________________________________________________
condemning him. They could have prayed for him and supported him.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Companions To Avoid
In Lesson 9 we found that wrong companions or friends can lead you to unwise choices
that displease God. They can pull you down and cause you to have many problems. In
this lesson, you will find specific types of people that you should learn to avoid as close
companions.
Read each verse below and write (1) the type of person to be avoided and (2) what the
verse tells you concerning your involvement with them. The first one has been completed
as an example for you.

Proverb Type Of Person How To Respond

3:31 oppressor Dont envy him or choose his ways.

4:14 wicked Dont go with him.

9:6 foolish Forsake him.

20:19 talebearer or gossip Avoid him.

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LESSON 10 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

22:10 scorner or mocker Get rid of him.

22:24 an angry man Dont become friends with him.

23:2021 drunkards Dont be among them.

those given to
24:21 Dont be involved with them.
change

If there are any words in the verses above that you are unfamiliar with, be sure to look
them up in the dictionary and jot the meaning in the margins or the table above.

Evaluating My Friendships
Look over what you have studied about friendships in Lessons 9 and 10. On the left side
of the chart below, list the qualities that you personally think are important in a friend.
On the right side of the chart, think of someone whom you consider to be a friend. You
need not write his or her name, but list in the tables below some qualities that this
friend has. Is he or she a good choice for a friend?__________

Qualities I Want In A Friend My Friend Has These Qualities

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Teachers Lesson

How A Wrong Companion Acts


His Mouth

Curses
____________ (Ex. 20:7)

Uses crude words


________________________________

Uses immoral words


____________________________________ (Eph. 5:4)

Gossips
______________ (Eph. 4:29)

Criticizes
____________________

Tells lies
____________________ (Prov. 6:16-19)

His Eyes

Lustful looks
__________________________ (1 John 2:16)

Jealousy
________________ (1 Sam. 18:7-9)

Fault-finding
__________________________ (Matt. 7:3-5)

Rebelliousness
____________________________ (Prov. 30:17)

His Feet: go places they should not go (Prov. 6:18)

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148 |LESSON 10
L E S S O N 1 0 Q U I Z
CHOOSING THE RIGHT FRIENDS
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. Why did Jobs friend, Eliphaz, say that Job was having all his problems?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2. What did Bildad say was the cause of Jobs problems?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. Who was Jobs third friend who said that God was actually being lenient with Job?
________________________________________________________________________________

4. What was wrong with the attitudes of Jobs three friends?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. What did God finally tell Jobs friends to do?


________________________________________________________________________________

6. According to Proverbs, how should you respond to people who are wicked and foolish and who are
talebearers and scorners?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

7. Name two things a wrong companion does with his mouth.


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

8. Name two things a wrong companion does with his eyes.


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 10 QUIZ
How A Wrong Companion Acts
His Mouth
Curses (Ex. 20:7)
Uses crude words
Uses immoral words (Eph. 5:4)
Gossips (Eph. 4:29)
Criticizes
Tells lies (Prov. 6:16-19)
His Eyes
Lustful looks (1 John 2:16)
Jealousy (1 Sam. 18:7-9)
Fault-finding (Matt. 7:3-5)
Rebelliousness (Prov. 30:17)
His Feet: go places they should not go (Prov. 6:18)

LESSON 10 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 1 1

HOW TO KEEP GOOD FRIENDS

TARGET TRUTHS
Understand the different levels and expectations of friendships.
See the example of commitment in Jonathan and Davids friendship.
Learn specifically how to become a good friend.

TEACHING STRATEGY

Levels Of Friendship
Many books describe four, five, or even six levels of friendship. But for middle school purposes, these
three levels are more basic to their levels of interaction. Use the chart on pages 87-88 as a basis for class
discussion, having your students complete the chart as the ideas are discussed. Each level of friendship
carries the qualities of the previous level with it. Emphasize that at all levels, the key attitude is friendship
that denotes kindness, encouragement, and support.

Two Common Problems To Avoid


After completing this section, make sure your students remember the two problems to avoid:
1. Telling everyone about other peoples problems
2. Being nosy and meddling in problems that do not concern you

The Example Of King David


Have your students complete this assignment on their own and use it for discussion of what a close
friendship really involves. Be sure to bring out the point that Jonathan had every reason to be jealous of
David. Jonathan was King Sauls son. According to the usual passage of the crown, he should have been the
king when his father Saul died. But Jonathan knew that God had chosen David, and he was content with
this. He loved David; he was Davids friend. Therefore, he would never do anything but good for David.
He only wanted what was best for his friend.
After discussing this section, ask your students what level of friendship was evident between David and
Jonathan. How was this evident?

LESSON 11 | 151
How To Gain Friends
Our natural interst is in how to pick a good friend, but now we are emphasizing how to be a good friend.
Each point in this section is important and needs to be taken to heart. As you go through this section, help
your students to personalize each point as much as possible. Tell them to think through how they respond
to others using these guidelines.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS


Have your students write the names of two or three people whom they believe they can encourage in
some way. These people should be on the acquaintance or casual level of friendship. Beside each name
have them write one specific thing they can do to help meet that persons needs. Encourage them to
follow through on their decisions by actually doing these things sometime during the next week. After
a week, have them report on what actually took place if they were able to follow through with their
plans.
Read Matthew 6:1-4 and 23:11-12 and ask your students the following questions:
Why is it wrong to do things for others just to be noticed?
What is one way we can be sure of receiving a reward from God in heaven?
What does God think when we simply go about our good deeds quietly?

TEACHERS LESSON
Young people can be very cruel and rude to one another. Such attitudes can be eliminated if your students
choose to handle themselves in a different manner. Help them recognize that they often hurt others
because they themselves have been hurt. If they learn to forgive, and if they learn to deal with their own
problems by letting God help them, they will grow in their ability to love others and show kindness in all
situations.

What Is Friendliness?
Definition: Friendliness is showing an interest in the life and affairs of others (Proverbs 18:24). Put
very simply, the key to having friends is to be a friendly person.
Antonyms: Have your students share their ideas of words that would be an antonym to friendliness.
The root of the problem is selfishness or self-centeredness, which means that we are so wrapped up in
our own interests, problems, and needs that we do not pay attention to others.
Characteristics:
A friendly person listens as much as he talks.
A friendly person doesnt just listen but communicates with the other person by asking questions,
showing an interest, and sharing about himself when it is appropriate.
A friendly person smiles.

152 |LESSON 11
Sometimes we do not smile. This happens for several reasons. Sometimes we feel it is not cool, or
we are too self-conscious and unsure of ourselves. Sometimes we are ashamed of braces or some
such thing when we should realize that this shame reflects self-centeredness and pride. We are
thinking more about what people think about us than about showing others that we have joy in
the lives God has given us. It is important to smile for the following reasons:
A smile shows that you are interested in others and that you are not self-conscious and filled with
pride.
A smile shows you are kind and approachable instead of cold and uncaring.
A smile puts others at ease. Smiling relaxes you so you are not tense or nervous around others.
When you are relaxed, others around you relax. This communicates a sense of peace and confi-
dence in God.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1.
Acquaintance little personal contact; conversations are usually about general topics
Casual friendship have common interests, activities, and concerns; conversations are more spe-
cific
Close, personal friendship share personal goals, feelings, and ideas; can give personal advice and
make suggestions
2. kindness, encouragement, and support
3.
Telling secrets and sharing with everyone about other peoples problems
Being nosy and meddling in problems that do not concern you

4. He gave him his robe, bow, and sword as a sign of their commitment to each other. He told him
when his father planned to kill him. He promised to help him escape from his father.

5. Any three of the following would be acceptable:


Show the kind of love that covers all sins.
Be faithful and conceal secrets.
Love at all times, especially in adversity.
Be friendly to others.
Help those less fortunate than you.
Dont be a pest and stay at someones house too long.
Rebuke only in love.
Give good counsel or advice to your friend.
Dont forsake your friend.
6.
interested
kind; cold
ease; nervous

LESSON 11 | 153
SELF-EVALUATION
1. For each of the following, rate yourself 5, 4, 3, 2 or 1, with 5 being the highest and 1 being the lowest.
1. _____ I pray for the needs of specific people other than myself every day.
2. _____ When a friend is talking, I concentrate on listening to what he is saying rather than just
thinking about what I will say next.
3. _____ I am more concerned about others than I am about myself.
4. _____ I am genuinely glad when something good happens to one of my friends.
5. _____ It is easy for me to talk to a casual friend or an acquaintance.
6. _____ I am not a gossip or a meddler.
7. _____ I am courteous to everyone.
8. _____ When a friend confides in me, I can keep a secret.
9. _____ I am genuinely kind to others whether or not they are close personal friends.
10. _____ I generally smile at others.

2. How are you less self-centered today than you were a year ago?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. What are three specific ways you can take action to become less self-centered over the next year?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 11 HAND OU T
LESSON 11 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 1 1

HOW TO KEEP
GOOD FRIENDS
Many young people do not make and keep good friendships because they do not
understand how to be a good friend. By thinking about the different kinds of
friendships we can have and by studying what Scripture teaches about friendships, we
can grow in our ability to be and have good friends.

Levels Of Friendship
We can never have the same level of close friendships with everyone we know. Listen as
your teacher discusses a helpful way to understand three levels of friendship. Then fill
in the blanks in the chart below (1) to describe what each level of friendship is like and
how it differs from the other levels, and (2) to explain what we need to do in order to be
a friend to others on each level.

Level Distinguishing Characteristics How To Be A Friend On This Level

personal
Little ___________________ Smile
_______________________.
contact kind
Be _________________ and
Acquaintance Conversations are mostly courteous
_______________________.
general
about __________________ Demonstrate general
topics. interest
________________in others.

interests,
Have common ___________ kind
Be _________________ and
activities,
_______________________ courteous
_______________________.
concerns
and ____________________ specifically
Casual Talk ____________________
Friendship Conversations are more about common interests.
specific
_______________________ encourager
Be an __________________
Pray
___________ for each other.

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goals
Share personal ___________, problems
Share personal ___________
feelings
___________________ and concerns
____________________ and
ideas
_______________________ _______________________.
advice
Can give personal ________ listener
Be a good ______________.
Close, Personal
Friendship and make _______________ counsel
Seek ____________ and give
suggestions
_______________________ advice
_______________________.
encourager
Be an __________________.
Pray
___________ for each other.

What attitudes should you display to everyone, no matter what levels of friendship you
may have with them?
kindness, encouragement and support; never gossiping or lying about them
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Two Common Problems To Avoid


Read Proverbs 25:9-10. These verses discuss a temptation that is common to all of us. Too
many of us cant seem to stop telling people about problems we are having with others.
We give details of the problem or situation over and over again to as many as we can find
who will listen. Naturally, others like to hear the details of such stories. Why do you think
we enjoy hurting one another in this way?
By telling secrets about others, we think we seem more important. We like to know
______________________________________________________________________
more than what others know (answers will vary).
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Remember that a gossip, or talebearer, enjoys telling secrets. If he is willing to tell you a
secret about someone else, it is likely he will also talk about you just as willingly behind
your back.

A second problem is described in Proverbs 26:17. Read this verse, and you will see that
Solomon is describing a nosy person. This is the other side of the talebearers problem as
discussed above. A nosy person wants to know all the details of other peoples problems.
Knowing details gives a nosy person a sense of superiority. He enjoys feeling that he

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LESSON 11 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

knows all the details about everyone else. In Proverbs terms, he is a meddler because
he likes interfering in other peoples affairs.
Do you see either of these tendencies in yourself or your friends? _________________
What can you do about problems with meddling or gossip in your school? (Discuss ideas
with your class.)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The Example Of King David


According to Psalm 119:63, what kind of friends (companions) did King David want?
those who feared the Lord and obeyed His precepts
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

According to 1 Samuel 18:1-4, what friend did God give to David, and how do you know
they were friends?
Jonathan was Davids friend. He loved David as he loved himself. They made a
______________________________________________________________________
commitment show love for each other. Jonathan gave David his robe, bow, and
______________________________________________________________________
sword as a sign of this commitment.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Jonathans father, King Saul, grew jealous of David because he had become popular with
the people after he had killed Goliath. An evil spirit came upon Saul, and he developed a
great hatred for David. King Saul hated David so much that he wanted to see him killed.
Read 1 Samuel 19:1-7, and answer the questions below to see how Jonathan showed his
friendship for David.
What was the relationship between King Saul and Davids friend Jonathan?
Saul was Jonathans father.
______________________________________________________________________

What did King Saul tell Jonathan?


that he had told his servants to kill David
______________________________________________________________________

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How did Jonathan demonstrate his strong friendship to David?


He told David what Saul had said and then told Saul good things about David.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What was the result?


Saul decided not to have David killed.
______________________________________________________________________

King Saul decided not to harm David, but his change of heart did not last long. Over and
over, the king would seek to kill David, and David would have to flee again for his life.
Read 1 Samuel 20:1-4. How did Jonathan show his friendship again in this passage?
He promised to help David escape from his father and to do anything else that
______________________________________________________________________
would help him.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

For several years, David continued running for his life. King Saul even took an army
of men to hunt him down and kill him. Throughout all of these events, the Bible says
that God was with David in all his ways. Finally, King Saul was killed during a battle,
and eventually David was crowned king. Normally it would have been the kings son
who would have become king when his father died. If this had been true, who would
Jonathan
have become king? ________________ But this was not Gods plan. It was Gods plan
for David to be the next king. Even though Jonathan knew this, he was a true friend to
David. How is Jonathans friendship with David described in 1 Samuel 20:17?
Jonathan loved David as he loved his own soul.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How To Gain Friends


We have already studied the qualities of a good friend and what kinds of people we
should avoid as close friends. Now we should look at the other side of friendship. If you
want to have good friends, you need to be a good friend. Read the following verses and
list some ways to be a good friend to others.

Love covers all sins.


Proverbs 10:12 ___________________________________________________

Be faithful and keep secrets.


Proverbs 11:13 ___________________________________________________

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Love at all times, especially in adversity.


Proverbs 17:17 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Be friendly to others.
Proverbs 18:24 ___________________________________________________

Help those who are less fortunate than you.


Proverbs 22:9 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Dont be a pest and stay at their house too long.


Proverbs 25:17 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Rebuke only in love.


Proverbs 27:5-6 __________________________________________________

Give good counsel or advice to your friend.


Proverbs 27:9 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Dont forsake your friend.


Proverbs 27:10 ___________________________________________________

Think about the friendship Jonathan had with David. Write down which qualities listed
above were evident in Jonathans life. Tell what Jonathan did that showed each quality.

Jonathan was a faithful friend and kept Davids secrets


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Jonathan showed his love at all times, especially in adversity.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Jonathan gave David good advice.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Jonathan did not forsake David.


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Now look over the list of ideas that you have written from the verses in Proverbs. Using
the chart below, evaluate your own friendliness. Put each idea in one of the two boxes to
indicate how you are doing in being a friend to others.

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My Good Friendship Qualities Things I Need To Work On

Teachers Lesson

Friendliness
Definition
interest
Showing an _________________ life
in the __________ affairs
and ______________
of others.

Antonyms

Selfishness
____________________________________________________________

Self-centeredness
____________________________________________________________

Characteristics
A friendly person

Listens as much as he talks.


_______________________________________________________________

Asks questions and shows an interest in what others are talking about.
_______________________________________________________________

Smiles
_______________________________________________________________

Shows he is interested in others and not self-conscious.


_______________________________________________________________

Shows he is kind and not cold and uncaring.


_______________________________________________________________

Puts others at ease by showing he is not tense or nervous.


_______________________________________________________________

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L E S S O N 1 1 Q U I Z
HOW TO KEEP GOOD FRIENDS
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. List the three levels of friendship and briefly describe each one.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. What attitudes should you display to others at all levels of friendship?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. What two common problems should you avoid in order to be the kind of person who keeps good
friends?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

4. How did Jonathan show David that he was a good friend?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. List three things we are told to do in Proverbs that will help us gain friends by being a good friend.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

6. Complete the following statements that tell about the benefits of smiling.
A smile shows that you are ________________________________in others and that you are not
self-conscious.
A smile shows that you are ___________________ and not __________________ and uncaring.
A smile puts others at _____________ by showing you are not tense or ___________________ .

LESSON 11 QUIZ
Friendliness
Definition: showing an interest in the life and affairs of others.
Antonyms
Selfishness
Self-centeredness
Characteristics
A friendly person...
Listens as much as he talks
Asks questions and shows an interest in what others are
talking about

LESSON 11 OVERHEAD
Friendliness (Continued)
Smiles
Shows he is interested in others and not self-conscious
Shows he is kind and not cold and uncaring
Puts others at ease by showing he is not tense or nervous
LESSON 11 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 1 2

LOVING ALL PEOPLE

TARGET TRUTHS
If we love God, we will love all other people.
There is no respect of persons with God.
By loving others, we can help them come to know Jesus as Savior and Lord.

TEACHING STRATEGY

Loving One Another/How We Treat Others/Writing A Principle


Students are to look up the commands God gives to us concerning the need to love one another and how
we are to treat one another. Emphasize that our treatment of others is very important to God, and we need
to take these particular commandments very seriously.
For the third section, have them think through all the verses and commands from the previous two sections
and write a principle on how to treat one another. Have your students share the principles they have written
with the rest of the class. This will reemphasize the concepts from several different points of view.
Before leaving this section, ask the class to consider if there is anyone in their lives whom they dislike or
often laugh at and make fun of. Do not allow discussion concerning this, but ask them to consider why they
act as they do or why they dislike someone. Tell your students to consider what this reveals about their own
character. Then ask them to consider what they need to do to change their attitudes and behavior.

Prejudice
Read through the discussion of the hostility that had developed between the Samaritans and the Jews.
Compare this to the hostilities that exist in our world today such as Muslims and Christians, Jews and
Arabs, racial tensions in the United States tracing back to slavery, or other contemporary issues. Help
your students recognize that this is an age-old problem, but we do not have to demonstrate these attitudes
ourselves.

The Samaritan Woman


The purpose of studying this story is to show how much importance Jesus attached to overcoming
prejudice. As a Jew, Jesus would have generally traveled around Samaria rather than through this country.
He chose to travel through the country on purpose. One likely reason for this was to show His love for
the Samaritan people. Another reason was to show His love to a particular Samaritan woman and to show
her how to be saved.

164 |LESSON 12
The Good Samaritan
In this parable, Jesus could easily have chosen the priest or some other Jew to be the good guy, but He
chose a Samaritan to teach that the goodness of a person has nothing to do with his race or what he does
in life.

How We Show Respect Of Persons


Have your students show they understand what you have discussed and can apply it to their lives by listing
specific ways in which teens have respect of persons.

Zacchaeus
This story has less to do with racial prejudice than it does with prejudice against a person because of what
he does. Part of the impact of this story is the common problem of thinking wrongly about ourselves because
we thing wrongly about God. There are many reasons why people do wrong things. This does not make the
sin right, but many times we must look beyond the sin itself to help the person address the root cause and
learn to obey the Lord. We do not know for sure, but perhaps Zacchaeus was trying to make himself look
important in the worlds eyes because he was so small in stature. Perhaps he thought that by having power
over others, he would feel more important.
Discuss the perceived problem of self-worth a little at this point. Have your students discuss ways in
which people try to feel important because they do not feel good enough in other ways. Explain how this
problem is really caused by thinking incorrectly about God. Jesus has an important plan for all of us, and
in this plan we find great worth and purpose in this world. Our wrong view of our own value is caused
by the fact that we do not trust Gods wise plan for our lives. If we learn to thank God for how He made
us and trust Him to show us our worth and purpose, we will not feel like we have to do wrong things as
Zacchaeus did just to feel important.
Jesus saw through Zacchaeus sin to the person inside. He reached out to Zacchaeus in the right way
and changed his life. Zacchaeus became a follower of Jesus and gave back all the money he had stolen.
Loving others is a very powerful way to help them.

Think About Yourself


It might be a good idea to have a time of prayer before having students complete this section in class. Tell
them to think through their attitudes toward others and really analyze anyone that they tend to reject and
how they can change so they can show love instead.

LESSON 12 | 165
ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Service To Others
Whenever we are obedient to Gods will and He gives us a particular task, service to others will be a
part of that task. Have your students share examples of this truth in regard to parents, teachers, friends,
or others.
According to Mark 10:45, what was a key purpose for Jesus life on this earth? Have your students use
a dictionary or thesaurus to discover at least three synonyms for the terms minister, or serve.
The worlds way is usually to put down others for the way they look, the way they act, or the things they
dont have. Most people do not realize that the reason they enjoy doing these things is that it is their
way of building themselves up and trying to make themselves look better. This may be why Zacchaeus
used his power and authority over people and stole from them. By putting them down, it made him
feel bigger. What should you do the next time you think about treating someone else as being less
important than you?

Special Project
Have your students read Matthew 9:36; 14:14; 15:32; 20:34; Ephesians 4:32; Colossians 3:12; and 1 Peter
3:8, and discuss the meaning of the verses together. Help students to analyze whether or not they have ever
really made a difference in the life of another person by showing compassionparticularly in the life of
someone to whom they are not usually close. Have them think of someone that they can reach out to and
make a difference in that persons life. They should not write down the name of the person, but they should
list those things that they plan to do to make a difference. Then, have the class review this assignment
from time to time to analyze how they are doing in their commitment to making a difference in the lives
of others through compassion.

TEACHERS LESSON
The principle of love for one another is one of the central principles of the Bible. Many other commands
are built on this one principle. Christ showed us this principle of love in many ways:
He became poor so that we might become rich.
He died so that we might live.
He went hungry so that we might be filled.
He grew weary and tired so that we might have rest.
He gave up heaven so that we might enjoy heaven.
He gave up all comforts so that we might be comforted.
He was thirsty so so that we might have the water of life.
He wept so that we might rejoice.
(See if your students might be able to add similar statements to the above list.)
166 |LESSON 12
The basis of love is the character of Jesus. Read the verses shown to emphasize the character and love of
Christ: John 3:16; 15:13; Romans 5:8; and 1 John 4:9-10. From these verses learn the following lessons:
Gods love extends to all mankind. It does not depend on who we are. Jesus died for the world in
such a way that anyone who believes in Him can receive the offer of salvation.
Gods love does not depend on our loving Him. (See 1 John 4:10.) In fact, He died for us when we
were in our sins and did not even know Him. God wants us to learn to love others in the same way
that He loved us.
Gods love was expressed for us on the cross. We must remember that love is an action word. Love
is not simply expressed in wordit can only truly be expressed by our actions. Jesus death was
love in action. We need to show our love to others by our actions and attitudes toward them.
Therefore, based on what we have studied, genuine love is meeting the needs of others. It will have these
same characteristics as we have seen in Jesus.
We will love all people, not just our best friends.
We will love those who despise us and hurt us.
We will show our love to others, not just talk about it.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. We need to love one another.
2. He does not think one group is better than another group; He does not play favorites.
3. They hated the Samaritans and did not want to have any contact with them.
4. He wanted to share the message of His love with a certain Samaritan woman.
5. Everyone in our lives is our neighbornot just those who are like usand God calls us to show love
to everyone.
6. He was a rich tax collector and had probably stolen money from them.
7. He gave half of all he had to the poor and repaid fourfold all he had stolen.
8.
all mankind
our loving Him
on the cross
9. Any answer based on what was taught in this lesson is acceptable.

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L E S S O N 1 2

LOVING ALL PEOPLE


You have been studying how to choose friends and how to be a good friend. But this topic
of friendship extends far beyond what we have been discussing. It is one thing to think
about whom God would want you to have as your best friends, but God also has much
to say about your attitudes and love toward all people, everywhere.

Loving One Another


Read the following passages and write in your own words what God commands His
people about loving one another.

All people will know we follow Jesus because of the love we


John 13:35 ______________________________________________________
show to others.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

We show we have spiritual life if we love others.


1 John 3:14 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

If we say we love God, but we hate someone, we are liars.


1 John 4:20 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

How We Treat Others


We see that God teaches us clearly about the importance of showing love to others. God
also tells us how we are not to act toward others. Explain each of the verses below in your
own words. The phrase respecter of persons means someone who is cliquish or shows
favoritism toward one type of person or toward a special group of people, as though those
individuals or groups are better than others.

God does not sin or show partiality to certain groups.


2 Chronicles 19:7 _________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

To show favoritism is wrong.


Proverbs 28:21 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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No man that God made is common or unclean because of his


Acts 10:28 ______________________________________________________
ethnicity (the country or family into which he is born).
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

God does not play favorites.


Acts 10:34 ______________________________________________________

God does not show partiality or respect of particular


Romans 2:11 ____________________________________________________
people.
_______________________________________________________________

Do not threaten others because there is no respect of


Ephesians 6:9 ____________________________________________________
persons (or partiality) with God.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Writing A Principle Based On Scripture


Look over the verses from the above two sections and notice that God is very firm in
what He says about our attitudes toward others. In your own words, take the first section
on love and the second section on respecting others and combine them into one principle
that you should remember and live by.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Prejudice
When Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount, He told us to love our enemies. After all,
anyone can love someone who loves in return. It is easy to love our friends. Many people
of Jesus day (including the Pharisees) did not accept what Jesus taught about love. They
had many enemies.
Two groups that were bitter enemies during those times were the Jews and the Samaritans.
The Samaritans were a people who lived north of Judea, and the hostility between these
two groups stretched back almost eight hundred years. Read the explanation below about
the Jews and the Samaritans to understand the reason the hostility began:

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Great numbers of Jews were deported during the time of the Assyrian and Babylonian
captivities, but some of them were left in the land. Eventually, foreigners moved into
the area and intermarried with the remaining Jews, so they had children of mixed
nationality. Years later, when the exiled Jews were finally able to return to Palestine, they
refused to accept the impure Samaritans. The Samaritans were treated badly, but they
also added to the problem by agitating the Jews. By the time Jesus came, great prejudices
had developed between the two groups of people.
The Samaritans and Jews are just one example of what happens when one group or
class of people cannot stand another, merely because they are different. By the time
Jesus began His ministry, the hostility between the two groups had grown very strong.
Sometimes, Jews would actually attack Samaritan villages, and Samaritans were known
to murder Jewish pilgrims traveling to a feast in Jerusalem. Because of that, Jews usually
would not even travel through Samaria. Instead they would take the time to journey all
the way around Samaria, very far out of the way. They wanted nothing to do with the
Samaritans and did all they could to avoid any kind of contact with them.
There are a few stories in the Bible that mention relationships between the Jews and the
Samaritans. We will look at a couple of these especially to consider how wrong it is to
value some people more and others lesssimply because of who they are.

The Samaritan Woman


Read John 4:1-30 and be ready to explain the story in your own words. In the light of
what we are studying about prejudice, what is the significance of the following verses?

Most Jews would travel around Samaria, not through it. Jesus
Verse 4: ________________________________________________________
specifically went into Samaria for a special reason.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The woman knew that Jesus, as a Jewish man, would not


Verse 9: ________________________________________________________
ordinarily talk to her.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The disciples were surprised to see Jesus talking to a Samaritan


Verse 27: _______________________________________________________
woman, but they knew better than to question Jesus reasons.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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Do you think that Jesus knew that He would meet a Samaritan woman at the well when
He went there? Yes No

Why do you think Jesus sought her out to talk to her?


He knew that she had needs. He wanted her to learn about Gods love for her so
______________________________________________________________________
that she would be saved.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The Good Samaritan


Read Luke 10:25-37, in which Jesus tells a parable to teach a lesson to a lawyer. As
a review of this parable, complete the chart below to show how each type of person
responded to the wounded man.

Luke 10 Who Responded And How

Verse 31 A Jewish priest passed by on the other side.

Verse 32 A Levite (Jewish religious leader) passed by on the other side.

Verses 33-35 The Samaritan helped the man who was in trouble.

Why do you think Jesus chose to emphasize that the Samaritan was the compassionate
character in this story?
The Samaritans were generally hated and not thought of as possessing good
______________________________________________________________________
qualities.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Read the discussion between Jesus and the lawyer in verses 25 through 29 again. What
lessons was Jesus teaching the lawyer?

The lawyer wanted to know who his neighbor was whom he was supposed to
______________________________________________________________________
love. Jesus taught him that everyone in our lives is our neighbor not just those
______________________________________________________________________
who are like us.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Most of us would do well to study the same lesson Jesus was teaching the lawyer. In
1974, Human Behavior magazine conducted the following test: A group of students who
were studying to become pastors were asked to prepare a short devotional on the same
story you just reviewed, the story of the Good Samaritan. They were instructed to report
to a building to deliver their devotions on the radio. An actor had been placed outside
the radio station to pretend he was sick. More than half of the students walked past the
sick man because they were in too much of a hurry to stop and help. We need to think
through what our own attitudes are toward anyone who is different from us and ask
ourselves if our attitudes are what Jesus would want them to be.

How We Show Respect Of Persons


Middle school students can be very rude and even cruel to one another for reasons far
less important than the problems between the Jews and the Samaritans. Some young
people desire popularity. They might choose only certain friends whom they think will
help them become more popular. Some athletes may think they are more important than
those who are not interested or as good at athletics. Those who want to make good grades
might be tempted to ignore or despise those who struggle academically. Sometimes,
some students even shun those who do not have the resources to buy clothes or fancy
material possessions. Middle school students are often respecters of persons. Can you
make your own list of situations where you have witnessed respect of persons among
teens you know, or even situations when you might have been directly involved?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Zacchaeus
In the days of Jesus, a publican was a tax collector, and he was someone hated by
everyone. The Romans occupied the land of Palestine. They had a system of taxation in
which franchises were sold to Romans who would collect the local toll taxes. Toll stations
were placed on major roads, at seaports, and at the gates of cities. All who passed by the toll
station had to pay a toll tax. The Romans hired men under them, who in turn would hire
other men (usually Jews themselves) to do the actual collecting of taxes from the Jews.

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Zacchaeus was one of these publicans. He was the chief tax collector at Jericho and
controlled one territory. There was great room for dishonesty in this job. The tax collector
had to pay the government a certain amount each year, but he could collect as much money
as he wanted from the local people. The people who paid the taxes were greatly abused and
taken advantage of, and they knew it. The Jews felt that anyone who became a tax collector
had lowered himself and was betraying his own countrymen. With all of this in mind, read
the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10, and answer the following questions.
For what reasons would the people have hated Zacchaeus?
He was a rich publican (tax collector) who had probably stolen money from
___________________________________________________________
them.
___________________________________________________________
Why do you think Jesus chose to spend time with Zacchaeus at his house?
He wanted to show that He was not a partial respecter of persons and did not play
____________________________________________________________________
favorites.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Did Jesus heed the stereotypes or the peoples reactions? Yes No


What was the result of Jesus treatment of Zacchaeus?
Zacchaeus experienced salvation. He gave half of all he had to the poor. He repaid
_____________________________________________________________________
fourfold what he had stolen.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Think about your own attitudes toward different people. Do not use anyones name, but
explain why you might be tempted to put a particular person down and treat him badly.
How could you change and reach out to that person as Jesus reached out to those around
Him?

How Others Are


Whom Do You Reject? What Can You Do To Change?
Different From You

Race, Skin Color

Personality

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How They Look

How They Act

What They Like To Do

Other Example

Teachers Lesson
love
The basis of ________ Jesus
is the character of __________ 3:16
(John ________ 15:13
; __________ ;
5:8 4:9-10
Romans ______ ; 1 John ____________).

Gods love...
all mankind
Extends to ______________________

our loving him


Does not depend on ____________________________

on the cross
Was expressed for us ________________________

meeting the needs of others


Genuine love is ______________________________________________________ .

Showing genuine love means we will...


all people
Love ____________________, best friends
not just our ________________________.

despise
Love those who ______________ hurt
and ________ us.

Show
__________________ talk
our love to others, not just ________ about it.

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L E S S O N 1 2 Q U I Z
LOVING ALL PEOPLE
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What theme or message do John 13:35; 1 John 3:14; and 1 John 4:20 all have in common?
________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does it mean that God is no respecter of persons?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. Why did the Jews travel around Samaria and not through it?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

4. Why did Jesus choose to break tradition and travel through Samaria?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. In Luke 10, what did Jesus teach the lawyer about who his neighbor was?
________________________________________________________________________________

6. Why was Zacchaeus hated by the people?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

7. What did Zacchaeus say he was going to do after he saw how much Jesus loved him?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

8. Complete the following three truths we learned about Gods love.


Gods love extends to____________________________________________________________
Gods love does not depend on ____________________________________________________
Gods love was expressed for us ___________________________________________________

9. What changes should you make concerning the way you treat others based on what you learned in
this lesson?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 12 QUIZ
The basis of love is the character of Jesus
(John 3:16; 15:13 ; Romans 5:8; 1 John 4:9-10).
Gods love...
Extends to all mankind.
Does not depend on our loving Him..
Was expressed for us on the cross.

LESSON 12 OVERHEAD
Genuine love is meeting the needs of others
Showing genuine love means we will...
Love all people, not just our best friends.
Love those who despise and hurt us.
Show our love to others, not just talk about it.
LESSON 12 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 1 3

DEALING WITH THE FLESH

TARGET TRUTHS
God is very specific about those things that He considers to be works of the flesh.
There are definite consequences to living for the flesh.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Read and discuss the first section with your students carefully. Help them to have a clear understanding
of the difference between living according to the flesh and allowing the Holy Spirit to produce His fruit
in our lives.

The Works Of The Flesh


Students can complete this section by themselves or by working in pairs before you review the definitions
they have written. The teachers lesson supports this section by further defining the terms and showing
how the concepts interrelate.

Results Of Living Carnally


Help your students understand the importance of not falling into carnality. They need to know that
they harm both themselves and the worlds understanding of Christ with their fleshly sins. The Bible
emphasizes that sin is enjoyable for a season, but then the consequences take over and things soon begin
to fall apart. For example, it may look cool or make one feel important to engage in various kinds of
behavior under the influence of peers. But all of these unwise forms of behavior lead us to places, patterns,
and consequences in our lives that we know from the beginning that we do not want. There are always
consequences to sin, but at first we do not focus on the consequences.

Characteristics Of A Pagan
Discuss the meaning of paganism and ask students to explain the kinds of things for which pagans live.

Examples Of Paganism
Spend time discussing the problems Cain had. As explained on the chart in the teachers lesson, Cains
sins were sins of faithlessness toward God. The paganism of the people in Noahs day illustrates the sins
of wrong values.
Another good example of someone who sought fleshly desires first was Esau. Esau was more interested in
having food and being satisfied than he was in preserving his birthright. He valued the immediate over

178 |LESSON 13
the future. This led to the consequences in his life. Ask students to think of other Bible characters who put
fleshly desires first and found dire consequences for their lives. Jacob, Judas, Lot, Saul, and Samson are
good examples. The Bible abounds with stories of those who put spiritual values first and were rewarded.
Have students provide examples of some of these. Joseph, Daniel, Noah, Elijah, David, and Gideon are
good examples.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION

Interview Adult Christians


Have your students interview three different adults they know who are Christians and ask the following
question of each: What do you consider to be the most important values in life? Have your students bring
the results back to class and share these with the class. As the ideas are shared, make a list on the board
and note the similarities of values given by those interviewed. This activity will be a strong contrast to the
concepts of wrong values that are being studied this week.

TEACHERS LESSON
We are going to look at the works of the flesh in Galatians 5:19-21 from a different viewpoint that hopefully
will help you to understand the nature of these sins even better.

Moral Sins
Adultery is one of the worst of the sins of mankind because it breaks the trust and commitment of
marriage, which is a sacred and wonderful relationship that should never be taken lightly. Marriage is
intended to paint a picture of Christs relationship with his Church. Trust and fidelity or faithfulness
are key parts of marriage that should always be kept sacred. Fornication is any kind of sexual impu-
rity, but it often refers specifically to the sexually immoral sin that can happen between two unmar-
ried people. The word fornication comes from the same Greek word as the word pornographic,
which involves looking at sex-oriented pictures or movies. These two words are linked because often
pornographic pictures can influence a young person to commit fornication. We are to keep ourselves
pure so that we will be pure for our marriage partner. Some of the oldest manuscripts of the Bible in
the original language do not include a specific reference to the sin of adultery in this passage, but refer
only to fornication. Whichever manuscripts are correct, two things are clear. First, the Bible specifi-
cally condemns the sin of adultery in other passages. And second, the condemnation of fornication in
this passage is a broad condemnation that includes the sin of adultery.
Moral impurity, or uncleanness, includes not only adultery and fornication but also dirty jokes and
words and other types of immorality.
Debauchery, or lasciviousness, is the type of shameless conduct that leads a person to do immoral
things to the point that it does not bother him at all. When you begin by listening to bad language or
dirty jokes, soon you will allow things into your life that are even more immoral. It is a natural course
down an immoral path.

LESSON 13 | 179
Sins Of Wrong Values
Idolatry is putting anything on this earth ahead of your worship and allegiance to God. It is not that
the things themselves are wrong, but that they are more important in your life than God. Such things
could be clothes, friends, sports, video game systemsanything that you covet more than you desire
to know God.
Witchcraft and the occult are very important in our society today. Even the worship of Satan is an
important part of the lives of many young people. The drug culture is often a part of the occult and
Satanism because they can open our minds to demonic intrusion. We need to stay completely away
from any of these influences.

Sins Of Attitude
Hatred is hostility toward God and others. It is the beginning of a rebellious attitude.
Strife, or variance, speaks of ambitious contention with others. It means that one wants his own way
and therefore becomes argumentative.
Jealousy, or emulation, refers to the desire to prove oneself better than the other person. It includes a
definite attitude of pride.
Wrath is anger that has been put into action. Rather than existing within a person as hatred, it is now
coming out of the person as anger and outbursts of rage.
Selfish ambition involves wrath that is so strong that it creates factions or groups that are at odds with
one another. Each side has an I must win at all costs attitude.
Dissensions are the end result of strife in which division between groups has definitely taken place.
Groups are out-and-out rivals, and there is jealousy against one another.
Factions refers to the fact that at this point, everyone is arguing and taking sides against one another.
Their attitudes and disputings are based on opinions rather than facts. There is no interest in finding
out the truth or listening to the other persons side of a matter.
Envy includes the attitude of being antagonistic toward someone elses success. It means not wanting
the other side to succeed at anything and having bitterness if they do succeed.

Sins Against Society


Murders can be the eventual result of the attitude sins that started with hatred. Hatred taken to its
extreme leads to murder. And murder can be either something that is done physically with a weapon
or something that we do to kill the heart and soul of another with our wrath and bitterness. Some old
manuscripts also do not contain this term, but the Bible obviously condemns such behavior.
Drunkenness is a deadly sin because it causes addiction and sickness and wrecks homes and lives. The
Bible is very specific about the abuse of alcohol and why it is a sin against God.
Carousing, or revelings are the actions of a drunkard at wild parties. It is the uncontrolled, lustful
behavior that occurs at wild drinking parties.

