Write Your Own Proverbs

Nadine Givens, a Sunday school superintendent, from 3rd Church, Dallas wrote:

I don't get to teach often, but I did last Sunday. It's spring break and we were short on teachers and students so another teacher, Peggy Williams, and I taught all the younger classes combined. Using the illustrated children's Bible, I made Power Point slides of the story of Solomon.

After watching (and reading aloud) the Power Point slides, someone dressed like Solomon came to the class and told us how he asked God to give him an understanding heart.

The students wanted to demonstrate having an "understanding heart." We agreed that Proverbs are good examples of how to have an "understanding heart," so we decided to write our own. We used an exercise from BibleWise as our guide. See below:

Let's start writing Proverbs. What should be included in a statement that will make it a Proverb? Proverbs are statements that encourage us to follow God. They are also a collection of sayings, riddles, instructions, and poems. Proverbs can be viewed as a book with ethical and moral statements about how to live life. In writing a Proverb, we want to address issues that will improve our lives.

For example: "If the wise man listens, he will increase his learning, and the man of understanding will acquire skill to understand proverbs and parables, the sayings of wise men and their riddles." (1:1-7)

Some Proverbs start with a statement and then use a contrasting statement like Prov 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge: but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Some Proverbs are advice given by a father to his son (daughter). Prov 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

Some Proverbs comment on bad behavior. Prov 24:30,31 I went by the field of the slothful, and by the vineyard of the man void of understanding; And, lo, it was all grown over with thorns, and nettles had covered the face thereof, and the stone wall thereof was broken down.

Some Proverbs warn us about corrupt leaders. Prov 28:15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.

There are many others, but this is a good place to start.

The students all contributed and came up with some great Proverbs. Here are examples of what they wrote:

Proverbs written by 3rd church Sunday school students

Treat your friends fairly and they will treat you fairly.
If your friends are mean be nice back.
Be kind and soft to a baby.
Be kind and soft to everybody and yourself.
Pray for others and it will work.
Giving money to others won't make you poor because you are doing God's will.
Help others and they will help you.
If people don't have toys or a bed or shoes, give to them and you will be happy and proud.
Love your friends, even if they are mean, because God still loves them.
If someone ignores you be patient because it's the right thing to do.
Listen to instructions so you know what to do.
Listen to your teacher so you know what to do.
You want to be wise in order to do God's will.
Wisdom and love is from God and Christ Jesus.

We shared their ideas with the parents, teachers, and other students. Thank you BibleWise for all your helpful exercises!