Single lesson
Proverbs 20: Wine Is a Mocker
Proverbs 20:1–30
Proverbs 20 gathers many short sayings about everyday choices. In this lesson, children compare different examples in the chapter and see how wisdom calls for self-control, honesty and humble trust in Yahweh.
Before you teach
This chapter is a collection of separate proverbs placed together, not one long argument or story. The sayings move across drink, quarrels, work, speech, honesty, family, planning and inner character. Several verses name Yahweh directly, showing that wise living includes waiting for him, recognising his rule and remembering that he knows the heart.
Students will be able to identify at least three separate proverbs in Proverbs 20 and explain that the chapter teaches honesty and self-control while calling people to humble trust in Yahweh, who detests false measures, guides human steps and searches the inner person.
Welcome: A chapter of wise sayings
4 minIntroduce Proverbs 20 as a chapter of short sayings for ordinary life. Read verse 1 first. It gives a strong warning that wine mocks, beer brawls and the person led astray by them is not wise. Explain that each proverb gives a brief picture of wise or foolish living.
Proverbs 20:1
Read and explain: Notice the separate examples
8 minRead several proverbs from across the chapter. Explain that these are separate sayings placed side by side. One says it is an honour to avoid strife, another warns about laziness, and another says dishonest measures are an abomination to Yahweh. Children can spot that each short saying gives a choice or outcome.
Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 20:4, Proverbs 20:10
Discuss: Words and actions reveal wisdom
6 minHelp children compare examples within different proverbs, not speakers in one scene. The buyer speaks dishonestly, the tale-bearer reveals secrets, and the righteous person walks in integrity. Another proverb says even a child is known by what he does. Wisdom in this chapter can be heard in speech and seen in actions.
Proverbs 20:7, Proverbs 20:11, Proverbs 20:14, Proverbs 20:19
Make and respond: Create a wisdom reminder card
8 minOffer teacher-selected verses that suit the class, such as verses 1, 3, 13, 22 or 23. Each child chooses one, writes the reference and key words on a card, then draws a picture to match it. Share how the chosen proverb teaches wise living in a clear, memorable way.
Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 20:13, Proverbs 20:22, Proverbs 20:23
Closing: Humble trust before Yahweh
4 minFinish with proverbs that name Yahweh directly. Ask children to hear the humility in, “Who can say, ‘I have made my heart pure’?” Read that we should wait for Yahweh, that a person’s steps are from Yahweh, and that Yahweh searches the innermost parts. Verse 30 uses a hard image about serious correction and inner wrongdoing.
Proverbs 20:9, Proverbs 20:22, Proverbs 20:24, Proverbs 20:27, Proverbs 20:30
Questions to explore
Why does Proverbs 20 begin with a warning about wine and beer?
Verse 1 says they can lead a person astray, and being led astray is called unwise, so the chapter opens by warning against losing self-control.
Proverbs 20:1
Which separate proverbs in the chapter show that actions and words reveal character?
Look at the fool who quarrels, the child known by his doings, the buyer who speaks falsely and the righteous person who walks in integrity.
Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 20:7, Proverbs 20:11, Proverbs 20:14
How do the verses about scales, waiting and the heart show trust in Yahweh?
The chapter says Yahweh detests dishonest scales, tells people to wait for Yahweh instead of paying back evil, and says Yahweh searches the inner person.
Proverbs 20:22, Proverbs 20:23, Proverbs 20:27
Make, think or respond
Teacher-Selected Wisdom Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- index cards or scrap paper
- pencils
- coloured pens or crayons
- Bible
Try it together
- Choose several short class-appropriate verses in advance, such as Proverbs 20:1, Proverbs 20:3, Proverbs 20:13, Proverbs 20:22 or Proverbs 20:23.
- Read the selected verses aloud and let each child pick one.
- Write the verse reference and a few important words on one side of the card.
- Draw a simple picture on the other side that matches the proverb.
- Take turns showing the card and explaining what wise choice the proverb teaches.
Because Proverbs 20 teaches through many short sayings, a small card helps children remember one clear proverb and its call to wise living.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer only two or three verse choices and let them copy a short phrase rather than the whole verse.
- For older or confident readers, ask them to sort selected proverbs into groups such as speech, work, honesty and trust in Yahweh before choosing one for the card.
An optional closing prayer
Suggested prayer: “Yahweh, help us choose what is wise, speak honestly, avoid quarrels and wait for you. Please give us humble hearts that want what is right. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Proverbs 20
1 Wine is a mocker and beer is a brawler. Whoever is led astray by them is not wise.
2 The terror of a king is like the roaring of a lion. He who provokes him to anger forfeits his own life.
3 It is an honor for a man to keep aloof from strife, but every fool will be quarreling.
4 The sluggard will not plow by reason of the winter; therefore he shall beg in harvest, and have nothing.
5 Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out.
6 Many men claim to be men of unfailing love, but who can find a faithful man?
7 A righteous man walks in integrity. Blessed are his children after him.
8 A king who sits on the throne of judgment scatters away all evil with his eyes.
9 Who can say, “I have made my heart pure. I am clean and without sin”?
10 Differing weights and differing measures, both of them alike are an abomination to Yahweh.
11 Even a child makes himself known by his doings, whether his work is pure, and whether it is right.
12 The hearing ear, and the seeing eye, Yahweh has made even both of them.
13 Don’t love sleep, lest you come to poverty. Open your eyes, and you shall be satisfied with bread.
14 “It’s no good, it’s no good,” says the buyer; but when he is gone his way, then he boasts.
15 There is gold and abundance of rubies, but the lips of knowledge are a rare jewel.
16 Take the garment of one who puts up collateral for a stranger; and hold him in pledge for a wayward woman.
17 Fraudulent food is sweet to a man, but afterwards his mouth is filled with gravel.
18 Plans are established by advice; by wise guidance you wage war!
19 He who goes about as a tale-bearer reveals secrets; therefore don’t keep company with him who opens wide his lips.
20 Whoever curses his father or his mother, his lamp shall be put out in blackness of darkness.
21 An inheritance quickly gained at the beginning won’t be blessed in the end.
22 Don’t say, “I will pay back evil.” Wait for Yahweh, and he will save you.
23 Yahweh detests differing weights, and dishonest scales are not pleasing.
24 A man’s steps are from Yahweh; how then can man understand his way?
25 It is a snare to a man to make a rash dedication, then later to consider his vows.
26 A wise king winnows out the wicked, and drives the threshing wheel over them.
27 The spirit of man is Yahweh’s lamp, searching all his innermost parts.
28 Love and faithfulness keep the king safe. His throne is sustained by love.
29 The glory of young men is their strength. The splendor of old men is their gray hair.
30 Wounding blows cleanse away evil, and beatings purge the innermost parts.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.