This lesson is intended for use on Father’s Day weekend. It focuses on the book of Proverbs and how children should listen to their fathers as a source of wisdom in their lives. It was prepared with children’s church in mind, but could be modified for Sunday School or other ministry settings. Be sure to check out our free coloring sheets about Fathers and Father’s Day craft ideas.
Bible Passage: Proverbs 1:8-9
Bible Story Title: Our Father’s Wisdom
Target Age Group: 3rd-6th graders
Target Time Frame:20 minutes
Original Teaching Context: Children’s Church or Sunday School
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Hear, my son, your father’s instruction, and forsake not your mother’s teaching, for they are a graceful garland for your head and pendants for your neck. Proverbs 1:8-9 ESV
Learning Objective: The children will learn about wisdom and how their fathers are a source of wisdom for them.
Materials Needed: Maybe some props for use during the “hook” depending on what situation you choose to act out.
Hook:
- The teacher asks the rhetorical question, “What is wisdom?”
- The teacher then acts out or pantomimes an age appropriate dangerous situation, such as touching a hot stove, crossing a street without looking, or riding their bike without a helmet. Then asks, “Would this be wise?”
- “So, what is wisdom?” The teacher then asks for input from the children.
- “Wisdom is knowing how to live life the right way. Sometimes another word for wisdom can be knowledge because when you are wise you know how to live life the way God would want you to live.”
Look:
- “Let’s look in at what the Bible says about wisdom. Open your Bibles to Proverbs 1:8-9.”
- Read aloud the Bible passage.
Book:
- “Verse eight tells us to hear your father’s instruction. What is instruction?” Take input from the children.
- “What does ‘forsake not’ mean when talking about our mother’s teaching?” Take input from the children.
- “So, in Proverbs 1:8-9, God is telling us to listen and remember what our parents teach us.”
- “Verse nine says they are a graceful wreath and ornaments about your neck. Who are ‘they’ in this verse? ‘They’ are your parent’s instruction and teaching.”
- “The graceful wreath and ornaments about your neck means being wise will bring you honor as you live a wise life following the teaching and instruction of your parents.”
Took:
- “Why should we listen and remember what our parents teach us?”
- Take some input from the children.
- “In Deuteronomy 6:5-7 it says.” Read it out loud.
- “In Deuteronomy, God commands your parents to always be teaching you when sitting in your house, when going on a walk, when going to bed at night, and when you wake up in the morning. In Proverbs, God tells children to listen to the teaching of their parents.”
- “God tells us that when we listen to our parents and remember what they have taught us, we will become wise.”
- “Today is Father’s Day and we need to remember that God gave us a gift when He chose who would be our father here on earth. God wants us to listen to our fathers. Today you can give a gift to your father by listening to him and the wisdom he has to share with you.”
Tips:
- Some other dangerous situations to use during the “hook” could be sticking a paperclip in an electrical outlet, talking to a stranger, or taking candy from a stranger. If possible include some of the children in your pantomime. They would love to participate and children love seeing their friends perform!
- If you want to have a deeper or longer teaching time for older children, include Proverbs 1:7 also. With this verse you can discuss how fearing the Lord is where wisdom begins. Teach the children how we cannot be wise until we first know Christ and fear the Lord.
Remember not all kids have fathers or fathers who fit this description.