Proverbs 1:8

Proverbs 1:8 My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother:

BIBLE MEMORY TUNE

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DEVOTIONAL
When our fathers (or pastors, or grandpas, or others) take time to teach us something, we must give them our full attention and HEAR what they are saying. If we do not fully understand their instruction, we should ask them questions. We should pay close attention to instructions as it will put us further ahead in life.

We must never ignore or disobey our mom's rules. Her law is to helps gain an excellent reputation. If we will not disrespect her by ignoring laws, and if we pay attention when someone is giving us instruction, we will be very blessed in life.

THOUGHTS OR DISCUSSIONS

When is it hard to pay attention to instruction?
What can you do to eliminate distractions, or focus on the instructions?
What is one of your mom's laws?

PRAYER AND COMMITMENT

Tell God that you need his help to understand instruction, and that you commit to honoring your parents.

This devotional is written by Denée Richardson. You can read her other blogs here.

Proverbs 8:6

Prov 8:6 Hear; for I will speak of excellent things; and the opening of my lips [shall be] right things.

BIBLE MEMORY TUNE

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DEVOTIONAL

What we speak is VERY important! It's even more important than what we eat. There are reasons why what we speak is so important:

1. Other people are hearing us. We have the power to encourage them, make them feel happy, and help them live life better.

2. Our words are like tools such as hammers, & nails, or cranes, or wood, & metal. All the things a builder would need to put up a skyscraper. Our words build us and others into strong people.

3. Our talking could be destructive like a wrecking ball. If we do not purposefully use words to build, our words will hurt people's feelings. We could cause ourselves and those who hear us to be torn down, defeated and destroyed.

We must speak of EXCELLENT things! And we must strive to make every time we open our lips to speak that we are choosing to talk about right things!

THOUGHTS OR DISCUSSIONS

We can use the scripture's list of right things to think about as a guide for right things to speak about. Go around the room answering these questions one by one, as found in Philippians 4:8

• What is true?
• What is honest?
• What is just?
• What is pure?
• What is lovely?
• What good report have you heard?
• What virtuous thing have you seen or heard about?
• What person or thing can you compliment or praise?

PRAYER AND COMMITMENT

Tell God that you will make your speech to build people up, and that you will not use your speech to tear people down.

This devotional is written by Denée Richardson. You can read her other blogs here.

Proverbs 2:13

Proverbs 2:13 Who leave the paths of uprightness, to walk in the ways of darkness;

BIBLE MEMORY TUNE

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DEVOTIONAL

When we speak good things, behave with kindness and love, present ourselves as modest & separate people, we are walking in the paths of uprightness. The paths of uprightness are well-lit by the Word of God. The Bible is our flashlight.

We do not ever want to be sneaky, or to lie, or to dress and behave in ways that do not please the Lord. If we choose to do wrong things, then we are choosing to walk in darkness.
One night, after you've already turned out the lights and are snuggled up in bed, you may realize you need a book or a glass of water, or something from the other side of the room. If you do not turn on a light you might trip over something and hurt yourself. Walking in the dark can feel scary because you do not know if you will bump into something. It is dangerous to walk without a light.

People who do not stay on the path of uprightness are choosing to walk in darkness. That's when people hurt not only themselves, but also the people who love them. We turn on the Bible-flashlight by obeying the Word of God. Let's stay on the bright, wonderful path of uprightness!

THOUGHTS OR DISCUSSIONS

Have you ever tripped on something in the dark?
Have you ever used a flashlight to see better? 

(As an additional means of helping children remember this lesson flashlights may be given to each child. You may choose to write the word, "Bible," on the flashlights.)

PRAYER AND COMMITMENT

Tell God that you always want the Word to light your path.
Ask God to make you aware if you're ever drifting toward the ways of darkness.

This devotional is written by Denée Richardson. You can read her other blogs here.

Proverbs 3:5

Proverbs 3:5 

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.

BIBLE MEMORY TUNE

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DEVOTIONAL

If somebody told you the sky is green & the grass is blue, you would not believe them. At least, I HOPE you would not believe them! Because we know the sky is blue, and the grass is green.

We are smart! We know the difference in fantasy and reality. 

Buuuut, sometimes we get too smart for our own good. Sometimes we are looking at something, and we know what the usual outcome is. For instance, if someone has a bad disease that could kill them, we "understand" that the sickness is dangerous enough to take that person away from us. That can feel very scary. 

Because we do not want to be a servant of fear, we must be quick and ready, however, to remember, "God is a healer. God sees me and will take care of me." 

Especially when life is not going well, it can feel hard to not lean on our understanding, but instead to trust that God is at work for us. We must trust that He works all things out for our good. God can see how the story will end IF we will surrender to His will and do things God's way. But if we get too anxious and fearful and try to fix things ourselves, we may make the situation WORSE.

So the next time you're in a situation where the news is bad news, don't lean on that bad news. Instead "Trust in the Lord!"

THOUGHTS OR DISCUSSIONS

What's your favorite Bible story about it SEEMING like the outcome would be bad, but God helped it turn out better?

(Elisha & the widow. Gideon's army.)

PRAYER AND COMMITMENT

Tell the Lord that you will trust him to work out your life and all the situations for the good. 

Ask God to help you do what is right.


This devotional is written by Denée Richardson. You can read her other blogs here.