180 |LESSON 13
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. G
2. C
3. I
4. A
5. E
6. J
7. D
8. B
9. H
10. F

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L E S S O N 1 3

DEALING WITH
THE FLESH
A person who is not a Christian is someone who has never trusted Jesus Christ as his
Savior. He has never turned from his life of sin to believe in Jesus work on the cross to
pay the penalty of his sin. Often, the unsaved person thinks his goodness and good works
will persuade God to allow him into heaven when he dies. But we know this assumption
is untrue because God says that unless you come through Christ, you cannot come to
God. Unless the Saviors death on the cross has been applied to your name through faith
as payment for your sin, you will die in your sins and cannot enter heaven.
But once a person has trusted Jesus as his Savior, he still may not always walk as a
Christian should walk. Many times a Christian walks and talks just as though he were not
saved. This is because he is acting carnally (or fleshly) and not spiritually.
When we are saved, the Holy Spirit comes to live within us. The Holy Spirit helps us to
become more and more like Jesus. But we have to yield to the Holy Spirit to change us
on the inside. The Holy Spirit is the one who will make us spiritually minded. When we
refuse to yield to the Holy Spirit or to let Him work in our hearts, we are acting in the
flesh. Then we feel guilty and fearful because we know that our lives are not right.
To understand this better, turn to Galatians 5:19-23. Look first at Galatians 5:22-23 where
we see what the fruit of the Spirit is. List the characteristics of the fruit of the Spirit
here:
love, joy, peace, patience or longsuffering, kindness or gentleness, goodness,
______________________________________________________________________
faithfulness, gentleness or meekness, self-control or temperance
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

This fruit is the way we will think, feel, and act if the Holy Spirit is controlling us. When
our lives produce this kind of fruit, the Bible says we are walking in the Spirit and are
spiritual. We will be discussing more about how to walk in the Spirit in another lesson.

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The Works Of The Flesh


In this lesson, we will look carefully at what God means when He warns against fulfilling
the lust of sinful desires (the flesh) (Gal. 5:16). God lists the specific kinds of things that
He considers to be of the flesh rather than of the Spirit. Begin with Galatians 5:19 and
provide a definition of each characteristic of fleshly living. Some of the words used in
your Bible may not be used even by adults today, so you will find a modern term for the
sin below to help you remember it. You will have to use your dictionary for many of the
words, but this is important to understand exactly what kinds of sins the Lord wants you
to do away with because they are works of the flesh instead of fruit of the Spirit.

1. What is the difference between fornication and adultery?


Fornication refers to sexual immorality of any kind. Adultery refers
_______________________________________________________________
specifically to sexual unfaithfulness in marriage.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

2. Moral impurity:
any form of immoral behavior
_______________________________________________________________

3. Debauchery:
repeated, public immoral behavior
_______________________________________________________________

4. Idolatry:
worshiping anything less than God in place of God
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

5. Witchcraft:
sorcery; dabbling in supernatural powers
_______________________________________________________________

6. Hatred:
great hostility and animosity
_______________________________________________________________

7. Strife:
continual, combative disagreement
_______________________________________________________________

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8. Jealousy:
striving against others to be better than they are
_______________________________________________________________

9. Wrath:
violent outbursts of anger; rage
_______________________________________________________________

10. Selfish ambitions:


pursuit of personal advancement at the cost of unity with other
_______________________________________________________________
believers
_______________________________________________________________

11. Dissensions:
a disagreeable spirit that destroys unity and fellowship
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

12. Factions:
creating exclusive groups to cause disunity in a church
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

13. Envy:
grudging desires for things that belong to others
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

14. Murders:
unlawfully killing other people
_______________________________________________________________

15. Drunkenness:
drinking quantities of alcohol that reduce judgment and self-control
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

16. Carousing:
wild partying
_______________________________________________________________

In Pauls letters to the Romans and to the Corinthians, you can find other lists of attitudes
and actions that are rebellious against God. Read Romans 1:29-31 and 2 Corinthians
12:20-21. Compare each of these passages with the above list from Galatians. Many
Christian leaders and churches today do not discuss sin very much. Why do you think

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these lists were so important that God wanted them included in His Word? Why do you
think it might be very important for us to understand them and think about them?

Results Of Living Carnally


Throughout your life, you will have to deal with the desires of your fleshly nature. Many
of those things that you just studied and defined could be problems for you even now.
God does not expect you to be perfect in any way, but rather He wants to help you by the
Holy Spirit to overcome your sin problems. It may take time to change, but God never
wants you to accept your sinful habits as okay. Instead, He wants you to be free from
them.
There are people, even Christians, who do not seem to care about getting rid of fleshly
problems. In fact, some who claim to be Christians seem to enjoy their sins. God says
that there are consequences guaranteed to those who think this way, and we need to be
aware of His warnings. Look up the verses below and write what God says will happen
to the person who continues walking according to the flesh instead of walking in the
Spirit.

A mind controlled by the flesh leads to death.


Romans 8:6 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

A mind controlled by the flesh is opposed to God and is not


Romans 8:7 _____________________________________________________
yielded to the law of God.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

If you sow to the flesh and live for the flesh, you will reap
Galatians 6:8 ____________________________________________________
corruption.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Characteristics Of A Pagan
We need to understand accurately how serious the idea of carnality is to the Lord. Before
we become Christians, God views us as pagans. A pagan is someone who has little or no
religion and delights in seeking after sensual pleasures and material goods as the only or
chief purpose of life. He is one who is interested primarily in satisfying his flesh. Most
people eventually realize that simply satisfying the flesh is an empty goal. God has not

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just given you a fleshly body but also a spirit, and your spirits needs must be met before
you can ever be truly happy.

When we begin to walk in the Spirit and seek Gods kingdom first, then God orders our
lives to bless and satisfy us. It is not that God does not want us to be happy or enjoy life
here on earth. He knows that we will only be truly satisfied by worshiping and obeying
Him.

What does Psalm 37:4 say about Gods willingness to give us good things we desire?
If we find delight in the Lord, he will give us the desires of our heart.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Now read 1 John 2:16-17, and you will find what a person who minds earthly things
(a pagan or a Christian who is living carnally) desires most of all. Which phrase from
these verses describes a person who looks at and covets things that gratify his desire for
moresuch as pornography, wrong movies, or a desire to own many things?
the lust of the eyes
______________________________________________________________________

Which phrase describes a person who is always concerned about what others think of
himwhether people respect and approve of him?
the pride of life (who one is and what one has done)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Which of the phrases describes the person who devotes himself to things in an attempt
to satisfy his physical and emotional desiresthings like obsessions with personal
appearance, wrong friends, alcohol, drugs, and immoral relationships?
the lust of human desires (the flesh)
______________________________________________________________________

What will happen to our earthly ambitions and the things we gain when we follow
them?
They will all pass away.
______________________________________________________________________

What will happen to those who walk in the Spirit and seek after the will of God?
They will live forever.
______________________________________________________________________

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Examples Of Paganism
What characteristics of a pagan did Cain exhibit? (Read Gen. 4:3-9.)
He was angry and disrespectful to God. He did not repent of his sin. He had
______________________________________________________________________
hatred in his heart and committed murder.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What characteristics of a pagan did the people in the days of Noah exhibit? (Read
Gen. 6:5, 1112.)
wickedness, evil thoughts, corruptions, and violence
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What pagan characteristics do people exhibit in our day?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Teachers Lesson

The Works Of The Flesh (Galatians 5:19-21)

Moral Sins Sins Of Attitude

Adultery and fornication


_______________________________ Strife
_______________________________
_______________________________ Jealousy
_______________________________
Moral impurity
_______________________________ Wrath
_______________________________
_______________________________
Selfish ambitions
_______________________________
Debauchery
_______________________________
_______________________________ Dissensions
_______________________________
Factions
_______________________________
Envy
_______________________________

Sins Of Wrong Values Sins Against Society

Idolatry
_______________________________ Murders
_______________________________

Witchcraft
_______________________________ Drunkenness
_______________________________

Carousing
_______________________________

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L E S S O N 1 3 Q U I Z
DEALING WITH THE FLESH
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

Match each of the following works of the flesh with the correct corresponding definition.

1. Fornication A. Striving against others to be better than they are


2. Moral impurity B. Grudging desires for things that belong to others

3. Idolatry C. Includes not only adultery and fornication but also dirty jokes and
words and other types of immorality.
4. Jealousy
D. Violent anger; rage
5. Selfish ambition E. I must win at all costs.
6. Dissensions F. Any form of sexual immmorality
7. Wrath G. Uncontrolled, lustful behavior
8. Envy H. Having things in our lives that are more important to us than God
I. The end result of strife
9. Carousing

LESSON 13 QUIZ
The Works Of The Flesh (Gal. 5:19-21)
Moral Sins Sins Of Attitude

Adultery and fornication Strife


Moral impurity Jealousy
Debauchery Wrath
Selfish ambitions
Dissensions
Factions
Envy

Sins Of Wrong Values Sins Against Society

Idolatry Murders
Witchcraft Drunkenness
Carousing
LESSON 13 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 1 4

RECOGNIZING THE
SINS OF THE FLESH

TARGET TRUTHS
We have a tendency to sin that results from Adams sin.
There will be definite consequences in our lives if we continue in our sin.
We need to learn to defend our choices on biblical principles.

TEACHING STRATEGY

What Proverbs Says About Some Sins Of The Flesh


Have students complete this section before class. Use the following outline (on the overhead transparency)
to discuss the sins of the flesh that the Book of Proverbs emphasizes. Complete the chart as your students
share ideas. There are no specific answers given in the overhead answer key section because this overhead
is for discussion purposes only.

Type Of Sin Effect On My Life

Drunkenness

Immorality

Strife

Lying

Self-centeredness

LESSON 14 | 191
The Sons Of Eli
This story is a perfect example of sons who decided to follow after their fleshly desires rather than to obey
God as their father did. Emphasize that each person must make these choices on his own. We are not
spiritual just because our parents are spiritual or because we are in a Christian school and have Christian
friends. Spirituality begins on the inside with Gods work in our hearts and is a choice we make about the
kind of person we want to be. If we decide that we want to have the best kind of life possiblethe life that
God Himself designed for usthen we have no choice but to follow His ways. If we decide not to obey
God, then we will have consequences for our sins just as Elis sons had consequences to face.

God Rewards Works Of The Spirit And The Flesh


We will be rewarded for our actions, whether they are right or wrong. Gods commands and promises will
come true in our lives. Wisdom is learning to make our choices from Gods perspective rather than from
a foolish, worldly point of view.

Lets Review And Examine Ourselves


Make this last section very serious and provide time in class for students to analyze themselves. Explain
what they are to do and pray with them before they complete the lesson so that they might focus on their
actions and attitudes. The purpose of an activity such as this is not to focus on the negative and be down
on ourselves but to see realistically what our values are so that we can yield to Gods plan to change us into
something better. The next lesson will show more specifically how to overcome the problems we have seen
in our lives. We cannot find a solution until we realize that there is a problem.

RESEARCH PROJECT

Defending Biblical Standards


Many times young people have only adopted the standards of their parents and church and have not made
clear, biblical choices for how they will live. Middle school students need to begin to evaluate what they
believe so they can stand for right when the time of challenge comes.
Divide the class into groups and have them choose one topic or one key principle they have learned. Then
have them search a concordance to find as many verses as they can that deal with that topic or principle.
Keep the groups small usually three to five students. Have each group choose one topic for research and
class presentation and discussion. Provide some time in class for their work, and this will also enable you
to help them find passages in the Bible that could be helpful to them.
Some useful topics might include:
Why should I never try smoking? What about drugs?
Why should I be careful with what I watch on television? What standards should I use to make
choices about what I watch?

192 |LESSON 14
Why should I be careful about the music that I listen to? What types of music are destructive and
why?
What types of magazines and pictures should I stay away from? What is the danger of the internet?
What kinds of video games might not be helpful to my spiritual growth?
Why are immoral and impure thoughts and actions wrong? What problems can this cause for my
future?
What does the Bible say about drinking alcoholic beverages? What decisions should I make about
drinking alcohol and why?

QUIZ SCORE
Grade the students based on the quality of their research project.

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L E S S O N 1 4

RECOGNIZING THE
SINS OF THE FLESH
We live in a very self-centered and materialistic world. Most people are primarily interested
in having pleasure, fun, and money. They think success means being able to buy the
things they believe are necessary to enjoy life. The problem is that there will always be
something new to buy or some new way to get fun and excitement. Most people live
by their feelings and their impulses. Sins such as drunkenness, immorality, drug abuse,
and viewing pornography are the natural result of an uncurbed, unconfronted desire for
excitement and pleasure that feeds our flesh.
The sins of the flesh that we studied in our last lesson are common to the human race.
Why do human beings tend to be this way? Part of it is simply because of the sin nature
we inherited from Adam. Adams sinfulness passed down to his descendents from
generation to generation, and we have to face this natural tendency to give in to
temptations to do wrong.
Because of our sinful inclination toward pride, for example, we are tempted to compare
ourselves with others. We become jealous of what others have and want to have the same
things. We want the approval of people, so we go along with wrongdoing in order to be
accepted. We might be afraid to stand against wrongdoing if doing so will risk popularity.

What Proverbs Says About Some Sins Of The Flesh


Some of the sins of the flesh that Proverbs discusses are listed in the following section.
For each of them, Proverbs explains the problem and then gives a warning about the
consequences of each sin if it should become a part of your life.

Drunkenness
According to Proverbs 20:1, what are three results of being controlled by
alcohol?
It is a mocker, it causes conflict, and it deceives us into losing control.
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

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What are six effects of drunkenness, according to Proverbs 23:29-32?


woe, sorrow, conflict, senseless complaining, wounds without cause,
______________________________________________________________
bloodshot eyes
______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________

Immorality
What must we always remember about secret sins such as immorality,
according to Proverbs 5:21-22?
God knows everything we do. Our sins will fall on us and take hold.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

What does Proverbs 6:32 say about someone who acts immorally?
He lacks understanding and destroys his own soul.
________________________________________________________________

Strife
What does God say will be the result for those who stir up strife, according to
Proverbs 17:19 and 25:8?
They will find destruction and will be put to shame.
_______________________________________________________________

Lying
What is Gods attitude toward liars according to Proverbs 12:22 and 19:5?
Lying is an abomination to God, and liars will definitely be punished.
_______________________________________________________________

Living For Our Own Satisfaction


According to Proverbs 1:24-28, what three things will God do to those who live
for their own satisfaction?
He will laugh at them, mock them, and will not answer them.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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The Sons Of Eli


We cannot depend on the merits of our own parents to help us obtain favor with God.
Parents ought to live godly and spiritual lives, but you will not have Gods blessing on
your life just because of the way your parents have lived. By grace, through faith, we must
choose to live godly lives ourselves in order to please God.
Eli was a godly priest in the temple of God, but his sons were not godly. Read 1 Samuel
2:12-17 and 22-36. Answer the following questions about Eli and his sons:
According to verses 12 and 17, how did the sons of Eli live?
They did not know the Lord. Their sin was very great before the Lord.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

According to verses 23-25, what did Eli ask his sons?


He asked them why they lived in such sin.
______________________________________________________________________

What warning did he give them?


They would be judged by the Lord.
______________________________________________________________________

How did they respond to their father and to the Lord?


They would not listen.
______________________________________________________________________

According to verse 34, what did God tell Eli would happen to his sons?
They would both die on the same day.
______________________________________________________________________

According to verses 30-31, what promise was God carrying out because the sons had not
honored Him?
He has promised to honor those who honor him and to despise those who despise
______________________________________________________________________
Him.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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God Rewards Works Of The


Spirit And The Flesh
According to Luke 12:42-48, the wise servant received a reward for his faithfulness, and the
unwise servant received a reward for how he had lived according to the flesh.

Servant How Did He Live? What Was His Reward?

When the master returned, he


He was made ruler over the
Wise was doing what he had been
household.
asked to do.

He began to sin because the


He was cut to pieces and assigned a
Unwise master was away, but the master
place with the unbelievers.
came back and caught him.

Lets Review And Examine Ourselves


Look carefully over the lists of the works of the flesh that you made in Lesson 13. Every one
of us has particular problems with the flesh. Which problems are the biggest for you? List the
main problems that you think you should deal with first, and explain specifically why they
are problems for you. How do these problems usually come to the surface in your life?
This study will help you to recognize them when they appear in your life the next time.

Problem How It Shows Itself In My Life

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In our next lesson, we will begin to study how we can overcome our problems by walking
in the Spirit so that we produce the fruit of the Spirit. But for now, we need to begin to
recognize them for what they are and understand how very important these concerns are
to God. He wants our lives to be satisfied and blessed, but we will not be blessed if we
are walking in the sinfulness of the flesh.

Teachers Lesson

Type Of Sin Effect On My Life

Drunkenness

Immorality

Strife

Lying

Self-centeredness

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198 |LESSON 14
Type Of Sin Effect On My Life
Drunkenness
Immorality
Strife
Lying
Self-centeredness
LESSON 14 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 1 5

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT

TARGET TRUTHS
The fruit of the Spirit is the character of God.
The flesh fights against the Spirit to keep us from having success.
God desires to conform us to the image of His Son, Jesus.

TEACHING STRATEGY

The Character Of God


As we study the fruit of the Spirit, we will really be discussing the character of God Himself. The character
of God has many facets. We can see that we cannot talk about one aspect, such as His love, without
remembering another aspect of Gods natureHis righteousness. Thus, we cannot say that His love covers
the world and that He would never allow anyone to go to hell because the righteousness of God cannot
allow sin to dwell freely in His presence. The love of God and the righteousness of God came together in
what Jesus did on the cross. We need to realize that the character of God cannot contradict itself.

God
Love Righteousness
Mercy Holiness
Goodness Justice

The Fruit Of The Spirit


The fruit of the Spirit tells us more about the character of God. Have students study each word and provide
a clear definition. Discuss each word and characteristic as a class to make certain each word is understood.
Emphasize that it is Gods desire to build these things into the life of every Christian. He does this through
the work of the Holy Spirit who lives within every believer.

Conformed To His Image


Complete this section together as a class, reading the material together to make sure it is fully
understood.

200 |LESSON 15
The War Between The Flesh And The Spirit
Have your students read and work through this section by themselves. Then have different students
explain the meaning of the section in their own words. Finally, read through the section again together,
helping them to understand what they are feeling inside when the Spirit and the flesh are at odds. Remind
them of the lesson that we studied about the results of sin in the lives of Adam and Eve: guilt, fear, and
blaming others. Relate these feelings to our inner feelings when we have given in to the flesh and the Spirit
convicts us of sin.

First Things First


The priority for a young person who wants to grow spiritually is to allow the Holy Spirit to have control
of our lives. When we submit to the will of the Spirit instead of the will of the flesh, we will have spiritual
victory. Thus we must allow God to be first in our lives. We must allow Him to guide us in what we do.
The application section will help to make the concepts in this lesson understood. Allow students to share
the fights within that they have experienced. Make sure they understand that the key point is to learn
how to yield to the Spirit by learning from the mistakes we have made.

The Fruit Is Love...


See the teachers lesson.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION


Being controlled by the Holy Spirit includes every part of your lifewhat you say, what you do and what
you think. Give examples of types of things you might say or do both positively and negatively for each of
the following:
Showing patience
Showing gratefulness
Showing love
Showing contentment
Showing forgiveness
Responding to temptations
Showing peace
Students may give examples from their own experiences or get together in groups to put on skits showing
the effect of the flesh as compared to walking in the Spirit. Examples used should be based on the above
list.

LESSON 15 | 201
TEACHERS LESSON
The overhead for this lesson deals with the fruit of the Spirit. The information below is a discussion of love
as the basis of the fruit of the Spirit from the last section of the students lesson, The Fruit Is Love....
The information below describes how each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit comes from a spirit of love.
Joy: overflows from a heart that has resolved all problems with others. When we love others, we cannot
be angry, bitter, or envious.
Peace: comes from a heart that holds no grudges or hardness against anyone or any situation because
we trust God and know He loves us.
Patience (or longsuffering): It is not difficult to accept situations patiently even if they are difficult if
we are controlled by love because we know that at the end of our tribulation, God will bring good in
our lives.
Kindness (or gentleness): A person who truly loves others will be gentle in his actions and attitudes
because he will never wish to hurt or bring undue harm in any way to another person.
Goodness:If you are filled with love, you will only desire that which is good and wholesome to happen
to others.
Faithfulness: If you love someone and consistently trust God to work out His plan, you can have faith
both in God that will lead you to right relationships with other people.
Gentleness (or meekness): Love allows us to be submissive to others and not always insist on having
our own way. We can easily put others ahead of ourselves and our desires because we know that a lov-
ing God will give us the desires of our hearts.
Self-control (or temperance): Love will keep our actions from getting out of control because we would
never wish to do anything to bring reproach against God or others if we truly love them.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1.
Love
Kindness (or gentleness)
Gentleness (or meekness)
Joy
Patience (or longsuffering)
Self-control (or temperance)
Goodness
Peace
Faithfulness
2. that we be conformed to the image of His Sonthat we have the character of Jesus Christ
3. Walk in the Spirit.
4. the flesh

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LESSON 15 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 1 5

WALKING IN THE SPIRIT


The Character Of God
God has many qualities that show He is the one true God. God is holy, righteous,
just, and merciful. God is perfect love and goodness. There is no sin in God. Gods love
is so strong and so pure that it has overflowed on earth through Jesus Christ to those
who repent and believe in Him. Gods work in His people demonstrates His love by living
in us, helping us overcome sin, and transforming us into the image of Christ. We have
already learned about the works of the flesh, and now we need to see what Gods true
character is. The characteristics of God (the fruit of His Spirit) are described below.
Complete the lists below to learn what God is truly like and what He wants us to be like
as we learn more about Him.

The Fruit Of The Spirit


You read Galatians 5:22-23 during your study of Lesson 13. List once again the aspects
of the fruit of the Holy Spirit. Write a short definition for each aspect of the fruit. Use a
dictionary if necessary.

1. Love: a giving, unselfish relationship with others


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

2. Joy: happiness that comes from inner contentment


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Peace: an inner sense of calmness and deep contentment based on a right


_______________________________________________________________
relationship with God
_______________________________________________________________

4. Patience or longsuffering: extended endurance of trials and other


_______________________________________________________________
peoples sins against us
_______________________________________________________________

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5. kindness or gentleness: being peaceable and kind to others; not being


_______________________________________________________________
harsh
_______________________________________________________________

6. goodness: uprightness; moral character


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

7. faithfulness: unfailing belief in God


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

8. gentleness or meekness: a humble and submissive spirit


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

9. self-control or temperance: successful resistance of fleshly desires


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Now turn to 2 Peter 1:3-9, and read it carefully. Beginning in verse 5, God gives another
list that teaches us about His character. Add these evidences of Gods character to your
list if they are not already on the above list. Again, write a definition for each word you
list.

1. Goodness or virtue: consistent moral purity


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

2. Knowledge: information learned (particularly about the Word of God)


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

3. Perseverance or patience: tested character; showing calmness and restraint


_______________________________________________________________
under trial
_______________________________________________________________

4. Godliness: becoming more like God in our attitudes and actions


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

5. Brotherly kindness: a gracious, giving attitude toward others, particularly


_______________________________________________________________
believers
_______________________________________________________________

6. This blank may remain empty depending on the translation you use.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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Now look at 2 Peter 1:8. What does God promise if you let Him build these attributes
into your life.
I will be fruitful in the knowledge of Jesus Christ.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Based on verse 9, what is true of someone who does not practice these things by Gods
power?
He is blind and cannot discern that Jesus paid the penalty for his sins.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Conformed To His Image


Now that we have studied the differences between the works of the flesh and the works
of the Spirit you should be able to see quite clearly the difference between the two. Please
remember that if you give in to those things that are of the flesh, you are acting as if you
were pagan and not even a Christian at all.
If you are responding rightly to the Holy Spirits work in you, you will develop the fruit
of the Spirit, and you will become spiritual.
Read Romans 8:28-29 and answer the following questions.
What are two characteristics of the kind of people for whom all things work together for
good?

1. They love God.


_______________________________________________________________

2. They are called according to Gods purpose.


_______________________________________________________________

Into whose image or likeness does God the Father plan to change us?
His Sons
______________________________________________________________________

What do you think it means to be changed into His image?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

These verses explain very clearly what Gods plan for us is. His plan is to change us into
the image of His Son. In other words, God wants to help us have the inner character of
Jesus. By image, God does not mean that we are to look like Jesus did outwardly while

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He was here. Instead, we are to become like Jesus on the insidein our character. God
wants to replace our anger and pride with love and joy. He wants to replace our laziness
with diligence. He wants to replace our rebellion with responsibility. He wants us to bring
honor to Him as we live through Jesus strength, following His example.

The War Between The Flesh And The Spirit


There is a great hindrance to having the character of Jesus formed in us. The problem
is not with God. The problem is with us. We still have many things within us that are of
the flesh, and therefore are sinful. We must learn to put aside the desires of the flesh and
allow God to fill us with the fruit of the Holy Spirit. This is not always easy because we do
not always behave properly. When we do not behave properly, we feel guilty and afraid
or sad. Read Galatians 5:16-18, and you will understand what the problem is. Read these
verses and answer the questions below.
What command is given?
Walk in the Spirit.
______________________________________________________________________

If we do this, what will happen?


We will not fulfill the lust of our human desires (the flesh).
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The word lust means to desire something intensely or to fight against something else.
For example, if you know that you should be doing you homework, but you would rather
spend the time talking on the phone to your friends, you would probably feel a strong
desire to talk in your heart. That desire fights against the knowledge that you ought to be
doing what you ought to be doing.
According to verse 17, why is it so difficult to do the things we should?
The flesh fights against the Spirit and the Spirit fights against the flesh, and they
______________________________________________________________________
are opposed to each other.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How should we be led, if we are to do the things we should? (verse 18)


We should yield to the Holy Spirits leading us.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

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If you do need to do homework, and yet you desire to talk on the phone, you should
depend on the Holy Spirit to lead you and enable you to do the right thing. This means that
you must be willing to choose obedience over your internal desires. You should forget
about the phone and simply sit down at a table and complete the work you have to do.
Then you can spend the extra time you have later talking to a friend. If you do this,
you are walking in the Spirit and not fulfilling the desires of the flesh, which are wrong
desires. Afterwards, you will know true success and joy because you have done right, and
God has rewarded you.
If you had not obeyed, and if you had chosen instead to pick up the phone just for a minute,
you might have found your whole evening gone. You would realize that you did not have
the time to accomplish what you should have, or maybe you would have been too tired to
study profitably. The results of rebelling against the Spirit and following the flesh would have
been guilt and unhappiness because you had not prepared yourself for your classes as you
should have.

First Things First


Remember, God does not want to hold truly good things away from us. He wants us to
enjoy our friends and all the other good things in our lives. But He does want us to learn
to put first the One Who ought to be first: God Himself!
What does Matthew 6:2533 (especially vs. 33) teach should be the first things we seek?
the Kingdom of God and His righteousness
______________________________________________________________________

What is the result when we have these priorities?


We will receive all the other things we need.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

How does this verse apply to what you have been learning?
God will bless my life if I put Him first and treasure His kingdom more than all
______________________________________________________________________
the things of this world.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

As you have been studying this section, God has probably brought something to your
mind concerning the fight between the flesh and the Spirit inside you. Perhaps it has
to do with your responsibilities or attitudes at home, something to do with your friends

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or some aspect of some activity you really enjoy doing, such as computer games or sports.
Tell about the fight that is going on as you face this situation.

What would you do if you were yielding to the Spirit? ____________________


_______________________________________________________________

What does your flesh want to do? ____________________________________

How does it feel to be in the middle of this fight against temptation?


______________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

What do you need to do in order to win these battles?


_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

If you walk in the Spirit and resist temptation, what will the results be (both
external and internal results)?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Teachers Lesson

The Fruit Of The Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)


1. love
_______________________________________________________________

2. joy
_______________________________________________________________

3. peace
_______________________________________________________________

4. patience or longsuffering
_______________________________________________________________

5. kindness or gentleness
_______________________________________________________________

6. goodness
_______________________________________________________________

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7. faithfulness
_______________________________________________________________

8. gentleness or meekness
_______________________________________________________________

9. self-control or temperance
_______________________________________________________________

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L E S S O N 1 5 Q U I Z
WALKING IN THE SPIRIT
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ___________

1. Write the correct name for each aspect of the fruit of the Spirit defined below.
__________________________________ : a giving, unselfish relationship with others
__________________________________ : being peaceable and kind to others; not being harsh
__________________________________ : a humble and submissive spirit
__________________________________ : happiness that comes from inner contentment
__________________________________ : extended patience and endurance
__________________________________ : successful resistance of fleshly desires
__________________________________ : uprightness
__________________________________ : an inner feeling of calmness and deep contentment
__________________________________ : unfailing belief in God

2. According to Romans 8:29, what is Gods plan for us?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. What command are we given in Galatians 5:16?


________________________________________________________________________________

4. According to Galatians 5:17, what fights against the Spirit because it is contrary to the Spirit?
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 15 QUIZ
The Fruit Of The Spirit (Gal. 5:22-23)
Love
Joy
Peace
Patience (or longsuffering)
Kindness (or gentleness)
Goodness
Faithfulness
Gentleness (or meekness)
Self-control (or temperance)
LESSON 15 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 1 6

WHAT IS CHARACTER?

TARGET TRUTHS
God wants to build strong Christian character into our lives.
God has many promises for those who develop godly character.
We can choose whether to build wise or foolish life patterns into our lives.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Read through and discuss thoroughly the main section on the meaning of character. As this is done, have
your students take out a separate sheet of paper and divide the paper into three sections as follows:
External Attributes
Internal Attributes: Strengths
Internal Attributes: Weaknesses
Under the external attributes column, have them list external things such as their looks, their family, their
abilities, their special talents, etc. Then, as they think about their internal attributes, have them think
through both their strengths of character and their weaknesses of character. The strengths are qualities
God has given to us to use for good in our lives. The weaknesses are things of the flesh that He wants
to help us overcome. For example, a strength might be hardworking while a weakness may be easily
angered. Each student will have to think through his or her own external and internal characteristics and
list them. For some, this type of assignment will be easy; for others, it may be very difficult.
As you study and discuss the four concepts to be developed if we are to be conformed to the image of Jesus,
have students begin to apply these four concepts to their own list of weaknesses. For example, if a student
is easily angered, he must...
Desire to become more like Jesus.
Recognize when he lets his anger get out of control.
Confess his anger as sin each time it happens.
Ask God for the help of His Spirit to overcome his problem with anger.

Remember Noah?
Noah was not a perfect man because no one can be perfect, but he desired to be godly in his walk with
God. First we learn that Noah found grace or favor in the eyes of God (Gen. 6:8) In the very next verse, we
learn that Noah was a godly man. Because we know that grace is Gods gift to those who do not deserve it,

212 |LESSON 16
we can understand that Gods grace helped Noah to become righteous and to apply in his life the principles
we have discussed above.

Gods Promises For Those Who Love And Obey Him


Apply each of the promises from this section to Noahs life as an example. God definitely directed Noahs
paths during one of the worst times on the earth. He was very aware of everything that happened to Noah.
Noahs enemies taunted him, but they did not harm himNoah was safe. All of Noahs needs were met,
and God protected him from all harm.

Consequences Of Improper Attitudes


Again we can see a comparison between the people of the world during the days of Noah and what they
received from the Lord, and the family of Noah and what they received. The world had strife, shame, and
condemnation from the Lord because of their ways. Noah received wisdom, favor, and mercy from the
Lord. Even though he lived among evil people, he was not subject to the destruction of the flood. Instead,
the Lord satisfied him in every way.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION


Life is filled with so many good things. But it also has tribulations and problems that we will all need to
deal with. It is easy to walk in the Spirit when things are going well. We need to learn to walk in the
Spirit when things do not go our way.
For each of the following, decide which fruit of the Spirit needs to be evident in order to respond properly
and what the proper response should be if we are allowing the Holy Spirit to develop the right character
in our lives.
When your mother reminds you to clean your room
When you have lots of homework to finish
When someone talks negatively to you to hurt you
When you dont get the clothes or other items you have been wanting
When someone tells a lie or gossips about you
When youre talking on the phone and your parents ask you to get off and do something for
them
When your little brother or sister destroys something that belongs to you
When your brother or sister gets into your things without asking
When you are asked to do something over because it was not done right the first time
When you are not invited to a party that all your friends were invited to

LESSON 16 | 213
TEACHERS LESSON
Character is a word of German origin and refers to an engraving instrument. This can be an illustration
of the distinctive engraving or mark that is placed on a persons pattern of behavior over a period of time.
If we continually engrave good habits and moral attitudes into our minds, our character will be right
before God and others. Likewise, if we continually allow wrong attitudes and behavior to be engraved into
our minds, wrong character will develop.
For example, if we have a problem with anger, and we continually allow ourselves to vent our anger in
any situation, our anger will grow stronger and stronger. We will lose control over ourselves and our
actions. But if we begin to yield to the Holy Spirit and let Him guide our actions by confessing anger as
sin whenever we give in to it and by learning to control it, we will develop a different life pattern. It is our
choiceeither we will engrave anger more and more strongly into our pattern of life, or we will learn to
eliminate it from our actions and even our inner attitudes.
A good definition of character is living and acting by a predetermined set of life principles that engrave
right patterns of behavior into my life.
If we are to have character traits that please both God and other people...
We must be conscious of the qualities God wants both to eliminate from our lives and to build into
our lives.
We cannot be discouraged when we slip back into our bad character patterns.
We must learn to confess those wrong traits as sin before God.
We must yield ourselves to the power and influence of the Holy Spirit so we will have victory.
Building a life of strong moral character must be done step by step just as is done when building a
house.
Who are the carpenters? There are five carpenters that must work together in the building pro-
cess.
Parents and family
As we have already studied, your parents have the primary responsibility in the building of
your character. Your part is to listen and learn from them so God can work in your life.
Friends
We have also discussed the importance of choosing right friends that will help build you up
rather than tear you down. Your friends will affect your attitudes and values.
Environment (school, church, nation, culture)
Where God has chosen for you to live will have an important impact on you. Where you
attend church and school will also greatly affect your life and character.
Personal choices (or self effort)
Ultimately, nothing keeps you from developing strong character other than your own
wrong choices. You must choose to listen to good instruction at home and at school. You

214 |LESSON 16
must choose who your friends will be and how much peer pressure will affect your life. You
must make many important decisions for your own sake. But its also important to remem-
ber that you cant create good character on your own. You also need help from the . . .
Holy Spirit
The Holy Spirit is the key instrument for building a life that is strong because He can
change you from within. But again, He will help you as you submit your life to His care
and control. The more you allow Him to live through you, the more you will become like
the Lord Himself (conformed to His image).
What is the foundation? There is no other foundation that should be laid but salvation through
Jesus Christ. If you have not trusted Jesus as your Savior, He will not begin to build the house of
true character that will last forever.
What is the structure? You must choose to base your life on the principles found in Gods Word. A
principle is a rule or law based on the character of God that never changes and by which we govern
our lives.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Noah
2. Any three of the following would be acceptable:
He will direct our paths.
He knows everything that happens to us.
He will make our enemies to be at peace with us.
All our ways are directed by Him.
We make preparations, but safety comes from Him.
He will make sure that our needs are met.
He will shield us from harm if we trust in Him.
3. an engraving instrument
4. predetermined; life; principles; engrave
5. salvation through Jesus Christ
6.
parents
friends
environment
personal choices (or self effort)
Holy Spirit
7. rules; laws; character; change; lives

LESSON 16 | 215
LESSON 16 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 1 6

WHAT IS CHARACTER?
God has made us to have external characteristics and internal characteristics. The
external things are the outside. They include those things about us that everyone can
seehow tall we are, what we look like, how good we are at music or sports or art, how
well we do in our schoolwork, what we wear, and many other aspects of our lives. Human
beings naturally tend to place the most importance on these external things. They are
very concerned about what they wear and whether they have clothing thats popular.
They are concerned about the cut and style of their hair. Even the brand of the shoes that
they buy can seem greatly important. People are even picky about the other people with
whom they are willing to be seen in public.
It is not wrong to look sharp and wear stylish clothing. It is not wrong to succeed in
school. It is not wrong to excel in soccer, basketball, music, or art. These are good things
to desire. But your outside characteristics are not the most important things about you!
Part of growing up and becoming a mature man or woman is knowing what is really
important and what is not really so important.
The most important part of you is the internal part called your character. The reason
this is important is that sooner or later, what you are really like on the inside will show
on the outside. If you are a liar and think you can get away with it, you will soon find
yourself lying more and more often. Eventually, you will be discovered, and then both
your external and internal character will be evident to all. If you have too much pride
in some ability, soon others will notice your pride and will not want to acknowledge the
ability God has given you.
They will not care how good you are at something then. In fact, they will not even want
to be around you. But if you respond to God with trust and obedience as He works to
change your inward character, your inward changes will begin to show on the outside,
too. The change in you will be evident to others. If you are genuinely a giving and sharing
person, others around you will be happy for you when something good happens to you.
If you are self-centered and think only of yourself, others will not be glad for you when
something good happens to you.

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216 |LESSON 16
LESSON 16 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Why is it that some pretty girls can seem less pretty after you have gotten to know them
a little better?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Why is it that the best-dressed boy with the most money is often not the most popular?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Why is it that sometimes very smart young people do not have many friends?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

One reason that some people have a hard time keeping friends is that they may not be
truly wise, beautiful, or good on the insideeven if they seemed that way on the outside.
It might not show up right away, but what we are on the inside will become obvious to
everyone else eventually.
Just to remind yourself of what is really important, list at least ten fleshly attitudes and
nine spiritual attitudes to complete the chart below. Try to write these without looking
back at Lessons 13-15 for help. If you have forgotten some of them, look them up so you
can complete your list.

Works Of The Flesh Fruit Of The Spirit

fornication and adultery


______________________________ love
______________________________
______________________________ joy
______________________________
moral impurity
______________________________ peace
______________________________
debauchery
______________________________ patience or longsuffering
______________________________
idolatry
______________________________ ______________________________

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LESSON 16 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

witchcraft
______________________________ kindness or gentleness
______________________________
hatred ______________________________
______________________________
goodness
______________________________
strife
______________________________
faithfulness
______________________________
jealousy
______________________________
gentleness or meekness
______________________________
wrath
______________________________
______________________________
selfish ambitions
______________________________
self-control or temperance
______________________________
dissensions
______________________________ ______________________________
factions
______________________________
envy
______________________________
murders
______________________________
drunkenness
______________________________

carousing
______________________________

As you study the difference between walking in the Spirit and walking in the flesh, it will
become painfully obvious which aspects of our character are of God and which are of the
flesh. If we are to grow in our character and be conformed to the image of Jesus by the
Holy Spirit working in us, we must remember some very important things.

You must desire to be like Jesus and consciously choose to walk in the Spirit.

You must recognize that from time to time you will fall back and choose to give
in to the desires of the flesh. When you do give in to the desires of the flesh, you
must realize that you have sinned and confess your sin to God. He promises in
1 John 1:9 that if you confess your sins to Him, He will forgive you and cleanse
you from all unrighteousness.

