Proverbs 24
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
Listen. There was once a wise papa. He had a little boy. And that papa wanted to tell his boy something important. He said: "Come, sit with me. I want to teach you."
The papa said: "Taste this honey. Mmm, isn't it sweet? Yellow and shiny and sticky on your finger. So sweet honey is on your tongue."
The little boy licked his finger. Yes, honey was so good.
Then the papa said: "You know what is also sweet? Being wise. Wise means: you know what is good. You know what God likes."
The wise papa also told about a garden. But oh, what a mess! Thorns everywhere. Tall stinging nettles. The wall was falling down. Stones lay on the ground. The man who owned that garden had slept. And slept. And slept some more. He did not work. And now his garden was a big mess.
"Look well," said the papa. "Look well, and learn."
What Does This Mean?
God wants you to be wise. Wise like the papa in the story. Wise means: you listen. You listen to God, and to papa and mama.
And wise means something else too. When someone falls, you help him up. When someone is sad, you do not laugh. When you say something, you say what is true.
That is sweet, just like honey. Sweet in God's ears.
The Common Thread
Do you know who was the very wisest? Jesus. Jesus always knew what was good. He always helped people who fell. He never laughed when someone was sad.
Jesus is like sweet honey. When you know Jesus, your heart becomes glad. He teaches you what is wise.
And Jesus says: "Come to Me. I will help you."
For You
Sometimes you fall. Boom, on your knees. It hurts. You cry.
But listen. The wise papa said something beautiful. He said: a good man falls seven times. One, two, three, four, five, six, seven! And then he stands up again. Every time. Because God helps him.
So when you fall, God says: "Stand up. I am here."
And when your friend falls, what do you do? You go to him. You give him your hand. You say: "Come, I will help you." That is wise. That is sweet, like honey.
Try it today. Be a helper. Be a wise little one.
Talk About It
Have you ever tasted honey? What was it like?
What do you do when a friend falls down and is sad?
Praying Together
Dear Lord Jesus,
You are so wise.
Thank You for sweet things, like honey.
Help me to help others.
When I fall, please pick me up.
I love You.
Amen.
Questions about Proverbs 24
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Proverbs 24 about?
What does Proverbs 24 say?
What does Proverbs 24 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Proverbs 24?
Why is Proverbs 24 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
For a righteous man falls seven times, and rises up again." Notice what makes him righteous. Not that he never stumbles, but that he keeps getting up. Seven times. That is more falls than most of us would forgive in ourselves. If you're down again today, the getting up is not proof you failed. It's proof of whose you are.
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
Open in the Children's Bible tool
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