WeChat ESL Class on September 16, 2017

A. High-light of the Week
B. Short Story:

A minister passing through his church
In the middle of the day
Decided to pause by the altar
And see who had come to pray.Just then the back door opened,
A man came down the aisle,
The minister frowned as he saw
The man hadn't shaved in a while.
His shirt was shabby, old,
And his coat was worn and frayed.
The man knelt, he bowed his head
Then rose and walked away.
In the days that followed,
Each noon time came this chap.
Each time he knelt just for a moment,
A lunch pail in his lap.
Well, the minister's suspicions grew,
With robbery a main fear.
He decided to stop the man and ask him,
"What are you doing here?"
The old man said he worked down the road.
Lunch was half an hour.
Lunchtime was his prayer time
For finding strength and power.
"I stay only moments, see,
Because the factory is so far away.
As I kneel here talking to the Lord,
This is what I say:
I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, LORD,
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP,
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERYDAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS JIM,
CHECKING IN TODAY."
The minister, feeling foolish,
Told Jim, that was fine.
He told the man he was welcome
To come and pray just anytime.
Time to go, Jim smiled, and said "Thanks."
He sped to the door.
The minister knelt at the altar,
He'd never done it before.
His cold heart melted, warmed with love,
And met with Jesus there.
As the tears flowed, in his heart,
He repeated old Jim's prayer:
HOW HAPPY I'VE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND EACH OTHER'S FRIENDSHIP,
AND YOU TOOK AWAY MY SIN.
I DON'T KNOW MUCH OF HOW TO PRAY,
BUT I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY.
SO, JESUS, THIS IS ME,
CHECKING IN TODAY."
Past noon one day, the minister noticed
That old Jim hadn't come.
As more days passed without Jim,
He began to worry some.
At the factory, he asked about him,
Learning he was ill.
The hospital staff was worried,
But he'd given them a thrill.
The week that Jim was with them,
Brought changes in the ward.
His smiles, a joy contagious.
Changed people, were his reward.
The head nurse couldn't understand
Why Jim was so glad
When no flowers, calls or cards came,
Not a visitor he had.
The minister stayed by his bed,
He voiced the nurse's concern:
No friends came to show they cared.
He had nowhere to turn.
Looking surprised, old Jim spoke up
And with a winsome smile;
"The nurse is wrong, she couldn't know,
That in here all the while.
Everyday at noon, He's here,
A dear friend of mine, you see,
He sits right down, takes my hand,
Leans over and says to me:
'I JUST CAME AGAIN TO TELL YOU, JIM,
HOW HAPPY I HAVE BEEN,
SINCE WE FOUND THIS FRIENDSHIP,
AND I TOOK AWAY YOUR SIN.
I ALWAYS LOVE TO HEAR YOU PRAY,
AND I THINK ABOUT YOU EVERY DAY,
SO JIM, THIS IS JESUS,
CHECKING IN TODAY.'"

C. American Idioms:

1. (have) egg on your face

Silvio had egg on his face after saying he was much better than all the other drivers, and then

 a. winning the race

 b. coming last in the race

 c. coming second in the race

2. (your) bread and butter

This job is my bread and butter, so

 a. I don't really need it

 b. I don't get paid for it

 c. I can't afford to lose it

3. a flash in the pan

The company hopes that their new computer game won't just be a flash in the pan, but that it'll

 a. be popular for a long time

 b. be unpopular for a very long time

 c. be very popular for a short time

4. do you the world of good

If there's one thing that always does me the world of good it's

 a. going to the hospital

 b. losing money on the stock exchange

 c. playing with my grandchildren

5. stick out like a sore thumb | stand out like a sore thumb

When Hector went to the dance club he stuck out like a sore thumb because he was the only person there who

 a. had a swollen thumb

 b. was over fifty years old

 c. was wearing brown socks

6. warts and all

The Kurt Cobain biography is good because it's a real warts and all account of his life, and it doesn't try to