After a failure, you ought to get back up again, repent, and renew your determi-
nation to be like Jesus. If you are a believer, you can do this because of what Jesus
has already done for you and what He continues to do in you.

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LESSON 16 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

As you stay conscious of these things, you can also be sure that God will be working to
make you more and more like Jesus. Look again at the fruit of the Spirit, the spiritual
attitudes that you have listed. This is the way you should want your life to befilled with
love for others, with peace and joy in your hearts, with longsuffering and patience when
things do not go your way, with gentleness and goodness in your attitudes toward others,
and with faithfulness when God wants to use you to do something good. When you are
walking in the Spirit, you will not have to suffer guilt, anger, rebellion, and all the other
harmful attitudes and feelings that come along with sin. You will be free to be all that
God wants you to be.

Remember Noah?
We recently reviewed what happened when the people of Noahs time were indulging in
the lust of their human desires and did not desire to seek after God. It was not long before
God destroyed them all because their hearts were sinful and wicked.

Noah and his family were not perfect people, but God says in Genesis 6:8 that Noah
found grace or favor in the eyes of the Lord.

What did God mean by this?


God chose to show His undeserved goodness to Noah and blessed him.
______________________________________________________________________

How many examples can you find of Gods blessings to Noah? See Genesis 6-9. Write
down verses that support your answers.

God designed the ark to hold Noahs family and the animals that were to
be saved (6:14, 18).
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Though he destroyed all others, God spared Noah and his family (7:1)
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

God took care of Noah and his family while they were in the ark
(7:218:1).
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

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LESSON 16 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

God made a covenant with Noah and promised never again to flood the
earth (9:8-11).
__________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________

Gods Promises For Those


Who Love And Obey Him
Noahs testimony can be an encouragement for all of us. God does not expect us to be
perfect either, but He does want us to learn to walk in the Spirit and to desire to become
like His Son. When those are the desires of your heart, God promises to bless you in
many ways. These verses in Proverbs will remind you of some of the ways God has
promised to bless those who find grace in His eyes. Write Gods promise beside each
reference from Proverbs.

He will direct our paths.


3:6 ____________________________________________________________

He knows everything that happens to us.


5:21 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He will make our enemies to be at peace with us.


16:7 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

All our ways are directed by Him.


20:24 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

21:31 We make preparations, but safety comes from Him.


__________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He will make sure that our needs are met.


27:26-27 ________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He will shield us from harm if we trust in Him.


30:5 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Consequences Of Improper Attitudes


One of Gods promises to Noah was that He would never again destroy the earth with a
flood. But God does tell us many times that if we continue to walk in the flesh and have
no desire to learn to walk like Jesus, there will be consequences in our lives that are not

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LESSON 16 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

good. Just as your parents might give you consequences of punishment for misbehavior,
so does God warn us of consequences of allowing ungodly attitudes to dominate our
lives.
Read the verses from Proverbs and complete the following chart.

Results Of Fleshy Attitudes Results Of Godly Attitudes

10:12 strife love that covers all sins

11:2 shame wisdom

12:2 condemnation favor from the Lord

The Lord hears the prayers of the


15:29 The Lord will not be near.
righteous.

life, satisfaction, and freedom from


19:23
evil

28:13 no prosperity mercy or compassion

28:14 mischief or calamity blessing or happiness

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LESSON 16 | 221
LESSON 16 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Teachers Lesson
Character
Original Meaning
an engraving instrument
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Definition

predetermined
Living and acting by a ________________________________________ set of
life principles
________________________________ engrave
that _______________________ right
patterns of behavior into my life.

Building Christian Character

Carpenters:

Parents
__________________________

Friends
__________________________
Temperance
Environment
__________________________
Meekness
Self-effort
__________________________ Faith
Holy Spirit
Gentleness
__________________________
Goodness
The Structure: Joy
principles
Bible ________________________ :
Peace
rules
_____________ laws
or __________ based
Longsuffering
character Love
on the __________________ of God
change
which never ____________ and by Foundation:
lives
which we govern our __________ salvation through Christ

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222 |LESSON 16
L E S S O N 1 6 Q U I Z
WHAT IS CHARACTER?
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. Who is mentioned in Genesis 6 as an example of good character?


________________________________________________________________________________

2. List three promises God makes in Proverbs for those who love and obey Him (who have good char-
acter).
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. What was the original meaning of the German root word for character?
________________________________________________________________________________

4. Complete the following definition of character.

Living and acting by a ___________________ set of ___________ _________________________


that ____________________ right patterns of behavior into my life.

5. What is the foundation of Christian character?


________________________________________________________________________________

6. Who are the five carpenters involved in building Christian character?


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

7. Complete the following statement.

Bible principles are______________________ or _____________________________ based on the


________________________ of God which never _______________ and by which we govern our
_____________________________.

LESSON 16 QUIZ
Character
Original Meaning: an engraving instrument

Definition: Living and acting by a predetermined set of life


principles that engrave right patterns of behavior into my life.

LESSON 16 OVERHEAD
Building Christian Character
Carpenters:
Parents
Temperance
Friends Meekness
Environment Faith
Gentleness
Self-effort (personal choices) Goodness
Joy
Holy Spirit
Peace
The Structure: Longsuffering
Love
Bible principles: rules or laws
based on the character of God which Foundation:
salvation through Christ
never change and by which we govern
our lives
LESSON 16 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 1 7

LOVE AND GENTLENESS

TARGET TRUTHS
To love one another is one of the greatest commandments of God.
God wants us to learn to love our neighbors, the poor, and even our enemies.
We need to learn to forgive others so that we can learn to love them.

TEACHING STRATEGY
We have just completed a four-lesson study on the need for Christian character development by allowing
the Holy Spirit to build the fruit of His Spirit in our lives and by overcoming the works of the flesh.
This lesson begins a six-lesson study emphasizing particular character traits and qualities that are involved
in this process. As was discussed in Lesson 15, love is the key, and the other qualities are an outgrowth of
the quality of love. It is for this reason that we begin this part of our study with learning to walk in love.

The Greatest Commandment


The lesson begins by seeing the importance of this quality from Jesus point of view. Jesus is very emphatic
about the need to have this quality in our lives. Allow students to complete this first section by themselves
as they coordinate several thoughts into a cohesive principle and use examples to illustrate the concepts.
Read several of the best ideas to the class and discuss them.

How To Show Love


This section is an overview and will show both how Jesus demonstrates His love to us and how we are to
demonstrate love to others.

Proverbs Teaches Us How To Love One Another


This section on Proverbs is much more specific, giving detailed explanations of how we should act toward
others. Spend time discussing each aspect of this section and having students give examples of each type
of situation from their own experiences.

Being Kind To Our Enemies/Jesus Forgave His Enemies


This is the most difficult area of all, and therefore it is probably the most important. Explain to your
students that when they have learned to truly forgive others and allow Gods love to reach even their
enemies, then they have truly learned what it means to love.

226 |LESSON 17
Jesus is the perfect example of loving the hardest people to loveour enemies or those who seem to be
against us. As you study this with your students, have them picture someone with whom they have had
problems as they see the response of Jesus. At the end of the section, have a time of prayer with your
class, leading them to forgive others that they need to forgive and to ask the Lord to help them overcome
bitterness, jealousy, resentment, or any other sin that is hindering them from loving another person.
Before ending this section, discuss the difference between conditional and unconditional love and the
acceptance of one another. Conditional love is the type of love that most people in the world have for
one another. They love others if they are treated kindly, but they do not love an enemy or others that may
appear unlovely.
To love unconditionally means that we do not withhold our love for any reasonno matter what the other
person has done or how the other person treats us. Our love is unconditional. This is the kind of love Jesus
offers us. He loves us without condition. He does not always like the things we do, and He often has to
discipline us when we sin, but even that comes out of His unconditional love. He will never put conditions
on His love in any way. No matter what we do, His love is just as strong.
Conditional love: I will love you if... or I will love you when...
Unconditional love: I love you.

The Story Of Ruth


As you discuss the story of Ruth, have your students also note the negative aspects that are missing from
Ruths life. For example, we do not see bitterness in her when her husband died. We do not see her upset
because Naomi would not stay in her homeland. We do not notice her complaining when she had to work
in the hot fields to gather food to eat. We do not see her complaining about the poor condition in which
she found herself.
Instead, Ruth accepted her situation and found ways to make her life the best it could be through a good
attitude that was loving, gentle, and kind. She honored and obeyed her mother-in-law and trusted the
Lord to help her find her way in life. The Lord blessed her greatly by giving her a wonderful husband who
owned fields and had much wealth. Then He blessed her in an even greater way by having King David and
the Lord Jesus born from her descendants.

TEACHERS LESSON
Use the overhead transparency to review the truths you have discussed concerning (1) how Ruth responded
to difficult situations with a good attitude, and (2) how God blessed her for her loving attitude.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Projects
Have your students choose one of the two projects below to work on for a week. As each person is listed,
have them use a fictitious name or initials so no one else will see their project and know the person with

LESSON 17 | 227
whom they are having a problem. Each project may include several people, or it may include one
particular person. What is most important is that they are learning to let God work His love through
their lives and actions.
Project 1: Each day this week list a person toward whom you have been less than kind. It could be
some cutting, biting remark you made to someone. It could be a harsh statement you made while you
were mad. It could have been an act of rudeness toward someone with whom you wanted to get even.
Whatever it is, record a different incident each day and confess it as sin to the Lord. Then, the next
time you see that person, ask the Lord to help you say a kind word or do something kind to that person
and then record what you have done.
Project 2: Each day list the name of a person who has hurt you or offended you in some way or who has
personality traits that you do not like. Perhaps this person is arrogant or loud or too shy or is always
complaining. List this person, pray for him or her, and ask the Lord to help you say a kind word or to
do something kind for that person. Then record what you have done for this project.

Paraphrasing
Read 1 Corinthians 13:1-7 to your students, discussing the ideas in this important passage. Have students
paraphrase (write in their own words) these verses. Then have some of them read their paraphrases to the
rest of the class.

Give the self-evaluation handout to students and discuss.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1.
Love God with all your heart.
Love others as you love yourself.
2. The Lord will make our enemies to be at peace with us.
3. He asked God to forgive them.
4. She did not stay in her homeland but went to Canaan with her; she was willing to work hard to provide
for them.
5. discouragement, bitterness, resentment, and complaining
6. Accept all reasonable answers.

228 |LESSON 17
SELF-EVALUATION
Beside each number respond to each statement by writing numbers from 1 to 5, with 1 being the least and
5 showing the most love in each situation.

1. ______ I can honestly say that I am usually not jealous of others.


2. ______ I am courteous and not rude to others, including those who are not my close friends.
3. ______ I am courteous and not rude to my parents, my brothers, and my sisters.
4. ______ I hug my parents and tell them that I love them regularly.
5. ______ I am a good listener when someone wants to share a problem with me.
6. ______ I hold doors open for others when it is appropriate.
7. ______ I am kind to others, even to those who tend to irritate or frustrate me.
8. ______ I do not laugh at others when they make mistakes.
9. ______ I try to encourage others, including those who are not close to me.
10. ______ I am especially kind and loving to those who have special needs such as older people, handi-
capped people and young children.
11. ______ I can control myself in areas of anger and hostility.
12. ______ I am openly supportive of my teachers and parents and do not talk against them.
13. ______ I do not gossip.
14. ______ I stand up for others when I hear negative things about them.
15. ______ I genuinely try not to hurt other peoples feelings.
16. Why do I not show love in the ways that the above questions have revealed?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
17. What do these questions say about whether I love God, others, or myself most?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 17 HAND OU T
LESSON 17 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 1 7

LOVE AND GENTLENESS


When we studied the fruit of the Spirit, we learned that the entire fruit of the Spirit
emanates or comes out of love. Love is the true character of God, and everything springs
from this foundation.

The Greatest Commandment


When Jesus spoke of His love for us and our love for Him and others, He said that nothing
in our lives is more important. In Mark 12:28, a man asked Jesus, Which commandment
is the greatest?
In Mark 12:29-31, you can read the answer Jesus gave this man. Then read John 13:35 and
1 John 4:7-8, 20-21. Think about all these verses and explain in your own words the
meaning of these two most important commandments.

Love God with all your heart.


Most important command: _________________________________________
Love others as you love yourself.
Second most important command: ___________________________________

Give some examples of how you can obey these commands.


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How To Show Love


Our love for people is shown by how we treat them. Read each of the following verses and
match the references to the correct corresponding thoughts about kindness. Some of the
words that mean the same as kindness are gentleness, goodness, and manners.

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LESSON 17 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

B 1. Romans 2:4 A. We serve God and show our love for Him by our
kindness.
F 2. Ephesians 2:7
B. Gods goodness leads us to repentance.
A 3. 2 Corinthians 6:4-6 C. Learn to be gentle instead of angry.
E 4. Proverbs 19:22 D. Wrong friends will hinder us from being kind to
others.
H 5. 1 Corinthians 13:4
E. We should want kindness to characterize our lives.
D 6. 1 Corinthians 15:33 F. In the ages to come God will continue to show
kindness.
G 7. Proverbs 24:17
G. Do not be glad when your enemy falls or stumbles.
C 8. Proverbs 15:1 H. Kindness is an evidence of genuine love.

Proverbs Teaches Us How


To Love One Another
Proverbs has much to say about how we ought to treat one another. Much of what the
Bible teaches us to do involves simple and obvious things that should come naturally for
those who walk in the Spirit. Read the following verses and explain (1) what we should
do, (2) why we should do it, and (3) for whom we should do it.

Verses What Should We Do? Why Should We Do it? For Whom?

Do good when it is in because people those to whom it is


Proverbs 3:27
our power to do it. deserve it due

Give if we have it to because we have it to


Proverbs 3:28 our neighbors
give. give now

because they feel


Dont think up evil
Proverbs 3:29 secure in your our neighbors
against others.
friendship

Proverbs Have mercy on them to honor God and be


the poor
14:21, 31 and honor them. happy

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Dont witness against


Proverbs 24:28 him without cause. no answer your neighbor

because the Lord will


Proverbs Give him food and reward us, and it will
your enemy
25:21-22 drink; meet his needs. heap coals of fire on
his head
Love them, do good because this reflects
to them, lend to them,
Luke 6:35-36 the way God treats your enemies
and be merciful to
them. people

Being Kind To Our Enemies


Loving enemies may be the most difficult part of learning to love others. In the Bible,
Jesus says that it is not to our credit when we are kind to those we care about and have
as our friends. To be kind and loving to someone who is kind and loving to us is easy.
It is easy to love someone we like!

But when someone has mistreated us and hurt us in some way, it is very difficult to treat
him kindly. What we need to do is learn to let Gods Holy Spirit work in our hearts and
help us to respond in the right way. Jesus says that He can make even our enemies to be
our friends. How does Proverbs 16:7 explain this?
When our ways please the Lord, He makes even our enemies to be at peace
______________________________________________________________________
with us.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Jesus Forgave His Enemies


The greatest example we have of forgiving and showing kindness to an enemy is what
Jesus did on the cross. Jesus had done no wrong, yet many people wanted Him to be
crucified. Read Luke 23:33-37 and answer each of the following questions:

What groups of people persecuted Jesus?


soldiers, the people, and the rulers
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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What kinds of things did these groups do?


They cast lots for His clothes, derided Him, mocked Him, and asked Him
_______________________________________________________________
to save Himself.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

What did Jesus ask God on their behalf?


He asked God to forgive them all.
_______________________________________________________________

The Story Of Ruth


The story of Ruth and Naomi is a beautiful story of love, devotion, gentleness, and
kindness in action. Consider Ruths story carefully with these characteristics in mind.
This story begins with another woman named Naomi. Naomis family, including her
husband and two sons, left the land of Canaan (the Promised Land) because there was
a famine there. They went in search of food and what they thought would be a better
life. While in a foreign country, Naomis sons married heathen women. But soon Naomis
husband and both of her sons died. So Naomi decided to return to her people and her
homeland.
When Naomi decided to go back, one of her daughters-in-law chose to stay in her
homeland. The other, Ruth, had learned about the one true God and wanted to stay
with Naomi, so the two women went to live in the town of Bethlehem. They were very
poor, but God took care of them.
Back then, it was customary for the poor people to gather the grain that was left over after
the farmers had harvested the fields. Ruth went into these fields to gather leftover grain
for food. The field where she gathered grain belonged to a man named Boaz. As she
gathered her grain, Boaz began to watch her and noticed her beauty and her gentle, loving
ways in the midst of hardship. God brought them together, and they were married.
Although Ruth was a poor foreigner from a heathen nation, God honored her devotion
to Him and her loving and kind ways. He helped her meet someone who would take care
of her and love her. In this way the Lord graciously blessed her life and even honored her
with a place in the lineage of His Son! Ruth eventually became the great-grandmother
of King David.
Who was King Davids most important descendant?
Jesus Christ
____________________________________________________________________

136

LESSON 17 | 233
LESSON 17 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Read the following verses in the book of Ruth and explain how the spiritual qualities of
love, gentleness, and kindness can be seen in Ruths life.

Ruth showed love, loyalty and commitment to Naomi by


Ruth 1:16-18 ____________________________________________________
choosing to go to Canaan with her.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Ruth was willing to work hard. She had a gentle, helpful


Ruth 2:2-3 ______________________________________________________
attitude.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Ruth had been kind, loving, and loyal to her mother-in-law. She
Ruth 2:8-12 _____________________________________________________
gave up the land of her birth.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Ruth was virtuous.


Ruth 3:11 _______________________________________________________

How Do We Become Kind?


The story of Ruth illustrates how gentleness and kindness could be a part of your life. God will
bless you for your loving attitudes and your strength of character. As you have already studied,
there is only one way to build your character in these areas and all others. You must allow the
Holy Spirit to change you from the inside. You must also fulfill your responsibility to submit to
His commands. Developing godly character involves both trusting Him and obeying Him.

Teachers Lesson

Attitude(s)
Ruths Situation Attitude(s) Shown Blessing(s)
Not Shown
She suffered
discouragement,
the death of her acceptance new home
husband. bitterness

She left home and


commitment resentment learned to trust God
moved to Canaan.

She worked hard in complaining,


gentleness food; met Boaz
the fields. bitterness

137

234 |LESSON 17
L E S S O N 1 7 Q U I Z
LOVE AND GENTLENESS
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What did Jesus say were the two most important commands?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. What does Proverbs 16:7 say will happen to us when our ways please the Lord?
________________________________________________________________________________

3. What did Jesus ask God to do to His enemies as He hung on the cross?
________________________________________________________________________________

4. How did Ruth show her loyalty and commitment to Naomi, her mother-in-law?
________________________________________________________________________________

5. Even though Ruth faced many hardships, what attitudes did she not allow to be a part of her life?
________________________________________________________________________________

6. What are some specific things you can do to show love to the following types of people?
The poor: ____________________________________________________________________
Your neighbors: _______________________________________________________________
Your enemies: _________________________________________________________________

LESSON 17 QUIZ
Ruths Attitude(s) Attitude(s)
Blessing(s)
Situation Shown Not Shown

Suffer the death acceptance discouragement, new home


of a husband bitteness

Leave home and commitment resentment learned to trust


move to Canaan God

Work hard in gentleness complaining, food; met Boaz


the fields bitterness

LESSON 17 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 1 8

INTEGRITY

TARGET TRUTHS
Integrity is the inner core of our character.
Others should know that we can always be trusted to tell the truth and that we will never be decep-
tive.
The principle of sowing and reaping is continually at work in our lives.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Have your students discuss the word integrity before they even open their books and begin this lesson.
Do not use the word honesty in the same context yet. After they have discussed the meaning for a few
minutes, have them write a definition for the word. Collect the papers and save them.
At the end of this lesson, have them write a new definition of integrity on the same sheet of paper so they
might see how much more they understand about this concept than they did at the beginning.

The Principle Of Truth And Honesty


The purpose of this lesson is to help your students understand the concept of integrity and how important
it is to their lives. Most young people do not understand the concept and how important it is to their
character. Integrity is who you are as a person, and a person of integrity is worth the price of gold to all
who come in contact with him. This section emphasizes the different facets of what the word integrity
stands for.
Discuss the results of having a reputation for lying. Some results might include:
Telling lies to cover lies
Having a guilty conscience
Being afraid you will be found out
Not being trusted by friends
Not being trusted by parents and teachers
Not having the freedom that you would like
Discuss the deception of telling half-truths and white lies. Have students share examples of this type of
deception and dishonesty. Also discuss how you can say something tactfully and still be honest so that you
do not hurt someones feelings.

LESSON 18 | 237
The Principle Of Sowing And Reaping
The concept of sowing and reaping is a key to our study of integrity for two reasons.
Gods principles operate in the world whether or not one is a Christian. The principle of sowing
and reaping is an integral part of all our lives. Gods principles are a part of our lives whether we
acknowledge them or not.
If integrity is at the core of our character, we will reap that which is good. But if we are dishonest
and devious, we will reap that also. The reason the story of Jacob and Esau is included is because
of the problem with deviousness. Deviousness is a sin that strikes at the core of integrity. Basically,
to be devious means to have no integrity. Deviousness includes cheating, lying, stealing, gossip,
deception, and many other sins.
Before completing this section, write the word devious on the board and have students list other sins
related to the sin of being devious.
After the section is completed, include in the discussion time the ways in which your students are devious.
Have them share specific ways in which deviousness evidences itself, without having them name names
or situations. They will be more open to share and recognize the problem if personal situations are not
shared.
Use the following information in your discussion of deviousness.
Deviousness is cheating. I am devious when I am not completely honest with my parents when
they ask me questions about how I spend my time, and who my friends are, or what happened at
school today.
Deviousness is being deceitful. I am devious when I am sneakyI am supposed to be studying, but
I am watching TV or talking on the phone.
Deviousness is stealing. I am devious when I take money from my mothers purse or my fathers
wallet, and I think they will never notice.
Before finishing the section, emphasize very clearly the consequences in the lives of Rebekah and Jacob
for their deviousness. We may seem to get away with our actions for a while, but sooner or later, Gods
principle of sowing and reaping will begin to work.

Other Examples Of Young People With Integrity/Pure


Motives/Walking In Integrity
The examples of Mary and David show the basic ingredients of integritya pure heart and pure motives.
Sometimes we will fail and do wrong, but God will be faithful to bring us back through discipline and
natural consequences because He knows whether or not our motives toward Him are pure. If we truly
desire to do right, God will help us direct our lives and be successful. Help your students think through
each question in this section to discern what their motives truly are.

238 |LESSON 18
ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS
Commercials And Advertising
The world uses half-truths and white lies continually. Good examples of these are found in advertising in
magazines or on television commercials. Have students bring in ads from magazines or written examples
from television commercials in which claims are made that are not completely truthful.

Project
Help and encourage your students to select each day one thing to do purely because they want to please
God and have right motives. It could be something they do for someone else in particular or something
that will benefit their family or school in general. They should do what they have decided upon quietly
without telling anyone. It is only for the Lord to know, so select something that will bring no glory or
praise and that will go unnoticed by others. Encourage them to remember that God will notice, and they
will reap wonderful blessing for what they do. God Himself will reward them.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
Honesty will guide the upright, but a lack of honesty will destroy you.
Honesty tells what is right.
Honesty will be established forever, but liars last only a moment.
Honesty is the delight of the Lord.
Honesty will cause you to escape punishment.
Honesty shows our true character to everyone.
Honesty means not ever having to worry about feelings of guilt.
Honesty involves confessing our sins and receiving mercy.
2. We will reap whatever we sowwhether we sow sinful deeds or righteousness.
3. He used craftiness to bargain for Esaus birthright, and he used deception to get the blessing that was to
have gone to Esau from his father, Isaac. As a result, he had to flee from home and was later deceived
by his Uncle Laban.
4. Any three of the following would be acceptable:
tell someone that you plan to give him something and then later not give it or make promises you
cannot keep
take what does not belong to you
say anything intended to injure the reputation of another person or slander
be a talebearer and tell false stories about others or start, repeat, or listen to gossip
lie to anyone about anything
accept a gift or payment of any sort to do wrong or try to make money by telling lies
fail to admit when you are wrong
do wrong things, thinking that no one will ever find out
do things that displease the Lord and deceive yourself
5. Answers will vary.
LESSON 18 | 239
LESSON 18 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 1 8

INTEGRITY
In our last lesson we studied the most important commands. The Bible says, God is love
(1 John 4:710). When we demonstrate true love and kindness to people, we are showing
them God. In this lesson we are going to learn about another quality that is a key in the
development of our character. Like the quality of love, it should be part of every aspect
of our lives.
To have integrity is to live consistently according to a code of core values. It means to be
completely honest in all matters, to be sincere and faithful, to be strong and steadfast, and
to have the courage to do right. A person who has integrity is a trustworthy person. He
lives righteously in all he does. He does not lie, he does not cheat, and he does not steal.

The Principle Of Truth And Honesty


Making truth and honesty a basic part of your life will show all who know you what kind
of person you are. If you have integrity, you will be trusted.
Read the following verses in Proverbs and explain what God says about the importance
of truthfulness in our lives.

Honesty will guide the upright, but a lack of honesty will destroy
11:3 ___________________________________________________________
you.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Honesty tells what is right.


12:17 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Honesty will be established forever, but liars last only for a


12:19 __________________________________________________________
moment.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Honesty is the delight of the Lord, but He detests liars.


12:22 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

139

240 |LESSON 18
LESSON 18 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Honesty will cause you to escape punishment.


19:5 ___________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________ .

Honesty shows our true character to everyone.


20:11 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Honesty means not ever having to worry about feelings of guilt.


20:17 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Honesty involves confessing our sins and receiving mercy.


28:13 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The Principle Of Sowing And Reaping


One of the recurring ideas in the Bible is the principle of sowing and reaping. Read
Galatians 6:7, and state the principle in your own words.
We will reap whatever we sow, whether we sow sinful deeds or
____________________________________________________________________
righteousness.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

A Bible story that illustrates the meaning of this principle is the story of Jacob and Esau.
Jacob and Esau were twin brothers. Esau was the first of the twins to be born. Being the
first-born son held many advantages for boys in those days. One advantage was that
Esau would inherit the birthright. However, Esau was not the favorite son of his mother,
Rebekah. She wanted Jacob to have the advantages of being the first-born, so she helped
him deceive his father, Isaac. Read a part of their story in Genesis 25:27-34. In your own
words, explain how Jacob used craftiness to obtain Esaus birthright.
Esau was very hungry when he returned from hunting. Jacob offered him
______________________________________________________________________
food in exchange for his birthright, and Esau accepted the offer.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Later, Rebekah and Jacob together used deceit to take what they wanted. By this time,
Isaac was very old, and his eyes were weak. Isaac wanted to give the traditional inheritance
blessing to his first-born son Esau before he died, so he called Esau and sent him to hunt
and prepare food for them both before he gave the blessing. Read the rest of the story in
Genesis 27:1-41 and complete the following.

140

LESSON 18 | 241
LESSON 18 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

E 1. Isaac was old, and... A. ...to kill his brother.


B. ...take food to Isaac to receive the
2. Isaac asked Esau to get food for him blessing before Esau came.
F
so he might...
C. ...he believed Jacob was Esau.
B 3. Rebekah told Jacob to... D. ...that his father had been
deceived.
G 4. Jacob tricked Isaac by... E. ...his eyes were weak.
F. ...give him his blessing before he
5. Isaac was deceived because... died.
C
G. ...covering his neck and arms
with goatskins.
H 6. Isaac gave the blessing...
H. ...to Jacob.
D 7. Esau came back and learned...

A 8. Esau was so upset that he planned...

Now the sowing and reaping principle began to take effect in the lives of Jacob and
Rebekah. Read Genesis 27:41-45. What happened and why?
Esau hated Jacob and wanted to kill him. When Rebekah heard about this,
_________________________________________________________________________
she told Jacob to flee to Haran where his Uncle Laban lived.
_________________________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________________________

Jacob never saw his mother alive again. When Jacob left home, he went to Haran to live
with his Uncle Laban. Laban was Rebekahs brother. Soon after he arrived at his uncles
home, Jacob met Rachel and wanted to marry her. Laban said that if Jacob worked for him
for seven years, he could have Rachel as his wife. So Jacob worked for his uncle for seven
years until Rachel could become his wife. God used Labans dishonesty to show Jacob the
importance of the principle of integrity and honesty. Jacob was deceived just as he had
deceived his father, Isaac. Read Genesis 29:21-28 and explain how Laban deceived Jacob.
When the seven years were up, Jacob thought he was marrying Rachel. But
_____________________________________________________________________
Laban tricked him into marrying his other daughter, Leah. Jacob had to work
_____________________________________________________________________
seven more years in order to marry Rachel.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

141

242 |LESSON 18
LESSON 18 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Now we see the principle in action. The things we do, whether they are good or bad, will
come back to us. Jacob sowed deception, and he reaped deception. He sowed dishonesty,
and he reaped dishonesty. If you hurt others, others will hurt you. But if you spread love
and kindness, love and kindness will be returned to you. If you sow honesty, that too will
be returned. God has set this principle into action, and it will happen as He says.
Integrity is a key ingredient in your character. Integrity means that you have pure motives
and honesty. You are dependable to do what is right. God always focuses on our motives
and purposes. If our inner motives and inner purposes are pure and right, our lives will
be right. Others will see that we can be trusted.

Pure Motives
Read 1 Samuel 16:7. When Samuel was seeking out the young man God had chosen to be
the next king of Israel, what did he say about the difference between the way man judges
and the way God judges?
Man looks on the outer appearance, but the Lord looks on the heart.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The Lord showed Samuel that David was the young man that He had chosen to be king.
Why? Because David had a pure heart and pure motives.

Walking In Integrity
The concept of integrity relates to many areas. Read each of the following verses and
match it with the correct statement.

1. Do not tell someone that you plan to give him some- A. Exodus 20:15
F thing and then later not give it. Do not make promises
you cannot keep. B. Proverbs 11:9
C. Proverbs 15:3
A 2. Do not take what does not belong to you.
D. Proverbs 18:8
3. Do not say anything intended to injure the reputation of E. Proverbs 21:6
B
another person. This is slander. F. Proverbs 25:14
4. Do not be a talebearer and tell false stories about others. G. Colossians 3:9
D
Do not start, repeat, or listen to gossip.
H. James 1:22
G 5. Do not lie to anyone about anything. I. James 5:16

142

LESSON 18 | 243
LESSON 18 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

6. Do not accept a gift or payment of any sort to do wrong;


E
do not try to make money by telling lies.

I 7. Openly admit when you are wrong.

8. Do not do wrong things, thinking that no one will ever


C find out.
9. Determine to do those things that are pleasing to the
H
Lord so you will not deceive yourself.

It is important to look inside yourself and think about your own motives. Why do you
do what you do? Is it because you want to do what is right or because you are afraid of
punishment? Why are you nice to others? Is it because you want to be loving and kind or
because you want something in return? Impure motives should be taken out of your life
by confessing wrong attitudes that you see inside yourself.

Seeing The Sowing And Reaping


Principle In My Life
It is a sign of maturity to begin to understand how the principle of sowing and reaping
works in our lives. We can see how the principle works both when we do wrong and
when we do right.
On the following chart, share several instances from your own life when this principle
was at work. Share both good and bad examples.

I Sowed... I Reaped...
1. 1.

2. 2.

3. 3.

143

244 |LESSON 18
L E S S O N 1 8 Q U I Z
INTEGRITY
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ___________

1. What are two things the Book of Proverbs says about honesty and integrity?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Explain the principle of sowing and reaping.


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. How is this principle seen in the life of Jacob?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

4. According to the section in your lesson titled Walking In Integrity, what are three things that you
will not do if you live a life of integrity?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

5. Explain in your own words what the word integrity means.


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 18 QUIZ
L E S S O N 1 9

MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY

TARGET TRUTHS
Meekness consists of inner strength. It does not mean weakness.
Pride and arrogance will end in destruction, but meekness will be honored by God.
A meek person is able to suffer unjustly because he knows that God will put all things right.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Read the first paragraph together and emphasize the inner strength necessary to develop meekness. Many
middle school students want to be seen as strong and courageous. It helps them to understand that it is
the weak person who gets angry or who must always have his own way. The strong person is in control of
his emotions. Being meek takes inner strength.

Results Of Humility And Pride


As we learned from the sowing and reaping section in Lesson 18, there are consequences to everything
we doboth good and bad. This means that there are consequences for humility as well as for pride and
arrogance. Have several students share the paragraphs they wrote explaining their conclusions regarding
pride and humility.

Esther The Queen/King Nebuchadnezzar


Have your students work individually or in pairs to complete these sections. Discuss each situation,
emphasizing the sowing and reaping principle at work in each of the following lives: Esther, Haman,
Mordecai, and Nebuchadnezzar. (Two different results are evident in different parts of Nebuchadnezzars
storyone kind when he showed pride, and the other when he repented and showed humility.)

Arrogance And Pride/Meekness/Humility Or Pride?


As these sections are completed, help your students compare the characteristics found in each section.

What About Your Life?


Follow up the material that has already been discussed by having students complete the project in this
section.

246 |LESSON 19
ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Composition
Mordecai was to be hanged because of another mans pride and arrogance, but he remained meek and
quiet. He did not try to get even but rather allowed God to work out the results. The Bible teaches us that
rights to vengeance belong only to God (Romans 12:19). Jesus was also unjustly accused, but He allowed
God to work out the results instead of getting even with His accusers.
Have your students write about a time when they had to suffer unjustly and wanted to get even. Tell them
to describe the incident, explain how they responded or reacted, decide if they had the proper reaction,
and decide how they should respond in the future.

Play-Acting
Play-act the story of Queen Esther and/or King Nebuchadnezzar by dividing the class into groups and
allow them time to organize themselves. Tell them to emphasize the qualities of arrogance and meekness
throughout their plays, focusing particularly on Gods sovereignty and individuals dependence on Him.

TEACHERS LESSON

Definition Of Meekness
Meekness is an inward attitude of mind that yields all rights and expectations to God. Meekness says, God
is in control of everything, and I can trust Him to take care of my life in all situations.

Antonyms
The opposite of meekness is arrogance and pride. Arrogance is selfish and wants his own way in all
situations.

Synonyms
Two other words related to meekness are humility and submission.

The Principle Of Meekness In Action


When we are meek, we do not...
Argue and demand our rights
Push to be first
Seek to get even
Rebel against authority
Boast of our accomplishments
Worry about rewards for everything we do
Discuss these aspects of pride and arrogance as seen in the lives of Haman and Nebuchadnezzar.
LESSON 19 | 247
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
wisdom
personal property protected
honor
riches
life
prosperity
2. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
shame
conflict with others
house (or heritage) destroyed
destruction and a fall
sin
conflict
3. Haman was proud and did not repent. Nebuchadnezzar repented, showed humility, and came to honor
and worship the Lord.
4. He was hanged on the gallows he had prepared for Mordecai.
5. His kingdom was returned to him.
6. an inward attitude that yields all rights and expectations to God
7.
Arrogance
Pride
8.
Humility
Submission

248 |LESSON 19
LESSON 19 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 1 9

MEEKNESS AND
HUMILITY
The idea of developing a meek and humble attitude is not generally appealing to young
people because they do not understand its true meaning. Many think that meekness
and humility show weakness. But this is far from the truth. Actually, meekness and
humility in the life of a Christian result from the recognition that God has supplied us
with everything that we are. Because His power has broken into our lives, and because He
has a purpose for our lives, we realize that we do not have to show everyone how great
we are. We have nothing to prove because we depend on God for everything, and He
supplies it all. This trust in God produces patience, love, wisdom, control over anger, and
courage. A person who is not dependent on God does not have these qualities. This kind
of person is impatient, angry, proud, haughty and arrogant because he believes he has
to accomplish everything on his own. Thus meekness and humility have at their core
strength and courage that are grounded on faith in God.

Results Of Humility And Pride


Compare Proverbs 8:13 and Isaiah 13:11. What does God think of arrogance and pride?
God hates them. He will stop these attitudes and bring down those who are
________________________________________________________________________
haughty.
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

We need to begin to recognize the problem of pride and arrogance so that we can begin
to develop the strength of humility and meekness in our lives. Pride says that we are in
control, not God. It says that our desires and plans are more important than Gods.

Read the following verses in Proverbs and record what they say about the results of
humility and pride.

145

LESSON 19 | 249
LESSON 19 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Proverb Results Of Humility Results Of Pride

11:2 wisdom shame

13:10 wisdom conflict with others

15:25 personal property protected house or heritage destroyed

16:18 no results here destruction and a fall

18:12 honor destruction

21:4 no results here sin

22:4 riches, honor, and life no results here

28:25 prosperity (literally, be made fat) conflict

Review what you have written in each section above and think of some ways you need to
have humility in your life. What will happen if you allow pride to control what you do?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Esther The Queen


The book of Esther is the story of a young Jewish woman who became the queen of King
Ahasuerus of Persia. Esther had been raised by her Uncle Mordecai, who at one time had
saved the kings life.

146

250 |LESSON 19
LESSON 19 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

The king decided to promote a man named Haman to a very important position. Read
Esther 3:1-6 and complete the following questions.

What were the people commanded to do?


bow to Haman and reverence him
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Who would not do this?


Mordecai
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Why was Haman so angry?


because Mordecai would not bow down to him
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

What did Haman decide to do?


have all the Jews in the kingdom killed (since Modecai was a Jew)
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

What was Hamans heart problem?


pride and arrogance
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

After what you have studied about the results of arrogance and pride, what do you think
God caused to happen to Haman?
He would be brought down and destroyed.
_______________________________________________________________________

The king did not know that his queen was also a Jew, so he agreed to Hamans plan. So
Queen Esther and Mordecai began to pray and ask God to show them what to do. God
showed Esther that she should have a banquet to show her husband the truth of what was
happening in his kingdom. Haman was invited to the banquet. How did Haman evidence
even more pride at this invitation? See Esther 5:11-12.
Haman boasted about his wealth and position in life and that he alone was
______________________________________________________________________
invited to dine with the king and queen.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

147

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LESSON 19 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Haman was so filled with pride and arrogance that he thought he could do anything he
wished. He ordered a gallows to be built on which Mordecai would be hanged. But God
reminded the king that Mordecai had once saved his life and had not been rewarded.
So the king caused Mordecai to be honored by having him led through the streets on a
richly arrayed horse with Haman leading the parade. Haman was mortified. At a second
banquet held by Queen Esther, Haman was present once again.
Read Esther 7:1-10 and answer the following questions.

What did the king learn at this banquet?


Esther was a Jew and would be destroyed with her people.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

What was the kings response?


He was angry at Haman.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

What happened to Haman?


He was hanged on the gallows he had made for Mordecai.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

King Nebuchadnezzar
During the days of Daniel, there was a very powerful king named Nebuchadnezzar. King
Nebuchadnezzar developed the same attitudes of pride and arrogance that we saw in the
life of Haman. But there is a difference in the story of Nebuchadnezzar. See if you can
discover the difference between the two men. Read the story in Daniel 4:28-37.

