Elementary School: Proverbs Panda
Jack and Sally were so excited coming home from school. They could not wait to stop and tell Proverbs how much he had helped them with the school bully! Proverbs had given them a peaceful suggestion and it worked. Read the rest on the Elementary School Page.
Middle and High School
Weekly Challenge: Are you a Tabitha? More on the Middle and High School Pages.
Knowledge Forest was having its very first music festival called Winter Jam. Bands from all around were coming to play. Everyone was very excited!
Sally and Jack could hardly wait for Saturday afternoon to arrive, because they were going to help Proverbs with some of the festival’s details. And, they had never been to a music concert before. Mom and Dad were always watchful about the type of music they would listen to and what they watched on the television.
This time it would be different because the music was called Christian and it came in all forms like rock and roll, and pop. Mom and Dad were going too. Sally and Jack liked that their parents cared enough to only want good things in their lives, even the music!
“Proverbs, what is Christian music?” Sally asked.
“Well, it is called Christian because the words are about God, Jesus, praise, and worship.” Proverbs answered.
“Not like the music your friend Jamie listens to on his ipod.” Sally said.
Jack looked sad and said, “Jamie can listen to his ipod as long as he is not in the church building.”
Proverbs looked puzzled and asked, “Why is that?”
“Some of the songs have bad words in them.” Jack answered.
“And Dad says they are about hurting others especially girls.” Sally added.
Proverbs motioned for Jack and Sally to come with him and sit by the big fire. He pulled out his bible and began to read.
“In my children’s bible, in the section called Matthew, chapter 12, verse 35 – 37, we have Jesus talking.” Proverbs adjusted his glasses and continued, “A good man says good things. These come from the good they put away inside of him. An evil man says evil things. These come from the evil they put away inside of him. But here is what I tell you. On judgment day, people will have to account for every careless word they have spoken. By your words you will be found guilty or not guilty.”
Proverbs shut his bible and continued speaking, “I believe that listening to bad words and hurtful sayings will cloud your heart up to bad things, just as much as saying them.”
“You know, if you should not do something in a church building then maybe you should not do it when you are out in the world.” Proverbs raised his eyebrows as Sally and Jack nodded in agreement.
“Because the church building is not the only object in this world which belongs to God.” He went on to explain. “Everything belongs to God, even the air you breathe.”
Proverbs stood up and spread his arms out wide. “Holy ground is every where you walk, everywhere you talk, and everywhere you listen.”
“Because God knows it, sees it, and hears it every second of every day.” Proverbs smiled at Jack and Sally as he spoke to them.
“And he loves you, even when you forget to be kind and speak wisely!” Proverbs went on, “Maybe your Mom and Dad are smart not to let you become influenced by bad words and actions!”
“Now come on, we have some dancing and singing to do at the concert!” Proverbs held out his hands for Jack and Sally and off they went to Winter Jam.
It was an unusually warm, sunny winter Saturday in Knowledge Forest. Proverbs was busy getting tea, hot chocolate, and biscuits ready for his afternoon visitors. He could not wait for everyone to arrive!
Jack and Sally were the first to come because they loved to help Proverbs get the tables all fixed up. They also liked just being with Proverbs. He always made you feel cheerful inside your tummy.
While Sally and Jack were putting the plates on the tables, Jack asked Proverbs, “What do you think we will discuss today?”
Proverbs paused and answered, “I guess it will depend on what is going on in the world.”
He went on, “Adults tend to worry about events that could possibly affect them and their families.”
“I know what has been in the news this week!” Sally blurted out.
“Really, and what is that?” Proverbs asked.
Sally began to explain to Proverbs about the NFL Christian football player who was always praying on the field and giving God credit for everything in his life. So, now there were these other NFL players criticizing him and some group on TV did a play that made fun of what he was doing. The Christians were mad about the other people making fun of him.
“Sounds a little silly to me” Proverbs said.
“They are just scared of him because he has God on his team!” Jack exclaimed.
Sally shook her head at her brother and said, “Jack, we all have God on our team.”
Proverbs smiled at both of them and said, “Sally you are right, and Jack I think you are right too.”
Proverbs went on to tell how when someone has not been living their life the way God says we should, they can feel guilty. So, instead of trying to change their life, they would rather make the guy, who is doing right, seem ridiculous. Humans use this method to make themselves feel better.
“The Christian football player sounds like he is following God’s word, in the bible section of Proverbs.” Proverbs went on, “In Proverbs chapter three, sections five through six it states…Trust in the Lord God with all of your heart. And lean not on your own understanding; In all your ways acknowledge Him. And He shall direct your paths.”
“So, he is doing what God tells him to do.” Sally stated.
“Exactly!” Proverbs said.
Jack asked, “Do you think that will be our discussion today?’
Proverbs winked at Jack and Sally and said, “I hope so, because then you can tell them the Proverb!”
Christmas was over and everyone in Knowledge Forest was busy preparing for winter. They did not want to be caught without warmth and food when the snows arrived.
Proverbs was busy building what he called his warm hut. It was a smaller hut he built around the outside fire. The hut had a little hole in the top for the smoke to go out but the heat to stay inside. Proverbs built the hut every winter for the people who would still come out to Knowledge Forest. It was a place to stop and get warm.
He would serve them warm tea or hot chocolate and biscuits with honey. Because he felt that when someone was cozy and their belly full, they listened better to his bible stories. And, usually they did and would leave feeling happy!
Today, Jack and Sally came by after school to help build the hut. They had never built a hut before and were excited to learn! As they gathered the piled up straw and vines, from behind Proverb’s hut, Sally noticed a smaller third hut.
She asked, “Proverbs, what is that hut for?”
Proverbs smiled and explained, “That is my provisions hut.”
“Provisions?” Sally was confused.
“Provisions mean that I take the food I have harvested from my summer garden and store them in there.” He went on, “I also, put extra wood for the fire, water to drink, clothes and blankets, just in case I have needy visitors too.”
“Wow, so if we have a big blizzard or something, you will have everything you need!” Jack said.
“That is right!” Proverbs answered.
Proverbs gathered the children around to sit with him. And told them about a Proverb from the great King Solomon, when he was trying to teach his own son a lesson. Because his own son was a great procrastinator or he always put things off to do later.
King Solomon told his own son to “Go to the ant, consider her ways, and be wise.”
(Proverbs 6:6) “With having no one to tell them. They work hard all summer, gathering food for the winter.” (Proverbs 6:7 – 6:8)
“So you see, if I had put things off or procrastinated like King Solomon’s son, I would be hungry and cold all winter.” Proverbs said.
Jack whispered, “And so would the people who come to visit you.”
Proverbs smiled and lifted Jack and Sally to their feet, “Come on, we still have some work to do, before we can have our biscuits and tea!”
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