Single lesson
Proverbs 28: The Boldness of the Righteous
Proverbs 28:1–28
Proverbs 28 places clear contrasts side by side so children can compare ways of living. This lesson helps them hear the chapter’s wise warnings and promises about righteousness, honesty, justice, generosity and trust in Yahweh.
Before you teach
This chapter is a collection of wisdom sayings that repeatedly compares one path with another. It speaks about the righteous and the wicked, rulers and lands, the poor and the rich, confession and concealment, greed and generosity, and trusting Yahweh instead of trusting oneself.
Students will be able to identify at least two contrasts in Proverbs 28 and explain that the chapter commends righteous, honest, just and wise living that trusts in Yahweh.
Welcome: bold like a lion
5 minIntroduce the chapter with its opening picture. Read Proverbs 28:1 aloud and ask children what they notice. Explain that the verse contrasts two ways: the wicked flee when no one pursues, but the righteous are bold like a lion. Tell the group they will keep listening for these kinds of contrasts through the lesson.
Proverbs 28:1
Read and explain: listen for the chapter’s contrasts
8 minRead this clear sample aloud: Proverbs 28:1, Proverbs 28:4, Proverbs 28:6, Proverbs 28:13, Proverbs 28:19, Proverbs 28:25 and Proverbs 28:26. After each verse, briefly name the two sides being compared. Explain simple terms from the text such as integrity, renounces, greed and trusts in Yahweh.
Proverbs 28:1, Proverbs 28:4, Proverbs 28:6, Proverbs 28:13, Proverbs 28:19, Proverbs 28:25, Proverbs 28:26
Discuss: wisdom affects other people too
6 minShow that the chapter is not only about private choices. Read verses about a land, rulers and poor people. Talk about how rebellion brings many rulers, wicked rule harms helpless people, and giving to the poor matters. Help children see that righteousness and wickedness affect families, communities and those in need.
Proverbs 28:2, Proverbs 28:3, Proverbs 28:15, Proverbs 28:27
Make and respond: choose a key verse card
7 minInvite each child to choose one verse from the chapter for a reminder card. They may use a contrast such as confessing instead of concealing, working instead of chasing fantasies, or trusting Yahweh instead of trusting self. If they choose an example about helping someone in need, tie it directly to giving to the poor in Proverbs 28:27.
Proverbs 28:13, Proverbs 28:19, Proverbs 28:25, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 28:27
Closing: say the main wisdom teaching
4 minAsk children to tell the main message in their own words. Summarise from the chapter: the righteous are bold, integrity is better than crooked riches, confession and renouncing sin finds mercy, greed brings trouble, trusting yourself is foolish, and giving to the poor matters. Close with the optional prayer.
Proverbs 28:1, Proverbs 28:6, Proverbs 28:13, Proverbs 28:25, Proverbs 28:26, Proverbs 28:27
Questions to explore
In Proverbs 28:1, what is different about the wicked and the righteous?
Stay with the words of the verse: the wicked flee when no one pursues, while the righteous are described as bold like a lion.
Proverbs 28:1
According to Proverbs 28:13, what happens if someone conceals sins, and what is the better response?
Notice the contrast in the verse itself: concealing sins does not prosper, but confessing and renouncing them finds mercy.
Proverbs 28:13
How does the chapter compare trusting in Yahweh with trusting in yourself?
Read Proverbs 28:25 and Proverbs 28:26 together. One who trusts in Yahweh will prosper, while one who trusts in himself is called a fool.
Proverbs 28:25, Proverbs 28:26
Make, think or respond
Proverbs Contrast Reminder Card
What you’ll need
- paper or card
- pencils or pens
- crayons or markers
- Bible text written out or read aloud
Try it together
- Ask each child to choose one verse or contrast from Proverbs 28, such as Proverbs 28:1, Proverbs 28:13, Proverbs 28:25 or Proverbs 28:27.
- Fold a small piece of paper in half. On the front, write a short phrase from the chosen verse and draw a simple picture to match it.
- Inside the card, write one realistic way to remember the verse this week. If the child chooses helping someone in need, connect that idea directly to Proverbs 28:27.
- Invite volunteers to read their card aloud and explain which words in Proverbs 28 guided their choice.
The card helps children remember that Proverbs 28 teaches through contrasts, including honesty, trust in Yahweh and giving to the poor.
Adapt for your group
- For younger children, offer three simple choices from the chapter, such as Proverbs 28:1, Proverbs 28:13 and Proverbs 28:27, and let them draw rather than write much text.
- For older or stronger readers, ask them to compare two related verses, such as Proverbs 28:25 and Proverbs 28:26, and explain the shared wisdom in their own words.
An optional closing prayer
“God, please help us love what is right, confess our sin, care about justice, give to those in need, and trust in you.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Proverbs 28
1 The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
2 In rebellion, a land has many rulers, but order is maintained by a man of understanding and knowledge.
3 A needy man who oppresses the poor is like a driving rain which leaves no crops.
4 Those who forsake the law praise the wicked; but those who keep the law contend with them.
5 Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek Yahweh understand it fully.
6 Better is the poor who walks in his integrity than he who is perverse in his ways, and he is rich.
7 Whoever keeps the law is a wise son; but he who is a companion of gluttons shames his father.
8 He who increases his wealth by excessive interest gathers it for one who has pity on the poor.
9 He who turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer is an abomination.
10 Whoever causes the upright to go astray in an evil way, he will fall into his own trap; but the blameless will inherit good.
11 The rich man is wise in his own eyes; but the poor who has understanding sees through him.
12 When the righteous triumph, there is great glory; but when the wicked rise, men hide themselves.
13 He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
14 Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
15 As a roaring lion or a charging bear, so is a wicked ruler over helpless people.
16 A tyrannical ruler lacks judgment. One who hates ill-gotten gain will have long days.
17 A man who is tormented by blood guilt will be a fugitive until death. No one will support him.
18 Whoever walks blamelessly is kept safe; but one with perverse ways will fall suddenly.
19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty.
20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
21 To show partiality is not good, yet a man will do wrong for a piece of bread.
22 A stingy man hurries after riches, and doesn’t know that poverty waits for him.
23 One who rebukes a man will afterward find more favor than one who flatters with the tongue.
24 Whoever robs his father or his mother and says, “It’s not wrong,” is a partner with a destroyer.
25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in Yahweh will prosper.
26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
27 One who gives to the poor has no lack; but one who closes his eyes will have many curses.
28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves; but when they perish, the righteous thrive.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.