 a. show the more disturbing parts of his life

 b. hide the more disturbing parts of his life

 c. show his weaknesses as well as his strengths

7. You are what you eat.

My doctor said, "The most important thing to remember is that you are what you eat," and then told me to eat more

 a. bacon, hamburgers and hot dogs

 b. fruits, vegetables and fish

 c. chocolates, sweets and cookies

8. if all else fails

We normally travel in business class, but if all else fails I guess we can go in

 a. first class

 b. economy class

 c. the baggage hold

9. keep abreast of

You can keep abreast of current affairs by

 a. reading old newspapers

 b. watching the latest movies

 c. checking out news websites

10. safe and sound

If you got somewhere safe and sound, you got there

 a. because it was easy to get there

 b. even though you got hurt on the way

 c. even though there was some danger on the way
D. Bible Lesson:

PhilemonNew International Version (NIV)

1 Paul, a prisoner of Christ Jesus, and Timothy our brother,

To Philemon our dear friend and fellow worker— 2 also to Apphia our sister and Archippus our fellow soldier—and to the church that meets in your home:

3 Grace and peace to you[a] from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ.

Thanksgiving and Prayer

4 I always thank my God as I remember you in my prayers, 5 because I hear about your love for all his holy people and your faith in the Lord Jesus. 6 I pray that your partnership with us in the faith may be effective in deepening your understanding of every good thing we share for the sake of Christ. 7 Your love has given me great joy and encouragement, because you, brother, have refreshed the hearts of the Lord’s people.

Paul’s Plea for Onesimus

8 Therefore, although in Christ I could be bold and order you to do what you ought to do, 9 yet I prefer to appeal to you on the basis of love. It is as none other than Paul—an old man and now also a prisoner of Christ Jesus— 10 that I appeal to you for my sonOnesimus,[b] who became my son while I was in chains. 11 Formerly he was useless to you, but now he has become useful both to you and to me.

12 I am sending him—who is my very heart—back to you. 13 I would have liked to keep him with me so that he could take your place in helping me while I am in chains for the gospel. 14 But I did not want to do anything without your consent, so that any favor you do would not seem forced but would be voluntary. 15 Perhaps the reason he was separated from you for a little while was that you might have him back forever— 16 no longer as a slave, but better than a slave, as a dear brother. He is very dear to me but even dearer to you, both as a fellow man and as a brother in the Lord.

17 So if you consider me a partner, welcome him as you would welcome me. 18 If he has done you any wrong or owes you anything, charge it to me. 19 I, Paul, am writing this with my own hand. I will pay it back—not to mention that you owe me your very self. 20 I do wish, brother, that I may have some benefit from you in the Lord; refresh my heart in Christ. 21 Confident of your obedience, I write to you, knowing that you will do even more than I ask.

22 And one thing more: Prepare a guest room for me, because I hope to be restored to you in answer to your prayers.

23 Epaphras, my fellow prisoner in Christ Jesus, sends you greetings.24 And so do Mark, Aristarchus, Demas and Luke, my fellow workers.

25 The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit.

Questions:

1.) Who are the main characters in this letter?

2.) What is the issue or conflicts discussed within the letter?

3.) What are some ways that Paul attempts to resolve the conflicts?

4.) What do we learn about Paul in this letter?

5.) How can we apply this letter to our own lives?

WeChat ESL Class on September 9, 2017

A. High-light of the Week
B. Short Story:

C. American Idioms:

D. Bible Lesson:

Covfel ESL Class Sep. 13, 2017

A. High-light of the Week

B. Short Story:

feel good about who you are

-- Author Unknown

An elderly Chinese woman had two large pots, each hung on the ends of a pole which she carried across her neck.

One of the pots had a crack in it while the other pot was perfect and always delivered a full portion of water. At the end of the long walk from the stream to the house, the cracked pot arrived only half full.

For a full two years this went on daily, with the woman bringing home only one and a half pots of water.

