Proverbs 1:8-19
Discussion Questions
● Why are there warning signs along the roads we drive on? Why are there warning labels on certain types of products?
● Why do people ignore warnings? When and why do you ignore warnings?
Verses 1:8-9, “8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction, and don’t reject your mother’s teaching, 9 for they will be a garland of favor on your head and pendants around your neck.”
Questions to Ponder
● Why should a son (or daughter) listen to his mother and father’s instructions and teachings? What do parents want for their children?
● Why might a son or daughter reject their parents’ teaching?
● How is a garland of favor or a pendant related to a parent’s instruction?
Verses 1:10-14, “10 My son, if sinners entice you, don’t be persuaded. 11 If they say, “Come with us! Let’s set an ambush and kill someone. Let’s attack some innocent person just for fun! 12 Let’s swallow them alive, like Sheol, whole, like those who go down to the Pit.13 We’ll find all kinds of valuable property and fill our houses with plunder. 14 Throw in your lot with us, and we’ll all share the loot.”
Questions to Ponder
● How do sinners try to entice the inexperienced and naive? Look for several different ways in this passage.
● Does it matter who a person spends time with and makes friends with? Why?
● (Verse 11) Should we view bodily injury, killing, and murder as a form ofentertainment? Why or why not?
● Have you ever been enticed in the manner described in this passage? Whatwas your response? How should a person respond to such an invitation?
● Why are get-rich-quick schemes so enticing? What is the danger of these schemes? What does Proverbs 13:11 teach on the topic?
● What is the possible outcome of succumbing to these sinners’ enticements? Do you find it easy or difficult to imagine the possible outcomes of your actions? Do you take time to practice this?
Verses 1:15-19, “15 my son, don’t travel that road with them or set foot on their path, 16 because their feet run toward evil and they hurry to shed blood.17 It is useless to spread a net where any bird can see it, 18 but they set an ambush to kill themselves; they attack their own lives. 19 Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly; it takes the lives of those who receive it.”
Questions to Ponder
● (Verse 15) What do the parents advise their son to do?
● What is their reasoning for their advice in verses 16-17?
● How do those who shed innocent blood end up taking their own lives?
● Can greed blind a person? How could dishonestly making a profit take aperson’s life?
● The words “path” and “road” are used a few times in this passage. Solomonwarns about going down the wrong path here in this passage. Look what Jesus says in Matthew 7:13-14. What does Jesus say similarly about gates and roads? What gate and road does Jesus tell his followers to use?
Concluding Thoughts and Questions
● Where can you find and receive instruction at this point in your life? Who do you allow to speak truth into your life?
● What is your role in instructing others? Who do you have the opportunity and responsibility to instruct?