Single lesson
Question a friend before believing an accusation
Sirach 19:13–19 (source bridge 18–19)
Sirach 19:13–17 gives practical wisdom for handling accusations and harmful speech. Rather than rushing to believe or threaten someone, it teaches careful questioning, restraint, and correction shaped by the law of the Most High.
Before you teach
This passage is from Sirach, a wisdom book in the Catholic additional books. These verses give direct instructions about questioning a friend or neighbour, recognising slander, not trusting every word, remembering sins of the tongue, and reproving a neighbour while giving place to the law of the Most High.
Explain the central teaching of Question a friend before believing an accusation, using two details from the reading. Wise response to an accusation begins by asking carefully, judging words cautiously, and correcting with restraint.
Welcome: Question a friend before believing an accusation
5 minIntroduce “Question a friend before believing an accusation” and locate Sirach 19:13–19 (source bridge 18–19). Wise response to an accusation begins by asking carefully, judging words cautiously, and correcting with restraint. Invite each learner to name a detail or question they will listen for.
Sirach 19:13, Sirach 19:15, Sirach 19:17
Read and explain the passage
12 minThe passage begins with a command to question a friend. The reason is simple and careful: the person may not have done what is being said. Even if the report is true, Sirach allows room for change, saying the person may do it no more. This slows down quick judgement.
Verse 15 states the principle directly. A person should question a friend because slander happens many times. For that reason, Sirach says not to trust every word. The warning is not that words never matter, but that a report should not be accepted as true without care.
Sirach notes that someone may slip without meaning it from the heart, and asks who has not sinned with the tongue. Then it says to reprove a neighbour before threatening him, and to give place to the law of the Most High. Correction should be sober and measured.
Read the selected verses together, pausing at “Question a friend before believing an accusation”. Use the source reading below and check the explanation against the words of the passage.
Sirach 19:13, Sirach 19:15, Sirach 19:16, Sirach 19:17
Discuss the details and their meaning
8 minUse the three questions below. Begin with “What repeated reason does Sirach give for questioning a friend or neighbour first?” and allow time to find the supporting verses. Wise response to an accusation begins by asking carefully, judging words cautiously, and correcting with restraint. Ask learners to explain which details support their answer and to identify a question they would like to explore further.
Sirach 19:13, Sirach 19:14, Sirach 19:15, Sirach 19:16, Sirach 19:17
Make and respond: Wisdom comparison cards
12 minWork on “Question a friend before believing an accusation: Wisdom comparison cards”. Follow the materials and steps below, using “Question a friend before believing an accusation” as reading headings. Each learner should include at least two accurate details and their verse references. Share one observation from the finished sheet and explain how it connects with the central teaching.
Sirach 19:13, Sirach 19:15, Sirach 19:17
Closing: return to Question a friend before believing an accusation
3 minRevisit Sirach 19:13–19 (source bridge 18–19). Invite a learner to summarise what the group has learned about Question a friend before believing an accusation and another to support the summary with a verse. Give learners a moment to complete their response sheet. They can share a question or, if appropriate for the group, join the optional prayer.
Sirach 19:13, Sirach 19:15, Sirach 19:17
Questions to explore
What repeated reason does Sirach give for questioning a friend or neighbour first?
Notice that the person may not have done or said it, and even if true, the matter may not continue.
Sirach 19:13, Sirach 19:14
Why does the passage say, 'Don’t trust every word'?
Use the line about slander happening many times to explain the warning.
Sirach 19:15
How do verses 16 and 17 guide the tone of correction?
Link common sins of the tongue with reproof before threats and giving place to the law of the Most High.
Sirach 19:16, Sirach 19:17
Make, think or respond
Question a friend before believing an accusation: Wisdom comparison cards
What you’ll need
- plain paper or card
- pencils or pens
- a Bible or the source reading on this page
Try it together
- Fold a sheet into three panels or draw three columns. Label them “What the passage commends”, “What it warns against”, “The reason or outcome stated”.
- Read Sirach 19:13–19 (source bridge 18–19). Use “Question a friend before believing an accusation” as your reading headings and add a short quotation or detail with its verse reference to each panel.
- Compare your notes with a partner. Check that every quotation is accurate and every conclusion has support in the passage.
- Write a proposed everyday example beside one teaching. Label it as your example and explain which words in the text guided it.
The finished sheet keeps the details of Question a friend before believing an accusation connected to their Bible references and gives the group a way to explain what they noticed.
Adapt for your group
- For learners who need more support, prepare the reading headings “Question a friend before believing an accusation” and let them match short quotations to the correct heading.
- For confident readers, compare two sections of Sirach 19:13–19 (source bridge 18–19). Ask for a written explanation with two supporting references and one question that the text leaves open.
An optional closing prayer
“God, help us listen carefully as we read Sirach 19:13–19 (source bridge 18–19). Help us understand what we have read, ask thoughtful questions and respond with care for others. Amen.”
Read the Bible passage World English Bible Classic
Sirach 19
13 Question a friend; it may be he didn’t do it. If he did something, it may be that he may do it no more.
14 Question your neighbor; it may be he didn’t say it. If he has said it, it may be that he may not say it again.
15 Question a friend; for many times there is slander. Don’t trust every word.
16 There is one who slips, and not from the heart. Who is he who hasn’t sinned with his tongue?
17 Reprove your neighbor before you threaten him; and give place to the law of the Most High.
World English Bible Classic. Public domain.
Source passages
Some verse numbers are represented by textual notes in World English Bible Classic. The reading below follows the text printed in the main passage.