Of course, the perfect pot was proud of its accomplishments. But the poor cracked pot was ashamed of its own imperfection, and miserable that it could only do half of what it had been made to do. After 2 years of what it perceived to be bitter failure, it spoke to the woman one day by the stream. "I am ashamed of myself, because this crack in my side causes water to leak out all the way back to your house."

The old woman smiled, "Did you notice that there are flowers on your side of the path, but not on the other pot's side?" "That's because I have always known about your flaw, so I planted flower seeds on your side of the path, and every day while we walk back, you water them." "For two years I have been able to pick these beautiful flowers to decorate the table. Without you being just the way you are, there would not be this beauty to grace the house."

Each of us has our own unique flaw. But it's the cracks and flaws we each have that make our lives together so very interesting and rewarding. You've just got to take each person for what they are and look for the good in them.

So, to all of my crackpot friends, have a great day and remember to smell the flowers on your side of the path!

C. American Idioms:

Idioms Quiz 1

See if you can match the idiomatic expression used here with its real meaning!

Ellie was "feeling blue." What did that mean? She touched only blue things. She was freezing cold. She was feeling very sad. She was touching her favorite dog.

When he was asked why Arthur had not fought in the army, Jed replied, "That simple. He "was yellow." What did he mean? He was a coward; afraid to fight. He was sick to his stomach. He was Chinese. He had a jaundiced look.

George applied for a building permit and was shocked to find all the "red tape" involved. What did he mean? Tape used to outline where buildings are built. Everything had to be bound with a certain colored tape. There was lots of paperwork that to be filled out. A red tape recorder recorded everything.

Melinda turned "red as a beet" when someone mentioned Bob's name. Why did she do this? She was embarrassed. She got very angry. She was holding her breath. She stood too close to the heater.

Mrs. O'Leary says her neighbor, Jim, has "a heart of gold." What does she mean? He has a very valuable pacemaker. He has tattoos on his chest. He is a very kind, honest person. He is a selfish, evil person.

Edgar was "tickled pink" when he heard from his friend. What does that mean? A bunch of people got him down, tickled him and made him laugh. Tickling nearly made him have a heart attack. His friend likes to tickle him. He was delighted to hear from his friend.

When my uncle heard his neighbor bought a new car, he was "green with envy." Why? He had lots of money. He had a serious infection. He was very jealous. He had a mossy growth on him.

Mr. Jones said his business was "in the black" now. What does that mean? He bought some oil fields. It only runs at night. It is losing money. It is making a profit.

Carole has been told that her problem is that she looks at life through "rose-colored glasses." What does that mean? She needs glasses that are not tinted. She sees things as they are, not as they should be. She keeps peeking through goblets raised over her corneas. She sees things as they should be, not as they are.

Grandma told my mom she was feeling "in the pink". How was she feeling? She was sick to her stomach. She was feeling well. She was feeling dizzy. She was feeling like a lady.

D. Bible Lesson: Acts 12:1-19

Memory Verse: James 5:16 The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective.

James Killed and Peter Imprisoned

Acts 12: 1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church. 2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword, 3 and when he saw that it pleased the Jews, he proceeded to arrest Peter also. This was during the days of Unleavened Bread. 4 And when he had seized him, he put him in prison, delivering him over to four squads of soldiers to guard him, intending after the Passover to bring him out to the people. 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but earnest prayer for him was made to God by the church.

6 Now when Herod was about to bring him out, on that very night, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, bound with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And behold, an angel of the Lord stood next to him, and a light shone in the cell. He struck Peter on the side and woke him, saying, “Get up quickly.” And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, “Dress yourself and put on your sandals.” And he did so. And he said to him, “Wrap your cloak around you and follow me.” 9 And he went out and followed him. He did not know that what was being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed the first and the second guard, they came to the iron gate leading into the city. It opened for them of its own accord, and they went out and went along one street, and immediately the angel left him. 11 When Peter came to himself, he said, “Now I am sure that the Lord has sent his angel and rescued me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting.”

