Proverbs 26
Explanation and Bible story for toddlers and preschoolers (ages 3-6)
The Explanation
The sun came up. Birds sang outside.
But in a small house, a man was still in bed. He did not want to get up. His door went creak, then creak again. Open. Shut. Open. Shut. Just like the door, the lazy man just turned over. And over. And over.
"I cannot go outside," he said. "There is a lion in the street!" But there was no lion. He just did not want to work.
At lunchtime, he sat by his bowl. It smelled so good, warm bread and soup. He put his hand in the bowl. But then, he was too tired to bring his hand up to his mouth! Can you believe that?
Somewhere else in the town, a different man was smiling. Big smile, nice words. But inside, in his heart, he was not nice at all. He said mean things about his neighbor, but with a smile, like it was only a joke.
And one day, this same man dug a big hole. A trap, for someone else to fall in. He dug, and dug, and dug. But guess what happened? He walked too close to his own hole. And he fell in it himself!
What Does This Mean?
God sees all of this. He sees the man who is too lazy to eat. He sees the man who smiles but hides bad words in his heart. Nothing stays hidden from God. Not ever. What is inside always comes out, like water from a jug.
The Common Thread
Jesus is not like that smiling man. Jesus never hid bad words in His heart. What He said was always true. When He said "I love you," He meant it, all the way down. When people needed help, He did not stay in bed. He got up, He walked, He touched, He healed. Jesus is the opposite of the lazy man, and the opposite of the man who lies with a smile.
For You
Do you sometimes not want to get up and help? Do you sometimes say something that is not quite true, even with a smile? You can tell God. He already sees your heart, and He still loves you. He can help you get up, and help you tell the truth.
Talk About It
Why do you think the lazy man did not want to eat his food? Can you think of one true, kind thing you can say today?
Praying Together
Dear God, You see my heart. Help me get up when I should. Help my words be true. Thank You that Jesus never lied, not once. Amen.
Questions about Proverbs 26
Short answers for anyone reading about this for the first time.
What is Proverbs 26 about?
What does Proverbs 26 say?
What does Proverbs 26 teach us about God?
What can toddlers learn from Proverbs 26?
Why is Proverbs 26 an important Bible story?
What others discovered
Eleven verses in a row about fools, and then this turn: "Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him." The fool can still be taught. The man certain of his own wisdom has bolted the door from the inside. When did you last change your mind because someone corrected you?
Looking for something for slightly older children?
We also have dedicated versions for elementary age (7-12) and teens (12 and up).
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