Single lesson
Proverbs 19: The Man of Integrity
Proverbs 19:1–29
Proverbs 19 gathers short wisdom sayings that compare truthful, thoughtful, teachable living with foolish, hasty and dishonest living. In this lesson, children will notice how integrity shows up in speech, choices, relationships and response to instruction.
Before you teach
This chapter of Proverbs is a collection of sayings rather than one story or one speech. The chapter keeps setting examples and contrasts side by side, such as integrity and twisted speech, haste and instruction, kindness and lying. Reading it this way helps children compare the voices in the chapter and see its wisdom teaching clearly.
Students will be able to name at least two contrasts in Proverbs 19 and explain that this chapter uses short sayings to present integrity as wise, truthful and teachable living before Yahweh.
Welcome: What is integrity?
5 minIntroduce integrity as a simple way to describe walking in an honest and right way. Then read verse 1 aloud. Ask which person is called better. Point out that this saying values integrity more than impressive words, and it begins the chapter with a strong contrast.
Proverbs 19:1
Read and explain: A chapter of short contrasts
7 minRead verses 1, 2, 5, 20 and 22. Show children that Proverbs 19 is a collection of short sayings, not a single argument or story. Each verse gives an example or contrast: integrity and perverse lips, zeal and haste, truth and lies, instruction and straying, kindness and lying.
Proverbs 19:1, Proverbs 19:2, Proverbs 19:5, Proverbs 19:20, Proverbs 19:22
Discuss: Wisdom listens, slows down and cares
6 minRead verses 8, 11, 17 and 21. Ask children what kind of person these sayings describe. Getting wisdom is good, discretion makes a person slow to anger, pity for the poor matters, and Yahweh’s counsel will prevail over human plans. Integrity includes teachability, self-control and kindness.
Proverbs 19:8, Proverbs 19:11, Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 19:21
Make and respond: Choose one saying
8 minLet each child choose one key verse, such as verse 1, 11, 20 or 22. Explain that their chosen verse is one example from a chapter full of contrasting sayings. Children make a small reminder card with the reference, a drawing, and one realistic example of that wise choice.
Proverbs 19:1, Proverbs 19:11, Proverbs 19:20, Proverbs 19:22
Closing: Keep listening and fearing Yahweh
4 minFinish by reading verses 23 and 27. Remind the group that this chapter calls people to fear Yahweh and keep listening to instruction. Invite each child to say one wise action from today’s sayings, such as telling the truth, listening first, overlooking an offence, or showing kindness.
Proverbs 19:23, Proverbs 19:27, Proverbs 19:11, Proverbs 19:22
Questions to explore
In Proverbs 19:1, which person is called better, and what does that teach us to value?
The verse says the poor person who walks in integrity is better than the person with perverse lips who is a fool.
Proverbs 19:1
How do Proverbs 19:2 and Proverbs 19:20 work together to warn against rushing ahead?
One says haste misses the way, and the other says listening to counsel and receiving instruction leads to wisdom.
Proverbs 19:2, Proverbs 19:20
What do Proverbs 19:17 and Proverbs 19:22 say that helps us recognise a desirable kind of person?
These sayings praise pity for the poor and say kindness makes a person desired, while also saying a poor man is better than a liar.
Proverbs 19:17, Proverbs 19:22
Make, think or respond
Integrity Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- crayons or coloured pencils
- Bible
Try it together
- Read aloud Proverbs 19:1, Proverbs 19:11, Proverbs 19:20 and Proverbs 19:22, and let each child choose one verse.
- Fold or cut paper into a small card and write the chosen verse reference on the front.
- Draw a picture showing the wise action in the verse, such as telling the truth, listening, calming down or being kind.
- On the back, write one short everyday example that matches the verse.
- Invite children to show their card and explain how their verse is one saying from this chapter of contrasts.
The card helps children focus on one saying from a chapter full of contrasts, and connect that example to integrity, truthful speech, teachable listening, self-control or kindness in Proverbs 19.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer only two verse choices, read them aloud slowly, and let them respond mostly with drawing and a short spoken explanation.
- For older or more confident children, ask them to compare two verses on their card and explain how both fit the chapter’s pattern of short contrasting sayings.
An optional closing prayer
You could pray: "Yahweh, please help us listen to instruction, speak truth, be slow to anger and show kindness. Help us walk with integrity. Amen."
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Proverbs 19
1 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his lips and is a fool.
2 It isn’t good to have zeal without knowledge, nor to be hasty with one’s feet and miss the way.
3 The foolishness of man subverts his way; his heart rages against Yahweh.
4 Wealth adds many friends, but the poor is separated from his friend.
5 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who pours out lies shall not go free.
6 Many will entreat the favor of a ruler, and everyone is a friend to a man who gives gifts.
7 All the relatives of the poor shun him; how much more do his friends avoid him! He pursues them with pleas, but they are gone.
8 He who gets wisdom loves his own soul. He who keeps understanding shall find good.
9 A false witness shall not be unpunished. He who utters lies shall perish.
10 Delicate living is not appropriate for a fool, much less for a servant to have rule over princes.
11 The discretion of a man makes him slow to anger. It is his glory to overlook an offense.
12 The king’s wrath is like the roaring of a lion, but his favor is like dew on the grass.
13 A foolish son is the calamity of his father. A wife’s quarrels are a continual dripping.
14 House and riches are an inheritance from fathers, but a prudent wife is from Yahweh.
15 Slothfulness casts into a deep sleep. The idle soul shall suffer hunger.
16 He who keeps the commandment keeps his soul, but he who is contemptuous in his ways shall die.
17 He who has pity on the poor lends to Yahweh; he will reward him.
18 Discipline your son, for there is hope; don’t be a willing party to his death.
19 A hot-tempered man must pay the penalty, for if you rescue him, you must do it again.
20 Listen to counsel and receive instruction, that you may be wise in your latter end.
21 There are many plans in a man’s heart, but Yahweh’s counsel will prevail.
22 That which makes a man to be desired is his kindness. A poor man is better than a liar.
23 The fear of Yahweh leads to life, then contentment; he rests and will not be touched by trouble.
24 The sluggard buries his hand in the dish; he will not so much as bring it to his mouth again.
25 Flog a scoffer, and the simple will learn prudence; rebuke one who has understanding, and he will gain knowledge.
26 He who robs his father and drives away his mother is a son who causes shame and brings reproach.
27 If you stop listening to instruction, my son, you will stray from the words of knowledge.
28 A corrupt witness mocks justice, and the mouth of the wicked gulps down iniquity.
29 Penalties are prepared for scoffers, and beatings for the backs of fools.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.