12 When he realized this, he went to the house of Mary, the mother of John whose other name was Mark, where many were gathered together and were praying.13 And when he knocked at the door of the gateway, a servant girl named Rhoda came to answer. 14 Recognizing Peter's voice, in her joy she did not open the gate but ran in and reported that Peter was standing at the gate. 15 They said to her, “You are out of your mind.” But she kept insisting that it was so, and they kept saying, “It is his angel!” 16 But Peter continued knocking, and when they opened, they saw him and were amazed. 17 But motioning to them with his hand to be silent, he described to them how the Lord had brought him out of the prison. And he said, “Tell these things to James and to the brothers.” Then he departed and went to another place.

18 Now when day came, there was no little disturbance among the soldiers over what had become of Peter. 19 And after Herod searched for him and did not find him, he examined the sentries and ordered that they should be put to death. Then he went down from Judea to Caesarea and spent time there.

Discussion Questions:

• What was the problem Peter had?
• Who was responsible for Peter being thrown into prison?
• Why were Peter's friends afraid that Peter might be killed?
• What did Peter's friends do to solve the problem?
• How did God answer their prayers?
• How did Peter's friends react when they heard that Peter was free?
• In James 5:16, what does it mean to be "righteous"?

          "The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective."

WeChat ESL Class August,26 2017

A. High-light of the Week
B. Short Story:

C. American Idioms:

D. Bible Lesson:

WeChat ESL Class August,19 2017

A. High-light of the Week
B. Short Story:

becoming as little children

--Author Unknown



We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, “Hi there.” He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.


His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. Hi there, baby; Hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,” the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, “What do we do?” Erik continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, hi there.” Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. 


Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, “Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo.” Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. 
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door.

“Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,” I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s “pick-me-up” position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man’s. Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder.


The man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, “You take care of this baby.” Somehow I managed, 
“I will,” from a throat that contained a stone.


He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, “God bless you, ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift. You see, m’am, I never saw my child grow up. My wife and son were taken from me in an automobile accident when they were both too young. I was never able to get over it.”


I said nothing more than a muttered thanks and “I’m sorry to hear that.” With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, “My God, my God, forgive me.” I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, “Are you willing to share your son for a moment?” when He shared His for all eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me...

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” -- Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

C. American Idioms: Choose the best answer.

1. After the unsuccessful test, we had to go back to the _________ board. (school, drawing, black, white)
2. After disappointing sales, the company decided to pull the ____________ on the new SUV. (plug, fuel cell, battery, jack)
3. No matter how aggravated the customers get, she stays as cool as a ____________. (banana, apple, tomato, cucumber)
4. Going into business in that town was a catch-_____________. (12, 22, 33, 13)
5. This could never happen; are you pulling my _________? (arm, nose, leg, ears)
6. He tried to fool the judge even though he was caught ______-handed. (red, orange, yellow, blue)
7. Are you guys going to tie the __________ this year? (knot, note, car, tie)
8. The team that worked down to the ________ has won again. (wire, cable, switch, light bulb)
9. The latest weather forecast was a bitter _________ to swallow. (cake, pill, onion, candy)
10. Give a big __________ to the band from New Jersey! (arm, hand, foot, shoulder)

