Single lesson
Proverbs 25: More Proverbs of Solomon
Proverbs 25:1–28
Proverbs 25 gathers wise sayings copied out in Hezekiah’s time and teaches children to notice how words, self-control and everyday choices affect other people. This lesson helps them compare the pictures in the chapter and explain the main wisdom ideas.
Before you teach
The chapter begins by saying these are proverbs of Solomon copied by the men of Hezekiah king of Judah. The sayings move through kings, neighbours, words, patience, honesty, kindness, honour and self-restraint, using many comparisons such as silver, honey, water, wind and city walls.
Students will be able to name at least two picture-comparisons in Proverbs 25 and explain how they teach wise speech, humility or self-control.
Welcome: Spot the picture language
4 minShow a spoon of honey, a cup of water and a paper crown. Ask, “What might these teach us?” Explain that Proverbs 25 is a collection of Solomon’s proverbs copied out later, and that many lines use pictures to teach wisdom. Tell children they will listen for examples and match each picture to a life lesson.
Proverbs 25:1, Proverbs 25:16, Proverbs 25:25, Proverbs 25:27
Read and explain: Wisdom for words and honour
8 minRead selected verses aloud: verses 6 to 7, 11 to 15, and 27 to 28. Explain that humility means not pushing yourself into honour, and restraint means controlling your spirit. Point out that fitting words are precious, patience can persuade, and seeking your own honour is not honourable.
Proverbs 25:6, Proverbs 25:7, Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 25:12, Proverbs 25:15, Proverbs 25:27, Proverbs 25:28
Discuss: Compare wise and unwise examples
6 minInvite children to compare pairs from the chapter. A faithful messenger refreshes people, but deceptive boasting is empty like clouds without rain. Enough honey is good, but too much is harmful. Giving food and water to an enemy shows a very different response from backbiting or false testimony against a neighbour.
Proverbs 25:13, Proverbs 25:14, Proverbs 25:16, Proverbs 25:18, Proverbs 25:21, Proverbs 25:22, Proverbs 25:23
Make and respond: Wisdom reminder card
8 minChildren choose one key verse or image from the passage and make a small reminder card. They may draw apples in silver, a cup of water, a honey pot or city walls, then add a short sentence about the lesson. Invite each child to explain how their picture matches the proverb they chose.
Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 25:16, Proverbs 25:25, Proverbs 25:28
Closing: Say the main teaching clearly
4 minReview the chapter by asking children to finish three prompts: “Wise words are like...”, “Too much honey teaches...”, and “A person without restraint is like...”. Finish by stating that Proverbs 25 teaches wisdom for speaking, treating others and controlling ourselves in everyday life.
Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 25:16, Proverbs 25:27, Proverbs 25:28
Questions to explore
Why does the chapter say it is better to be invited higher than to claim a high place yourself?
Look at the contrast between exalting yourself and being told, “Come up here,” and explain what that teaches about humility.
Proverbs 25:6, Proverbs 25:7
What makes a word “fitly spoken” in this chapter?
Connect the beautiful picture of apples of gold with the obedient ear, patience and a soft tongue.
Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 25:12, Proverbs 25:15
How do honey and broken city walls both teach self-control?
One proverb warns against taking too much, and the other warns about having no restraint in your spirit.
Proverbs 25:16, Proverbs 25:27, Proverbs 25:28
Make, think or respond
Picture-Proverb Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- card or paper
- pencils or crayons
- markers
- scissors
Try it together
- Read several picture-proverbs aloud and let each child choose one verse.
- Fold or cut paper into a small card shape.
- Draw the main image from the verse, such as honey, water, apples, clouds or city walls.
- Write the verse reference and one short lesson from the proverb.
- Share the card with the group and explain how the picture teaches wisdom.
The chapter teaches through vivid comparisons, so drawing one picture helps children remember the wisdom lesson in the verse they chose.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, limit the choices to three verses with clear images such as Proverbs 25:11, Proverbs 25:16 and Proverbs 25:28, and help them say the lesson aloud before writing.
- For older or stronger readers, let them compare two verses that contrast each other, such as Proverbs 25:13 and Proverbs 25:14, and explain the difference in a full sentence.
An optional closing prayer
You may pray: “God, please help us speak wisely, act humbly and show self-control in the way we treat other people. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Proverbs 25
1 These also are proverbs of Solomon, which the men of Hezekiah king of Judah copied out.
2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter.
3 As the heavens for height, and the earth for depth, so the hearts of kings are unsearchable.
4 Take away the dross from the silver, and material comes out for the refiner.
5 Take away the wicked from the king’s presence, and his throne will be established in righteousness.
6 Don’t exalt yourself in the presence of the king, or claim a place among great men;
7 for it is better that it be said to you, “Come up here,” than that you should be put lower in the presence of the prince, whom your eyes have seen.
8 Don’t be hasty in bringing charges to court. What will you do in the end when your neighbor shames you?
9 Debate your case with your neighbor, and don’t betray the confidence of another,
10 lest one who hears it put you to shame, and your bad reputation never depart.
11 A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.
12 As an earring of gold, and an ornament of fine gold, so is a wise reprover to an obedient ear.
13 As the cold of snow in the time of harvest, so is a faithful messenger to those who send him; for he refreshes the soul of his masters.
14 As clouds and wind without rain, so is he who boasts of gifts deceptively.
15 By patience a ruler is persuaded. A soft tongue breaks the bone.
16 Have you found honey? Eat as much as is sufficient for you, lest you eat too much, and vomit it.
17 Let your foot be seldom in your neighbor’s house, lest he be weary of you, and hate you.
18 A man who gives false testimony against his neighbor is like a club, a sword, or a sharp arrow.
19 Confidence in someone unfaithful in time of trouble is like a bad tooth or a lame foot.
20 As one who takes away a garment in cold weather, or vinegar on soda, so is one who sings songs to a heavy heart.
21 If your enemy is hungry, give him food to eat. If he is thirsty, give him water to drink;
22 for you will heap coals of fire on his head, and Yahweh will reward you.
23 The north wind produces rain; so a backbiting tongue brings an angry face.
24 It is better to dwell in the corner of the housetop than to share a house with a contentious woman.
25 Like cold water to a thirsty soul, so is good news from a far country.
26 Like a muddied spring and a polluted well, so is a righteous man who gives way before the wicked.
27 It is not good to eat much honey, nor is it honorable to seek one’s own honor.
28 Like a city that is broken down and without walls is a man whose spirit is without restraint.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.