How did Nebuchadnezzars arrogance and pride evidence themselves?


He thought his kingdom had been built by his power.
_______________________________________________________________

What did God allow to happen to the king?


He was driven out of his kingdom and made to live like an animal.
_______________________________________________________________

What attitude began to change in Nebuchadnezzars heart?


He repented before the Lord and began to honor and praise Him.
_______________________________________________________________

What happened to the king then?


His kingdom was returned to him.
_______________________________________________________________

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Compare Haman with King Nebuchadnezzar. What was the key difference between these
two men, and what results did God provide because of this difference?
Haman did not repent. Nebuchadnezzar repented and came to honor and respect
______________________________________________________________________
the Lord. Nebuchadnezzar became humble and meek.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Arrogance And Pride


One of the key ingredients of pride is arrogance. An arrogant person exaggerates his own
importance before others. He acts cocky and thinks he knows everything.
Read the following verses in Proverbs and record what each says a foolish, prideful
person does.

He will not listen to his fathers instructions.


15:5 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He despises his mother.


15:20 __________________________________________________________

He curses his parents.


30:11 __________________________________________________________

He thinks evil is okay.


30:12 __________________________________________________________

He acts haughty and proud.


30:13 __________________________________________________________

Meekness
The Bible has much to teach about meekness. Read the following verses and place the
correct reference beside the statement that best matches each verse.

E 1. Meekness cooperates with others and seeks unity. A. Matthew 21:12

C 2. Meekness humbly helps those in need. B. 1 Thessalonians 2:7-9


C. Galatians 6:1-3
D 3. Meekness is teachable.
D. James 1:21
F 4. Meekness is submissive. E. Ephesians 4:2-3
B 5. Meekness nourishes and cherishes others. F. 1 Peter 3:1, 4

A 6. Meekness is not the opposite of courage.

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Humility Or Pride?
Look up each verse listed on the following chart and indicate who the passage is about
and then whether the person is showing humility or pride.

Passage Person Humility Or Pride?

Genesis 32:9-10 Jacob humility

Exodus 5:2 Pharaoh pride

2 Kings 5:9-12 Naaman pride

2 Kings 5:13-15 Naaman humility

2 Chronicles 26:1-5 Uzziah humility

2 Chronicles 26:14-16 Uzziah pride

Matthew 3:13-15 John the Baptist humility

Luke 15:11-13 younger son pride

Luke 15:14-19 younger son humility

What About Your Life


List those areas where you have exhibited pride, arrogance, self-will, a bad temper, the
determination to have your own way, and rebellion toward your parents.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

In which of these areas do you face the greatest struggles?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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With this in mind, give yourself a project to do that will help you exhibit patient, quiet
submission to someone.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Teachers Lesson

Meekness
Definition

yields
An inward attitude that _________________all rights
____________________ and
expectations God
__________________________to ______

Antonyms

Arrogance
____________________________________________________________

Pride
____________________________________________________________

Synonyms

Humility
____________________________________________________________

Submission
____________________________________________________________

When we are meek, we do not...


Argue
__________ demand
and ____________ our rights.

Push to be first
_______________________________________________________________

Seek to get even


_______________________________________________________________

Rebel against authority


_______________________________________________________________

Boast of our accomplishments


_______________________________________________________________

Worry about rewards for everything we do


_______________________________________________________________

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L E S S O N 1 9 Q U I Z
MEEKNESS AND HUMILITY
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. According to Proverbs, what are two results of humility?


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. According to Proverbs, what are two results of pride?


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. What was the key difference between Haman and Nebuchadnezzar?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

4. What finally happened to Haman?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. What finally happened to Nebuchadnezzar?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

6. What is the definition of meekness?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

7. What are two antonyms of meekness?


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

8. What are two synonyms of meekness?


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 19 QUIZ
Meekness
Definition
An inward attitude that yields all rights and
expectations to God
Antonyms
Arrogance
Pride
Synonyms
Humility
Submission
When we are meek, we do not...
Argue and demand our rights
Push to be first
Seek to get even
Rebel against authority
Boast of our accomplishments
Worry about rewards for everything we do
LESSON 19 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 2 0

HARD WORK AND FAITHFULNESS

TARGET TRUTHS
God will help us to set goals within His will for us.
Faithfulness and hard work will help us achieve our goals.
We will have to learn to overcome tribulations and obstacles to achieve our goals.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Based on the last four lessons, a pattern has been established for the development of character. Love is of
God and is a foundational aspect of the character of God. Thus it was the first step that we discussed in
character development.
The second level, integrity, deals with many areas of life that hit at the core of who we are as a person.
Lying, cheating, stealing, gossiping, slander, hostilities, and a multitude of other sins must be eliminated
to establish a life of integrity, which should be the core of our character.
The third level is meekness or humility. These will eliminate pride and arrogance from our lives. If pride
gains a foothold in our lives, we will fail and not succeed.
This lesson emphasizes a fourth level of importancethat of faithfulness to God and to a task and hard
work to complete our God-given tasks.
After discussing the above points, discuss the first section of this lesson together and then have your
students answer the questions about the life and mission of Christ. Follow the three-point outline in your
discussion as Christs faithfulness to Gods will and goals for His life are carried out.

Faithfulness And Diligence Will Bring Success


Have your students work in groups, by pairs or individually, to complete this section and then review
the key ideas presented here. Have various students read the proverbs they wrote based on what they
learned.

Making Excuses
Complete this section together as a class. As students list common excuses, encourage them to be specific
in the way they are stated and then discuss why each excuse is eventually going to hurt them.

258 |LESSON 20
Johann Gutenberg/Setting Personal Goals
This short biography teaches the story of a great man of God and also illustrates the key ideas that we
have been studying. At the end of the story, the same three key ideas are provided as an outline to evaluate
Gutenberg. Then students are to think through a goal they have for themselves and to consider the
problems that they may face as they achieve this goal.

Faithfulness In Real-Life Situations


This section should help your students see how some of the principles they have learned should affect
their everyday lives.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Setting Goals
It is also important that middle school students begin to think in terms of goal-setting. Many times, young
people who graduate from high school have not learned to look ahead and set goals for themselves.
Goal-setting is important in many areas for young people: (1) they need to set goals for their spiritual
lives and commit areas of growth to the Lord; (2) they need to learn to set goals in their personal lives
concerning their attitudes and actions toward their parents, brothers and sisters; (3) they need to set goals
regarding their school work and study habits; (4) they need to set goals regarding extracurricular activities
and service. Have your students write down goals for each of the following areas.
My spiritual life
My home life
My school work
My friendships
My extracurricular activities
Areas of service to others
Collect their goals and save them for a few weeks. Bring them out after time has passed and have each
student evaluate how he or she is doing. Then review the excuses we make for not completing our goals
and commitments.

Interviewing And Writing A News Story


Have the class break into pairs. Have one student take the part of Gutenberg and the other student assume
the role of an interviewer. Have the class decide together what types of questions could be asked and then
have each pair of students conduct an interview of Gutenberg about his life.
Then have the interviewer take the part of either Mordecai, Queen Esther, Ruth, or King Nebuchadnezzar.
Now the other student will be the interviewer.

LESSON 20 | 259
After the interviews are complete, have each student write a newspaper story based on the key ideas they
wrote during their interviews. Each news article should answer the questions Who?, What?, Where?,
When?, and Why? Tell them to begin their articles with an interest-catching statement and then tell the
key events in such a way that the news story will be interesting to the reader.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1.
Know the will of God so we know that we are obeying Him.
Learn to be faithful and work hard so that our goals may be achieved.
Learn that trials and obstacles will come into our paths and not allow ourselves to use these as excus-
es.
2.
Lazy, indolent, sluggish
A lazy person; someone who is idle
3. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
Become rich
Be a wise son
Rule over others
Be made fat (prosper)
Stand before kings and not have to worry about ordinary men
4. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
Be poor and have shame
Experience bondage and slavery
Desire things and have nothing
Be hungry
Beg and have nothing
Be poor and clothed in rags
5. Make excuses (such as, There is a lion in the streets.)
6. Accept all reasonable answers.
7. Accept all reasonable answers.

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L E S S O N 2 0

HARD WORK AND


FAITHFULNESS
All of our talents and abilities come from God. God has a purpose for all of these things
that He has given us. As we have already studied, God has a purpose and plan for us and
wants to direct our paths so we will be successful. To achieve the goals He has for us, we
must learn several things.

1. First, we must know the will of God so we know we are obeying Him.

2. Second, we must learn to be faithful and work hard so that our goals may be
achieved. A lazy person will never succeed in any area.

3. Finally, we must learn that trials and obstacles will come into our paths, and we
must not allow ourselves to use these obstacles as excuses. Instead, we need to
persevere and be faithful in our tasks.

Lets analyze the life of Christ to see how this fits into the pattern we have outlined
above.
Jesus had a definite purpose and goal for coming to the earth. What was His purpose and
goal? (Luke 19:10)
to seek out and save the lost by dying for their sins
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Was God directing Jesus to complete this goal? Yes No


Using John 17:3-6 as an example, list some of the other goals God had given Jesus to
accomplish.

To cause people to know God


________________________________________________________________

To glorify Gods name on the earth


________________________________________________________________

To reveal God to people


________________________________________________________________

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These are goals God wants all of us to accomplish.


yes
Was Jesus faithful to complete this goal? ______
How do you know that He was not lazy?
He traveled steadily for three years, healing and teaching people. When the time
______________________________________________________________________
came for Him to go to Jerusalem, He went there even though He knew He would
______________________________________________________________________
be killed.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Trials and obstacles definitely came into Jesus path and threatened to defeat Him. What
was His greatest trial?
His crucifixion
______________________________________________________________________

What other trials did He face?


Some people were always against Him, especially the religious leaders.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Was Jesus defeated? Yes No


How do you know? What happened to show that He was not defeated and instead
completed the goal set before Him?
He never stopped doing what He was called to do. He endured the cross.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Faithfulness And Diligence Will Bring Success


Using a dictionary, find and record definitions for the following words.

lazy, indolent, sluggish


Slothful: ________________________________________________________

a lazy person; someone who is idle


Sluggard: _______________________________________________________

dull, sluggish, not busy


Slack: __________________________________________________________

industrious, persevering
Diligent: ________________________________________________________
Read the following verses in Proverbs and record how God views a faithful, diligent
worker and what He thinks about laziness.

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Proverb Hard Worker Lazy Person

10:45 becomes rich; is a wise son will be poor and have shame

12:24 will rule over others will experience bondage and slavery

will be made fat (experience


13:4 will desire things and have nothing
prosperity)

19:15 will be hungry

will give excuses for not working


20:4
and will beg and have nothing
will stand before kings and not
22:29 have to worry about ordinary
men

23:21 will be poor and clothed in rags

Read and observe the lesson that can be learned from Proverbs 24:30-34. Then complete
your own proverb based on this lesson, substituting a situation that would fit into your
lifestyle.
A _________________ young person ____________________________________, but
a __________________________ young person _______________________________
________________________.

Making Excuses
When faced with criticism, verbal abuse, mockery, hard work, or failure, we tend to have
one of these responses:
We carry a grudge. We retaliate by trying to get even.
We quit. We make excuses.
We become discouraged.

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Read Proverbs 22:13 to see a type of excuse that people make for not completing a goal.
What is it?
There is a lion in the streets.
___________________________________________________________________________

List some of the excuses that you and your friends make for not completing the tasks
you have.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Look back over your list carefully. Check those types of excuses that you tend to use.
What should you do instead of making excuses?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Johann Gutenberg
God uses our hard work and faithfulness to Him to accomplish great things through us
for His people. Lets study one example of how God used one mans hard work to change
the world by making Bibles available to ordinary people. As you read this story, pay close
attention so you will be able to answer the questions at the end.
For hundreds of years, copies of the Bible were made by monks one copy at a time.
They copied the Word of God by hand, and they believed that this was the only proper
way to make the Holy Bible live on. They also believed that those who were priests and
monks were the only ones who should read the Word of God because others could not
interpret Gods Word properly. They did not believe that common people like us could
ever understand the Bible for themselves.
Johann Gutenberg was born in Mainz, Germany around 1400. As a boy, he went to
school for only five years, which was all that was required. He became an apprentice in
the Mainz mint, where his father was director. At work he learned to make gold coins,
but at home he carved wooden blocks in the shape of the letters of the alphabet and used
these to make copies of his grammar book. Johann loved to read, but books were far too
expensive for someone like him to be able to buy.

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From his experiments with wooden letters, Johann decided that wood was not clear
enough for printing. He wanted to find a way to use a cast metal strong enough to take
constant use, so he began to experiment with a variety of molds and frames. God had
given Johann a special interest and goal. His goal was to invent a new way to make books
so they could print books for everyone to read. He had a dream of giving the Bible to the
common people.
Constant problems came along that could easily have defeated him and kept him from
his goal. In those days guilds of craftsmen had rules about what a person could make
in their shops. According to the guild, Johann was to work only at goldsmithing as he
had been apprenticed to do. They learned that Johann was going against the guild rules
by experimenting with other things. As a result, the guild prevented money from being
sent to Johanns shop. Now he could not pay his bills. Lawsuits were brought against
him, and his lenders wanted their money. Johann then printed the grammar book used
by wealthy children. This enabled him to borrow money from Johann Fust so he could
continue his work.
This caused further problems because Fust knew of Gutenbergs dream to print the Bible.
Fust decided to control the market of all Bible printing so he could receive all of the
money from these sales for himself. Gutenberg was not interested in profit. His primary
goal was to let all the common people, not just the priests, have the Bible to read. So
Fust had his son-in-law work in Gutenbergs shop since he was now Gutenbergs biggest
creditor. The son-in-law watched to see when the invention was finished. Just as Johann
had gotten his start on the New Testament, Fust took him to court and legally forced
Johann out of his shop to pay back his bills. Fust began to print Bibles on Gutenbergs
printing press for a great profit.
Gutenberg then went back to his home and set up his own shop and printing press. A
very important man in politics and in the church became his patron and helped him.
Through Gutenberg, God caused many thousands of Bibles to be printed and brought
into the hands of common people all over the world. When we realize how many libraries
and stores are filled with books of every description, it is important to realize that the first
books printed on the printing press invented by Gutenberg were Bibles. God had given
Gutenberg a dream; and though there were many obstacles, Gutenberg did not allow his
dream to leave his heart. He worked hard, persevered, and saw his dream come true.
Dreams and goals are important when they are motivated by a desire to serve and honor
God, not merely to get earthly things for ourselves. God uses those goals in our hearts to

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accomplish His purposes. Review the three concepts that we studied at the beginning of
the lesson and that we applied to Jesus. Think about the life of Gutenberg from the same
perspective.
What had God planned for Gutenberg to accomplish in his life? What dreams and goals
did He put into Gutenbergs heart?
to build a printing press So Gods Word could be printed and given to everyone
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What background did Johann have to allow him to achieve this goal?
He worked in a mint, making coins using cast metal.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

In what ways did Gutenberg evidence faithfulness and hard work to achieve his goal?
He worked hard to find a way to make movable type and a printing press, and he
______________________________________________________________________
was faithful despite many obstacles.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What trials did Gutenberg have to overcome to achieve his goal?


The guild would not allow him to print. When he did print, they did not let him
______________________________________________________________________
receive money so he could pay his bills. Later his shop and press were taken away
______________________________________________________________________
from him.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Did he use the trials as excuses, or did he achieve his goal?


He achieved his goal by setting up a press in his home.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Setting Personal Goals


Everyone goes through the same process to achieve their goals in life. God gives us goals
to achieve. Trials and problems come into our paths, and we must work to overcome our
problems. Finally, then, we achieve our goals. Perhaps your goal is to get better grades.
Perhaps it is running for a student office or being a part of a sports team. Perhaps it is to
complete some service in your school or youth group.

158

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Choose one area of your life in which you believe you would please the Lord to set a goal.
What do you believe would be a reasonable and profitable specific goal?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

In what areas and ways must you demonstrate hard work and faithfulness to achieve this
goal?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What problems and trials might hinder you from reaching this goal?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What attitude must you have to overcome these problems?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Faithfulness In Real-life Situations


A number of real-life situations are listed below. Describe what it will take to be faithful
to the Lord in each specific situation.
You are given a difficult You are alone with friends, You borrow money from a
assignment at school. and your parents are not friend and promise to repay
home. him the next day.

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You decide to go out for a The teacher gives an assign- Your parents give you a
team sport. ment to be done individu- chore you do not want to
ally and steps outside the do.
room.

You are asked to watch your You return to school after You have offered to help
younger brother or sister for being sick for three days. organize a youth activity at
the afternoon. church.

160

268 |LESSON 20
L E S S O N 2 0 Q U I Z
HARD WORK AND FAITHFULNESS
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What are the three things emphasized throughout this lesson that we must do to achieve the goals
God has for us?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Define the following two words.


Slothful: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Sluggard: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. According to Proverbs, what are two results that a hard worker can expect to see in his life?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

4. According to Proverbs, what are two results that a lazy person can expect to see in his life?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

5. According to Proverbs 22:13, what is one thing people do that keeps them from reaching their goals?
________________________________________________________________________________

6. What are some goals that you want to set for yourself this month?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

7. What are some goals that you want to set for yourself for the rest of this year?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 20 QUIZ
L E S S O N 2 1

SELFCONTROL

TARGET TRUTHS
God wants us to have control over both our actions and our emotions.
The Holy Spirit living within us can help us have the control we need.
We need to live a disciplined life.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Read the first section with your students, reemphasizing the following progression from Lessons 17-21.

Love Integrity Meekness/Humility Hard Work/Faithfulness Self-Control

What Proverbs Says About Self-Control


Have your students complete this section individually and review the concepts together. To make the
truths in this section come alive in their lives, have them prepare skits as indicated below.

Skits:
Divide your class into four or five groups and have them prepare skits depicting a typical middle school
problem. Have your students demonstrate a situation in which the student is self-controlled in his response
and then the same situation in which the student is not under control and responds in anger, impatience,
or some other emotional outburst.

Sample Ideas:
How to handle yourself when you realize that you have been talked about behind your back.
How to handle yourself in a ball game when the referee makes an unfair call against you.
How to handle yourself when a coach or teacher says you need to work harder in some area.
How to handle yourself when two of your best friends are ignoring you.
The Holy Spirit comes to live in us when we trust Jesus Christ as our Savior. Once He lives within us, His
goal is to take control of our wills, our emotions, and our minds so that our character will become like the
character of Jesus. The more we allow the Holy Spirit to control us, the less we have to worry about anger,
bitterness, jealousy, and other types of attitudes controlling us. When we are not controlled by wrong
emotions, we will no longer be controlled by wrong actions.

270 |LESSON 21
How To Live A Disciplined Life
As you discuss each of the five areas, emphasize the maturity that it takes to make these things a part of
your life. Remind your students that maturity has nothing to do with age, but rather with how we treat
others in love, integrity, faithfulness and control over ones own body and emotions. As they complete the
project section, they will learn that analyzing ones own problem areas and setting goals is a step toward
maturity.

Self-Discipline In The Book Of Daniel


Have your students read each passage and describe the self-discipline evidenced in the lives of Daniel and
his friends. If there is time, have students write a short composition on self-discipline in their lives, using
Daniel as a supporting example of how they should respond to life situations.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS


Have your students list areas in their lives in which they find it difficult to exercise self-control. These
might involve external problems such as eating patterns or laziness, as well as internal attitudes such
as anger or jealousy.
Have your students use a concordance to locate verses concerning anger. What does the Lord have to
say in these verses about how anger shows a lack of self-control?
Note: Several times in this lesson and those that follow, your students may encounter biblical refer-
ences to being made fat. If so, you should explain that being fat is a common biblical idiom that
means health or prosperity. In ancient cultures where malnourishment was common, being well-fed
was an indication of both health and prosperity.

TEACHERS LESSON
In the teachers lesson, we will take a closer look at the subject of self-control.
Definition
What exactly does self-control mean? Self-control is the discipline of the whole lifebody and spirit.
In the Greek, the word for self-control literally means strength and speaks of one who has control
over himself. We must recognize, however, that this control must come from the power of the Holy
Spirit who lives inside the Christian. We can work to control our actions ourselves, but that control will
not be complete or lasting unless we are depending on the power of the Holy Spirit.
Antonyms
The antonyms are chaos and defenselessness. We are defenseless when we are out of control and are at
the mercy of sinful attitudes such as anger.
Losing Control Of The Body
When we lose control of any desires of our body, we allow laziness, food, drink, bad habits, sex, or any
number of things to control us. They have gained control over us instead of our controlling them.

LESSON 21 | 271
Losing Control Of The Spirit
When we lose control of our attitudes and emotional stability, we allow anger, envy, jealousy, or other
emotions to control how we respond to others. Then we no longer control our emotions, but our emo-
tions control us.
Synonym
The synonym is Spirit-controlled, or mature stability, which means we are controlled by the Holy Spirit
instead of being controlled by other things.
Basis Of Spirit-Control
The basis of Spirit-control is having His power working in us even when we are under pressure. Self-
control thus requires power. Christ possessed this inward strength and power of the Spirit as we saw
evidenced in His life in Lesson 20. He was accused of crimes He did not commit, He was given a guilty
verdict, and He was sentenced to death by crucifixion. Think through the way Jesus acted under pres-
sure and the ways others acted during this situation. Jesus was silent, peaceful, meek, dignified, and
loving. However, the soldiers and religious leaders were hateful, deceitful, and vengeful.
To be under control when things are going well is not a remarkable feat. But when we allow the Holy
Spirit to control us during times of stress and pressure, then we can say we have power under pressure.
Also, two other facts will become very evident in our lives and to others.
It takes more power to hold your temper than to let it go.
Those who control their spirits are respected by those who dont.
Pilate thought he was in control of what happened to Jesus. After talking to Him, Pilate realized
that Jesus was not guilty. He tried to have Him released, but he could not and keep everyone happy
at the same time. Since Jesus was truly the One in control, Pilate was actually under His control.
Principle
The major principle or spiritual truth to be learned in this lesson is that we need the power of the Holy
Spirit to lead a disciplined life.
Proverb
In ancient times, the most important part of a city was its walls. Because armies could easily attack an
unprotected city, strong walls around the city were essential. Thus, no walls meant complete destruc-
tion, ruin, and disgrace.
When Solomon wrote Proverbs, he used the analogy of a walled city to describe a person who could
not control himself. In Proverbs 25:28, he wrote that one who has no control over his own spirit is like
a city with is broken down wallscompletely defenseless against attack.

272 |LESSON 21
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Any of the following would be acceptable:
Will not achieve a position of leadership
Will come to poverty
Has good intentions but has no accomplishments
Will bring shame to his parents
2. Any of the following would be acceptable:
Will rule the undisciplined
Is wise
Prepares ahead of time
Will be rich (and fat)
3.
Start with the routine things.
Discipline your body.
Be on time.
Do the hard tasks first.
Learn self-restraint.
4. Any of the following would be acceptable:
In the way he talked to those in authority over him
In what he chose to eat and drink
In choosing to obey God rather than men
In controlling his emotions even when he was thrown into a den of hungry lions
5. The discipline of the whole life: body and spirit
6. control over his own spirit; broken down walls

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L E S S O N 2 1

SELFCONTROL
Two words, temperance and self-control, are often used in our English Bibles to
describe a very important qualitythe quality of a disciplined life. Self-control will
provide stability and inner character for your life. Self-control is the balance between
freedom and responsibility. You cannot have true character without discipline and
control over yourself.
We have already discussed the important balance between freedom and responsibility.
Teenagers desire to have more freedom to be on their own. But, as we have discussed,
many teens do not realize that with more freedom comes more responsibility. And
responsibility requires self-control.
Self-control is the ability to say no when an acquaintance offers something that would
be wrong for you. It is the ability to say no when somebody wants you to go somewhere
that would be wrong. It is the ability to choose to do your chores without being told. It is
the ability to choose to complete your homework on time. It is the ability to control your
actions so that the choices you make will honor God, and God will continue to work in
your life to accomplish His purposes and to bless you.

What Proverbs Says About Self-control


Read the following verses in Proverbs and match them to the following descriptions. You
may use more than one verse for some descriptions, and you may use some verses more
than once. Here are the verses: Proverbs 6:6-8; 6:9-11; 10:4; 10:5; 12:24; 13:4; 18:9; 20:4;
23:21; and 24:30-34.

Characteristics Of The Undisciplined

12:24
Will not achieve a position of leadership ______________________________

6:911; 10:4; 20:4; 23:21; 24:3034


Will come to poverty _____________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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13:4; 20:4; 24:3034


Has good intentions but has no accomplishments _______________________
_______________________________________________________________

10:5
Will bring shame to his parents _____________________________________

Characteristics Of The Disciplined

12:24
Will rule the undisciplined _________________________________________

6:68; 10:5
Is wise _________________________________________________________

6:68
Prepares ahead of time ____________________________________________

10:4; 13:4
Will be rich and satisfied (or fat) ___________________________________
Answer the following questions that deal with the subject of self-control based on the
verses in Proverbs in parentheses after each question.

only what we need


How much should we eat? (25:16) ___________________________________

their lips
What is one thing that wise people control? (10:19) _____________________

Who is better than the mighty who conquer a city? (16:32)


one who is slow to anger and rules his spirit, or attitude
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Who is like a city that has lost its defenses? (25:28)


one who lacks self-control
_______________________________________________________________

What happens to the man who has control over his speech? (13:3)
He keeps his life.
_______________________________________________________________

What happens to the man who has no control over his speech? (13:3)
He will be destroyed.
_______________________________________________________________

What happens to those who linger over wine and get drunk? (23:29-30)
They have woe, sorrow, and conflict, and harmful physical effects because
_______________________________________________________________
they lack control.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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How To Live A Disciplined Life


It is absolutely essential to realize that we cannot change our lives on our own. We need
Gods help through the ministry of the Holy Spirit to transform our lives from the inside
out so that we can become what He wants us to be (Rom. 8:2230). Otherwise, we will
never be able to please God. But God also holds us responsible to be fighting against sin
and yielding control of our lives to God (Rom. 6:1415). Here are five steps to follow that
will help you yield control to God and live a disciplined life.

Start With The Routine Things


Take responsibility to complete the routine activities of life. Remember that when you
avoid your responsibilities, it makes unnecessary work for others or causes others to
have to nag you to complete the tasks you should do naturally. Therefore, hang up your
clothes, make your bed every morning, pick up your clothes and towels after taking a
shower or bath, and complete your routine chores around the house. The beginning of
maturity is accepting responsibility for the ordinary things of life.

Discipline Your Body


Eliminate those things that irritate others and show you have little control over your own
body. Stop fidgeting, shifting, biting fingernails, constant tapping, or anything else that
causes frustrations for others. Take control over what you eat so that it is balanced and
healthy while you are growing so fast. Take responsibility for taking showers, washing
your hair, brushing your teeth, and all the other things that keep you sharp and healthy.
Show your maturity by listening to others. Look into the eyes of those who talk to
you, pay attention to what they say, be willing to listen to counsel and criticism if it is
necessary, and be willing to communicate.
Dont allow griping, whining, and worrying to become a part of your life. Control your
attitudes toward the little frustrations of life because they will always be there. Take
control of the frustrations rather than allowing them to control you.

Be On Time
Practice consistent punctuality. Determine to be in control of time rather than allowing
it to control you. Get to bed in time to get enough sleep so you can get up on time.

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Tardiness indicates a lack of control, and discipline and is rude to others. Dont allow
yourself to put off your schoolwork, especially memorizing Scripture, reading a book for
a book report, or beginning work on a major project. Often such tasks are put off to the
last minute. With this in mind, read the next section.

Do The Hard Tasks First


Most people make the mistake of completing easy tasks and leaving difficult things
until last when there is the least time and energy to do these things well. Attack the
most difficult tasks first so you have time to do them well and then complete the easier
things.

Learn Self-Restraint
Curb your temper and control how you talk to others. The greatest indicator of your
ability to control yourself is your ability to control your temper and your countenance.
Dont say things that you wish you could take back later. Dont get angry and frustrated
with others. A mature person will control himself in the way he treats others.

Project
For each of the above areas, list specific things over which you have the most difficult
time gaining control. Then list some things you can do to show more self-control in these
areas.

Start with the routine things:


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Discipline your body:


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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Be on time:
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Do the hard tasks first:


_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Learn self-restraint:
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
Remember, none of these are actions that you have the power to accomplish in your own
strength. Pray for Gods help as you desire to develop self-control and bring your life
under His control.

Self-discipline In The Book Of Daniel


Read the following passages in Daniel and tell how each shows the characteristic of self-
discipline in the lives of Daniel or his friends and how God acts in each of these stories
to bless His people.

Daniel showed wisdom and self-control in the way he talked to


1:8-16 _________________________________________________________
those in authority over him and in what he chose to eat and drink.
_______________________________________________________________
God caused the official to show favor to Daniel and gave Daniel
_______________________________________________________________
and his friends knowledge and understanding.
_______________________________________________________________

Daniels friends kept their emotions under control when they were
3:1-28 _________________________________________________________
opposed and controlled their actions by pleasing God instead of
_______________________________________________________________
men. God protected Daniels friends and caused Nebuchadnezzar to
_______________________________________________________________
recognize His power.
_______________________________________________________________

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Daniel continued to pray, chose to obey God rather than men and
6:1-27 _________________________________________________________
controlled his emotions even when he was thrown into a den of hungry lions.
_______________________________________________________________
God sent an angel to shut the lions mouths and caused Darius to decree
_______________________________________________________________
that all people in his kingdom were to fear and worship Daniels God.
_______________________________________________________________

Teachers Lesson

Self-Control
Definition
discipline
The ____________________ body
of the whole life: ________ spirit
and ____________

Antonyms

Chaos
____________________________________________________________

Defenseless
____________________________________________________________

Synonyms

Spirit-control
____________________________________________________________

Mature stability
____________________________________________________________

Basis of Spirit-control:
His power under pressure
_______________________________________________________________

Principle

power
We need the __________ disciplined
of the Holy Spirit to lead a ______________________
life

Proverb

control over his own spirit


One who has no __________________________________________________
broken down walls
is like a city with __________________________________ (25:28).

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L E S S O N 2 1 Q U I Z
SELF-CONTROL
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What is one characteristic of the undisciplined that is mentioned in Proverbs?

2. What is one characteristic of the disciplined that is mentioned in Proverbs?

3. List the five steps to living a disciplined life and give a specific example of each from your own life.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

4. How did Daniel show self-discipline in his life?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. What is the definition of self-control?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

6. Fill in the blanks to complete the principle taught by Proverbs 25:28.


One who has no __________________ is like a city with ____________________ that is broken
down, and without_____________.

LESSON 21 QUIZ
Self-Control
Definition
The discipline of the whole life: body and spirit.
Antonyms
Chaos
Defenseless
SynonymsSpirit-control and mature stability
Basis of Spirit-
control____________________________
_________________________________
Principle
We need the power of the Holy Spirit to lead a
disciplined life.
Proverb: One who has no control over his own spirit
is like a city with broken down laws (25:28).
LESSON 21 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 2 2

COURAGE

TARGET TRUTHS
The fear of the Lord is a trusting respect of the Lord.
We never have to fear what man can do to us.
Courage is a result of Gods power in our lives.

TEACHING STRATEGY

The Fear Of Man Vs. The Fear Of The Lord


Read the first sections together as a class, having students explain the differences between the fear of man
and the fear of the Lord. As you discuss the thoughts they find in the verses, emphasize that the fear of
the Lord is not the same type of fear that we generally associate with the word afraid. Instead, it is a
reverential trust or awesome respect for the One who is much greater than ourselves. Then emphasize
that because the power of God is so great, we really have no need to fear men or the situations men devise
because we can trust God to work through fearful situations on our behalf.

The Problem With Fear


Complete this section together, having students share the types of situations or things that cause them
to be afraid. Discuss such concepts as:
The fear of rejection
The fear of being lonely or left alone
The fear of not being accepted by friends
The fear of not doing well on a test
The fear of not doing well if you try out for a team
These are the types of things that most teens are afraid of. You may have to bring some of these up in the
discussion because they may be hesitant to mention them.

How Do We Get Rid Of Fear And Develop Courage?


True courage emanates from the power of God in our lives. If we have learned to allow God to have control
over our lives, His power will give us the courage to overcome our fears. Review the following and explain
how courage is an outgrowth of control of self (Spirit-control).
Love Integrity Meekness and Humility
Hard Work And Faithfulness Self-Control Courage

282 |LESSON 22
Write the sentence, Courage is a result of Gods power in our lives, on the board. After students have
looked up the verses given, discuss how each of them illustrates the truthfulness of this statement.

Examples Of Courage And Fear


Students may work individually or in pairs to complete this section. You may also want to divide the class
into four groups and make each group responsible to discuss one of the four sections. Have them find a
creative way to present the information they have reviewed. They may put on a skit, plan a television news
program explaining the event, or plan some other method of illustration.
Again, as you discuss each example in class, make certain students relate it to the same sentence that was
written on the board previously: Courage is a result of Gods power in our lives.

Having The Courage To Choose The Right


This section discusses the importance of dealing with peer pressure. Most problems that students face are
brought on by friends who want them to be a part of their sin. Usually, young people do not realize the
ramifications of getting involved in such activities.
Spend whatever time is necessary discussing the point that they need to think about themselves in the
way that God thinks of them. Usually, when young people begin get caught up in some activity that will
eventually hurt them, they do so because they have determined that something else is more important to
them than God. They have created an idol in their heartssomething that is their real object of worship.
It is not helpful to build them up and encourage them to feel good about themselves unless their good
feelings are grounded in complete confidence that they are obeying God and accomplishing His purposes
through the power of His Spirit. They need to understand how valuable they are to God because He has
chosen to save them by His grace alone. God has made them in a unique way and has a unique plan for
their lives. He wants them to stay pure so they will find blessing in the life that He intends for them.
Also, discuss the fact that when others try to get them to do wrong by calling them chicken or other
such names, they are only chicken if they give in. Truly courageous people can stand up for themselves
because they understand the value of Gods purpose for them. They will not hurt themselves to please
anyone else. Discuss sinful habits from the perspective not only of the consequences that result from them,
but also for how these sins are incompatible with Gods purpose for their lives.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS


Composition
Describe a situation in which you had to have the courage to do something that was very difficult for
you to do, but you knew it was the right thing to do.
Skits
Help students act out how they can respond when they are enticed to take part in wrong activities,
showing how the fear of man can become a real hindrance during such times. Divide the class into
groups and let each group put on a short demonstration skit.

LESSON 22 | 283
TEACHERS LESSON
There is a direct connection between having the courage to do right and the temptations that Satan will
put before you. Satan will entice you in many ways. His goal will always be to hurt you and pull you down
in some way. He will never want what is best for you. That is why it is so important for you to realize how
important and worthwhile your life truly is, not because of what you have accomplished, but because of
what Christ has accomplished on your behalf. God is very clear about the problems Satan will bring into
your life and how you should deal with him. The verses and truths listed on the overhead transparency
summarize what the Bible says on this subject.
The Command: Be strong and courageous (Joshua 1:9).
The Danger: We wrestle against spiritual powers of wickedness and darkness (Ephesians 6:12).
Gods Provision: God has given us power, love and a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7).
Our Attitude: Be serious-minded and alert (1 Peter 5:8).
The Result: The Devil will flee from us as we submit to God and resist his temptations (James
4:7).

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. a great and trusting respect and awe for one who is much greater than ourselves
2. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
Be strong. Remember that the Lord is with you and will not fail you.
Be strong and obey Gods commands completely.
Meditate on (think about) Gods Word.
Remember that the Lord is with you and trust Him to care for and comfort you.
Depart from evil.
Thank God and take courage.
Allow the love of God to cast out your fear.
3.
If they did not bow down before the golden image, they would be thrown into a fiery furnace.
Some men were going to stone him.
The Philistine giant named Goliath was threatening the armies of Israel.
The people in the land were giants.
4. Be strong and courageous.
5. He will flee from us.
6. Accept all reasonable answers.

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L E S S O N 2 2

COURAGE
Courage is doing a right but difficult thing under adverse circumstances. In this lesson
we are going to look at two aspects of courage. First, we will look at the problems fear can
cause in our lives when we allow it to keep us from trusting God to take care of us when
we do what is right. Secondly, we will talk about having the courage to do right, to take
stands when it is important, and to accomplish Gods purpose for our lives.

The Fear Of Man Vs.


The Fear Of The LORD
We need to remember that there are different kinds of fear. The fear of the Lord is good
because it means we have a great and trusting respect for God because we understand
who He is. Many young people do not have courage because they do not have this great
fear and respect for God. Courage is a direct result of having the power of God in your
life because you have confidence that God will help you do what you ought to do and
will bless you for doing it.
Another kind of fear actually hurts us. Fear that hurts us comes when we have sinned,
and we have fear in our hearts because of our guilt. We also have fear of other people for
many reasons that we will talk about later.
Explain what the verses below say about fear of man and fear of the Lord.

Fear Of Man Fear Of The Lord


Psalm 56:4 Psalm 19:9
We do not have to fear what men can It is clean and endures forever.
do to us.
Psalm 118:6 Psalm 111:10
If the Lord is on our side, we do not It is the beginning of wisdom.
have to fear men.

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Fear Of Man Fear Of The Lord


Proverbs 29:25 Proverbs 14:26
The fear of man brings a snare (or trap). In it is strong confidence
and a place of refuge.
Hebrews 13:6 Proverbs 14:27
Since the Lord is our helper, we dont It is a fountain of life.
have to fear men.

The Problem With Fear


Everyone is fearful at some time or another. Fear is common with man, and God knows
this very well. The greatest fear is the fear of death, and Jesus overcame this fear by dying
on the cross so we can be assured of going to heaven. We have nothing to fear in death
if Jesus is our Savior.
We also have many other situations to contend with while we live on the earth. List the
kinds of fears that come into your life from time to time. Dont forget to mention the fear
that comes when you have done wrong because this is also common to all of us.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How Do We Get Rid Of Fear And Develop


Courage?
Read each verse and explain what God says you must do to eliminate fear and develop
courage inside your heart so you will not have to be afraid of anything.

Be strong. Remember that the Lord is with you and will


Deuteronomy 31:6 ________________________________________________
not fail you.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Be strong and obey Gods commands completely.


Joshua 1:7 ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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Meditate on (think about) Gods Word.


Joshua 1:8 ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Remember that the Lord is with you, and trust Him to care for
Psalm 23:4 ______________________________________________________
and comfort you.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Depart from evil.


Proverbs 3:7 _____________________________________________________

Allow the love of God to cast out your fear.


1 John 4:18 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Examples Of Courage And Fear

Shadrach, Meshach, And Abednego (Dan. 3:13-18)


What did these young men have to fear? If they did not bow down before the golden
image, they would be thrown into a fiery furnace. How did they respond? They said that
God could deliver them. They did not bow down. They obeyed God and trusted Him.