D. Bible Lesson: Genesis 26:12-33

Isaac Becomes Rich

¹² Isaac planted fields in that place, and that year he gathered a great harvest. The Lord blessed him very much. ¹³ Isaac became rich. He gathered more and more wealth until he became a very rich man. ¹⁴ He had many flocks and herds of animals. He also had many slaves. All the Philistines were jealous of him. ¹⁵ So they destroyed all the wells that Isaac’s father Abraham and his servants had dug many years before. They filled them with sand. ¹⁶ Abimelech said to Isaac, “Leave our country. You have become much more powerful than we are.”
¹⁷ So Isaac left that place and camped near the little river of Gerar. He stayed there and lived. ¹⁸ Long before this time, Abraham had dug many wells. After he died, the Philistines filled the wells with sand. So Isaac went back and dug those wells again. He gave them the same names his father had given them. ¹⁹ Isaac’s servants also dug a well near the little river and found fresh water. ²⁰ But the men who herded sheep in the Valley of Gerar argued with Isaac’s servants. They said, “This water is ours.” So Isaac named that well Esek. He gave it that name because it was the place where they had argued with him.
²¹ Then Isaac’s servants dug another well. But there was an argument over this well too. So Isaac named that well Sitnah.
²² Isaac moved from there and dug another well. No one came to argue about this well. So Isaac named it Rehoboth. He said, “Now the Lord has found a place for us. We will grow and be successful in this place.”
²³ From there Isaac went to Beersheba. ²⁴ The Lord spoke to him that night and said, “I am the God of your father Abraham. Don’t be afraid. I am with you, and I will bless you. I will make your family great. I will do this because of my servant Abraham.” ²⁵ So Isaac built an altar and worshiped the Lord in that place. He set up camp there, and his servants dug a well.
²⁶ Abimelech came from Gerar to see Isaac. He brought with him Ahuzzath, his advisor, and Phicol, the commander of his army.
²⁷ Isaac asked, “Why have you come to see me? You were not friendly to me before. You even forced me to leave your country.”
²⁸ They answered, “Now we know that the Lord is with you. We think that we should make an agreement. We want you to make a promise to us. ²⁹ We did not hurt you; now you should promise not to hurt us. We sent you away, but we sent you away in peace. Now it is clear that the Lord has blessed you.”
³⁰ So Isaac gave a party for them. They all ate and drank. ³¹ Early the next morning each man made a promise and a vow. Then the men left in peace.
³² On that day Isaac’s servants came and told him about the well they had dug. The servants said, “We found water in that well.” ³³ So Isaac named it Shibah. And that city is still called Beersheba.

Memory Verse: Proverbs 15:1 "A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger."
Discussion Questions:

1. Why did the Philistines want to make trouble for Isaac?
2. What did the Philistines do?
3. Now do you think Isaac and his shepherds felt about what the Philistines were doing?
4. Why did Isaac choose to move?
5. How did God end up showing that He was with Isaac?
6. In the memory verse, what does "wrath" mean?
7. What are some ways you could settle problems you face without fighting?
8. What will help you remember to try to settle problems without fighting?

WeChat ESL Class August,12 2017

A. High-light of the Week
B. Short Story:

becoming as little children

--Author Unknown



We were the only family with children in the restaurant. I sat Erik in a high chair and noticed everyone was quietly eating and talking. Suddenly, Erik squealed with glee and said, “Hi there.” He pounded his fat baby hands on the high chair tray. His eyes were crinkled in laughter and his mouth was bared in a toothless grin, as he wriggled and giggled with merriment.

I looked around and saw the source of his merriment. It was a man whose pants were baggy with a zipper at half-mast and his toes poked out of would-be shoes. His shirt was dirty and his hair was uncombed and unwashed. His whiskers were too short to be called a beard and his nose was so varicose it looked like a road map. We were too far from him to smell, but I was sure he smelled.


His hands waved and flapped on loose wrists. Hi there, baby; Hi there, big boy. I see ya, buster,” the man said to Erik. My husband and I exchanged looks, “What do we do?” Erik continued to laugh and answer, “Hi, hi there.” Everyone in the restaurant noticed and looked at us and then at the man. The old geezer was creating a nuisance with my beautiful baby. 


Our meal came and the man began shouting from across the room, “Do ya patty cake? Do you know peek-a-boo? Hey, look, he knows peek-a-boo.” Nobody thought the old man was cute. He was obviously drunk. My husband and I were embarrassed. We ate in silence; all except for Erik, who was running through his repertoire for the admiring skid row bum, who in turn, reciprocated with his cute comments. 
We finally got through the meal and headed for the door. My husband went to pay the check and told me to meet him in the parking lot. The old man sat poised between me and the door.

