Proverbs 1:20-33, New International Reader's Version

Wisdom’s Warning

²⁰Out in the open wisdom calls out.
She raises her voice in a public place.
²¹On top of the city wall she cries out.
Here is what she says near the gate of the city.

²²“How long will you childish people love your childish ways?
How long will you rude people enjoy making fun of God and others?
How long will you foolish people hate knowledge?
²³Pay attention to my warning!
Then I will pour out my thoughts to you.
I will make known to you my teachings.
²⁴But you refuse to listen when I call out to you.
No one pays attention when I reach out my hand.
²⁵You turn away from all my advice.
And you do not accept my warning.
²⁶So I will laugh at you when you are in danger.
I will make fun of you when hard times come.
²⁷I will laugh when hard times hit you like a storm.
I will laugh when danger comes your way like a windstorm.
I will make fun of you when suffering and trouble come.

²⁸“Then you will call to me. But I won’t answer.
You will look for me. But you won’t find me.
²⁹You hated knowledge.
You didn’t choose to have respect for the Lord.
³⁰You wouldn’t accept my advice.
You turned your backs on my warnings.
³¹So you will eat the fruit of the way you have lived.
You will choke on the fruit of what you have planned.

³²“The wrong path that childish people take will kill them.
Foolish people will be destroyed by being satisfied with the way they live.
³³But those who listen to me will live in safety.
They will be at ease and have no fear of being harmed.”

Message:

Who is the SMARTEST person you know? (Allow children to respond.)

Who is the WISEST person you know? (Allow children to answer.)

Is there a difference between being smart and being wise? What is the difference between being smart and being wise? (Allow children to answer.)

According to the dictionary, a definition for the word “smart” is someone who knows a lot of facts. A person who is smart knows a lot of information. Someone who is “wise” makes good choices and decisions.

Let’s play a game called “Which one is it?” I will ask you a question, and you must decide if it is “smart” or “wise.”

Eating a balanced meal every day. Is that smart or wise?

Adding up the cost of all the groceries while you are shopping in the store? Is that smart or wise?

Locking the front door before bed. Is that smart or wise?

Sharing with your brother or sister. Is that smart or wise?

Saving some of your birthday money instead of spending it all on candy or a new toy. Is that smart or wise?

Giving some of your money to church each Sunday. Is that smart or wise?

Remembering the ten numbers in your parent’s cell phone number. Is that smart or wise?

Getting all “A’s” on your report card in school. Is that smart or wise?

Who knows what’s right for us? Who in your life helps you make good decisions? To whom do you listen for advice? To whom do your parents listen? What about your teachers? Does God give you any instructions? (Allow children to answer.)

Where can we find God’s wisdom and instructions for our lives? (Allow children to answer.) That’s right; we can find those answers in the Bible.

In some of the chapters of the book of Proverbs, God’s wisdom is described as a beautiful, gracious woman. Everyone who listens to this beautiful woman and follows her ways finds

Sometimes, having the correct information isn’t enough. Sometimes, we still make bad choices even if we have all the right information. We know what we should do, but we just don’t do it. That’s a difference between being “smart” and “wise.”

Following God’s wisdom isn’t the same as knowing a lot of information. Following God’s wisdom isn’t the same thing as being smart. Following God’s wisdom is about knowing how to live a good life. Following God’s wisdom can be a part of your life, no matter how old you are. Imagine a life of happiness and peace, a life of understanding and goodness. Imagine a life that brings you joy, a life that brings joy to other people and to God. Doesn’t that sound good? It sure does to me! If we listen and follow God’s wisdom, we can have that good life.