Stephen (Acts 7:54-60)

The men who were going to stone him


What did Stephen have to fear? _____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

He saw Jesus in heaven and asked Him to forgive


How did he respond? _____________________________________________
those who stoned him.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

David And Goliath (1 Sam. 17:20-37)

They were afraid of the Philistine giant,


Why were the Israelites afraid? ______________________________________
Goliath, and fled from him.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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He believed that the Lord would be with him and


How did David respond? __________________________________________
would help him defeat Goliath.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The Twelve Spies (Numbers 13:16-33)

The people in the land were giants.


What did these men have to fear? ____________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

How did the majority respond? They did not want to enter the land because
_____________________________________
of the giants.
_______________________________________________________________

Who responded differently, and what was his attitude? ___________________


Caleb said they should enter the land and not be afraid of the giants
_______________________________________________________________
because the Lord was with them.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Actually, Caleb and Joshua stood together against the other spies, saying that God would
be with them in the land of the giants and that they would be victorious. But because of
the unbelief of the other spies and the Israelites themselves, the nation wandered in the
wilderness for nearly forty more years until all those who feared man instead of God had
died. Then God took Joshua and Caleb and allowed them to enter the Promised Land
and win victory after victory. Because they feared only God and not what man could do
to them, God showed Joshua and Caleb great and wonderful things by allowing them to
enjoy the blessings of Gods promises.

Having The Courage To Choose The Right


Just like those we have looked at who showed courage, we must understand that to have
the courage to do right is a conscious choice we make.

To have courage you must choose...

To care more about what God thinks than what your friends think.
To do what is right rather than follow a crowd that is choosing to do wrong.
To be more concerned about being honest than getting your own way.

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To follow Gods purpose for your life, not your own immediate desires. God
does not ever want you to become involved with anything that will hurt you in
any way.

Remember: Courage is a result of trusting God to provide His power in our lives.

Having courage to do right is a choice that must be made. When we trust God to give us
that power to do right and we decide not to do evil, we are well on our way. Remember,
the courageous person is not the one who gives in to his friends and goes along with the
crowd. The courageous person is the one who can stand alone. That is the person who
will be victorious.

Consider those who go along with their friends and decide to do things under pressure
from their friends that they otherwise never would have. What choices did they have to
make?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Who has won the victory when they decide to yield to the influence of others, and how
will these young people eventually face defeat?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

If they had chosen to have the courage to stand for right, how would they have been
victorious?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Think of some other areas in which others might tempt you to do wrong or when
situations might be a temptation to get you to do wrong. List some of these below.

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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What must you do when such temptations come into your life so that you can overcome
the fear of man and make wise decisions for your life?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Teachers Lesson

Courage And Temptation


The Command:

strong
Be ____________ courageous
and ____________________ (Josh. 1:9).

The Danger:
spiritual powers of wickedness and darkness
We wrestle against the _____________________________________________
_________________________________________ (Eph. 6:12).

Gods Provision:

Power
_____________, love
_____________, disciplined mind
and a ______________________________
(2 Tim. 1:7).

Our Attitude:
serious-minded
Be ____________________________ alert
and __________ (1 Pet. 5:8).

The Result:

Devil
The __________ flee
will ________ from us (James 4:7).

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290 |LESSON 22
L E S S O N 2 2 Q U I Z
COURAGE
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What does the phrase the fear of the Lord mean as it is used in the Bible? ___________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2. List two things mentioned in Scripture that we can do to get rid of fear and develop courage.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. Explain why each of the following had reasons to be afraid at some point in their lives.
Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego: ________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
Stephen: _____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
David: _______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
The ten spies:__________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

4. What command was Joshua given by the Lord in Joshua 1:9?


________________________________________________________________________________

5. According to James 4:7, if we submit to God and resist the Devil, what will the Devil do?
________________________________________________________________________________

6. What advice would you give a friend who is caught up in sins that control him, but only because he
wants his friends to like him?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 22 QUIZ
Courage And Temptation
The Command: Be strong and courageous (Josh. 1:9).

The Danger: We wrestle against the spiritual powers of wicked-


ness and darkness (Eph. 6:12).

Gods Provision: Power, love, and a disciplined mind (2 Tim. 1:7).

Our Attitude: Be serious-minded and alert (1 Pet. 5:8).

The Result: The Devil will flee from us (James 4:7).

LESSON 22 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 2 3

SUBMISSION AND OBEDIENCE

TARGET TRUTHS
Submission and obedience are something we do for our own goodnot just out of duty to someone
else.
Our attitude is as important in obedience as our actions.
When we are disobedient to authority, we are disobedient to God as well.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Thus far in our study we have discussed the following character qualities: love, integrity, meekness and
humility, hard work and faithfulness, self-control, and courage. This lesson brings us to the qualities of
submission and obedience. These character qualities could just as easily have been the first we studied,
but we have kept them for last on purpose. The only way we will be successful in any of the areas we have
studied is if we are obedient and submissive to the principles and commands of God. Thus it ties all the
character qualities together.
No one, especially a teenager, enjoys the thought of obedience just for the sake of obedience and duty.
But that is not Gods way or Gods plan. Obedience and submission to God bring about the promises and
provision of God to enable us to live lives that countlives that have purpose. Gods blessings rest on
those who trust Him and obey Him. Therefore, as we study this lesson, we will realize that stubbornness,
self-will, and rebellion do not hurt others as much as they hurt us. The principle of sowing and reaping is
firmly in place. If we sow rebellion, the same attitude will return to us, and harm will come to us. If we sow
scorn, that same attitude will return to us from others. But if we sow love, goodness, faithfulness, honesty,
and courage, we will receive in the same measure as we have given.

Self-Will And Stubbornness


You may have to show some students how to use a concordance, and perhaps you could have some extra
concordances on hand for those who do not have one in their Bibles. Some online resources, such as
BibleGateway.com, work like concordances, but offer additional features as well. Have students complete
this section individually and then go over the ideas they have examined. Review the words and phrases
God uses for attitudes of self-will so that students fully understand how God feels about such attitudes.
Then have students share the verses they found regarding scorn and list them to see how many different
verses were found by the class. Emphasize how strongly God warns against this attitude since He had so
much to say about it.

LESSON 23 | 293
The Example Of Cain And Abel
This story provides an excellent example of the difference between self-will and submission. As you discuss
their answers to this section, help them to see the inner attitudes of Cain and Abel. Cain was angry inside,
and his face showed his anger continually. He was very unhappy and dissatisfied, and he was discontent
with his life. Abel, however, was content and satisfied with his life. He showed no evidence of the internal
anger that his brother had.
Note also that these two young men were the sons of Adam and Eve. Such attitudes have been with us
since the beginning of mankind on earth. Cains attitude is a direct result of the fall of man in the Garden
of Eden. Abel would have had the same attitude had he not trusted in the Lord and submitted his life to
Him.

Walking In Submission And Obedience


After discussing the story of Cain and Abel, the two verses showing the importance of Gods command to
obey and submit to His authority are very important. We can readily understand the importance of these
commands for our good.
Another point of emphasis needs to be made here. Explain that the Bible tells us to obey those who have
the rule over us and to submit ourselves to them (Rom. 13:1-7; Heb. 13:17). This is a command of God.
Therefore, when we disobey or have unwilling attitudes toward our authority, we are also disobeying
God.

The Story Of Ruth


The section reviews from a different point of view the story of Ruth that we studied in a previous lesson.
Our emphasis here is on Ruths submission to the Lord and others in her life and the results that came to
her because of that submission.

Comparing Self-Will With Submission


The key emphasis in this section is that of attitude. Everyone will have trials and problems as we have
discussed in an earlier lesson. What is most important is not the problem itself but how we respond to the
problem. That shows the kind of person we are. Cain and Ruth responded completely differently. Actually,
Ruth had more problems and trials to overcome than Cain did. But while Cain was disciplined severely,
Ruth was greatly rewardednot because of the amount of her trials, but because of her attitude through
the trials.

294 |LESSON 23
ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Finding A Bible Example


Have your students find another Bible character to illustrate the concept of self-will or stubbornness.
Students should provide the text and an explanation of what took place and then show the results of the
characters attitudes for his or her life. Have several of these shared with the class.

Inappropriate Types Of Obedience


Discuss the differences in the following types of obedience. Have your students give their own meanings
before you help with the ones given below. Have the class provide examples of each type of obedience. If
your class enjoys doing skits, they would enjoy illustrating the different types of obedience as they apply
them to everyday life in skit form.
Legalistic obedience: We obey simply because we must submit out of duty rather than from a heart
that is right before God and that is obeying out of love.
Procrastinating obedience: We obey, but only in our own timing.
Resentful obedience: We do what is asked, but with an antagonistic attitude that shows we are not
pleased to do what we have been asked to do.
Incomplete obedience: We obey but do not complete the task, or we do a halfhearted job.
Spiritual obedience: We obey and do a good job with a right and loving attitude.

Acrostics
Have students complete an acrostic for one of the words we have been studying. Use the best as a part of
a bulletin board display. Your students should choose one of the following.
Courage
Faithfulness
Meekness
Humility
Integrity
Obedience
Self-control

LESSON 23 | 295
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Any of the following would be acceptable:
stiffnecked
rebellious
uncircumcised in heart and ears
bold and self-willed
scorner
2. He killed his brother (and was cursed by God).
3. Submit yourselves to God.
4. She gleaned leftover grain in the fields.
5. He had heard about how she had left her homeland to help Naomi.
6.
Cain did not want to obey the Lord, would not repent, and remain self-willed.
Ruth was willing to submit to God and showed loyalty, loving submission, gentleness, and a willing-
ness to work.
7. how you respond to the problem

296 |LESSON 23
SELF-EVALUATION
For each statement, score yourself on obedience and submission on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best
score.

1. ______ My facial expression and my tone of voice usually indicate that I am willing to do what I am
asked to do.

2. ______ When I am with my friends, I speak very respectfully of my parents.

3. ______ When I am with my friends, I speak very respectfully of my teachers.

4. ______ I do not argue to get out of having to do things that I am asked to do.

5. ______ I obey promptly without having to be reminded.

6. ______ I do not complain about schoolwork assignments.

7. ______ I am willing to go to a teacher to find out what I can do to better my grades.

8. ______ I am willingly obedient to commands from the Word of God.

9. ______ I am obedient to God in the area of personal devotions and Bible study.

10. ______ I do not complain about standards that I am expected to follow.

11. ______ I obey even when I dont understand the reason for what I have been told to do or to stop
doing.

12. ______ I am obedient to God by being submissively obedient to all authority He has placed over me.

13. What are the areas of my life in which I am most resistant to the authority of others?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

14. How does this resistance to authority relate to my willingness to submit to Gods authority?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 23 HAND OU T
LESSON 23 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 2 3

SUBMISSION AND
OBEDIENCE
Obedience and submission to God bring about the promises and provision of God to
enable us to live lives that have purpose and worth. Gods blessings rest on those who
trust Him and obey Him completely. Therefore, as we study this lesson, we will realize
that stubbornness, self-will, and rebellion do not hurt others as much as they hurt us.

Self-will And Stubbornness


Read the following verses and write what the verses say about self-will and
stubbornness.

The people who worshiped the golden calf were stiff-necked


Exodus 32:9 _____________________________________________________
people.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

They would not hear, but rebelled against the Lords


Deuteronomy 1:43 ________________________________________________
commandment.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The people refused to listen and obey.


1 Samuel 8:19 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

They refused to listen and closed their ears.


Zechariah 7:11 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The people who resisted the Holy Spirit were stiff-necked and
Acts 7:51 _______________________________________________________
uncircumcised in heart and ears.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Those who indulge the flesh are bold and self-willed.


2 Peter 2:10 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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LESSON 23 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

The Example Of Cain And Abel


Read Genesis 4:1-12 to review the story of Cain and Abel because it is an excellent
example of a stubborn and self-willed man.
Who were Cain and Abel?
the sons of Adam and Eve
_____________________________________________________________________

What was the difference between the offerings they each brought to the Lord?
Cain brought an offering of fruit, and Abel brought lambs from his flock. God was
______________________________________________________________________
pleased with Abels offering but not with Cains.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Why do you think Cain was angry and his face showed disappointment?
The Lord was not pleased with his offering, and he was too proud and stubborn to
______________________________________________________________________
change.
______________________________________________________________________

With what sarcastic question to the Lord did Cain evidence that he was still stubborn
and self-willed?
Am I my brothers keeper?
________________________________________________________________________
What was the result of Cains rebellion?
He killed his brother and was cursed by God.
____________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________

Walking In Submission And Obedience


Many verses show us how important it is to submit to God and obey Him. What
commands concerning submission are contained in each of the following verses?

Dont yield your members as instruments of unrighteousness


Romans 6:13 ____________________________________________________
to sin, but yield yourselves to God.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Submit yourselves to God.


James 4:7 _______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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The Story Of Ruth


We have previously studied the story of Ruth from a different viewpoint. We saw her as a
young woman who showed love and gentleness wherever she went. Now we will see how
she also displayed submission and obedience to the Lord.

The story of Ruth is one of the most beautiful in the Bible. The story found in this book
is one of hardship and many trials. But because the people in the story were submissive
to God and did not become hardened through their experiences, God gave them great
rewards. The story actually begins with a woman named Naomi. Naomi and her husband
and their two sons had to leave their homes and move to a new country because they faced
a great famine. They went to the land of Moab to find food. While they were in Moab, the
two sons married. Their wives were named Orpah and Ruth. After a few years, Naomis
husband and both her sons died. So Naomi decided to return to her homeland to live. She
did not expect that her daughters-in-law would want to return with her. Orpah decided to
stay in the land of Moab. But Ruth, despite her hardships, had come to know the God of
Naomi and decided to go with her. Read about Ruths response in Ruth 1:16-17.

What decision did Ruth make?


to return to Israel with Naomi
_________________________________________________________________

Why had she decided to do this?


She had taken Naomis God as her God.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

For how long was her commitment to last?


for the rest of her life
___________________________________________________________________

Ruth and Naomi then returned together to Bethlehem. For what reason is this city
important?
It was the city in which Jesus was born.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

You will learn later how this fits with this story.

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After they returned to Bethlehem, life was still very difficult. Read Ruth 2:1-12. How did
Ruth find enough food to eat?
She gleaned the leftover grain from the fields.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Who was Boaz, and how did he help Ruth?


He was a relative of Naomis husband, and he allowed Ruth to gather grain in his
______________________________________________________________________
fields.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Why had he decided to help her?


He had heard about how she had left her homeland to help Naomi.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

After a time, God allowed wonderful things to happen in the lives of Ruth and Naomi.
What happened to Ruth in Ruth 4:13-15?
She married Boaz, and she had a son.
______________________________________________________________________

What happened to Naomi in Ruth 4:16-17?


She got to care for Ruths son as if he were her own.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Read the last verse of the book of Ruth, and you will see how years later, King David was
born to her descendants. From the line of David, Jesus was born in Bethlehem.

Comparing Self-will With Submission


The lessons we need to learn about submission are great and valuable. If you compare
the life of Cain with the life of Ruth, you will see how and why God blesses one person
and not another.

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Cain Ruth

What trials or His offering was not accepted Her husband died. She left her
problems did they
face? by the Lord. homeland and was very poor.

What was different She was willing to submit to


He did not want to obey the
about their
attitudes? Lord. God and obey Him.

How did they She showed loyalty, loving


evidence their He would not repent but
submission, gentleness, and a
attitudes toward remained self-willed.
God? willingness to work.

What was the result He killed his brother, was She married a wealthy man and
of these attitudes in cursed by God, and lived a gave birth to an ancestor of
their lives? hard life. Christ.

Remember: God is not as concerned with what the problem


in your life is as He is with how you respond to the problem.

183

302 |LESSON 23
L E S S O N 2 3 Q U I Z
SUBMISSION AND OBEDIENCE
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What is another term in the Bible for someone who is self-willed and stubborn?
________________________________________________________________________________

2. What did Cain do as a result of his stubbornness?


________________________________________________________________________________

3. What command are we given in James 4:7?


________________________________________________________________________________

4. What did Ruth have to do to find food after she and Naomi returned to Israel?
________________________________________________________________________________

5. Why did Boaz allow her to do this?


________________________________________________________________________________

6. What was the major difference between the ways the following two people reacted to problems in
their lives?
Cain: ________________________________________________________________________
Ruth: ________________________________________________________________________

7. Complete the following statement.


God is not as concerned with what the problem in your life is as He is with ________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 23 QUIZ
L E S S O N 2 4

KNOWING GODS WILL

TARGET TRUTHS
God has a purpose for us, and finding Gods will is simply learning what that purpose is.
We should not expect to know how to make good choices in the unclear areas of life if we are unwilling
to obey God in the areas He has already made clear.
Knowing Gods will is first of all seeking and knowing God Himself.

TEACHING STRATEGY
The first section of this lesson may be difficult for your young people to think through and give examples
for, so you may want them to work together in pairs. This exercise of thinking through a concept for
themselves is invaluable and will enable them to understand the concepts taught in future lessons.

Obedience Is Still The Key


Relate this aspect of the lesson back to Lesson 23. You may want to review the key concepts from that
lesson as you discuss how obedience relates to knowing Gods will.
Use the teachers lesson along with this section. Students need to understand that each of the men and
women who followed Gods will for their lives understood this truth: God made us for a purpose, and
finding Gods will involves accomplishing that purpose.
As each Bible character is mentioned, briefly review the purpose that God had for each person.

Abraham Obeyed Gods Will


Have your students complete this section and then discuss each step thoroughly, showing Abrahams
response to each step of Gods plan. As you review Abrahams life, make sure the following concepts are
emphasized.
God had a definite purpose and plan for Abraham.
Abraham was obedient to God and followed His plan.
Abraham was not perfect. He sinned and reaped the consequences of his sins, but he repented
before God and continued to obey and follow Him.

Make Sure Your Conscience Is Clear


Many students do not realize the importance of keeping a clear conscience before God. Explain that we
do not have to worry about whether we have sin to confess or not because the Holy Spirit will convict us

304 |LESSON 24
if we have sinned. If we feel guilty about something we have done, we can know that the Holy Spirit is
convicting us of that sin, and it needs to be confessed quickly. God will not answer our prayers until that
sin is confessed or repented from Thus if we have not confessed our sins to God, and He has not cleansed
us of sin, we cannot be in His will.
Sometimes keeping a clear conscience also involves asking forgiveness of another person such as a teacher,
parent, or friend. If the Holy Spirit is convicting us that we need to ask forgiveness of someone, then it is
imperative that we do this so that God will work in our lives once again. God means it when He says that
we need to keep a conscience void of offense toward both God and man.

Jesus Obeyed Gods Will


The first question regarding prayer is very important for students to consider. Jesus knew what was about
to happen to Him and still knew it was necessary to be in prayer before His Father. He wanted to spend
time in prayer at this crucial moment in order to submit Himself to the Fathers will. Do not allow students
to be flippant about their answers in this section. Help them realize the seriousness of talking and listening
to God. Review the first paragraph from this lesson. Finding Gods will is first of all seeking and knowing
God Himself. As we communicate with God and depend on Him, He will give us wisdom to choose a
good path.

How To Know Gods Will


Students are asked to make their own list of ideas about how to know Gods will. This should be based
on this lesson and perhaps on the interview they have done of Christian adults (see below). Have your
students share what they have written and have them come to some conclusions as a class. The final class
list should include some of the following ideas.
Be a child of God.
Be obedient to Gods commands.
Have no unconfessed sin toward God or man.
Put God and His ways first in your life.
Be in the Word and in prayer.
Submit to God and trust Him to guide your paths.
Have a relationship with God so He can guide you.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION


Have each student interview two or three adults for whom they have great respect. The purpose of the
interview is to learn how they serve God in their lives and how they knew they were making wise choices
throughout their lives. Have each student prepare a written report of their interviews to be shared with
the rest of the class.
Have the class work together to discuss the types of questions that should be asked. Their lists should
include some of the following:

LESSON 24 | 305
What is your career?
How long have you been doing this?
What preparation did you have?
Did you always do this, or had you thought of doing something else?
How did you make the decision to pursue your career? How did you seek wisdom from God?
How did you know for sure that this decision was wise?
How do you believe that God reveals His will?
As the interviews are shared with the class, discuss the common ideas that come out regarding how to
know Gods will.

TEACHERS LESSON
The major point to be emphasized here is the question: Why should we desire to know Gods will? There
are two responses that need to be considered.
God made us for a purpose.
We know that God not only made all people but that He also made each of us individually for a
particular purpose. That is why we have different personalities, different emotional compositions,
different talents, gifts, and skills, and come in different sizes and shapes.
Obeing God will lead me to Gods purpose for me.
A lawn mower would not be a success at cutting hair, and neither would a pair of barbers clippers
be successful mowing Yankee Stadium.
What does it really mean to do Gods will? How can we make right decisions in the areas where the Bible
does not give us specific commands to follow? WHe is doing what his entire body, soul and spirit were
designed to do. His abilities, talents, special gifts and skills are being used for their intended purpose. This
kind of person will be . . .
Obeying the clear commands of Scripture. We have no reason to expect Gods help in unclear mat-
ters if we are rebelling against the aspects of His will that he has clearly revealed.
Doing what he was designed to do. God has given every believer gifts and abilities that they are to
use for His glory. Using those gifts for Gods glory demonstrates a desire to follow Gods will.
Pleasing God. People who want to obey God will be motivated by a desire to seek His interests, not
their own. Even when decisions are difficult, they make decisions based on what pleases God.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. God helps us as we follow His ways.
2. before God and men
3. Grade their paragraphs based on how well they demonstrate that they understand the concepts
involved.

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L E S S O N 2 4

KNOWING GODS WILL


The first lesson that the book of Proverbs teaches us regarding knowing Gods will is
that the first step is to learn to know God. As we seek God, we will find His will along
the pathway toward Him.

Thus, Proverbs, the book of wisdom, tells us how to find Gods will. Read Proverbs 3:5-7.
What do these verses say about how we find the right ways to go in our life? If we trust in
the Lord with all our heart, do not depend on our own understanding, and acknowledge
Him in all our ways, He will help us choose the right path for our lives.

Short summaries of the main parts of these verses are below. Explain in your own words
what these principles mean. Then give examples of how you can practice each one in
your life.

1. Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own under-
standing.
Meaning: Example:

2. Acknowledge Him in all your ways.


Meaning: Example:

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3. He will help you choose the right path.


Meaning: Example:

4. Do not be wise in your own eyes.


Meaning: Example:

5. Fear the Lord, and avoid evil.


Meaning: Example:

Obedience Is Still The Key


Remember what we learned in our last lesson? The unifying character quality that
makes Christianity work is our obedience to God. Without a submissive spirit, we will
never know Gods will for our lives, and we will never be completely happy, content, and
satisfied with our lives. Something will always be missing.
As you study Gods Word and read of great men and women who were truly successful,
you will find that they were successful because they loved and obeyed God and fulfilled
His plan for their lives. Their priorities were to put God first. Some, like Elijah and

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LESSON 24 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Elisha, were preachers and prophets; some, like David and Gideon, were kings, judges,
and statesmen; some, like Abraham and Job, owned land and herds of sheep and cattle. It
does not matter what kind of work we have to do. If we are to be truly happy and satisfied
in this life, we need to obey God and yield to His control.

Read each of the following verses and write the name of the person(s) who obeyed
God.

Noah
Genesis 6:22 ____________________________________________________

Abraham
Genesis 22:2-3 ___________________________________________________

Bezaleel and Oholiab


Exodus 36:1 _____________________________________________________

Moses and Joshua


Joshua 11:15 ____________________________________________________

Hezekiah
2 Kings 18:1, 6 ___________________________________________________

Joseph and Mary


Luke 2:33, 39 ____________________________________________________

Think of others in the Bible who had great success because they obeyed God. What are
some other names you can think of?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Abraham Obeyed Gods Will


The life of Abraham was based on obedience to the commands of God; and because of
this, God greatly blessed Abrahams life. There were times when Abraham sinned. Twice
he lied and said his wife, Sarah, was his sister. Another time, he tried to fulfill Gods
promise of a son by having a child with his wifes maid. In instances like these, Abraham
had consequences because of his sins, but he did repent and chose to follow the right
path once again.

Complete the following chart by telling (1) what command or promise of God is recorded
in each passage and (2) what Abraham did in response.

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Genesis Gods Command Or Promise What Abraham Did


Leave your country, go to a new He took all his family and
12:1-5 land, and I will make of you a great possessions and left to go to a
nation. new land.

I will give this land to your He built an altar to the Lord and
12:7-8
descendants. prayed.

I promise to give you a child and


15:1-6 He believed the Lord.
many descendants.

Take your only son, Isaac, and offer He obeyed God and was prepared
22:1-14 to offer Isaac, but God provided a
him as a sacrifice.
substitute (a ram).

Make Sure Your Conscience Is Clear


A clear conscience before God is one more key to obeying Gods will. If we have sinned,
and God has convicted us of that sin, we should confess it to God so it can be put aside.
The following verses are very specific about the need for repentance before God.
Acts 24:16 is a very strong statement regarding this point because in it Paul says that he
keep a clean conscience before God and men.
always tried to __________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________ .
the Lord will not
Psalm 66:18 says that if we permit sin to remain in our heart, ____________________
hear us.
_____________________________________________________________________ .
faithful and just to forgive
First John 1:9 says that if we confess our sins, God is ___________________________
our sins and to cleanse us from all unrighteousness.
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________ .
Look at these three verses again and explain the principle of repentance in your own
words.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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LESSON 24 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Jesus Obeyed Gods Will


Just before Judas betrayed Him, Jesus and His disciples went to a garden on the Mount
of Olives to pray. Why do you think Jesus was concerned about talking to God at this
time?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Based on Luke 22:42, what did Jesus say to the Father?

He prayed that the Father would remove this cup (the crucifixion) from Him if the
______________________________________________________________________
Father were willing. But he also prayed that the Father would do His own will, no
______________________________________________________________________
matter what.
______________________________________________________________________

What was His attitude concerning what was about to happen to Him?
His desire to obey the Fathers will was greater than His desire not to have to
______________________________________________________________________
suffer on the cross.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Why did Jesus tell the disciples that they should also be praying? (verses 45-46)
So they would not be led astray by temptation
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What do you think He meant by this?


Jesus knew they would be confused by the events that were about to happen, and
______________________________________________________________________
He knew they would need to be strengthened spiritually.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Apply what happened in the garden to yourself. What can you learn for your own life
from what happened there?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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How To Know Gods Will


Based on what we have studied in this lesson, make a list of what you believe to be
important if you are to know that you are in Gods will. Be ready to share your ideas with
the rest of your class.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Teachers Lesson

Why Should We Desire To Know Gods Will?


for a purpose.
God made us ___________________________________________________ .

Gods purpose for me.


Finding Gods will is finding __________________________________________ .

Doing Gods will means...


commands
Obeying the clear ________________ in Scripture.

designed
Doing what we were ________________ to do.

Pleasing
___________________ God.

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L E S S O N 2 4 Q U I Z
KNOWING GODS WILL
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What does Proverbs 3:5-7 teach us about how we find the right paths for our lives? _____________
________________________________________________________________________________

2. According to Acts 24:16, before whom should we keep a clear conscience? ____________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. Choose one of the following statements and write a paragraph to explain its meaning.
People are only successful when they know and do Gods will for their lives.
Finding Gods will is first of all seeking and knowing God Himself.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 24 QUIZ
Why Should We Desire To Know Gods Will?
God made us for a purpose.

Finding Gods will is finding Gods purpose for me.

Doing Gods will means...


Obeying the clear commands in Scripture

Doing what we were designed to do

Pleasing God

LESSON 24 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 2 5

STAYING IN GODS WILL

TARGET TRUTHS
There is a pattern of failure if we stray from God.
There are definite consequences for disobedience to God.
Gods will begins with what is happening to us right now and extends into every aspect of our future.
Satan will try to blind us so we cannot find Gods will.

TEACHING STRATEGY

Blessings Of Obedience/Penalty For Disobedience


Teenagers need to understand that Gods Word is filled with commands and promises. There are definite
blessings for obedience and definite consequences for disobedience. This is an aspect of the principle of
sowing and reaping that they need to understand well.

Steps Away From God


In Lesson 24 we studied the life of Abraham. We saw that God brought great blessings into Abrahams life,
even though he sometimes disobeyed, because he truly repented of his sin and desired to follow God with
his whole heart. Abraham was a very successful man because he obeyed Gods revealed plan and purpose
for his life.
As students study Lots life, make the comparison between Abraham and Lot. The primary problem with
Lot was not that he rebelled against God, but rather that he did not seem to desire to make serving God
a priority in his life. He did not pray to God and seek Gods wisdom for his decisions or pause to build
altars and worship God as Abraham did. Lot simply did what he wanted to do. He did not seek evil, but
evil found him because he was not living according to Gods plan for him.
This is what happens to most young people who get into trouble. They do not set out to find trouble and
hurt themselves. But their natural fleshly desires take them in that direction because they have not set
themselves to do right and follow God.
Use the teachers lesson as you study what happened to Lot because it will explain in more detail why a
person does not find Gods will. You will need to consider how to handle the story of Lot since it ends
with particularly heinous sexual sin. Consider carefully how much of the story would be best to share with
your students. Although we do not want to minimize the depths to which sin can take us, we also need to
be wise in how much detail we teach to younger students. Consider communicating with your students
parents prior to a detailed discussion of this story.

LESSON 25 | 315
Knowing Gods Will
This is the culmination of everything we have been learning in the last two lessons. Have students discuss
each point and apply them to Abraham, to Lot and to their own personal lives.

Gods Will For You Right Now


Your students need to learn to apply these principles to their daily lives. In a few years they are going to
need Gods wisdom as they choose a college or a career or a lifes mate. God is preparing them for those
decisions right now. If they learn to obey and follow Gods will now, God will help them to make wise
decisions in these important matters later on. As they are faithful now in the simpler decisions during
middle school, God will reward their faithfulness by helping them with high school decisions, college
decisions, and lifelong decisions.
The last questions are given to enable students to restate once again the basic principles that they have
learned.

TEACHERS LESSON
The topic for our discussion is reasons why people do not know and do Gods will.

Satan Blinds Us...


By Making Us Think Gods Will Makes Us Miserable
Jonah was a perfect example of this type of blindness. He knew what God really wanted him to do
(go to preach in Nineveh), but he thought that would be the worst thing he could possibly do. Why?
Nineveh was the capital of Israels greatest threatthe Assyrian empire. The Israelites feared the cruel
and savage army of Nineveh. The Israelites would have liked nothing more than for God to judge
Nineveh and destroy it completely. God, however, was telling Jonah to preach to them so they would
repent, and He would not have to judge them.
Thus Satan went to work on Jonahs mind and heart attitude. He might have made Jonah think, If you
preach to those people, you will surely cause them to repent (after all, youre a great preacher), and
then Israel will be doomed. Those fellows will come in here and take all of you captive, and it will be
your fault! Or he could have told Jonah, What if they dont repent? You will look like a fool! Your
friends will think youre a traitor and a failure!
As we see the ending of Jonahs story, we see the hand of God in the life of Jonah as well as in the repen-
tance of an entire nation of people. By submitting to Gods will, Jonah was part of a great victory.
By Making Us Judge By Our Feelings And By Outward Appearance
Lot was a good example of this kind of thinking. Lot never even stopped to consider Gods will when
Abraham gave him choice of the land. Lot went purely by his own desires. He let his eyes and his feel-
ings dictate his choice, but little did he realize the consequences. How could such a perfect choice lead
to destruction? Yet it did. Lot failed to realize that God could see much further into the future than
he could. Lot could only see the present; God could see the future. Had Lot seen things from Gods

316 |LESSON 25
perspective, he would have seen that to go toward Sodom would lead eventually to utter poverty, and
Lot would end his days as a drunken pauper, living in a cave with his two daughters.
We must realize that God has better knowledge of the future than we have. We also need to recognize
that our feelings and our eyes will often lead us in the opposite direction from where God would have
us go.
Satan has a way of making the wrong way look the best. He fills his way with temporary fun and excite-
ment, knowing that we cannot see the future. Recognize Satans deception and realize that the fruit
may taste sweet now, but the end of it is death (Proverbs 14:12).

Believers Are Not In A Position To Know Gods Will When...


Sin In Our Lives Keeps Us from Seeking and Finding Gods Wisdom
When we are living in disobedience and rebellion to Gods Word, God will not direct or guide us. Why
should He? We arent obeying what His Word directs us to do, so why should He give us further direc-
tions? If we are to find Gods will, we must be sure that we are already trying to do what Gods Word
tells us to do. Is there unconfessed sin in your life? Are there strong desires to disobey Gods Word in
your heart? As long as sin remains in our lives, we can forget about knowing any more of Gods will
than that His immediate plan is chastening.
Failing To Listen Keeps Us From Hearing
Some people do not have specific sins or willful disobedience in their lives, but they still dont obey the
voice of God because they arent sensitive to His voice. The Bible is full of people who refused to hear
Gods Word so much that they became unable to hear it. God took their opportunity away. In other
words, they arent listening for Him. We have to expect that His Word contains the direction we need.
Samuel is a good example of this. As a small child, He heard the voice of God and listened to His
instructions. We need to become more sensitive to the still small voice within us.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Any three of the following would be acceptable:
You will be Gods special treasure.
God will be an enemy to your enemies.
It will be well with you and your children.
You will be prosperous and successful.
Your days will be lengthened.
You will eat the good of the land (enjoy Gods blessing in this life and eternity).
God will abide with you.
Your prayers will be answered.
2. Lot
3. the one who does the will of God
4. understanding what the will of the Lord is
5. Grade their answers based on how well they demonstrate that they understand the concepts that have
been presented. ________________________________________________
LESSON 25 | 317
LESSON 25 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 2 5

STAYING IN GODS WILL


As we have learned, finding Gods will is not difficult if you know the blessing that comes
with obedience. There is no other way to be in the will of God than through obedience.
Some people think that they can do as they please without giving much thought to what
is right and still find success. They may find some pieces of temporary success that way,
but they will miss out on the blessing that they could have had. God wants only the best
for us, and He will bless us if we obey Him.

Blessing Of Obedience
Read the following verses and note some of the blessings God has promised to His people
for obedience.

You will be Gods special treasure.


Exodus 19:5 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

God will be an enemy to your enemies.


Exodus 23:22 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

It will be well with you and your children.


Deuteronomy 5:29 ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

You will be prosperous and successful.


Joshua 1:8 ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Your days will be lengthened.


Proverbs 3:1-2 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

You will eat the good of the land (enjoy Gods blessing in
Isaiah 1:19 ______________________________________________________
this life and eternity).
_______________________________________________________________

God will abide with you.


John 14:23 ______________________________________________________

Your prayers will be answered.


1 John 3:22 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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LESSON 25 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Penalty For Disobedience


What do the following two verses say about the importance of your obedience to the
Lord?

The hand of the Lord will be against those who do


1 Samuel 12:15 __________________________________________________
not obey the voice of the Lord and rebel against His
_______________________________________________________________
commandments.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Gods judgment comes to those who disobey Him.


Ephesians 5:6 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Steps Away From God


When we rebel against the will of God and live in disobedience, we must realize that we
have started on a path that can lead to more and more failures. Failure does not happen
all at once. But when we disobey God once and do not confess that sin, we are more apt
to do something else in disobedience to Him. Sooner or later, we will have great problems
and will experience failure.
Lot, Abrahams nephew, took a great step away from God and did not return to God to
confess his sin. That made it easier and easier to sin again and again. Finally, Lot lost
everything that was important to him in his life.
Read the story of Lot in Genesis 13 and 18-19 and complete the following chart.

Genesis Steps To Lots Failure

Lot left Egypt with Abraham. Both of them were very wealthy, and
13:1-7
land was not large enough to support both of their herds.

Abraham let Lot choose the land he wanted. Lot chose the best land
13:8-11
and separated from Abraham.

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13:12-13 Lot lived near Sodom, a place of wickedness.

God was going to destroy Sodom because of its wickedness.


18:20-33 Abraham begged Him not to if he could find ten righteous people
there.

The angels told Lot that God was about to destroy Sodom and that
19:12-15 he and his family should leave. Lot tried to get his family to leave
with him, but some of them only laughed at him.

Lot and his two daughters escaped from Sodom and lived in a cave
19:30
in the mountains.

Remember, the world, like Sodom and Gomorrah, will pass away, but the one who does
the will of God lives forever (1 John 2:17).

Also remember that we are not to be unwise as Lot was, but we are to understand what
the will of the Lord is (Eph. 5:17).

Knowing Gods Will


We know Gods will as we know and obey Gods Word. The difficult decisions in life
will become more clear when we are faithful in obeying Gods clear commands. Here
are some things that will be taking place in our lives if we are seeking to obey Gods
commands:

Have a clear conscience before God and men.


Spend time in prayer to God.
Be honest with God about your feelings.
Be willing to do what the Lord has commanded you to do.

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LESSON 25 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

What steps could Lot have taken so that he would not continue on the pathway to
failure?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Gods Will For You Right Now


Many times we do not even have to think about whether something is consistent with
Gods will or not. List some of the things that God has called you to do that you do not
have to pray about. You simply have to do them willingly.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

There are also many times when we must make a decision about how we should respond
in a particular situation. We may wonder whether we should try out for the basketball
or soccer team, try out for the cheerleading squad, run for a class office, take part in
a speech contest, volunteer for a special project, or help in Sunday school with little
children. These are only a few of the things we might consider doing, and we need to be
sure that we are making wise decisions.
Sometimes if we are very good at something, we might think that God wants us to follow
through and do it. But that may not be true. You may be a great soccer player, but perhaps
it would be wiser to take more time with your grades before you play school sports. Or
maybe you do not think you are good at soccer, but it would be a wise choice to try it
and learn to be a part of a team. You see, there is not a right or wrong answer to some of
these things, and that is why you must learn to make your choices for the right reasons.
What your friends do is between them and God. God wants to show you what is best for
you, and that is between you and Him alone.
What does Psalm 37:45 say about the kind of motivations we should have as we make
decisions in our lives?
We should seek joy in serving God and trust that His way is best for our lives.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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What does James 1:5 say about how we gain the wisdom we need for our lives?
If we ask for wisdom from God, He will give it to us.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What activities are you interested in doing?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How will you know if these things are wise and are motivated by a desire to please
God?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Teachers Lesson

Why We Dont Do Gods Will


Satan blinds us...

miserable
By making us think Gods will makes us ____________________.

feelings
By making us judge by our ________________ outward
and by ________________
appearance
______________________.

Believers are not in a position to act wisely when...

Sin
________ seeking Gods wisdom
in our lives keeps us from ______________________________
____________________.

listen
Failing to ____________ hearing
keeps us from ______________.

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322 |LESSON 25
L E S S O N 2 5 Q U I Z
STAYING IN GODS WILL
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. List three blessings of obedience that are mentioned in Gods Word.


