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Ecclesiastes 10 · Preschool

Sharpen the Ax

Name Date

Color the worker sharpening his ax!

Can you find these in the picture? Circle each one!

Bible Verse

“If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.”

Ecclesiastes 10:10 (WEB)

Prayer

Thank You, God, for making me!

Take It Home

Read the verse aloud. Say: A sharp ax works better than a dull one. When we learn and practice, we get better at our work. God helps us grow wise!

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

Ecclesiastes 10 · Kindergarten

Wise Work

Name Date

Trace the Words

Trace each word with your pencil.

AX
WORK
ROOF
WORDS
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (WEB)

Match the Pictures

Draw a line from each word to its picture.

WORK
ROOF
WORDS
AX

Mini Maze

Help find the way through the maze.

Draw It

Draw a sharp ax and a tree.

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for skill and hard work. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What can you get better at?
  • How can you work wisely?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

Ecclesiastes 10 · Grade 1

Little Things Matter

Name Date

Trace the Words

Trace the words and the verse.

FLIES
AX
ROOF
BIRD
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (WEB)

Match the Pictures

Draw a line from each sentence to its picture.

Dead flies spoil the perfumer's oil.
Skill brings success.
The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious.
By slothfulness the roof sinks in.
A bird of the sky may carry your voice.

A Little Folly

Write the number 1 to 4 in each circle to show the right order.

If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success

The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious

If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don’t leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest

By slothfulness the roof sinks in

Draw a sharp ax and a tree.

Memory Verse

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (WEB)

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for skill and hard work. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • What can dead flies spoil?
  • What brings success?
  • What would you like to say to God about this chapter?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

Ecclesiastes 10 · Grade 2

Small Things Matter

Name Date

Read the Story

The Preacher said that dead flies can make good perfume smell bad. A little foolishness can spoil a lot of good.

If an ax is dull, a worker must use more strength. But skill brings success. Learning to do things well helps us.

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious. That means they are kind. A lazy person lets his roof fall in.

Memory Verse

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (WEB)

Show What You Know

Circle the right answer, or write it on the lines.

  1. What can dead flies spoil?

    Good perfumeA lazy personGracious

  2. What brings success?

    SkillGood perfumeGracious

  3. What are a wise man's words?

    GraciousA lazy personGood perfume

  4. Who lets his roof fall in?

    A lazy personGood perfumeGracious

Word Search

Find and circle each word. Words go across and down.

CIUMMLUPKNGUWORDSCSLRIIUCHOGUBASSTAVRVCLCKEHEOFNCUIINAOBMMENOLNFSHENSTULLWOMRWSCS
  • GRACIOUS
  • SUCCESS
  • BLUNT
  • SKILL
  • WORDS
  • MOUTH
  • ROOF
  • WISE

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for skill and hard work. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can your words be gracious?
  • What happens to a lazy man's roof?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

Ecclesiastes 10 · Grade 3

Gracious Words

Name Date

Read the Story

Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor. So a little folly can spoil much good. The Preacher says, gentleness lays great offenses to rest.

He who digs a pit may fall into it. If the ax is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.

The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious. A fool is swallowed by his own lips. By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

Memory Verse

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (WEB)

Answer the Questions

  1. What can a little folly spoil?

  2. What lays great offenses to rest?

  3. What must one use if the ax is blunt?

  4. What happens through idleness of the hands?

A Little Folly

Write what happened in each box.

1
2
3
4

Word Search

Find each word. Words go across, down, and diagonally.

MBSWORDSDOLWUSKILLUUBICKVGOTNRKSCUVKHTBWPEERMFOTVUTPSGCGRACIOUSFSVKAVUIAUROOFIHLB
  • GRACIOUS
  • SUCCESS
  • BLUNT
  • SKILL
  • WORDS
  • MOUTH
  • ROOF
  • WISE

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for skill and hard work. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you stay calm when someone is upset with you?
  • Why is it wise to sharpen an ax before you chop?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

Ecclesiastes 10 · Grade 4

Wisdom in Small Things

Name Date

Read and Think

Chapter 10 shows that small things matter. Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. One foolish act can spoil a good name. Gentleness is powerful: If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don't leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest.

Every task has risks, and wisdom prepares for them. He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. If the ax is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success. Preparing well saves effort.

Our words and work show who we are. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. A fool also multiplies words. By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. Don't curse the king, no, not in your thoughts; … for a bird of the sky may carry your voice.

Show What You Know

  1. What can one foolish act spoil?

  2. What may happen to whoever breaks through a wall?

  3. What saves effort?

  4. What does a fool multiply?

  5. What may carry your voice?

Word Bank Fill-In

Use the word bank to fill in each blank.

roofwordsgood
  1. One foolish act can spoil a name.
  2. Our and work show who we are.
  3. By slothfulness the sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks.

Think About It

  1. So does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. How can one small choice affect your reputation?

  2. If the ax is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success. What skill are you working to sharpen?

Memory Verse

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for skill and hard work. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How can you guard your good name?
  • Why do even our private words matter?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.

Ecclesiastes 10 · Grade 5

Skill Brings Success

Name Date

Read and Think

Chapter 10 gathers proverbs about wisdom and folly. It opens with a vivid picture: Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor. Years of good character can be stained by one foolish act. The Preacher advises calm under pressure: If the spirit of the ruler rises up against you, don't leave your place; for gentleness lays great offenses to rest. He also notes that leadership can be upside down: I have seen servants on horses, and princes walking like servants on the earth.

Practical wisdom is shown in work. He who digs a pit may fall into it; and whoever breaks through a wall may be bitten by a snake. Whoever carves out stones may be injured by them. If the ax is blunt, and one doesn't sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success. Taking time to prepare is wise.

Speech and diligence reveal character. The words of a wise man's mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips. By slothfulness the roof sinks in; and through idleness of the hands the house leaks. Even our private words matter: Don't curse the king, no, not in your thoughts. In the New Testament, Paul writes, Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt (Colossians 4:6).

Show What You Know

  1. What can stain years of good character?

  2. Who did the Preacher see on horses?

  3. What may injure whoever carves out stones?

  4. What is a fool swallowed by?

  5. What should our speech always be with?

Crossword

52134

Across

  1. If the ax is ____
  2. By slothfulness the ____ sinks in
  3. but skill brings ____

Down

  1. for ____ lays great offenses to rest
  2. The words of a wise man’s mouth are ____

Think About It

  1. Gentleness lays great offenses to rest. When could a gentle answer calm a conflict with friends or at home?

  2. Don't curse the king, no, not in your thoughts. How do private thoughts and words matter to God?

Memory Verse

“The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.”

Ecclesiastes 10:12 (WEB)

Copy It

Prayer

Dear God, thank You for skill and hard work. Help me . Amen.

Take It Home

For families: talk about these together.

  • How should our speech be seasoned?
  • How do private words matter?
  • What is one way you could live out this chapter this week?

Scripture: World English Bible, public domain, eBible.org. © 2026 The Daily Rooted. Free to print and copy for church and home use; not for resale. Original line art.