Single lesson
Proverbs 10: Solomon’s Proverbs: The Wise Son
Proverbs 10:1–32
Proverbs 10 opens a collection called “The proverbs of Solomon” and sets wise and foolish ways side by side. In this lesson, children compare examples about family, work, words and conduct, and notice how righteousness and wisdom are praised.
Before you teach
This passage is made of short sayings that contrast one kind of person with another. Again and again, it places the righteous, wise, diligent and upright beside the wicked, foolish, lazy and perverse. The verses speak about parents, speech, work, correction, blessing and the way of Yahweh.
Students will be able to identify at least three contrasts in Proverbs 10:1–32 and explain that this passage teaches the value of wisdom, righteous living and careful speech.
Welcome: Spot the two voices
4 minBegin by telling the class that Proverbs 10 uses short comparisons. Read verse 1 aloud and ask children to listen for the two sides: the wise son and the foolish son. Explain that many verses in this chapter compare two ways to live, so today they will listen for these pairs and what each pair teaches.
Proverbs 10:1
Read and explain: Family, work and readiness
7 minRead verses 1 to 5. Point out that a wise son brings gladness, while a foolish son brings grief. Then notice the worker with a lazy hand compared with the diligent hand, and the one who gathers in summer compared with the one who sleeps during harvest. Explain that these sayings praise wisdom, effort and timely action.
Proverbs 10:1, Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs 10:5
Discuss: Words that help or harm
7 minRead selected verses about speech: 8, 11, 12, 14, 19 and 21. Ask children to name what righteous lips and foolish mouths do in these sayings. Explain simple phrases: a “spring of life” pictures speech that gives help, and “restrains his lips” means choosing words carefully instead of talking without control.
Proverbs 10:8, Proverbs 10:11, Proverbs 10:12, Proverbs 10:14, Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 10:21
Make and respond: Reminder card from a proverb
8 minLet each child choose one verse from the passage that they can understand and remember. Help them turn it into a short reminder card with the verse reference and a small drawing, such as lips, a hand, a path or a heart. Invite volunteers to explain how their chosen proverb shows wisdom or righteousness.
Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs 10:8, Proverbs 10:9, Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 10:32
Closing: The way that stands firm
4 minFinish by reading verses 27 to 32. Summarise that the passage keeps showing two outcomes: the righteous, upright and wise are described with joy, stronghold and wisdom, while the wicked are linked with perishing, destruction and perversity. Ask the class to say one contrast they remember from the chapter.
Proverbs 10:27, Proverbs 10:28, Proverbs 10:29, Proverbs 10:31, Proverbs 10:32
Questions to explore
In Proverbs 10:1, what is the difference between the wise son and the foolish son?
Look at how each son affects a parent, and use the exact words glad and grief from the verse.
Proverbs 10:1
What do Proverbs 10:4 and 10:5 teach about work and timing?
Notice the contrast between the lazy hand and the diligent hand, and between gathering in summer and sleeping during harvest.
Proverbs 10:4, Proverbs 10:5
According to Proverbs 10:11, 10:19 and 10:21, how can words be used wisely?
Compare the pictures of a spring of life, restrained lips and lips that feed many.
Proverbs 10:11, Proverbs 10:19, Proverbs 10:21
Make, think or respond
Proverb Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or markers
- Bible
Try it together
- Read several short proverbs from the chapter together and let each child choose one.
- Write the chosen verse reference on a small card and copy a key phrase from the proverb.
- Draw a simple picture that matches the proverb, such as a mouth, hand, path or harvest basket.
- Share the card with the group and tell which wise choice the proverb highlights.
This activity helps children focus on one comparison from Proverbs 10 and remember how the passage praises wisdom, righteousness and careful speech.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer two or three verse choices only and let them explain their proverb orally instead of writing much.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to group several verses under headings such as speech, work, correction or righteousness.
An optional closing prayer
“God, please help us listen to wisdom, speak carefully, accept correction and choose what is right.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Proverbs 10
1 The proverbs of Solomon. A wise son makes a glad father; but a foolish son brings grief to his mother.
2 Treasures of wickedness profit nothing, but righteousness delivers from death.
3 Yahweh will not allow the soul of the righteous to go hungry, but he thrusts away the desire of the wicked.
4 He becomes poor who works with a lazy hand, but the hand of the diligent brings wealth.
5 He who gathers in summer is a wise son, but he who sleeps during the harvest is a son who causes shame.
6 Blessings are on the head of the righteous, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
7 The memory of the righteous is blessed, but the name of the wicked will rot.
8 The wise in heart accept commandments, but a chattering fool will fall.
9 He who walks blamelessly walks surely, but he who perverts his ways will be found out.
10 One who winks with the eye causes sorrow, but a chattering fool will fall.
11 The mouth of the righteous is a spring of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all wrongs.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of him who has discernment, but a rod is for the back of him who is void of understanding.
14 Wise men lay up knowledge, but the mouth of the foolish is near ruin.
15 The rich man’s wealth is his strong city. The destruction of the poor is their poverty.
16 The labor of the righteous leads to life. The increase of the wicked leads to sin.
17 He is in the way of life who heeds correction, but he who forsakes reproof leads others astray.
18 He who hides hatred has lying lips. He who utters a slander is a fool.
19 In the multitude of words there is no lack of disobedience, but he who restrains his lips does wisely.
20 The tongue of the righteous is like choice silver. The heart of the wicked is of little worth.
21 The lips of the righteous feed many, but the foolish die for lack of understanding.
22 Yahweh’s blessing brings wealth, and he adds no trouble to it.
23 It is a fool’s pleasure to do wickedness, but wisdom is a man of understanding’s pleasure.
24 What the wicked fear will overtake them, but the desire of the righteous will be granted.
25 When the whirlwind passes, the wicked is no more; but the righteous stand firm forever.
26 As vinegar to the teeth, and as smoke to the eyes, so is the sluggard to those who send him.
27 The fear of Yahweh prolongs days, but the years of the wicked shall be shortened.
28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hope of the wicked will perish.
29 The way of Yahweh is a stronghold to the upright, but it is a destruction to the workers of iniquity.
30 The righteous will never be removed, but the wicked will not dwell in the land.
31 The mouth of the righteous produces wisdom, but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable, but the mouth of the wicked is perverse.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.