_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. What man in Genesis took steps away from the Lord and ended his life in failure? ______________

3. According to 1 John 2:17, who abides forever? __________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

4. According to Ephesians 5:17, what is the opposite of being unwise? _________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

5. When you have a really important decision to make, what should you do to find out what Gods will
for you is?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 25 QUIZ
Why We Dont Do Gods Will
Satan blinds us...
By making us think Gods will makes us miserable.
By making us judge by our feelings and by outward
appearance.

Believers are not in a position to know Gods will when...


Sin in our lives keeps us from seeking Gods wisdom.
Failing to listen keeps us from hearing.

LESSON 25 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 2 6

LEARNING HOW TO USE MONEY

TARGET TRUTHS
God entrusts us with money, and He expects us to spend it wisely.
What we do with our money tells us something about our values.

TEACHING STRATEGY

Learning For The Future


Read the first paragraph of the lesson together as a class. Then have your students fill out the first
section, Learning For The Future, individually to give them an opportunity to think through these issues
for themselves. As they share the thoughts they have written with the class, list the concepts under the
following three headings on a chalkboard or overhead.
Things my parents purchase for me
My financial responsibilities now
Financial responsibilities in my future
As this section is completed, emphasize that your students must begin now to learn how to handle money.
Then when the time comes that they have greater responsibilities with money, they will have the necessary
wisdom.

How To Handle Money


Have your students complete this section individually or in pairs, having them write a principle in their
own words based on the verse(s) being read. As you go over their concepts, make sure each verse is well
understood and that all unfamiliar words are defined.

The Problem Of Greed And Covetousness


Many of the problems with money come from problems created by envy and jealousy. We see something
that belongs to another person, and then greed and covetousness take over. Teens need to discuss the areas
in which they are most covetous and jealous. Sometimes it becomes very important to have certain name
brand tennis shoes or clothes. Clothes designers deliberately create new fads or fashions to cause us to
want things that we do not really need. When our friends have these things, it creates an even greater
desire within us to have the new styles. We think that the new fad or name brand styles will help us to
fit in with our friends. Adults have the same problemsometimes to an even greater extent than young
people. Many adults get into great financial problems because they want all the things that others have or

LESSON 26 | 325
that are advertised on television. We all need to learn to say no to the desire always to have the newest
and most expensive things.

Parable Of The Talents


Whatever God gives us is our responsibility to use wisely. If He gives us a certain ability, we need to put
it to use for His glory and for His purposes. If He gives us money, we need to take responsibility for this
also. We need to learn to give some to God, to save some, and to spend some wisely. Money should never
be spent foolishly. But remember also, God does want us to enjoy life, and it is not wrong to spend some
money for fun and enjoyment.

Project
Have your students work on this project in groups of two or three. As they decide how to spend their
money, have them state one of the principles from Proverbs beside each item to support what they are
doing. Have each group present their ideas. Point out that, if we life by Gods principles, there are a great
variety of ways we can use money.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION


God has promised to meet all of our needs, but we are often so used to this that we forget to be grateful. It
is good that we thank God at mealtimes for our food because it is a reminder that all we have comes from
God. For each of the following areas, name at least three things (or people) for which you are grateful to
God.
Spiritual possessions
Material possessions
Special people

TEACHERS LESSON

Develop A Thankful Attitude


Thankfulness will always overcome envy, greed, jealousy, and covetousness. Thankfulness will lift us
up. Greed and covetousness will pull us down and keep us discontent and unhappy. Giving thanks in
everything is the will of God (1 Thessalonians 5:18).

Money Is A Gift From God


Blessings
Money is a benefit for the wise (Proverbs 14:24). Knowing how to use money wisely comes from
following the principles we have studied in this lesson. As we apply Gods principles to our use of
money and act wisely, we will be blessed by God.

326 |LESSON 26
Wealth provides us a way to have many friendships (Proverbs 14:20; 19:4). When we have enough
money to take care of our needs, we do not have to worry about ourselves and our needs. Then
we can be free to help others and give to others which will give us the opportunity to have more
friendships.
Having money provides security (Proverbs 10:15). God desires that we be safe and secure. He does
not want us to be worried about the routine things of life.
Our Responsibility
Those who are diligent will have enough money (Proverbs 10:4). We have already had a lesson
on hard work and faithfulness. It is important to recognize that these two things are extremely
important if we are going to earn the money we need and have the things we desire. This is part of
the sowing and reaping principle. If we work hard and sow diligently, we will reap the rewards of
our work. This is true in regard to practicing for sports or music, getting good grades, and earning
money and receiving raises.
Take good care of the things you own (Proverbs 27:23-25). When we do have nice things, we need
to learn to take good care of them. Our rooms need to be kept clean and free from clutter. Our
clothes need to be kept clean and put away so they will not be ruined. Other things that we own
that are important to us need to be taken care of.
Things that we own will not last forever (Proverbs 27:23-25). We need to recognize continually
what is truly important and what is not as important. The things that we buy or gain with money
will last for only a short while and are external only. The important things are the internal things
of our spirit that will endure forever.
Everything has a use for our good (Proverbs 27:25-27). God explains in these verses that every-
thing He has given us on the earth is to help us in our livesso that we will have clothes and food
and the things we need and desire. God desires that we find satisfaction in the life He gives us on
this earth and enjoy the things He has provided for us.
God promises to provide all our needs (Proverbs 27:27). We need never worry about having the
things we would like to have because God is interested in everything about us. He will always pro-
vide for us.
Remember The Important Things
It is better to have little and fear the Lord than to have great treasure with great troubles (Proverbs
15:16-17).

LESSON 26 | 327
QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Any four of the following would be acceptable:
Give to the Lord from the money He gives you, and He will supply all your needs.
It is better to have wisdom than gold or silver.
Do not promise to be responsible for the money your friend owes.
Do not lie or steal to get money.
The person who uses money wisely will have enough to meet his needs.
Do not borrow unless you must because you will be the servant of the lender.
Dont labor just to be rich because riches are fleeting.
Do not charge unjustly for money you loan to others.
If you give to the poor, you will never lack for anything.
Dont desire riches to the point that you neglect to give the Lord His rightful place in your life.
2. Judas
3. Achan
4. Zacchaeus
5. parable of the talents
6. a thankful attitude
7. Score their answers as you see fit.

328 |LESSON 26
LESSON 26 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

L E S S O N 2 6

LEARNING HOW
TO USE MONEY
Learning how to use money is not the most important part of life, but it is still very
important. As you have more freedom in life, you will see that you have more and more
responsibilities that require money. For example, as soon as you have the freedom to
drive a car, you will have the responsibility of keeping it filled with gas, keeping it in
repair, buying insurance, and many more expenses that come with the ability to drive.

Learning For The Future


Right now, your parents probably still help you with most of your needs. What kinds of
things do your parents purchase for you with their money?
You may receive an allowance, or perhaps you do some work for your parents or others
to earn money. How do you earn your money? What responsibilities do you have with
your money right now?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What additional financial responsibilities do you think you will have over the next few
years?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
Since you will begin to take on more responsibilities for your own money through the
years, it is important to begin now to decide how you will best use your money. Some
people never become mature about money. They do not know how to save their money,
and they do not know how to buy things that they need or desire without going into debt.
Many times they mishandle their money so badly that they must go into bankruptcy and
begin again. When you must begin again, it is never the same because your reputation
with money has been badly damaged. Learn now to handle your money wisely. If you

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LESSON 26 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

begin to possess more and more money, manage it wisely and ask God for wisdom to
help you use it. After all, it ultimately belongs to him.

How To Handle Money


God has given us many instructions in the book of Proverbs concerning how we should
handle money wisely. Read the verses from Proverbs listed below and write the principle
by which God wants you to live.

Principle 1 (3:9-10): Give to the Lord from the money He gives you, and He
______________________________________________
will supply all your needs.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

It is better to have wisdom than gold or silver.


Principle 2 (16:16): _______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Do not promise to be responsible for the money your


Principle 3 (17:18): _______________________________________________
friend owes.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Do not lie or steal to get money.


Principle 4 (21:6-7): ______________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The person who uses money wisely will have enough


Principle 5 (21:20): _______________________________________________
to meet his needs.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Do not borrow unless you must because you will be the


Principle 6 (22:7): ________________________________________________
servant of the lender.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Do not labor just to be rich because riches are


Principle 7 (23:4-5): ______________________________________________
fleeting.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Do not charge unjustly for money you loan to others.


Principle 8 (28:8): _________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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LESSON 26 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

If you give to the poor, you will never lack for


Principle 9 (28:27): ___________________________________________
anything.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Dont desire riches to the point that you neglect to


Principle 10 (30:8-9): ____________________________________________
give the Lord His rightful place in your life.
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________

The Problem Of Greed And Covetousness


In Luke 12:15, Jesus said that we need to guard against greed because life does not consist of
the abundance of the things we possess
___________________________________________________________________________
__________________________________________________________________________ .

trouble to your family


Proverbs 15:27 tells us that greed brings ____________________________________ .
First Timothy 6:10 warns us that the love of money is the root of all kinds of evil so that
leave the faith
some _______________________________________________________________ .
Read the story of Judas in Matthew 26:14-16. What did Judas do?
He betrayed Jesus for 30 pieces of silver.
_____________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________

Which of the principles that we have discussed above did Judas violate?
Principles 2, 7, and 10
__________________________________________________________________________

Read the story of Achan in Joshua 7:1-26. What did Achan do wrong?
He took from the spoils that were to be destroyed.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Which principles did he violate?


Principles 2, 4, 7, and 10
______________________________________________________________________

Read the story of Zacchaeus in Luke 19:1-10. What had Zacchaeus done wrong?
He had used his position as tax collector to steal from the people.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

201

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LESSON 26 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Which principles had he violated?


Principles 2, 4, 7, 9, and 10
______________________________________________________________________

Parable Of The Talents


Matthew 25:14-30 contains the parable about three men who were given different amounts
of money. Read the parable and explain what God is teaching you about money.
Dont hide or hoard your money, but invest it and save it wisely.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What else could God be referring to besides money when He speaks of talents? Give
examples from your own talents.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What similar lesson is God teaching you about these talents?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Project
Pretend that you have been given $1,000 to spend as you think best. This is a great
responsibility, and you need to consider how you will use the money that has been given
to you. Read over the ten principles that we studied earlier in this lesson. Then explain
what you will do with the money. Be very specific.

Teachers Lesson

Develop A Thankful Attitude


Thankfulness overcomes:

Envy
____________________________________________________________

Greed
____________________________________________________________

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LESSON 26 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Jealousy
____________________________________________________________

Covetousness
____________________________________________________________

lifts
Thankfulness __________ Greed
us up. __________ covetousness
and ______________________
discontent
pull us down and keep us ____________________ unhappy
and ______________.

the will of God


Giving thanks in everything is ______________________________________
(1 Thess. 5:18).

Money Is A Gift From God


Blessings

wise
A benefit for the ________ (Prov. 14:24)

friendships
Many ______________________ (14:20; 19:4)

Security
________________ (10:15)

Our Responsibility

diligent
Be ________________ (10:4)

good care
Take __________________ of things (27:23-25)

Remember... (27:23-27)

last forever
Things do not ________________________.

use for our ________.


Everything has a ______ good

all our needs


God promises to provide __________________________.

Proverbs 15:16-17
little
It is better to have ________________ fear
and ____________ the Lord than to have great
treasure
____________________ troubles
with great ___________________.

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LESSON 26 | 333
L E S S O N 2 6 Q U I Z
LEARNING HOW TO USE MONEY
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. List four of the ten principles from Proverbs dealing with how to handle money.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. Who violated some of these principles by betraying Jesus for thirty pieces of silver? _____________

3. Who violated some of these principles by taking from the spoils of Jericho? ___________________

4. Who violated some of these principles by using his position as tax collector to steal from the people?
__________________

5. What parable did Jesus tell in Matthew 25:14-30 about how three men handled three different
amounts of money?
________________________________________________________________________________

6. What kind of attitude overcomes envy, greed, jealousy and covetousness?


________________________________________________________________________________

7. When you are old enough to get your first job, you will have to make some decisions about how to
use your money. Answer the following questions about what you plan to do with the first $500 you
make.
How much money will you give to the Lord? ________________________________________
How will you give this money to the Lord? __________________________________________
How much money will you spend? ________________________________________________
What things will you buy with this money? _________________________________________
How much money will you save? __________________________________________________
Why will you be saving this money? ________________________________________________

LESSON 26 QUIZ
Develop A Thankful Attitude
Thankfulness overcomes...
Envy
Greed
Jealousy
Covetousness
Thankfulness lifts us up. Greed and covetousness
pull us down and keep us discontent and unhappy.
Giving thanks in everything is the will of God
(1 Thess. 5:18).
LESSON 26 OVERHEAD
Money Is A Gift From God
Blessings
A benefit for the wise (Prov. 14:24)
Many friendships (14:20; 19:4)
Security (10:15)
Our Responsibility
Be diligent (10:4)
Take good care of things (27:23-25)
Remember... (27:23-27)
Things do not last forever.
Everything has a use for our good.
God promises to provide all our needs .

Proverbs 15:16-17
It is better to have little and fear the Lord than to
have great treasure with great troubles

LESSON 26 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 2 7

HAVING RIGHT THOUGHTS

TARGET TRUTHS
God is pure and unselfish in His thought life. His thoughts are beyond our understanding.
God wants us to guard what we put into our minds.
God has specific principles for what we should think about.
We can control what we put into our minds.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Complete the beginning paragraphs together. Proverbs 23:7 provides the key principle for this lesson.

The Use Of Your Mind


Our minds were given to us by God and are the most remarkable parts of our remarkable bodies. No one
has yet been able to understand exactly how the mind works, how it controls the rest of the body, how it
organizes our thoughts and emotions, or how it accomplishes any of the thousands of tasks it does in our
lives each day.
And yet, as remarkable as it is, we still control how it will be used. We determine what types of information,
feelings, and attitudes we feed into it. Thus, we should be aware of the warnings God gives us concerning
how we use our minds.
As each of the three verses in this section are discussed, have your students state the meaning of the verse
in the form of a principle by which to live.
Help your students complete the last section, listing good and evil thought influences by considering the
following categories of thoughts:
Spiritual thoughts
Mental or intellectual ideas
Emotional attitudes
Have students complete the section on their own and then share their ideas with the entire class. As ideas
are shared, list them on the board under each of the categories shown above. Have students be specific as
they share their ideas. For example, rather than just saying television, they should suggest television shows
that are right and wrong and explain the reason for their statements.

LESSON 27 | 337
What Does God Think About?
As we discover what God thinks about, we discover the nature and character of God. Explain that in the
same way, as we consider what we think about, we will discover the nature and character of ourselves. This
is true is because of the concept we have studied in Proverbs 23:7, which states that what we think about
is what we are in our character and will also dictate our actions.

Wise And Evil Thoughts


Have the students complete this section individually and then emphasize what each verse says about our
thought lives.

Gods Promise Of Peace


Obviously, it is very important to God that our thought lives be right. That is why, as we have shown
before, God has special promises and blessings for those who obey His commands and principles. This is
no less true in regard to our thought lives. In fact, this promise may be even more important because so
much of our lives is based on the way we think.
After this discussion, ask your students: Can you control your thoughts? How can you do it? Most people
do not believe it is possible to control their thoughts. It is as if they feel that they are at the mercy of their
thought lives. But God says He can renew our minds, and He has given us the Holy Spirit to control us.
Therefore, if we yield to the Holy Spirits control within us, we can control our minds.
Have your students discuss this concept and make sure they include the following in their discussion.
We must have a relationship with God through reading His Word and prayer in order to have the
thoughts of God in our hearts.
We must not have unconfessed sin before God or be holding a grudge against any other person.
We must actively restrain what we put into our mindsthe pictures, movies, television, music,
words we hear, etc. Remember: output equals input!
When we are tempted by Satan in some form, we must flee from him and not entertain evil
thoughts.

Three Scriptural Illustrations


Begin by having several students give their explanations of how each illustration applies to our minds. Add
the following ideas to the ones presented by the students.
The Wrestlers
This will be a good review of Lessons 13-15, which described the battle between the flesh and the
Spirit. You may want to have your students review some aspects of those lessons. In this illustration,
then, we see that the flesh and the Spirit are engaged in constant warfare. Our responsibility is to be
constantly yielding control of our hearts and mindsour entire livesto the authority of the Spirit of
God. (See Romans 6:1-14.)

338 |LESSON 27
To cultivate this yieldedness to God, we need to expose our minds to the renewing work of Gods Spirit
through His Word and cut off contact with influences that weigh us down. We need to read Gods
Word daily; we need to stay with the right friends; we need to read and think about good things. The
flesh, on the other hand, needs to be deprived of those things that keep him strong.
We are in a battle, and the battle begins within our minds.
A Computer
Earlier in our lesson, we used a computer phrase, output equals input, to describe how a computer
works. This is exactly the same way our minds work. If we dwell in our minds on wrong concepts
(data), we will speak and act out those same thoughts. Wrong data produces wrong actions!
A Fountain Of Life
Our minds are like the source of a river. What comes out of the source will determine the character of
the river. If salt pours forth, the river will be salty. If mud pours forth, the river will be muddy. If pure,
clear water bubbles forth, the river will be pure and crystal clear. What is the source for the thoughts
that come from your mind?
If you have time, study Psalm 1 and describe how we are like the tree discussed in these verses if we
allow our roots to draw from the pure source of the Word of God.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Composition
Write a composition using Proverbs 23:7 as the key idea. Use specific examples to emphasize your ideas.
Think of creative ways to illustrate and explain the concepts.

Artwork
Have students draw a picture illustrating Psalm 1 and write a short explanation at the bottom of the picture
of what the different parts of the picture symbolize: the roots, the tree, the river, etc.

TEACHERS LESSON
The things we think about influence other aspects of our lives.
Our Thoughts Affect Our Health (Proverbs 14:30).
Proverbs 15:13 discusses how negative thoughts can cause a broken spirit. We can actually make
ourselves sick or give ourselves headaches through worry or negative thoughts.
Our Thoughts Affect Our Faces (Proverbs 15:13).
Many people can conceal their thoughts behind a false face that makes others believe everything
is fine. But sooner or later how we really feel inside will begin to show on our faces and betray our
true feelings. Our eyes or face will show sadness, rebellion, hatred, or hurt feelings. If we control our
thoughts, we will be able to have a good countenance.

LESSON 27 | 339
Our Thoughts Affect Our Speech (Proverbs 15:28; 16:23).
Think about the things you talk about the most. Are they encouraging and positive things, or are they
crude, foul, and negative? What we think about becomes what we talk about.
Our Thoughts Affect Our Attitudes Toward Sin (Proverbs 16:6).
When our minds are filled with the good and right things of life and when we fill our minds daily with
the Word of God, there will be no room for sinful thoughts. Then it will be much easier to depart
from evil that is around us.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Any of the following would be acceptable:
Gods thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered.
Gods thoughts about us are precious and great.
Gods thoughts are higher than our thoughts.
God thinks of us with thoughts of peace to give us a good future.
2. We will have peace if we trust in the Lord.
3.
Wrestlers Our fleshly desires are in conflict with the Spirit so that we cannot do the things we
want.
Computer Dont put wrong instructions (ideas) into your mind that will produce errors.
Fountain of life The law of the wise and the fear of the Lord spring up in our lives as a fountain and
enable us to depart from the snares of death.
4.
Our health
Our faces
Our speech
Our attitudes toward sin

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L E S S O N 2 7

HAVING RIGHT
THOUGHTS
Computer technology coined a new phrase: output equals input. This axiom of computer
science holds true in our thought lives. The mind, like a giant computer, works according
to the type of information it is fed. What you put into your mind and think about affects
what you become. And what you think about will come out in the way you talk and act.
Therefore, the real you is not just what you say or how you act, but what you think.

The Use Of Your Mind


How then are you to use your mind? What kinds of ideas should you be putting into your
mind? What should you be thinking about? Read the following verses and state Gods
principles for what you think about.

Instead of thinking like the world, be transformed and


Romans 12:2 ______________________________________________
renewed in your into mind.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Bring every thought into captivity to the obedience


2 Corinthians 10:5 _________________________________________
of Christ.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Philippians 4:8 Think on things that are true, honest, just, pure, lovely,
____________________________________________
and worthy of being spoken well of.
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________
_________________________________________________________

Based on the principles found in these verses, make two lists that you can share with your
class that identify things you should think about and things you should be careful not to
think about. Include those external things that can be good for you or bad for you.

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Good Thought Influences Evil Thought Influences

What Does God Think About?


Read the following verses and tell how they describe Gods thoughts.

Gods thoughts toward us are more than can be numbered.


Psalm 40:5 ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Gods thoughts about me are precious and great.


Psalm 139:17 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Gods thoughts are higher than our thoughts.


Isaiah 55:8-9 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

God thinks of us with thoughts of peace to give us a good


Jeremiah 29:11 ___________________________________________________
future.
_______________________________________________________________
What does this tell you about the character of God and what His interests are?
His thoughts are beyond our understanding and include love and concern for us.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Wise And Evil Thoughts


As you read each of the verses listed on the chart, decide if the verse is describing wise or
evil thoughts (or both) and explain why they are wise or evil.

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Wise Or Evil Thoughts? What It Says About Thoughts

Proverbs The righteous think right thoughts, but the


wise and evil wicked are deceitful in their advice.
12:5

Proverbs God will establish our plans when we


wise
16:3 commit our lives to him.

Proverbs Foolish plans are sinful, and mocking leads


evil
24:9 to hatred.

Psalm
evil Many peoples thoughts are worthless.
94:11

Psalm wise David thought about his ways and then


119:59 changed them to obey Gods laws.

Matthew
evil Jesus knew the evil thoughts of men.
9:4

Matthew Evil thoughts come from deep within the


evil
15:19 heart of man.

Gods Promise Of Peace


perfect
In Isaiah 26:3, God promises ______________ trusts
peace to the one who ____________ in
Him.

Three Scriptural Illustrations


Look at each of the following pictures and then read the Scripture verses. In your own
words, describe what the picture is illustrating about the working of our minds.

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Galatians 5:17
Our fleshly desires are conflict with the
Spirit so that we do not do the things
we want.

Proverbs 19:27
Dont put wrong instructions (ideas)
into your mind that will produce
errors.

Proverbs 13:14; 14:27


The law of the wise and the fear of the
Lord spring up in our lives as a fountain
and enable us to depart from snares of
death.

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Teachers Lesson

Our thoughts affect our...


Health
_________________________________ (Prov. 14:30)

Faces
______________________________________ (15:13)

Speech
_________________________________ (15:28; 16:23)

Attitudes toward sin


_______________________________________ (16:6)

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L E S S O N 2 7 Q U I Z
HAVING RIGHT THOUGHTS
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What is one thing the Bible tells us about Gods thoughts? _________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does Isaiah 26:3 tell us about our thoughts? ________________________________________


________________________________________________________________________________

3. What lesson about our thoughts does each of the following illustrations teach us?
Wrestlers (Galatians 5:17) ______________________________________________________
Computer (Proverbs 19:27) _____________________________________________________
Fountain of life (Proverbs 13:14; 14:27) ___________________________________________

4. According to Proverbs, what are four things that our thoughts affect?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 27 QUIZ
Our Thoughts Affect Our...
Health (Prov. 14:30)
Faces (15:13)
Speech (15:28; 16:23)
Attitudes toward sin (16:6)
LESSON 27 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 2 8

MAKING RIGHT DECISIONS

TARGET TRUTHS
The key decision of life is whether or not we have decided to follow God completely.
We must take decisive steps to stay away from evil.
We must take decisive steps to stand for right.
Learning to make right decisions is a sign of maturity.

TEACHING STRATEGY
As the first section is studied, write the words God and gods on the board. Emphasize that there is only
one true and living God, and He stands alone as the basis of truth and right and wrong. Under the word
gods, have students help you make a list of all the things that can become gods in our lives. Help them
consider whether they can make themselves a God. Point out that there is no difference between these
gods that they have just listed and Baal or the gods of the Amorites or the many gods of the Egyptians.
This is why it is so essential that we decide once and for all whom we are going to serve. If it seems
appropriate and you feel God is leading you to do this, have a time of prayer in which students have the
opportunity to ask God for His help in giving Him first place in their lives. Tell them to name those things
in their lives that would take the place of God and become gods in His place. Encourage them to turn from
this form of idolatry in a heart of repentance.

Deciding To Stay Away From Evil/Deciding To Stand For Right


These two sections discuss the need to make two kinds of decisions. We must make decisions against those
things that are wrong and evil. We must also make decisions to do those things that are good and right.
The character of a person is defined by the decisions he makes. Most people do not know how to make
decisions; they simply do whatever comes naturally to them. Every day of our lives presents situations in
which a decision must be made. Usually these decisions are insignificant, but we need to learn to choose
correctly in the small things so we will be prepared when the really important decisions come along. With
this in mind, we should realize then that there really are no small or insignificant decisions because every
situation builds for the future.
Tell your students: When you become an adult, you will want to have meaning for your life and be a
responsible, decisive person. You are in the process of learning to become just such a person. Being mature
does not happen in one day or at one birthday. Being mature is taking responsibility for the decisions we
make.

348 |LESSON 28
The Story Of Martin Luther
As the story of Martin Luther is read, have students focus on the decisions that he had to make in his life.
Luther had to stand against some attitudes and practices and for other attitudes and practices. Some of
his decisions were very difficult because he, like Daniel, had to go against what many people believed to
be correct. But by taking his stand for right, he was able to influence the hearts and minds of millions of
people.
Have students list the decisions Luther had to make and then apply the same choices to themselves.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Recognizing The Importance Of Decision-Making


Have your students keep track for a period of time (a few days or a week) of the decisions they have to
make. Most students do not realize how many types of decisions they must make during the course of a
day. This will help your students realize that they are making decisions continually and need to be more
attentive to this area of their lives.

Researching A Bible Character


Assign students a choice of the following reports to research and write. You may wish to have students
choose a character and work together in pairs on their reports. You may also wish to assign each student a
different person to write about so you will have a variety of stories to present to the class.
Have students choose another Bible character besides Daniel who had to make a decision to be
different and take a stand for God. They need to find and read the story of that person in the Bible
and be ready to share a report before the class regarding the person they have chosen. The key
concepts that need to be learned are:
What purpose God had for them
What obstacles they faced
What evil they had to stay away from or deal with in their ministry
What good they had to stand for
What the results of their ministry were
Many Bible characters could be chosen for this assignment including John the Baptist, Paul,
Stephen, Elijah, Elisha, Noah, Joseph, Moses, Joshua, Esther, Deborah, and Caleb.
Have students choose a Bible character who did not make wise decisions, and have them show how
wrong decisions affected him adversely. They need to find and read the story of that person and be
ready to share a report about their person. Many of these people did make right decisions at times,
but often their wrong decision greatly affected their lives in a negative way. Have them discuss the
following about the person they choose.
What purpose God had called for them

LESSON 28 | 349
What obstacles they faced
What evil they did not stand against that affected them adversely
Whether they ever repented and stood for right
The results of their ministry or life
Examples of Bible characters that could be chosen for this report are Aaron, Judas, Samson, Jonah,
Cain, or Ananias and Sapphira.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. Whether or not I will follow and serve the Lord
2. He purposed in his heart that he would obey God and would not defile himself.
3. They refused to bow down to the kings golden image.
4. He continued to pray even though the law said that everyone was supposed to pray to the king and
that anyone who refused would be thrown to the lions.
5.

500

Germany

the false beliefs and traditions of the Roman Catholic church

the truth of the Word of God

He had to leave the Roman Catholic Church for his beliefs.

He started a movement that became known as the Protestant Reformation (and reestablished the
truth of salvation by grace through faith, not by earning it through good works).
6. Count all reasonable answers as correct.

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L E S S O N 2 8

MAKING RIGHT
DECISIONS
One basic decision in life is the foundation upon which all other decisions will be based.
Study each of the following verses. Then tell who is talking and what basic decision he is
asking the people to make.

Verse Person Decision That Needs To Be Made

Exodus 32:26 Moses Who is on the Lords side?

Deuteronomy Will you choose life or death and


Moses
30:19 blessing or cursing?

Whom will you servethe gods of this world


Joshua 24:15 Joshua
or the Lord?

1 Kings 18:21 Elijah Will you follow the Lord or Baal?

In your own words, state the one basic decision that everyone must make for their lives.
We must decide whether or not we will follow and serve the Lord.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Every other decision that you make will come from this one basic decision about whom
you will follow and obey in your life. As you study in this lesson some of the decisions
that Daniel made, you will see that this basic decision to obey God was the foundation of
everything else. Based on this decision, you will find that there will be certain things in
life that you must stand for and certain things that you must stand against. Such types of
choices are very clear in the life of Daniel.

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Deciding To Stay Away From Evil


In the story of Daniel, we see a young man who has been taken away from his home
and family to a strange land. He had some friends who were also taken away from their
homes and families and who were also godly young men. These four young people
helped each other to obey God. But before they could help each other, they had to come
to some decisions about their own individual lives. To understand the decision Daniel
made from the beginning, read Daniel 1:8. What does it mean that Daniel determined
not to defile himself?
He knew that eating these foods would disobey Gods commands, so he made up
______________________________________________________________________
his mind not to do it.
______________________________________________________________________

In the situation in which Daniel found himself, Daniel decided not to eat the kings food
or drink the kings wine because it was not what the Lord wanted him to eat and drink.
Later, Daniels three friends had to take a stand. What did they decide not to do in Daniel
3:14-18?
bow down to the kings golden image
______________________________________________________________________

Now think about yourself! You live in a different world than Daniel and his friends. But
in your world today, there are things that are wrong for your body and things that would
not be right to do as a Christian. What are some things that God would have you make
up your mind not to do?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Deciding To Stand For Right


Many years later, Daniel was placed in a position where he did not have to decide to
abstain from evil, but rather he had to take a stand for right. Taking a stand for the Lord
could have cost him his life.
Review the story of Daniel and the lions den in Daniel 6. What law was made to hinder
Daniels Christian stand?
People were not supposed to pray to anyone except the king.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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What stand did Daniel make?


He prayed openly three times a day.
______________________________________________________________________

Did Daniel have to take a public stand? Yes No


Why did he do so?
So everyone would know that he served the one true God
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What happened to Daniel as a result, and how was Daniel protected by God?
He was thrown to the lions, but God shut their mouths so they would not hurt
______________________________________________________________________
him.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The Story Of Martin Luther


It has been said that more books have been written about Martin Luther than about any
other person except Jesus. It is impossible to know completely how great an influence this
man has had on our lives and on our world.
Martin Luther was born on November 10, 1483, in a province of Germany. His family was
very humble since his father was a copper miner. It was unusual for someone from his
background to be educated, but Luther went to a university to become a lawyer. When he
was a young man at the university, he narrowly escaped death in a terrible thunderstorm.
He realized that life was very fragile and that God should be important in his life.
Therefore, he made a vow to God to serve Him. Luther decided to join a monastery, and
in 1507 he became a priest. His superiors soon realized what an intelligent man he was
and wanted him to teach theology at a university.
Luther devoted his life to God and the church. He did everything the Roman Catholic
Church asked of him. He fasted and punished his body; he prayed and studied constantly.
He would not allow himself to have any of the pleasures or goods of the world, but he
lived in poverty and humbled himself to do the most menial tasks. But in spite of all of his
works for God and all of his self-discipline, Luther was unhappy and empty in his heart.
He knew that something was very wrong.
The church leaders thought so highly of Luther that they chose him to represent them
in Rome. He was to go to all the shrines and perform penance (acts to demonstrate his

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sorrow for his sins) at each one. Luther looked forward to being in Rome and seeing the
glories of the Church firsthand. But he was greatly disappointed because the worldliness
that he found there shocked him. The wealth of the priests, the constant feasting while
the poor suffered, and the wickedness that he found seemed such a contrast to how the
priests in Germany lived and to the example of Christ Himself.
Still, he went to the church that contained the steps where people claimed Christ had
walked during His last trials and began to climb up these steps on his knees. At each step,
he would stop and say a ritual prayer to gain forgiveness from God. Suddenly a verse
from Scripture came to his mind that changed his life. The verse was Romans 1:17, which
says that just or righteous people live by faith. Remembering this verse immediately
caused him to stand and leave the staircase. What did it mean? What about the penances?
What about all the works he had done for God? Didnt they mean anything?
Luther went home and began to study Gods Word closely, and his studies deeply affected
his life. For a long while, he still taught the church doctrine at the university, but in his
heart his ideas about the truth of Gods Word began to change. Luther had realized that
salvation is a free gift from Godthat Jesus died on the cross for our sins, and we can
do nothing on our own to pay for our sins. We must simply believe what Christ did and
turn from our life of sin to trust in Him alone.
Then in 1517, the pope (leader of the Roman Catholic Church) wrote out a new set
of indulgences (pardons for sin) to sell to the people. The people flocked to buy the
new indulgences, and Luther finally had to say what he now believed. He wrote out his
objections in a special paper that today we call the 95 Theses. Only one of the theses
had to do with the indulgences because Luther had many points of disagreement with the
beliefs of the church. Nailing the 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenberg church was
the same as putting them on television or in the newspaper today. It did not take long for
everyone to hear about them. They were copied and sent all across Germany and then
across Europe.
Luther did not want to leave the Roman Catholic Church. He wanted to remain a part of
it and help it to become scriptural. But this was not to be. Luther was eventually forced to
leave Roman Catholicism because of his beliefs. Throughout the rest of his life, he spoke
out strongly and wrote books about his beliefs. His stand for scriptural truth started a
movement that we now know as the Protestant Reformation. Though he faced many
trials, he continued all his life to take a stand, and the impact of his life is still felt today.

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What basic decision did Martin Luther make in his life?


He stood for the truth of Gods Word, which teaches that salvation is a gift from
______________________________________________________________________
God, not something we can earn.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What did he decide he had to stand against?


the beliefs and traditions of the Roman Catholic Church
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What did he decide he had to stand for?


the truth of the Word of God
______________________________________________________________________

Because Martin Luther stood for right, how did God use him to change history?
He started a movement that became known as the Protestant Reformation that
______________________________________________________________________
restored the truth that salvation is a free gift, not something we can earn by good
______________________________________________________________________
works.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Have you made the basic decision to follow God instead of following other gods? ____
What have you decided to stand against?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What have you decided to stand for?


______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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L E S S O N 2 8 Q U I Z
MAKING RIGHT DECISIONS
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What one basic decision must you make in life that will affect all your other decisions?
________________________________________________________________________________

2. What does Daniel 1:8 say that Daniel did when he was faced with an important decision?
________________________________________________________________________________

3. What did Daniels three friends have to take a stand about in Daniel 3?
________________________________________________________________________________

4. What did Daniel have to take a stand for in Daniel 6?


________________________________________________________________________________

5. Answer the following questions about Martin Luther.


About how many years ago was he born? ___________________________________________
In what country did he live? ______________________________________________________
What did he decide to stand against? _______________________________________________
What did he decide to stand for? __________________________________________________
What problems did this cause for him? _____________________________________________
How did the decisions he made affect other people? ___________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

6. What are some things that you need to take a stand against?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 28 QUIZ
L E S S O N 2 9

KEEPING OUR PROMISES

TARGET TRUTHS
Jesus made promises to us that He will never break.
When we make a vow before the Lord, we must not break our word.
We need to learn to seek wise counsel when we must make an important decision.
Our personal convictions need to be based on Gods Word.

TEACHING STRATEGY

Making A Vow
Complete this lesson together as a class, reading the material together and having your students look up
the verses and then share their answers. As you discuss this section together, help your students begin
the study with a very serious attitude. Help them realize that some decisions they need to make should
continue all through high school and into their adult lives. There are some things God never wants us to
do, and these should be settled early in our lives so we will not have problems later. Have students discuss
the obvious things that we should never donot even once. We should never lie, cheat or steal. We should
not abuse our bodies and yield control of our minds to alcohol or drugs. We should keep ourselves morally
purebefore and after marriage.

Hannah Fulfills Her Vow To The Lord


The story of Hannah is a beautiful example of one who made a vow to the Lord and kept her vow. God
rewarded her in many wonderful ways for her commitment to Him. Samuel grew up to be a judge over
Israel. The books of 1 and 2 Samuel bear his name. By honoring Samuel, God also honored his mother,
Hannah.

A Key Part Of Making Decisions


This section is left to the end, but it is still a very important issue to discuss. When we make decisions,
usually we talk to others to get their advice. Most young people turn to their friends and share their
thoughts and ideas with them.
Friends are very important to teenagers. It is not wrong to ask the advice of friends in many instances. But
teens often turn to friends for advice when they really should be asking for help from those who have more
wisdom and experience. This section is designed to help students understand when to ask advice from
friends and when to seek counsel from adults. Emphasize to your students that their parents will always be

LESSON 29 | 357
the most important source of wise counsel for them simply because no one loves and knows them as well
as their parents. The verses from Proverbs emphasize the need to get good counsel. Friends cannot always
provide this, and we need to be wise enough to know how to seek wise counsel.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Receiving Advice
Have your students give specific examples of times in which their parents advice and instruction have
been valuable.
Have your students keep a record during the week of times in which they need help or advice. Have them
choose one or two of the situations and answer the following questions about the specific situation.
To whom did you go for advice?
Did you receive wise counsel?
Could you have chosen a wiser and more experienced person?
What advice did you receive?
Did you follow through and act on the advice?
What were the results?

Thinking Through Personal Convictions


This assignment may be approached in several ways depending on the amount of time you wish to spend
and the emphasis you wish to make.
Discuss the following concepts:
Our convictions must be based on the Word of God.
No one can force their convictions on you.
They must come from your heart because you have chosen to put God first in your life and serve
Him.
If we are serious about what God wants us to do, we can make a vow to the Lord, determining in our
hearts to keep the vow we make.
A list of areas that many would consider important convictions are given as a basis for research and
discussion.
You may have students work individually, in pairs or in small groups, to find Scripture that supports
each item contained in the following list.
You may have students choose one of the concepts and do their own research, much as is outlined in
the teachers supplement in Lesson 14.
You may use the list as a self-evaluation quiz to help your students discern their level of conviction in
these important areas.

358 |LESSON 29
You may discuss the items in the list and have your students consider their own personal commitments
before the Lord. Help students consider making a vow before the Lord concerning any or all of the
concepts listed. Remember that you cannot force others to decide what they will or will not do. This type
of vow or commitment must come from their own hearts and must be their own decisions. Discuss this
with them, explaining that they are old enough to decide important issues and make some decisions before
the Lord for themselves.
Help your students understand that they will surely fall into sin in many, if not most or perhaps even all
of the below areas. The sweet truth of Christianity is that God forgives all those who respond to their sin
with sorrow and genuine repentance. The basis of this forgiveness is the finished work of Jesus Christ.