“Lord, just let me out of here before he speaks to me or Erik,” I prayed. As I drew closer to the man, I turned my back trying to sidestep him and avoid any air he might be breathing. As I did, Erik leaned over my arm, reaching with both arms in a baby’s “pick-me-up” position. Before I could stop him, Erik had propelled himself from my arms to the man’s. Suddenly a very old smelly man and a very young baby consummated their relationship. Erik in an act of total trust, love, and submission laid his tiny head upon the man’s ragged shoulder.


The man’s eyes closed, and I saw tears hover beneath his lashes. His aged hands full of grime, pain, and hard labor, cradled my baby’s bottom and stroked his back. No two beings have ever loved so deeply for so short a time. I stood awestruck. The old man rocked and cradled Erik in his arms and his eyes opened and set squarely on mine. He said in a firm commanding voice, “You take care of this baby.” Somehow I managed, 
“I will,” from a throat that contained a stone.


He pried Erik from his chest unwillingly, longingly, as though he were in pain. I received my baby, and the man said, “God bless you, ma’am, you’ve given me my Christmas gift. You see, m’am, I never saw my child grow up. My wife and son were taken from me in an automobile accident when they were both too young. I was never able to get over it.”


I said nothing more than a muttered thanks and “I’m sorry to hear that.” With Erik in my arms, I ran for the car. My husband was wondering why I was crying and holding Erik so tightly, and why I was saying, “My God, my God, forgive me.” I had just witnessed Christ’s love shown through the innocence of a tiny child who saw no sin, who made no judgment; a child who saw a soul, and a mother who saw a suit of clothes. I was a Christian who was blind, holding a child who was not. I felt it was God asking, “Are you willing to share your son for a moment?” when He shared His for all eternity. The ragged old man, unwittingly, had reminded me...

“I tell you the truth, unless you change and become like little children, you will never enter the kingdom of heaven.” -- Matthew 18:3 (NIV)

C. Bible Lesson:
1 Kings 4:29-34
²⁹ And God gave Solomon wisdom and understanding beyond measure, and breadth of mind like the sand on the seashore, ³⁰ so that Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the people of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹ For he was wiser than all other men, wiser than Ethan the Ezrahite, and Heman, Calcol, and Darda, the sons of Mahol, and his fame was in all the surrounding nations. ³² He also spoke 3,000 proverbs, and his songs were 1,005. ³³ He spoke of trees, from the cedar that is in Lebanon to the hyssop that grows out of the wall. He spoke also of beasts, and of birds, and of reptiles, and of fish. ³⁴ And people of all nations came to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and from all the kings of the earth, who had heard of his wisdom.
Proverbs 1:1-7

1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:

² To know wisdom and instruction,
    to understand words of insight,
³ to receive instruction in wise dealing,
    in righteousness, justice, and equity;
⁴ to give prudence to the simple,
    knowledge and discretion to the youth—
⁵ Let the wise hear and increase in learning,
    and the one who understands obtain guidance,
⁶ to understand a proverb and a saying,
    the words of the wise and their riddles.

⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge;
    fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 10:19

¹⁹ When words are many, transgression is not lacking,
    but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

Proverbs 12:18

There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts,
    but the tongue of the wise brings healing.

Proverbs 21:23

Whoever guards his mouth and his tongue
    keeps himself out of trouble.

Ephesians 4:29

²⁹ Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Discussion Questions:

1. How do you feel when someone says something hurtful to you?
2. How do you feel when someone says something helpful to you?
3. Where did Solomon get his wisdom?
4. What is a proverb?
5. Where are many of Solomon's proverbs written down?
6. Where is the Book of Proverbs found in the Bible?
7. What does true wisdom begin with?
8. Who know about Solomon's wisdom?
9. Who send people to learn from Solomon?
10. What did Solomon write many proverbs about?
11. How many different proverbs did Solomon speak?
12. What does it mean to guard your mouth and tongue (Proverbs 21:23)?
13. What do reckless or thoughtless words hurt like (Proverbs 12:18)?
14. What can the words of the wise bring (Proverbs 12:18)?
15. What can talking too much lead to (Proverbs 10:19)?
16. What is unwholesome talk (Ephesisans 4:29)?