Proverbs 26 · For teachers and parents

Answer Key: Fools, Sluggards, and Gossips

Answers here are a guide. Welcome any answer that shows a child is thinking about the story, and celebrate their effort. Talk About It questions are open, so they have no set answers.

PreschoolNo Gossip

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Coloring and finding page: any careful coloring is a win. Help your child point to and name each picture above.

KindergartenKind Words

FIRE → picture 4WOOD → picture 3DOOR → picture 2BED → picture 1

Grade 1Fire Goes Out

Without wood, a fire goes out. → picture 3Without gossip, a quarrel dies down. → picture 5A lazy man turns in bed like a door. → picture 2The sluggard says, There is a lion in the road! → picture 4Don't be wise in your own eyes. → picture 1

Order:

1. Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool2. For lack of wood a fire goes out3. Without gossip, a quarrel dies down4. The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels

Grade 2A Fire Goes Out

When does a fire go out? For lack of wood (circle)
What helps a quarrel die down? No gossip (circle)
What is gossip? Saying unkind things about people behind their backs
How does a lazy person turn in bed? Like a door on its hinges

Grade 3Without Gossip

Who has less hope than a fool? A man wise in his own eyes
What keeps people from learning? Pride
What does the sluggard say? There is a lion in the road!
Who shall fall into a pit? Whoever digs a pit

1: Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest, so honor is not fitting for a fool2: For lack of wood a fire goes out3: Without gossip, a quarrel dies down4: The words of a whisperer are as dainty morsels

Grade 4Three Warnings

What is honor for a fool like? Like snow in summer, and as rain in harvest
What does wisdom know? Which response fits each moment
What is the sluggard too lazy to do? Bring his hand back to his mouth
What are a whisperer's words like? Dainty morsels
What does a flattering mouth work? Ruin

Word bank: 1. snow; 2. lion; 3. wood; 4. gossip; 5. words

Think About It: answers will vary. Look for answers that connect to the passage.

Grade 5Portraits of Folly

What do verses 4 and 5 teach together? Wisdom means judging each situation, not following a single rule.
What is a fool who repeats his folly like? A dog that returns to his vomit
What does laziness often hide behind? Clever excuses
What is meddling in a quarrel not your own like? Grabbing a dog's ears
What does James say a small fire can do? Spread to a large forest

Think About It: answers will vary. Look for answers that connect to the passage.