A List Of Personal Convictions


I will obey and honor my parents each day of my life.
I will obey all authority God has placed over me.
I will not lie, steal, or cheat.
I will keep myself morally pure both before and after marriage.
I will monitor what I see in books and magazines, on the internet, and on TV.
I will listen only to music that is consistent with biblical truth.
I will make wise choices in the close friends that I choose.
I will not use profane or crude language.
I will not knowingly hurt anyone else by the things I do or the things I say.
I will not abuse my body or yield control of my mind to alcohol, tobacco, or drugs.
I will consistently read Gods Word for myself.
I will admit when I am wrong with a repentant heart.
I will not allow other gods to take the place of the one true God in my life.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. God takes our vows seriously, and we should never break a vow that we have made to God.
2. Hannah
3. If God would give her a son, she would give him back to God and dedicate him to the Lords service.
4. The advice we get will affect our decisions, and our decisions affect our lives.
5. Any two of the following would be acceptable:
There is safety in a multitude of counselors.
Listening to counsel is wise.
If you listen to correction, you will be honored.
A multitude of counselors establishes purposes.
Listening to counsel will make you wise in the future.
6. the Word of God
7. so that we decide for ourselves what we should and should not do, based on the Word of God and not
on pressure from our friends

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L E S S O N 2 9

KEEPING OUR PROMISES


It is very easy to make promises. We often promise to do little things for a friend or family
member. We promise the Lord that if He will just help us out of a situation, we will do
something important to show our gratefulness. Usually, however, promises or vows like
that are made to overcome a problem or to get something we want. We usually do not
take these vows seriously, and they are soon forgotten.

Making A Vow
We need to learn that when we make a vow before the Lord, we need to take it seriously.
When God makes a vow to us, He never goes back on His word. He established a
covenant (a promise or vow) with Abraham thousands of years ago, and He has not gone
back on this vow. He established a covenant with mankind after the Flood, saying that He
would never again flood the earth. He has kept His promise. The most important vow is
the New Testament (or new covenant), made by Jesus in Matthew 26:28, which says that
Jesus shed His blood to pay for the forgiveness of our sins.

We need to learn to keep vows to the Lord in the important areas of our lives. In your
own words, explain what each of the following verses says about making vows to the
Lord.

Numbers 30:2 If___________________________________________________


a man makes a vow to the Lord, he needs to do what he
has promised and not break his word.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

If you make a vow to the Lord, it would be a sin to


Deuteronomy 23:21 _______________________________________________
break the vow.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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Dont be hasty to make a vow before God. When you


Ecclesiastes 5:2, 4-6 _______________________________________________
do make a vow, keep your vow. It is better not to make
_______________________________________________________________
a vow than to make one and break it.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Proverbs also has much to say about saying things in haste that you do not mean. Match
each verse with the phrase that explains the key idea of the verse.

F 1. Proverbs 4:24 A. Dont be a hypocrite and use your words to destroy


your neighbor.
A 2. Proverbs 11:9
B. A righteous person thinks before he talks.
D 3. Proverbs 12:19 C. A fool speaks words in haste.
G 4. Proverbs 12:22 D. God will establish truth forever.
E. A righteous man will not lie to God or anyone.
E 5. Proverbs 13:5
F. Dont allow the wrong kinds of words to come from
B 6. Proverbs 15:28 your mouth.

C 7. Proverbs 29:20 G. God hates lying lips.

Hannah Fulfills Her Vow To The Lord


One of the most beautiful stories in the Bible is the story of Samuel and his mother,
Hannah. Hannah had been married for a long time but had not had any children.
According to 1 Samuel 1:8, why was her husband concerned about her?
She wouldnt eat, and she was always crying.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Then on one of her trips to the temple to give a sacrifice to the Lord, Hannah went before
the Lord in a different way. What happened in 1 Samuel 1:10-11?
She made a vow to the Lord that if He would give her a son, she would give him
______________________________________________________________________
back to the Lord and dedicate him to the Lords service.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Eli, the priest at the temple, watched Hannah praying before the Lord and approached
God would answer her prayer, and she could go in
her in verse 17 to tell her that ______________________________________________
peace.
_____________________________________________________________________ .
With this in mind, what attitude did Hannah have now, and what happened to her?
(vss. 18-20)
She was no longer sad and began to eat. She praised the Lord, and soon she had
______________________________________________________________________
a son.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What did she do to keep her vow to the Lord? (vss. 25-28)
She took her son, Samuel, to the temple to give him back to the Lord for his
______________________________________________________________________
service as she had promised.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

A Key Part Of Making Decisions


One of the most important aspects of learning to make decisions is learning to seek good
advice. The Bible is very clear about the need for wise counsel. List those whom you
would consider to be the ones who would give you the best counsel.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

For what kinds of situations or problems would you need counsel from the people you
listed above?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Should you get advice from your friends? Yes No


Under what types of situations would you receive wise counsel from a friend?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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The following verses from Proverbs show the need for wise counsel. When you receive
wise counsel, you will be more likely to make a good decision. Look up each verse and
write under the appropriate column the problems or rewards you will experience based
on the kind of counsel you seek. (Some verses will need to be recorded under both
columns.)
Proverbs 11:14 Proverbs 15:22
Proverbs 12:15 Proverbs 19:20
Proverbs 13:18

Problems Rewards
11:14Where there is no counsel or 11:14There is safety in a multitude
guidance, the people fall. of counselors.
13:18If you refuse instruction, you 12:15Listening to counsel is wise.
will have poverty and shame. 13:18If you listen to correction,
15:22Plans fail when there is no you will be honored.
counsel. 15:22A multitude of counselors
establishes purposes.
19:20Listing to counsel will make
you wise in the future.

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L E S S O N 2 9 Q U I Z
KEEPING OUR PROMISES
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score __________ _

1. According to Ecclesiastes 5, what is important to remember when you make a vow to the Lord?
________________________________________________________________________________

2. Whom do we read about in 1 Samuel who was a good example of someone who kept a vow?
______________________

3. What was the vow that she made to God?


________________________________________________________________________________

4. Why is it important to get good advice when you have a decision to make?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. List two things that the Book of Proverbs says about the importance of good advice or counsel.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

6. What should our convictions be based upon?


________________________________________________________________________________

7. Why is it important to have personal convictions for your life?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 29 QUIZ
L E S S O N 3 0

CONTROLLING WHAT WE SAY

TARGET TRUTHS
We cannot tame our tongues and our speech without the control of the Holy Spirit.
The tongue can be used for both good and evil.
We need to learn how to talk to others as well as learn to become a good listener.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Have your students read and complete the first paragraph on their own. Then discuss with your class from
their notes how Christ talked to others. As ideas are offered, list them on the board under the heading:
How Jesus Spoke. Some of the following concepts may be included in your discussion.
He was always kind.
He showed anger only against sinful practices.
He knew when to talk and when to be silent.
He said things that would help others (edify them and build them up).
He never swore, used crude language, or told dirty jokes.
He enjoyed talking to people from all walks of life.
He was a good listener.
He revealed Gods truth.

The Tongue
Begin this section by asking this question: According to the Bible, the tongue is the greatest force for evil
in our bodies. Why is this so? Have your students discuss the answer to this and then have them complete
this section and share their answers when they are finished.
Use the teachers lesson portion of this chapter after this section.

The Example Of Peter


Review what was studied last week concerning making vows before the Lord. Often we make rash promises
to God and others without thinking through whether we really mean what we say. We need to remember
that God always knows the true condition of our hearts. If we are not ready to make a commitment to the
Lord or someone else, and we make a rash promise, then we will suffer later. We need to think before we
talk and not allow ourselves to get caught up with saying things we really dont mean.

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The key lesson we learn from the life of Peter is the inner control that he learned to have when the Holy
Spirit came to live within him. He changed from a man who wanted to do right but could not follow
througha man who wanted to be bold for the Lord but was actually afraidto a man of great boldness
and courage who spent the remainder of his life preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION


Many people do not really know how to talk with others in a positive way. The following outline discusses
some of the things we need to remember when we are having a conversation with someone. Share these
concepts with your class and have them read the verses indicated. If it seems appropriate with your class,
have each person sit with someone who is not a close friend and have a conversation based on these
principles.
Be a good listener. When the other person is talking, dont concentrate on thinking about what you
will say next. Concentrate on what the other person is saying (James 1:19).
Be interested in what the other person has to say (James 1:19).
Ask questions about what the other person is saying. If the person is shy or timid, asking questions
will help him to open up about himself and share his true feelings (1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
Do not be intimidated by the other person. At the appropriate times, begin to share your own
thoughts and ideas (Psalm 119:165).
If the conversation begins to include gossip or other negative remarks, redirect it in a positive way
by asking about something else or simply stating, Id rather wait until so-and-so is here before we
talk about him or her, and then quickly ask another question.

TEACHERS LESSON
Whatever proceeds out of the mouth is an outward evidence of what we are like inside. Listen to someone
speak, and you will learn a great deal about the condition of the persons heart. Thus, the tongue reveals
our character. So you need to ask yourself, what does my speech tell others about my character?
Lets learn the following lessons about the tongue from James 3.
It needs to be controlled (James 3:2-4).
A bridle is needed for an untamed youth who is not ready to run his own life. The horse is a won-
derful picture of a young person who is high-spirited and excited about life and who has great
energy. Everything is new, exciting, and wonderful. But sometimes, in his enthusiasm to enjoy all
of life, a young person can begin to think: I can run my own life. I dont need anyone telling me
what to do anymore. Thus, a young person still needs a bridle to control his activities and keep
him on the right path.
A helm is needed for adults to speak in the right spirit. It is not just young people who need to
control their tongues. Adults must also control what they say and how they say it. So the helm of a
ship is a good picture for adults who need to say what needs to be said in the right way. The Bible

366 |LESSON 30
tells fathers not to provoke their children to wrath (Ephesians 6:4). Thus it is important that adults
instruct, teach, and explain with the correct tone of voice and with the right words.
Of course, both of these truths apply equally to children and adults. It is useful, however, for us to
consider how these similar truths speak into the lives of both age categories.
Uncontrolled, it has power to harm (James 3:5-8).
The tongue is a raging fire that can defile yourself and others. The idea expressed here is that the
tongue can rage out of control like a fire and spread to produce rage and anger in others. Have
you ever said something when you were mad, and you could tell the minute you said it that you
shouldnt have? You had set off an angry spirit in the other person as well as yourself. Or, if you say
something in bitterness, you can wound and deeply hurt the other person.
The tongue is a deadly poison that can destroy friendships. The following types of speech can hurt
our relationships with others:
Sneers and mocking words
Unnecessary criticism that is meant to put someone down
Cutting, unkind words
Filthy words that degrade all who hear
Gossip and backbiting
Lies and deceptive words
Controlled, it has power to bless (James 3:9-12).
Proverbs 15:4 teaches us that our tongue can bless others as a tree of life. These verses in James 3 use a
fountain and a fig tree to teach the truth that a pure fountain and a fig tree cannot produce both good
and bad at the same time. The fountain cannot pour out both fresh and salt water. Neither should we
allow our mouths to bless and curse. We need to make a covenant with God to allow our tongues to
be used only to bless and build up others (Ephesians 4:29). There is a great need to be positive and
encouraging to others and to build up everyone we meet.
It is also important to realize how our tongues can be controlled. If we try to do this completely on our
own, we will be trying in the flesh without Gods help, and we will undoubtedly fail. But if we ask God
and depend on Him to help us from within, He will remind us and convict us when we are wrong and
help us to change the way we speak to others.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1.
bits (or bridles) that control a horse
a small helm that controls a ship
2. Small things can control a large horse or ship; in the same way, the tongue is a small thing with great
potential.
3. Any four of the following would be acceptable:
It boasts great things (3:5).

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It is a world of iniquity (3:6).
It defiles the whole body (3:6).
It sets a persons life on fire (3:6).
It is set on fire by hell (3:6).
It cannot be tamed (3:8).
It is an evil that resists control (3:8).
It is full of deadly poison (3:8).
4. Any of the following would be acceptable:
A righteous tongue feeds and nourishes others (10:21).
A good word makes others glad (12:25).
A soft answer stops anger (15:1).
Pleasant words bring joy and health (16:24).
5.
Before Christs crucifixion Peter was afraid, he made rash promises, his behavior was rash, he denied
Christ and he watched from afar.
After Pentecost Peter was bold to speak, he preached strong messages about Jesus, he had courage to
suffer and many people were saved through his ministry.
6. He was filled with the Holy Spirit. He allowed the Holy Spirit to change and control him.
7.
controlled
power to harm
power to bless

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L E S S O N 3 0

CONTROLLING
WHAT WE SAY
When you think of Jesus and the way He reacted to others, what characteristics do you
think marked His speech and the way He talked to others? Make some notes below about
some of the things that come to your mind about the way Christ talked to others. Be
ready to discuss these with your class.

The Tongue
The tongue is one of the most important parts of our bodies. Though it is a very
small muscle, it contributes to how we enjoy life in several ways. First of all, it has that
wonderful ability to allow us to taste. Taste buds on our tongues are separated into four
categoriessweet, sour, salty, and bitter. Much of our enjoyment of life would be gone if
we had no taste because all of our enjoyment of food comes through our ability to taste.
The other capability of the tongue is to enable us to form words. Many times we form
our thoughts into words without considering the role of the tongue. What we think in
our minds simply comes out our mouths through the enabling ability of our tongues.
Obviously the tongue is very important to us. Because of it we can be understood, and
our ideas can be heard. But the Bible says that it is also a great force for evil in our bodies.
With our tongues we can build up and tear down others, we can speak good and pure
thoughts, or we can use our words to speak evil.
James 3 explains the problem that we have because of our tongues. Read verses 2-4 and
list the analogies made about the control of the tongue.
Bits and bridles control a horse, and a small helm controls a ship.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What point is James making?


Small things can control a large horse or ship. In the same way, the tongue is a
______________________________________________________________________
small thing with great potential.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Now read James 3:5-8 and see if you can find nine charges that James makes against the
tongue.

1. It boasts great things (3:5).


_______________________________________________________________
2. It is a world of iniquity (3:6).
_______________________________________________________________
3. It defiles the whole body (3:6).
_______________________________________________________________
4. It sets a persons life on fire (3:6).
_______________________________________________________________
5. It is set on fire by hell (3:6).
_______________________________________________________________
6. It cannot be tamed (3:8).
_______________________________________________________________
7. It is an evil that resists control (3:8).
_______________________________________________________________
8. It is full of deadly poison (3:8).
_______________________________________________________________
9. This is an extra blank in the event that students identify multiple aspect
_______________________________________________________________
to one of the above choices.
Just as the tongue can be used for evil, it can also be used for good. We have discussed
some of these ways. Read the verses below and list other ways it can be used for good.

A righteous tongue feeds and nourishes others.


Proverbs 10:21 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

A good word makes others glad.


Proverbs 12:25 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

A soft answer stops anger.


Proverbs 15:1 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Pleasant words bring joy and health.


Proverbs 16:24 ___________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
According to James 3:8, it is impossible for us to tame our own tongues. We all too easily
fall into the problems of lying, gossiping, rudeness, angry words, and other sins that hurt
others. According to Matthew 12:34 and 15:18-19, why is this true?
Our hearts are filled with evil thoughts. The source of evil is what is in our hearts,
______________________________________________________________________
and then that comes out in what we say. What we say is the outward evidence of
______________________________________________________________________
what we are thinking inwardly.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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What we say is the outward evidence of what we are thinking inwardly.


Since we cannot tame our own tongues, we need to learn how what we say can be
controlled. The answer is in learning to allow the Holy Spirit to control our thoughts and
our speech. As you study part of the life of Peter, you will see how greatly the Holy Spirit
can change you if you give Him the freedom to work in you.

The Example Of Peter


Sometimes we make bold promises to the Lord about how we will act and what we will
or will not say and do.

The Vow Or Promise:


What bold promise did Peter make to the Lord just before Jesus was to be crucified?
(Matthew 26:33-35)
He said he would never deny Jesus and would willingly die with Him even if others
______________________________________________________________________
were embarrassed by Him.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Jesus Knew His Heart.


Did Jesus know the true condition of Peters heart? Yes No
How do you know?
Jesus is God, and God knows the true condition of mens hearts.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What did Jesus tell Peter would happen before the night was over? (Luke 22:34)
Before the rooster crowed, Peter would deny Jesus three times.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Jesus also made another statement in Matthew 26:40-41 concerning the flesh and the
spirit. What did Jesus say, and how did it apply to Peter?
Jesus said that Peters spirit was willing, but his flesh was weak. Peter wanted to
______________________________________________________________________
stand strong for the Lord, but he was still weak in his inner man.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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More Rash Behavior:


Peter was obviously very emotional about the things that were happening to Jesus.
He probably did not understand it all, even though Jesus had told His disciples what
to expect. Read John 18:10-11 and Luke 22:49-51 and explain what other behavior
showed Peters emotions. Explain also why you think Peter did what he did.
Peter cut off the ear of the high priests servant. Jesus then healed the mans ear.
______________________________________________________________________
Peter wanted to show his support for Jesus and did not understand what was
______________________________________________________________________
happening. He reacted in the wrong way.
______________________________________________________________________

The Denials:
Was Jesus correct in His predictions of what Peter would do? Yes No

What did Peter do to prove Jesus correct? (John 18:15-18, 25-27)


Peter watched from a distance away and then denied three times that he knew
___________________________________________________________
Jesus or was one of His disciples.
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________
___________________________________________________________

Mark 14:70-71 explains even more about the way Peter was talking. What do these verses
say about Peter?
Peter cursed and swore at them and said that he did not know Jesus.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Now we realize that Peter had made a promise that he did not keep. Jesus knew that
Peter would not keep his promise and that he would fail. But Peter had to learn that great
lesson for himself.

If we make promises and our hearts are not right, we will fail. Our mouths will easily say
things we do not really wish to say. Can you think of some times when you said things
that you did not intend to say, and you were sorry later? Think about things you have said
to your parents or friends that you wish you could have taken back.

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New Boldness And Courage:


Now we are going to look forward a couple of months and see what has happened to Peter. You
will notice that his speech and attitude have completely changed. What does he say in each of
the following verses, and under what circumstances is he speaking?

Peter was speaking to the Jewish leaders about Jesus and


Acts 4:19-20 ____________________________________________________
said that he could not help but speak about the things he
_______________________________________________________________
knew.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The Jewish leaders told Peter to stop preaching about Jesus,


Acts 5:27-29 ____________________________________________________
and he said that he had to obey God rather than man.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Peter was beaten and told not to speak about Jesus, but he
Acts 5:40-42 ____________________________________________________
wouldnt stop preaching in the name of Jesus.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
In your own words, explain what is different about Peter now. Is he afraid to stand up for
Jesus under persecution?
He is very bold and is no longer afraid to speak out for the Lord.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The Source Of New Power:


Just before Jesus ascended into heaven, He made a new promise. What did He promise
in Acts 1:8?
They would receive power when the Holy Spirit came on them, and they would be
______________________________________________________________________
witnesses for Jesus throughout the world.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

The promise came true just as He said, because on the Day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit came
and filled all the believers. There were many evidences that the power of the Holy Spirit had

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indeed come. People began to speak with other language, as the Holy Spirit gave them the
ability (Acts 2:4). Everyone was astonished to understand those who spoke in a different
language, but many who were watching thought they were simply drunk and mocked them.
Then in Acts 2:14, Peter began to speak with great authority. To whom was he speaking?
to the men of Judea and Jerusalem (the same ones he had been afraid of
______________________________________________________________________
before)
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

According to Acts 2:40-41, what were the results of this first sermon after Pentecost?
About 3,000 people were saved.
______________________________________________________________________

Compare Peter With Peter:


We have seen how Peter acted before he had the power of God in his life and after the Holy
Spirit filled him. Review what you have studied about Peter and compare the Peter before
with the Peter after in regard to his speech, his attitudes, and his actions.

Peter Before The Crucifixion Peter After Pentecost

afraid bold to speak


made rash promises preached strong messages about
rash behavior Jesus

denied Christ courage to suffer

watched from a distance many people saved through his


ministry

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It is very important to realize that the power of the Holy Spirit can change how you speak
and how you act. He can also change your attitudes. You do not have to react to the things
you see and hear as Peter did when he cut off the servants ear or denied Christ. You can
allow the Holy Spirit to change everything you say and do and give you boldness and
courage. One important way this happens is to trust and depend on Him, not on our
own strength.

Teachers Lesson

Our tongues reveal our character


controlled
The tongue needs to be ____________________ (James 3:2-4).

bridle
A ____________ untamed youth
is needed for an __________________________ who is
not ready to run his own life.

helm
A ________ adults
is needed for __________________________ to speak in the
right spirit.

power to harm
Uncontrolled, it has __________________________ (James 3:5-8).

fire
A raging ________ defile
that can ____________ yourself and others

poison
A deadly ____________ friendships
that can destroy ______________________

power to bless
Controlled, it has ____________________________ (James 3:9-12).

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L E S S O N 3 0 Q U I Z
CONTROLLING WHAT WE SAY
Name ________________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What are two things James compared our tongues to in James 3:2-4?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

2. What point was James trying to make by making these comparisons? ________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. List four charges that James makes against the tongue in James 3:5-8.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

4. According to the book of Proverbs, what is one way that the tongue can be used for good? _______
________________________________________________________________________________

5. List one characteristic of Peter before the crucifixion and one different characteristic after Pentecost.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

6. What changed Peter? Why was he so different?


________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

7. Complete the following three lessons we learned about the tongue from James 3.
It needs to be ____________________________________________________________ (3:2-4).
Uncontrolled, it has _______________________________________________________ (3:5-8).
Controlled, it has _________________________________________________________(3:9-12).

LESSON 30 QUIZ
Our Tongues Reveal Our Character
The tongue needs to be controlled (James 3:2-4).
A bridle is needed for an untamed youth who is not
ready to run his own life.
A helm is needed for adults to speak in the right spirit.
Uncontrolled, it has power to harm (James 3:5-8).
A raging fire that can defile yourself and others
A deadly poison that can destroy friendships
Controlled, it has power to bless (James 3:9-12).
LESSON 30 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 3 1

WHAT WE SAY AFFECTS OTHERS

TARGET TRUTHS
The things we say can affect others for good or bad.
We do not always have to say what we think.

TEACHING STRATEGY
In our last lesson we touched on several topics. Two of the key ideas were:
The tongue can be used for both good and evil.
What we say is the outward evidence of what we are thinking.
Write these two sentences on the board and review what was studied. Then discuss the meaning of the
word edify (building up one another).

The Effect Of Our Words On Others


Have your students look up each verse and record a word or a phrase that brings out the point of the verse.
They are to write the reference and the key word or phrase in the correct column.

Gossiping and Lying


After the verses under these two headings are read and discussed, have your students explain the problems
of lying and gossiping from two viewpoints: (1) how it hurts others, and (2) how it hurts ourselves.
Emphasize once again how the principle of sowing and reaping applies to these situations.

Controlling Your Tongue


Have your students tell what the verses from Proverbs say about our words. Then have them write a
principle based on the verses they have studied.
Have various students write on the chalkboard the biblical principle they have written in their books.
Have others read theirs aloud. Then have the class decide which are the best ideas, and use them to write a
principle for the entire class to follow. Write it in a prominent place on the board for a few days. Challenge
them to make this principle a part of their lives.
Review the concepts from Lessons 13 through 15 regarding walking in the flesh and walking in the Spirit.
Whether a person is walking in the flesh or walking in the Spirit is very evident by the things he says and
the attitudes that are behind his words. Write the following two headings on the board and have students

378 |LESSON 31
give examples of kinds of speech that would fit under each heading: (1) speaking in the flesh, and (2)
speaking in the Spirit.
Jesus, of course, is the perfect example of one who always spoke in the Spirit. One of the key points made
in the section on Jesus is that often it is wise to say nothing at all. To speak in the Spirit may mean not to
speak at all. Have your students share situations when it may be better to be silent than to speak.
Use the teachers lesson in conjunction with this section.

Think Of A Better Way To Say It!


Students will enjoy sharing better ways to say these statements. As you discuss each sentence, have your
students think of some reasons why these negative statements may have been made. We make negative
statements because we do not like what is happening. But just because a situation is undesirable does not
mean we must respond negatively. We can learn to change the entire attitude and situation by responding
positively.

TEACHERS LESSON
Dont say what you are thinking until you are sure that it will edify the other person.
Therefore, always consider...
What to say (the words you use)
How to say it (your inner attitude)
When to say it (if the timing is right)
Why we should not always say what we think
Wise men think before they speak (Proverbs 15:28; James 1:19). The reason wise people think before they
speak is because often the first things we say are reactions from our fleshly nature. We might react in
anger, sarcasm, ridicule, or bitterness. If we stop to think first, we can give the Spirit a chance to direct our
thoughts first and then also the things we say.
Wise men get the facts before they speak (Proverbs 17:27-28). We must always remember that there are
two sides to every situation or story. Many times we react wrongly because we do not take the time to hear
both sides and to get all the facts. When this happens, we can find ourselves in an embarrassing situation
because we spoke too quickly.
Wise men consider the consequences before they speak (Proverbs 21:23). We need to realize that when we
speak rashly, we can ultimately hurt ourselves. We may react to some authorityour parents or teachers
with a wrong spirit. If we do this to a boss, such an attitude may affect our job or an upcoming raise. We
also need to remember that hasty words can hurt friendships or cause discouragement in others. We dont
ever want to hurt the feelings of someone unnecessarily. Most importantly, they demonstrate concern for
the holiness and glory of the name of God and how their speech can affect how people view Him.
Wise men speak only the things that edify (Proverbs 10:21; 12:18, 25; 15:1, 2, 4). This statement ties
together everything else we have said. To edify means to build up others. We should never want what we
say to tear another person down.
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QUIZ ANSWERS
1. W; F; F; W; W; F; F; W; F; W
2. G; L; L; G; L; G
3.
edify the other person
what; how; when
think; facts; consequences; edifiy

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L E S S O N 3 1

WHAT WE SAY
AFFECTS OTHERS
The Effect Of Our Words On Others
Read each of the following verses and decide on a word or phrase that describes the
effect of the words the verse is discussing. Then list the verse and a descriptive word or
phrase in the correct column below. Some verses may fit under both columns.
Job 16:3 Proverbs 29:20 Colossians 2:4
Proverbs 15:1 Ecclesiastes 10:12 1 Thessalonians 2:5
Proverbs 15:23 Ecclesiastes 12:10 2 Peter 2:3
Proverbs 16:24 Isaiah 50:4 2 Peter 2:18
Proverbs 25:11 Malachi 3:13 3 John 10

Foolish Or Evil Words Wise Or Kind Words


Job 16:3vain words Prov. 15:1gentle words
Prov. 15:1grievous words Prov. 15:23words spoken at the
Prov. 29:20hasty words right time

Mal. 3:13strong (or harsh) words Prov. 16:24pleasant words

Col. 2:4deceptively persuasive words Prov. 25:11words spoken


appropriately
1 Thess. 2:5flattering words
Eccl. 10:12gracious words
2 Pet. 2:3false words
Eccl. 12:10upright and truthful
2 Pet. 2:18arrogant, worthless words
words
3 John 10malicious words
Is. 50:4words spoken to encourage
the weary

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Gossiping And Lying


Our speech becomes a tool of sin in two key ways. These are two of the most difficult
problems to overcome. They are gossiping and lying. We enjoy gossiping because we
enjoy sharing what we know or think we know about one another. We lie because we are
afraid of what will happen if we speak truthfully in all situations.
Summarize what the following verses in Proverbs say about these two problems.

Gossiping:
It reveals secrets and is unfaithful.
11:13 __________________________________________________________

It sows strife and separates friends.


16:28 __________________________________________________________

It doesnt pay to associate with someone who practices it.


20:19 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

It wounds deeply.
26:22 __________________________________________________________

Lying:
It lasts for a moment.
12:19 __________________________________________________________

It is an abomination to the Lord.


12:22 __________________________________________________________

It is hated by a righteous man.


13:5 ___________________________________________________________

It is not practiced by someone who is faithful.


14:5 ___________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

It will be punished.
19:5, 9 _________________________________________________________

Controlling Your Tongue


Read the following verses in Proverbs and tell what they say about our words.

The mouth of the foolish is near destruction.


10:14 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Sin is in the midst of many words. It is wise to control what you


10:19 __________________________________________________________
say.
_______________________________________________________________

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Those who control their tongues are considered wise even if they
17:28 __________________________________________________________
are fools.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The lips of a fool get him into trouble and can be responsible for his
18:6 ___________________________________________________________
receiving a beating.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

A fool tells everything he knows, but a wise man knows how to


29:11 __________________________________________________________
control his tongue and keep quiet about some things.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

There is not much hope for someone who is hasty in his words
29:20 __________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
In your own words, state a biblical principle that you can conclude from the above verses.
The wise person controls his tongue and does not say everything he thinks. The
______________________________________________________________________
fool hastily says anything that is on his mind.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Probably the most difficult thing to learn about our speaking habits is that many times
it is best not to say anything. Controlling ourselves in this way can be the most difficult
lesson of all. After looking up each verse, note in your own words when it is wise to keep
silent.

when you have been instructed not to speak until a certain


Joshua 6:10 _____________________________________________________
time
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

when you might say something evil or untrue


Psalm 34:13 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

until the time is right


Ecclesiastes 3:7 __________________________________________________

if you are going to speak evil of another person


James 4:11 ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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Jesus knew when to speak and when to be silent. Usually when we are rebuked or accused
of something, we want to defend ourselves. But sometimes we need to wait until it is the
right time. Otherwise, we may respond in anger and hurt ourselves even more. Read the
following verses and explain the situations when Jesus remained silent.

when He was being unjustly accused by the high


Matthew 26:62-63 ________________________________________________
priest
_______________________________________________________________

when Pilate wanted Him to defend Himself


Matthew 27:13-14 ________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

when He was being accused and questioned


Luke 23:8-9 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Think Of A Better Way To Say It!


Beside each statement listed below, write a better or more edifying way to say the same
thing.

Are you certain that what you are saying is true ?


Youre lying. _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Maybe it would be better to say it this


Thats a stupid thing to say! _________________________________________
way.
_______________________________________________________________

Im sorry I wont be
What makes you think I would want to go with you? ____________________
able to go.
_______________________________________________________________

I didnt understand what you


Why didnt you say that in the first place? _____________________________
were trying to say.
_______________________________________________________________

It will be your turn in just a minute.


Wait your turn! __________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Im glad you got something


Thats the ugliest shirt (or dress) I ever saw! ____________________________
new.
_______________________________________________________________

Dont say anything; go talk to your


He always gives us too much homework. ______________________________
teacher about it.
_______________________________________________________________

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Dont say anything; try to be nice


Im tired of hershe acts too childishly! ______________________________
and friendly to everyone.
_______________________________________________________________
Composition: Should a person always say what he thinks? Why or why not? Write a
composition to answer these questions. Read Proverbs 29:11 before you answer. Give
good examples of when you should say what you think and when you should hold your
tongue.

Teachers Lesson
say
Dont ______ thinking
what you are ________________ until you are sure that it will
edify
__________ the other person.

Always consider...

What
________ to say

How to say it
______

When
________ to say it

Why we should not always say what we think

Wise men...

Think
__________ speak
before they __________

facts
Get the __________ speak
before they __________

consequences
Consider the ________________________ speak
before they __________

edify
Speak only the things that __________ (build others up)

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L E S S O N 3 1 Q U I Z
WHAT WE SAY AFFECTS OTHERS
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. Tell whether each of the following is foolish or wise by writing F (for foolish) or W (for wise) in
the blank.
_____ Proverbs 15:1 gentle words
_____ Proverbs 29:20 hasty words
_____ Malachi 3:13 strong (or harsh) words
_____ Isaiah 50:4 words spoken to encourage the weary
_____ Ecclesiastes 10:12 gracious words
_____ Colossians 2:4 deceptively persuasive words
_____ 2 Peter 2:3 false words
_____ Proverbs 16:24 pleasant words
_____ 3 John 10 malicious words
_____ Proverbs 25:11 words spoken appropriately

2. Tell whether each of the following statements applies to gossiping or lying by writing G (for gossip-
ing) or L (for lying) in each blank.
_____ Proverbs 26:22 It wounds deeply.
_____ Proverbs 12:22 It is an abomination to the Lord.
_____ Proverbs 14:5 It is not practiced by someone who is faithful.
_____ Proverbs 11:13 It reveals secrets and is unfaithful.
_____ Proverbs 13:5 It is hated by a righteous man.
_____ Proverbs 20:19 It doesnt pay to associate with someone who practices it.

3. Complete the following statements.


Dont say what you are thinking until you are sure that it will ____________________________ .
Always consider (1) ______________________ to say, (2) _______________________ to say it
and (3) _________________________ to say it.
Wise men (1) ______________________ before they speak, (2) get the ___________________
before they speak, (3) consider the ________________ before they speak, and (4) speak only the
things that ___________________ .

LESSON 31 QUIZ
Dont say what you are thinking until you are sure that it
will edify the other person.
Always consider...
What to say
How to say it
When to say it
Why we should not always say what we think
Wise men...
Think before they speak
Get the facts before they speak
Consider the consequences before they speak
Speak only the things that edify (build others up)
LESSON 31 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 3 2

TRUE SUCCESS

TARGET TRUTHS
Success for the Christian begins with internal contentment in God rather than external pleasure in the
things of the world.
God gives specific guidelines on how to prosper as a Christian.
Inner contentment and joy are gifts from by the Holy Spirit.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Have your students write their own definitions of success and list the attributes of success that they
think are important. Allow them to discuss these without making judgments about their ideas. During
this lesson and then again in our next lesson, they will re-evaluate what they have written and have the
opportunity to rewrite what they think makes a successful person.
Some of the aspects of success that they will probably include are:
Being happy
Having a good job
Having plenty of money
Having a good family
Being in Gods will
Having good character
Having a good education

To Prosper And Have Good Success


This phrase is based on Joshua 1:8 and explains Gods goal for all of us as we live our lives on the earth.
Remind your students that God designed us and gave us the necessary abilities, talents, and personalities
so that we might be successful in the purpose to which He has called us.
Discuss how the worlds view of success is different from that of the Christian. The world looks at success
from an external viewpoint. Wealth, money, prestige, and power are the hallmarks of success to them.
Sometimes we think that to be a success as a Christian, we cannot have money or nice homes and cars, but
this is not true. The difference is that, to the Christian, these are not the essential ingredients to success.
Success for the Christian has nothing to do with earthly possessions. Success consists of obeying Gods will
and fulfilling our purpose for being created. It means having inner satisfaction and contentment because
we know our lives please and honor God. It means finding satisfaction in serving others sacrificially. To

388 |LESSON 32
the Christian, success begins on the inside, and other things come from the inner power given to us by
the Holy Spirit.
Jesus said it best when He commanded His disciples to seek first the kingdom of God and His righteousness
(Matthew 6:33).
As students complete and discuss this section, help them align their lives with the life of Christ. Christ was
not rich, but He owned everything. His priorities centered on meeting the needs of others and fulfilling
His Fathers will.
At the end of this section, have your students evaluate their lists of what it means to be successful, and then
add those things that they think are important.

How To Prosper
God gives specific guidelines and principles to show us how to prosper in our lives. If we live by His
principles, we will be prosperous and successful in whatever we do. Students are to look up the verses and
write their responses under the correct column.
As you discuss the principles as a class, have your class write a proverb of their own that compares what we
must do to prosper with what we must do to fail. See Proverbs 10 for examples of comparison proverbs.

The Life Of William Tyndale


Have your students read the story of Tyndales life. Have them write answers to the following questions or
use them as a basis of discussion.
Was William Tyndales life successful? Why or why not?
What was Gods purpose for Tyndales life? Did Tyndale fulfill Gods purpose for him?
What biblical principles did Tyndale obviously use in his life in order to have good success?
How did Tyndale help change the course of history?
Why do we consider Tyndale to be a success even though he spent time in prison for crimes he did
not commit and was finally burned at the stake?

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION


Discuss the following ideas and attitudes necessary for success and have your students think of situations
in which it would be necessary to use each principle in their lives.
Focus on the future rather than on immediate problems. (For example, a weight lifter must focus
on the strength and power he will have rather than the hard work he is enduring at the present
time.)
Place no limitations on God. (Do not think you are not smart enough on your own to do higher
math. God will help you to understand what you need to know if you work hard.)
Finish what you startin all areas of your life.
Forgive those who offend you. Never hold grudges.
LESSON 32 | 389
Be willing to admit when you are wrong.
Listen rather than retaliate.
Learn rather than give up.
Be patient when things do not go your way.
Trust God for your success.

TEACHERS LESSON
William Tyndale was burned at the stake. With his last breath, he asked God to open the king of Englands
eyes. It was not long after he died that the same king of England ordered that Bibles be distributed and
read throughout the kingdom. Think about what Tyndale must have been thinking when he was waiting
to be burned alive. In spite of his impending execution, he seemed to be at peace. The only way a person
can have that kind of peace is through the power of the Holy Spirit working in his life. This is a key reason
that Tyndale was such a success. He knew he had fulfilled his lifes calling and that he was at peace with
God, others, and himself. He must have also believed that God would answer his last prayer request.

Principle Of Peace
From the lives of Jesus and William Tyndale, as well as many others, we can learn more about what true
success is. It includes having inner peace in all circumstances of life. When we have such peace within our
hearts...
We will not become irritated when deprived of something we think we should have.
We will not retaliate when criticized or abused.
We will not become jealous of others.
We will not worry about what might happen.

Definition Of Peace
Peace is realizing that God has provided all I need. When we truly understand that God is in control of
our lives, we can relax and trust Him to work everything together for our good.

Three Kinds Of Peace


There are three kinds of peace that God wants us to possess.
Peace With God (Upward)
This type of peace comes when we realize we are a sinner and need to trust Jesus Christ as Savior
and Lord. Colossians 1:20 says that Christ has made peace through the blood of his cross and has
reconciled all things unto himself. So, first of all, we need to ask ourselves if we have been saved, if
we have truly trusted Jesus as our Savior. If this is true, we have peace with God.

390 |LESSON 32
Peace Of God (Inward)
All Christians have peace with God. But not all Christians have the peace of God. The peace of God
is the inward peace that we discussed above. It is the peace that does not allow feelings of jealousy,
retaliation, or anger to gain a foothold. See Philippians 4:6-7.
Peace With Men (Outward)
This peace works outward to others. When we have peace with God through salvation and the
peace of God in our hearts, then we can learn to have peace with all men. Romans 12:18 tells us
to live peaceably with all men as much as possible. God wants us to have a right relationship with
every other person we meet.

Antonyms Of Peace
Two antonyms of peace are anxiety and worry. These come when we begin to look at our circumstances
instead of focusing on God and trusting Him to work things out for our good.

Synonym Of Peace
A synonym of peace is contentment. This will come when the peace of God is alive inside our hearts.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. He fulfilled the Fathers will. Besides, true success is not measured in terms of material possessions and
prosperity, but by obedience to God.
2. Any three of the following would be acceptable:
Keep your covenant with God.
Keep Gods law.
Do right in the Lords sight.
Trust God even when people laugh at you.
Delight and meditate in (think about) Gods Word.
Confess your sins.
3. Accept any accomplishments that were mentioned in the story and are consistent with biblical teach-
ing on success.
4. Realizing God has provided all I need
5.
Peace with God (upward)
Peace of God (inward)
Peace with men (outward)

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L E S S O N 3 2

TRUE SUCCESS
We began our study this year by learning the definition of true wisdom. We found that
the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and that apart from God, there can be
no true wisdom. Therefore, as we conclude our study this year, we need once again to
remind ourselves that the wise person will continually acknowledge God.
Before we begin to study how to be successful, think through the idea of success and try
to come to your own conclusion of what success is.
What is your definition of success?
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Think through your definition and then list several aspects of success that you would
consider important.

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________

To Prosper And Have Good Success


The Bible usually refers to success as prospering. The thing most people think of when
they hear the word prosper is having money. But there are many ways in which we
can prosper. We can be prosperous in having good friends, in getting good grades, in
encouraging others spiritually, and in enjoying special talents. Many people are very
prosperous in their enjoyment of life even though they have little money. Success and

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prosperity can take many avenues. But to prosper and have good success, God must be
at the center of our lives, as He shows us in His Word.

Jesus was the greatest person who ever walked the earth. Even many people who are not
Christians acknowledge Him to be a great man and teacher. Think about Jesus life in
terms of prosperity and success.

Do you consider Jesus life to be a success? Yes No

Was He prosperous in regards to money and earthly goods? Yes No


Even though He created all things, He chose to live without wealth and
Explain. ______________________________________________________________
riches when He was on earth.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

What was Jesus primary goal in life? (Mark 10:45; John 6:38)
to do the Fathers will by dying on the cross for our sins
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Did He accomplish this goal? Yes No

What were His other goals? (John 1:18; 8:28; 1 Peter 2:21)
to introduce us to God, to teach us the truth, and to show us how to live
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How did He accomplish these goals?


by living among people and showing them love through His life and teachings
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Look at your list of important aspects of success at the beginning of this lesson. Do you
think that any of the items on your list should be changed or that certain things should
be added?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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How To Prosper
Read each of the verses listed below and explain what the verse says under the correct
column.

Verse(s) Do This, And You Will Prosper Do This, And You Will Not Prosper

Num. 14:41 disobey Gods commands

not listen to Gods voice or obey


Deut. 28:15
His commands

Deut. 29:9 keep your covenant with God

1 Chron.
keep Gods law
22:11-12

2 Chron.
do right in the Lords sight
26:3-8

Neh. trust God even when people


2:19-20 laugh at you

delight and meditate in (think


Ps. 1:2-3
about) Gods word

cover up your sins


Prov. 28:13 confess and forsake your sins

The Life Of William Tyndale


As you read the story of William Tyndale, think through the reasons he was such a great
and successful man.
Even though John Wycliffe (1330-1384) was the first one who promoted the idea of
translating the Bible into English, William Tyndale (1492-1536) has been called the true
father of our present English Bible. It was Tyndales desire for every person in England
to have the Holy Bible in his own hands to read. William Tyndale had made a vow years

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before. If God preserves my life, he had said, I will cause a boy that driveth a plow
to know more of the Scriptures than the Pope. The pope was the head of the Roman
Catholic Church. Tyndale felt that each person should be able to learn as much as
possible from Gods Word for himself and not have to depend on the accepted teachings
and interpretations of the church.
Tyndale was arrested by the king of England for speaking out against some of the common
church beliefs. But while he was in prison, God greatly used him because there he worked
on his translation of the Bible. He was a great man, and the story of his life is one that
should be read by all. Part of his story follows. It is from History of the Reformation in
Europe by J. H. Merle dAubigne (1794-1872), a man who devoted his entire life to the
study of the Reformation.
This man Tyndale, so active, so learned and so truly great, whose works circulated far
and wide with so much power, had at the same time within him a pure and beneficent
lightthe love of God and of manwhich shed its mild rays on all around him. The
depth of his faith, the charm of his conversation and the uprightness of his conduct
touched those who came near him. The jailer liked to bring him his food, in order to
talk with him; and his young daughter often accompanied him and listened eagerly to
the words of the pious Englishman. Tyndale spoke of Jesus Christ; it seemed to him
that the riches of the divine Spirit were about to transform Christendom. The jailer, his
daughter and other members of their house were converted to the gospel by Tyndales
life and doctrine.
However dark the machinations of his enemies, they could not obscure the divine light
kindled in his heart, and which shone before men. There was an invincible power in this
Christian man. Full of hope in the final victory of Jesus Christ, he courageously trampled
under foot tribulations, trials and death itself. He believed in the victory of the Word. I
am bound like a malefactor, he said, but the Word of God is not bound. The bitterness
of his last days was changed into great peace and divine sweetness.
Friday, the 6th of October, 1536, was the day that terminated the miserable but glorious
life of the reformer. On arriving at the scene of punishment, the reformer found a large
crowd assembled. The government had wished to show the people the punishment of a
heretic, but they only witnessed the triumph of a martyr. Tyndale was calm. I call God to
record, he said, that I have never altered, against the voice of my conscience, one syllable
of His Word. Nor would I do this day, if all the pleasures, honors and riches of the earth
might be given me.

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The joy of hope filled his heartyet one painful idea took possession of him. Dying far
from his country, abandoned by his king, he felt saddened at the thought of that prince,
who had already persecuted so many of Gods servants and who remained obstinately
rebellious against that divine light which everywhere shone around him. Tyndale would
not have that soul perish through carelessness. His charity buried all the faults of the
monarch; he prayed that those sins might be blotted out from before the face of God;
he would have saved Henry VIII at any cost. While the executioner was fastening him
to the post, the reformer exclaimed in a loud and suppliant voice: Lord, open the king
of Englands eyes! Those were his last words. Instantly afterwards he was strangled, and
flames consumed the martyrs body.
His last cry was wafted to the British Isles and repeated in every assembly of Christians.
A great death crowned a great life. Such, says the old chronicler, John Foxe, is the story
of that true servant and martyr of God, William Tyndale, who, for his notable pains and
travail, may well be called the Apostle of England in this our later Age.
His fellow-countrymen profited by the work of his life. As early as 1526, more than
twenty editions of Tyndales New Testament had been circulated over the kingdom; and
others had followed them. It was like a mighty river continually bearing new waters to the
sea. Did the reformers death dry them up suddenly? No. A greater work still was to be
accomplished; the entire Bible was ready. But could it be circulated? The king had refused
his consent to the circulation of Coverdales Bible; would he not do the same with this,
and with greater reason?
Henry ran over the book: Tyndales name was not in it, and the dedication of his Majesty
was very well written. The king regarding (and not without reason) Holy Scriptures as the
most powerful engine to help him to emancipate England from the Romish domination,
came to an unexpected resolution: he authorized the sale and the reading of the Bible
throughout the kingdom.
For centuries the English people had been waiting for such a permission, even from
before the time of Wycliffe; and accordingly the Bible circulated widely. The impetuosity
with which the living waters rushed forth, carrying with them everything they met
in their course, was like the sudden opening of a huge floodgate. This great event,
more important than divorces, treaties and wars, was the conquest of England by the
Reformation. It was a wonderful thing to see, says an old historian. Whoever possessed
the means bought the book and read it or had it read to him by others. Aged persons
learned their letters in order to study the Holy Scriptures of God. In many places there

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were meetings for reading; poor people clubbed their savings together and purchased a
Bible, and then in some remote corner of the church they modestly formed a circle and
read the Holy Book between them.
In all the towns and villages of Tyndales country, the holy pages were opened, and the
delighted readers found therein those treasures of peace and joy which the martyr had
known. Many cried out with him, We know that this Word is from God, as we know
that fire burns; not because any one has told us, but because a Divine fire consumes our
hearts. O the brightness of the face of Moses! O the splendor of the glory of Jesus Christ,
which no veil conceals! O the inward power of the Divine Word, which compels us with
so much sweetness, to love and to do! O the temple of God within us, in which the Son
of God dwells! Tyndale had desired to see the world on fire by his Masters Word, and
that fire was kindled.
It is miraculous to see how God worked to allow the Bible to be in the hands of
individuals. For so many years the Bible was not permitted to be read. Then after it was
translated into English, the king of England still did not allow it to be read. Little by little,
the king tolerated his subjects reading the versions in print. But finally, as you have read
in the story of William Tyndale, King Henry of England actually commanded that it be
readily available to all his subjects. This was truly a miracle of God.
What made Tyndales life successful? ________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
What desires do you think motivated Tyndale most? ___________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
How could you cultivate similar desires in your own heart right now? _____________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Teachers Lesson

Peace
Principle
all circumstances of life
Success is having peace in _________________________________________ .

Definition

realizing God has provided all I need


Peace is _______________________________________________________ .

Three Kinds
with God
1. Peace ____________________________________ upward
(_________________)

of God
2. Peace ____________________________________ inward
(_________________)

with men
3. Peace ____________________________________ outward
(_________________)

Antonyms

Anxiety
_________________________

Worry
_________________________

contentment
Synonym _______________________________________________________

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L E S S O N 3 2 Q U I Z
TRUE SUCCESS
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. Why do we consider Jesus a success even though He was poor for His entire life?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

2. List three things that the Bible says that if we do them, we will prosper.
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

3. What did William Tyndale accomplish in his life that made him a success?
________________________________________________________________________________

4. What is the definition of peace?


________________________________________________________________________________

5. What are the three types of peace God wants you to have in your life?
____________________________________
____________________________________
____________________________________

LESSON 32 QUIZ
Peace
Principle: Success is having peace in all
circumstances of life .
Definition: Peace is realizing God has
provided all I need.
Three Kinds
1. Peace with God (upward)
2. Peace of God (inward)
3. Peace with men (outward)
Antonyms
Anxiety
Worry
Synonym: contentment
LESSON 32 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 3 3

BEING A SUCCESS

TARGET TRUTHS
To prosper and have success, we need to have faith that God will fulfill what He has promised to do in
our lives.
We need to learn principles of success from the examples of others.
We need to find a balance between pressing forward to accomplish our goals and being content in all
things.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Have your students carefully evaluate their definitions of success from Lesson 32 after reviewing the
material from that lesson and studying the passages from Joshua 1 and Psalm 1. Have them write a
new definition. Have your students share their definitions and have some of them write theirs on the
chalkboard. Then have the class come to a conclusion of what the best definition would be.
This process will take a little time, but students will remember the concepts far better if you guide them
into a good definition that is essentially made by them rather than simply having them memorize one you
give them.

The Spies
The comparison of the two expeditions by spies sent into Israel to spy out the land is very revealing. The
first group allowed fear to possess them and saw only the problems ahead. Thus, success evaded them.
The second group saw the land through the eyes of God and had faith in His promises to them. Emphasize
the following facts.
Both groups of spies had the same purpose and promise from God. God would have enabled the
first group to have success if they had allowed His power to overcome their fears and doubting
spirits.
Just as He did for the Israelites, God has promised us success and will enable us to pursue our
purpose in life successfully if we allow Him to work in our lives.

Learning From Example


It should be very simple for students to discern why some people were successful when others were not.
Spend some time discussing each person mentioned and have your students share their ideas about the
reasons for their success or failure. In some cases, there will be several possible reasons.

LESSON 33 | 401
Then allow your students to share the people they added to the list and what they learned about success
from the lives of these people.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION

Composition
Have your students write a composition and apply the principles from the teachers lesson to some area of
their lives. Some suggestions might be:
Finding ways to serve people in your church who are not like you
Learning to obey Gods commands more consistently
Creating opportunities to share the gospel with friends and neighbors
Getting better grades
Going out for a sports team even though you failed to make the team last year
Spending time with another Christian who needs encouragement or more godly friends
Trying something new that you have been afraid to try
Deciding to work harder at piano or some other musical instrument
Asking for your parents advice on a decision you have to make without them offering it
Learning to cook
Spending more time in devotions and prayer
Developing new friendships
Developing a better relationship with parents and/or brothers and sisters

TEACHERS LESSON
To be successful in life you need to learn to find the proper balance between the following two objectives.
Setting goals and working hard to achieve those goals (see Philippians 3:13-14).
Forget the pastthose things that have already happened, whether they be successes or failures.
We can do nothing about those things that are over and done with. If we have failed at something
or not done our best, we need to learn from the mistakes we have made. We should never ignore
what has happened as if it did not matter. We can learn from every experience we have in life. If
we have done well in the past, we need to thank God for the good things we have accomplished
without boasting or bragging. However, whether we have experienced success or failure in the past,
we need to lay those past things aside and look to the future. Remember that Christs sacrificial
death on our behalf has already given believers righteousness in Gods sight. What matters now is
not what we have done, but how we are following Christ today.
Look forward to the new things God has planned for us. God always has some new plan in store
for us, and we should always look forward to the new things that are ahead in our lives. It is not

402 |LESSON 33
that we look forward in such a way that we do not enjoy what is happening now, but we realize that
tomorrow and the next day will be filled with new things also.
Press forward to the purpose that God has called us to accomplish. With all of this in mind, then,
we need to look forward to new accomplishments and new things that God has for our lives.
Being content with the success God has already given you.
Do not worry about what you have or do not have. Learn to be thankful for everything God has
given you in the past and in the present. Do not be anxious about your failures or successes, but
look forward to what you can accomplish with His help.
Be satisfied in whatever situation you find yourself. Realize that each day of life is a wonderful gift
of God and that you can enjoy every day. Each day there is something to learn and something to
be done for someone else. Therefore, every day will provide reasons to enjoy life.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1.
Joshua
Psalms

2. They were afraid of the giants in the land because they did not trust in the Lord.

3. They knew the Lord had given them the land.

4. The first time the people did not have faith in the Lord, so they did not enter. The second time they
did have faith, so they entered the land.

5.
Setting goals and working hard
Learning to be content with the success God has given
6. Accept all reasonable answers. Use their answers to analyze how well your students understood the
lesson.

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L E S S O N 3 3

BEING A SUCCESS
In our last lesson, we discussed what it means to be successful. You wrote your own
definition of success and a list of important aspects of success.
We can say based on the Bibles teaching that success is accomplishing what God made us
to do. Read Joshua 1:7-9 and Psalm 1:1-3. From these verses, list those things that God
says must be a part of your life for you to prosper and have good success.

Be strong and very courageous.


_______________________________________________________________

Obey Gods laws.


_______________________________________________________________

Meditate in Gods Word.


_______________________________________________________________

Dont be afraid or dismayed.


_______________________________________________________________

Dont be a companion to the ungodly or scornful.


_______________________________________________________________

Delight in Gods Word.


_______________________________________________________________
Now look back at your definition of success in Lesson 32. Think about your definition
and change it if you think it can be improved. If you think the way you wrote it originally
is acceptable, write the same definition again.
Success is _____________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________ .

The Spies
Do you remember the story of the twelve spies that Moses sent into the Promised Land?
Now at the beginning of the book of Joshua, spies were again sent into the land. Read
the stories of these two incidents and compare what happened each time. Read Numbers
13:17-14:4, 20-23 and Joshua 2:1-3:17.

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Numbers 13-14 Joshua 2-3

Moses sent 12 spies into the


Purpose for Joshua sent 2 spies to look over
land of Canaan to see what the
sending spies the land, especially Jericho.
people there were like.

What the spies


beautiful land, abundant food,
found walled cities, and Inhabitants The people feared the Israelites.
who were as giants
Ten spies were afraid of the
The attitude of They knew the Lord had given
giants. Joshua and Caleb
the spies them the land.
disagreed.

They murmured against Moses


The attitude of They obeyed and followed
and wished they were back in
the people Joshua.
Egypt.

Did they have No. They were not allowed by Yes. They knew God was with
success? Why or God to enter the land because them and were willing to obey
why not? of their unbelief. Him.

Numbers 14:11 shows what part faith (or the absence of it) played in the above situations.
What do you think had to do with Israel and the Promised Land?

The first time the people did not have faith, so they did not enter the land. The
______________________________________________________________________
second time they did have faith, so they entered the land.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

After comparing the above two spying situations, in what ways should you be thinking
about how faith needs to appear in your life?

______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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Learning From Example


We have studied the lives of many different people during the year. As you review some of
these peoples lives, think through why their lives were successful or why they were not.

Lot: the nephew of Abraham, was a very rich man with many cattle and herds
of sheep. He ended his life having to live in a cave. Why was he unsuccessful?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Ruth: began her life in the land of Moab and moved with her mother-in-law to
Israel where she married and became an ancestor of Jesus. Why was she successful?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Judas: became one of Jesus disciples and ended his life hanging himself. Why
was he unsuccessful?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Peter: failed Jesus by denying Him at the time of His trial, but he later became a great
preacher of the gospel, leading thousands to salvation. Why was he successful?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Daniel: was taken as a slave to Babylon and went through many trials. He
ended his life as a great leader in this country. Why was he successful?
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

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LESSON 33 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Name another Bible character. Following the pattern given above, briefly tell
about this persons success or failure and explain the reasons for this.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Teachers Lesson

Finding the proper balance

goals
Setting __________ working
and ___________
content
Learning to be ______________
hard
_____________

past
Forget the ____________________ . worry
Do not______________________ .

new things
Look forward to the ____________ satisfied
Be ______________________ with
God has planned for you. your situation.

forward
Press ____________________ to the
purpose
_________________________ God
has called you to accomplish.

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L E S S O N 3 3 Q U I Z
BEING A SUCCESS
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. What two Old Testament books contain passages that tell us how to prosper and have good success?
__________________________________________
__________________________________________

2. What was the attitude of the 10 spies who were sent to spy out the land in Numbers 13-14?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

3. What was the attitude of the 2 spies who were sent to spy out the land in Joshua 2-3?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

4. Why were the people in Numbers 13-14 not allowed to enter the Promised Land while the people in
Joshua 2-3 were allowed to enter?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

5. According to the teachers lesson, what are two important things that we need to balance properly?
_____________________________________________________________________________
_____________________________________________________________________________

6. How do you plan to determine whether or not you are a success in life?
________________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________________

LESSON 33 QUIZ
Finding The Proper Balance
Setting goals and working hard Learning to be content
Forget the past. Do not worry.
Look forward to the new things Be satisfied with your situation.
God has planned for you.
Press forward to the purpose God
has called you to accomplish.
LESSON 33 OVERHEAD
L E S S O N 3 4

BEING A GOOD LEADER

TARGET TRUTHS
God has given each of us opportunities for leadership.
All of the lessons we have learned during the year are a part of the training necessary to become a good
leader.
The key leaders in our lives right now are our parents.

TEACHING STRATEGY
As we have discussed throughout the year, God has designed each of us for a purpose and has called us to
that purpose. If you are saved, that means you were chosen by God before the creation of the world, and
thus are very important to Him. You are part of His plan.

God Calls Us To Leadership


Each of the men listed in this section was chosen by God for a special task. As each person is discussed,
analyze the problems they each faced and how well their leadership tasks were completed.

Humility And Courage


As each man in this section is discussed, review also what God chose him to do.

The Life Of John Wycliffe


Have your students read the story of John Wycliffe and relate his life to the qualities that we have already
been discussing.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTIONS

Drama
Divide the class into four groups and have each group prepare a presentation on the life of one of the
following: William Tyndale, Johann Gutenberg, Martin Luther, or John Wycliffe. This would be an
excellent culmination activity for the end of the year. Each group needs to organize themselves, decide
what parts will be necessary, write an outline or brief script, decide who will play each part, and practice
their productions. Give them definite time limits. The groups will not need a great deal of time to complete
their planning. In fact, if they need to work quickly, they will learn to organize their ideas more easily.

410 |LESSON 34
Parents As Leaders
Tell your students: The primary leaders in your lives are your parents. You need to show faithfulness
and loyalty to them, even if you do not understand their reasoning. You also need understand that they
are humans and will make mistakes. Even if they do not love God themselves, God has put them in your
life for a purpose. You can trust God, even when it is difficult to trust your parents! Parents have great
responsibility before God for how they lead you. Therefore, you need to pray for them and support them
in their role. Why is it important for you to trust your parents even when you do not understand their
reasons for what they tell you to do? Discuss how God has planned for your students parents to be
influences and instruments in their lives to increase their spiritual maturity, even if it doesnt seem like it.
God will reward honoring and obeying parents, even when it does not seem easy or desirable.

Loyalty To Others
Read Romans 12:9-16 with your class. Have your students list those things that are mentioned in these
verses that show loyalty to God and to others. Good leadership is also demonstrated by our loyalty to
others in every situation. Each quality mentioned needs to be a part of a good leaders life.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. D
2. H
3. B
4. G
5. J
6. A
7. F
8. I
9. C
10. E

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L E S S O N 3 4

BEING A GOOD LEADER


Someday you will be a leader in at least one area of your lifeand probably in two or
three areas. You will be a leader in your home over your children; you may be a leader
at work; and you may be a leader at church, perhaps as a Sunday school teacher. These
are only three of the primary areas of leadership you may have, but there are many other
areas in which God will use you as a leader. Because you will be a leader, God is in the
process of preparing you now. All of the lessons we have studied this year are meant to
prepare you for leadership. Perhaps you are a leader in your school right now. If so, then
God is using this also to prepare you for future leadership roles.
Read John 15:16 and answer the questions below.

God
Who decides that you will be a leader? ________________________________

What had Jesus chosen His disciples to do, and what does this mean?
He chose them to bring forth fruit, which means to help produce spiritual
_______________________________________________________________
good in others for Gods glory.
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

How long will the results of producing fruit in others last?


They will last for eternity.
_______________________________________________________________

God Calls Us To Leadership


The first thing we must remember is that it is God who equips and prepares us to lead
in certain areas. Read each of the following verses and tell whom God was calling to
leadership and what He was calling that person to do. For some of these you will have to
read more of the context to find out who the person is.

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Verses Person(s) What Had God Chosen Him To Do?

Abram
Genesis 12:1-2 (Abraham) make a new nation

go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites


Exodus 3:10 Moses
out of Egypt

Judges 6:14 Gideon save Israel from the Midianites

give Elisha his mantle to show that God had


1 Kings 19:16, 19 Elijah
chosen him to be a prophet

Jeremiah 1:4-5 Jeremiah serve as a prophet

go to Nineveh and preach of their need to


Jonah 1:1-2 Jonah
repent

Barnabas and
Acts 13:2 missionary work
Saul

Acts 26:16 Paul be a minister and a witness

Humility And Courage


The qualities of humility and courage are two sides of the same coin. They seem vastly
different, but they are powerful when they are used together.
Humility is the quality that causes a person not to think too highly of himself. A humble
person is not proud or arrogant, he does not attempt to flaunt his position, and he does
not consider himself to be better than anyone else. God does not use someone who is not
humble because then the work that is done will be done in the flesh and for the persons
glory rather than for Gods glory. The person God uses will recognize that God is in
control and is using him to accomplish great and wonderful things.

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Courage, on the other hand, is the quality within a person that allows him to stand for
truth and right even when he is afraid of what will happen. It does not mean that you
never feel afraid but that you can overcome your fears because you know that God will
give you the strength to do what you must do.
As you read the following verses, note the attitude that each person showed and then
decide whether the person was evidencing humility or courage. (Note: Some of the
following examples of humility may include times when people spoke lowly of themselves
to give themselves an excuse for not doing what God wanted them to do.)

Person What Did He Do Or Say? Humility Or Courage?

Moses He asked God why he would be the


humility
Exodus 3:11 one to do such a great task.

Caleb He said it was time to go up and


possess the land because they could courage
Numbers 13:30
surely do it.
Gideon He said his family was poor, and he
humility
Judges 6:15 was the least in his fathers house.

King David He asked why he would be worthy of


humility
1 Samuel 18:18 marrying the kings daughter.

King Solomon He said he was just a child and didnt


humility
1 Kings 3:7 know how to act.

Elijah He told Ahab that God would judge


courage
1 Kings 21:20-21 him.

Isaiah
He said he was ruined and unclean. humility
Isaiah 6:5

Jeremiah He said he could not speak because


humility
Jeremiah 1:6 he was like a child.

Daniel He rebuked king Belshazzar


courage
Daniel 5:22-23 for his sins.

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Person What Did He Do Or Say? Humility Or Courage?

John the Baptist He said that Jesus should


humility
Matthew 3:14 have been baptizing him.

John the Baptist


He told Herod he was living in sin. courage
Matthew 14:3-4

Stephen He was stoned to death


Acts 7:51-60
courage
for preaching about Jesus.

The Life Of John Wycliffe


John Wycliffe (1330-1384) lived during the days of the Dark Ages when the Roman
Catholic Church and the priests strongly controlled the actions and attitudes of the
people. Most of life centered on the rituals and beliefs of the Roman Catholic Church.
The people generally lived as very poor peasants, and much of the little money they did
have went to the Church to pay for penances for sin and for indulgences. People believed
that if you paid money, you could get a loved one out of purgatory or hell. The extent of
the relief from hell depended on the amount of money that was paid. Often people paid
the priests a little each month because they believed it would gradually relieve the agony
of a relative who had died.
Wycliffe lived in the midst of all of these problems. He was a great scholar who taught
at Oxford. From his study of Scripture, he came to the conclusion that the Church had
replaced Christ in the peoples hearts. Instead of teaching Scripture, it taught traditions
and fables through the preaching of the priests. Wycliffe saw how the priests lorded over
the people and caused fear to be a part of their lives.
Since Wycliffe was a student of Gods Word, he came to realize that the key to changing
this system was to give the Bible to the common people. At this time, only the priests
had the Scriptures, and it was believed that the common people could never understand
Gods Word for themselves. Besides this, the majority of the peasants could neither read
nor write. To overcome the problems that the Church had created and used to its own
advantage for years, Wycliffe began to translate the Latin Vulgate Bible into common
English so that people could understand for themselves the simple truths of Gods Word.

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Along with doing this, Wycliffe began to take public stands against the Roman Catholic
Church. For example, the Church had even begun to tax the government to obtain more
money for its own use. The Church became richer and richer while the people became
poorer and poorer. Wycliffe said that the government should not be held in bondage to
the Church. He also said that the Church did not have the right to charge for indulgences
(payments for forgiveness of sins).
Because of his teachings, the Roman Catholic Church named Wycliffe as a heretic and
wanted him out of his post at Oxford. A trial was held to determine Wycliffes fate. Many
people did not think that Wycliffe would live through the trial. They believed that he
would be executed. Instead, the leaders of the Church and the government had heated
arguments between themselves, and Wycliffe was finally forced to retire from Oxford. By
this time, however, most of the government leaders agreed with Wycliffe, and they were
all threatened with excommunication if they did not recant (admit they were wrong).
Instead, with Wycliffes example, they stood firm for the truth.
Great turmoil continued over Wycliffes teachings, and eventually Wycliffe had to go into
hiding. While in hiding, he was protected by many friends and scholars and was able to
complete his translation of the Bible into English before he died of a stroke in 1384.
Three years after Wycliffes death, a group of his followers called Lollards began to
distribute his translation of the Bible throughout the countryside. The Lollards were
like missionaries who taught the Word of God to those who had never heard the truth
before. As more Bibles were printed, people began to learn to read so they could read
the Scriptures for themselves. Over the years, a great change began to come over the
common people since they no longer feared what the Church could do to them, and they
began to trust more and more in Jesus.
Answer the following questions about John Wycliffe:
What great thing did Wycliffe accomplish?
He translated the Bible into English so the common people could understand it.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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What were the results of what Wycliffe accomplished?


Many people no longer lived in fear and ignorance but came to trust in Jesus.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

How did Wycliffe show courage?


He was willing to suffer as a heretic and stood against the church because its
______________________________________________________________________
teachings were not scriptural.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

Composition:
Write a composition discussing the following: (1) the most important qualities necessary
to becoming a good leader, (2) which qualities you already have and which you need to
develop, and (3) how you can be a leader right now.

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L E S S O N 3 4 Q U I Z
BEING A GOOD LEADER
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

1. Who am I? Match the following characters with the correct corresponding statement.
1. Caleb I rebuked King Belshazzar for his sins.

2. John Wycliffe I went to Pharaoh and brought the Israelites out of Egypt.
God called me to go to Nineveh and preach.
3. Moses
I said, Let us go up and possess the land.
4. John the Baptist I told Ahab that God would judge him.
5. David God called me to save Israel from the Midianites.
I said, Jesus, You should be baptizing me.
6. Daniel
I translated the Bible into English so the common people could
7. Gideon understand it.
8. Stephen I was stoned to death for preaching about Jesus.

9. Jonah I said, Who am I that I should marry the kings daughter?

10. Elijah

LESSON 34 QUIZ
L E S S O N 3 5

SPENDING TIME WITH GOD

TARGET TRUTHS
It is important for us to continue to build our relationship with God when we are out of school for
summer.
Spending time with God helps us build our relationship with Him.

TEACHING STRATEGY
Use this lesson to emphasize the main point about spending time with God. Sometimes this is easier to
do when we are in the regular routine of school. Make sure your students understand that some of them
will be tempted and tested more in the summer because they may not be around their Christian friends
as much. This is where the real test will come to see if what we have studied this year is really going to be
true in their lives.

ADDITIONAL TEACHING SUGGESTION


Review the character qualities that were discussed in Lessons 17-23: love, gentleness, integrity, meekness,
humility, hard work, faithfulness, self-control, courage, submission, and obedience. Have each student
choose one of the Bible characters that have been studied this year and have them write a brief paper
evaluating how the person evidenced (or did not evidence) some of these traits in his or her life. If possible,
have each student share his or her report orally and then discuss each Bible character as a class.

QUIZ ANSWERS
1. d 8. b
2. a 9. d
3. c 10. c
4. c 11. c
5. c 12. a
6. b 13. b
7. b 14. a
15. d

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L E S S O N 3 5

SPENDING TIME
WITH GOD
During the summer months, you will not have the daily studies in Proverbs that you have
had all year. You will be on your own to have your own quiet time with God in His Word.
You will not be continually reminded by your teachers of how you should act and what
attitudes you should have. You will need to continue your own personal relationship with
God. With this in mind, lets remind ourselves of some ideas that are important to a good
relationship with God.

Having A Good Relationship With God


What was important about Enoch and Noahs relationships with God? (Read
Gen. 5:22 and 6:9.)
They walked with God.
______________________________________________________________________

The most important thing to remember is that a good relationship with God involves
learning to walk with Him moment by moment throughout each day. It is not just a
matter of spending time each day reading the Bible, though that is important. It is not
just remembering to pray each day, though that too is important. Having a relationship
with God is walking continually in His presence. It means that we are always aware of His
commands, His purpose for our lives, and our need for His wisdom.

God wants to have a wonderful relationship with you this summer. Study Genesis 28:15
and state in your own words the promises He made to Jacob about His relationship with
him that also apply to you.
God is with me wherever I go. He will not leave me but will continue to work in
______________________________________________________________________
my life.
______________________________________________________________________
______________________________________________________________________

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LESSON 35 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

Being Near To God


How can we know that God is near to us and walks with us according to these verses?

The Lord is always before me and at my right hand.


Psalm 16:8 ______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The Lord is near those with a broken heart.


Psalm 34:18 _____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

The Lord is near those who call upon Him in truth.


Psalm 145:18 ____________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________

Lets Review
As a review of the previous 34 lessons, choose the best answer to complete each of the
following statements. The number for each statement corresponds to the lesson number
where the answer is found.

1. One thing that wise people do not do is


C (a) prepare for the future (b) depart from evil
(c) show stubborn and rebellious attitudes (d) win souls.
2. The fools reaction to advice and teaching is to
D (a) love knowledge (b) listen to counsel
(c) seek after knowledge (d) despise wisdom and instruction.
3. Solomon asked the Lord for
A (a) understanding and discernment (b) a long life
(c) riches and honor (d) vengeance on his enemies.
4. The wise teenager
B (a) despises his mother (b) makes his father glad
(c) brings reproach to his father (d) brings shame to his mother.
5. The woman who should be honored because she protected her son from
D death was the mother of
(a) David (b) Samuel (c) Daniel (d) Moses.

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6. The correct order for the three results of sin seen in Genesis 3 is
A (a) guilt, fear, blaming others (b) fear, blaming others, guilt
(c) blaming others, fear, guilt (d) fear, guilt, blaming others.
7. The word of the following four that does not refer to perversion is
C
(a) frowardness (b) deviousness (c) vengeance (d) crookedness.
8. Psalm 37:4 tells us that if we delight ourselves in the Lord,
B (a) God will take care of us (b) God will give us the desires of our hearts
(c) we will prosper (d) we will be free from our enemies.
9. The king in 2 Chronicles 24 who began to reign at the age of seven and
D who led the people in restoring the temple was
(a) Jehoiada (b) Josiah (c) Jehoiakim (d) Joash.
10. The man who showed the right kind of attitude during his trials even
B when his friends, Eliphaz, Bildad and Zophar, did not understand was
(a) Peter (b) Job (c) David (d) Isaiah.
11. The man who was Davids faithful friend and who could be trusted to
C keep his secrets was
(a) Saul (b) Daniel (c) Jonathan (d) Solomon.
12. The tax collector that Jesus went to visit in his home to show that He did
A not play favorites was
(a) Zacchaeus (b) the Good Samaritan (c) Simon (d) Jairus.
13. The works of the flesh are listed in
B
(a) Romans 3 (b) Galatians 5 (c) Ephesians 1 (d) Philippians 3.
14. The man who was a priest in the temple but whose sons were not godly
B was
(a) Levi (b) Eli (c) Elijah (d) Asa.
15. The fruit of the Spirit includes all of the following except
C
(a) joy (b) love (c) knowledge (d) gentleness.
16. All of the following are results of godly character except
D (a) wisdom (b) the favor of the Lord
(c) your prayers heard by the Lord (d) shame.

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LESSON 35 STUDENT MANUAL PAGES

17. The woman who showed gentleness, kindness and loyalty to her mother-
B in-law was
(a) Naomi (b) Ruth (c) Orpah (d) Boaz.
18. The principle that is seen over and over in the lives of Isaac and Jacob is
C the principle of
(a) truthfulness (b) love (c) sowing and reaping (d) holiness.
19. The man who had a problem with pride and arrogance, which he showed
A when Mordecai refused to bow to him, was
(a) Haman (b) Ahasuerus (c) Nebuchadnezzar (d) Belshazzar.
20. All of the following words describe a lazy person except
B
(a) slothful (b) diligent (c) slack (d) sluggard.
21. The man who showed self-discipline by refusing to eat the kings diet was
C
(a) Moses (b) David (c) Daniel (d) Jeremiah.
22. A good example of fear would be
B (a) Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego (b) the 10 spies in Numbers 13
(c) David (d) Stephen.
23. The man who killed his brother and remained self-willed and
A unrepentant was
(a) Cain (b) Abel (c) Seth (d) Lot.
24. First John 1:9 encourages us to
D (a) love one another (b) fear the Lord
(c) obey Gods commands (d) confess our sins.
25. The man who pitched his tent toward Sodom and moved to Sodom
C before escaping Gods judgment on that city was
(a) Abraham (b) Ishmael (c) Lot (d) Noah.
26. The parable that teaches us about how to use our money or abilities
B wisely is the parable of the
(a) lost coin (b) talents (c) vineyard (d) good Samaritan.
27. According to Proverbs 13:14 and 14:27, the law of the wise that enables us
A to depart from the snares of death is like a
(a) fountain of life (b) computer (c) tree (d) mirror.

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28. The man who nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Wittenburg
C church was
(a) Gutenberg (b) Tyndale (c) Luther (d) Wycliffe.
29. The woman who made a vow to the Lord that if He would give her a son,
A she would dedicate him to the Lords service was
(a) Hannah (b) Sarah (c) Hagar (d) Ruth
30. The disciple of Jesus who denied Him was
D
(a) Judas (b) Andrew (c) Bartholomew (d) Peter.
31. All of the following are statements the book of Proverbs makes about
gossiping except
B
(a) it reveals secrets and is unfaithful (b) it is common among the wise
(c) it sows strife and separates friends (d) it wounds deeply.
32. The man whose last words before he was executed were, Lord, open the
B king of Englands eyes! was
(a) Gutenberg (b) Tyndale (c) Luther (d) Wycliffe.
33. The passage that tells us how to prosper and be successful is found in
A
(a) Joshua 1 (b) Psalm 3 (c) John 3 (d) Romans 1.
34. The man who translated the Bible into English so the common people could
D understand it was
(a) Gutenberg (b) King James (c) Luther (d) Wycliffe.

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L E S S O N 3 5 Q U I Z
SPENDING TIME WITH GOD
Name _______________________________________________________________ Date ____________________ Score ____________

As a review of the previous 34 lessons, choose the best answer to complete each of the following
statements.

1. _____ The fools reaction to advice and teaching is to


(a) love knowledge (b) listen to counsel (c) seek after knowledge (d) despise wisdom and instruction.

2. _____ Solomon asked the Lord for


(a) understanding and discernment (b) a long life (c) riches and honor
(d) vengeance on his enemies.

3. _____ The word that means crooked and describes the person who enjoys doing evil is (a) scorner
(b) scoffer (c) perverse (d) fornicator.

4. _____ The man who was Davids faithful friend and who could be trusted to keep his secrets was
(a) Saul (b) Daniel (c) Jonathan (d) Solomon.

5. _____ The fruit of the Spirit includes all of the following except
(a) faithfulness (b) love (c) knowledge (d) gentleness.

6. _____ The woman who showed gentleness, kindness and loyalty to her mother-in-law was
(a) Naomi (b) Ruth (c) Orpah (d) Boaz.

7. _____ All of the following words describe a lazy person except


(a) slothful (b) diligent (c) slack (d) sluggard.

8. _____ A good example of fear would be


(a) Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego (b) the 10 spies in Numbers 13 (c) David (d) Stephen.

9. _____ First John 1:9 encourages us to (a) love one another (b) fear the Lord (c) obey Gods com-
mands (d) confess our sins.

10. _____ The man who pitched his tent toward Sodom and moved to Sodom before escaping Gods
judgment on that city was
(a) Abraham (b) Ishmael (c) Lot (d) Noah.

11. _____ The man who nailed his 95 theses to the door of the Wittenburg church was
(a) Gutenberg (b) Tyndale (c) Luther (d) Wycliffe.

12. _____ The woman who made a vow to the Lord that if He would give her a son, she would dedicate
him to the Lords service was
(a) Hannah (b) Sarah (c) Hagar (d) Ruth.

LESSON 35 QUIZ
13. _____ All of the following are statements the book of Proverbs makes about gossiping except
(a) it reveals secrets and is unfaithful (b) it is common among the wise
(c) it sows strife and separates friends (d) it wounds deeply.

14. _____ The passage that tells us how to prosper and be successful is found in
(a) Joshua 1 (b) Psalm 3 (c) John 3 (d) Romans 1.

15. _____ The man who translated the Bible into English so the common people could understand it was
(a) Gutenberg (b) King James (c) Luther (d) Wycliffe.

LESSON 35 QUIZ

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