Opening song and prayer
2 minSing Choose the Right (Hymns 239), then invite a child to offer the opening prayer.
Two Paths
4 minMark two paths on the floor with tape. The 'My Way' path looks shorter but has a chair or box blocking it. The 'God's Way' path is longer but clear.
Blindfold a volunteer and ask the class to guide them down 'My Way.' Let them bump into the obstacle.
Remove the blindfold, then guide the same child down 'God's Way' with clear instructions. Explain Proverbs 3:5-6: when we trust God instead of leaning on our own understanding, He directs our paths.
- Which path looked easier at first?The 'My Way' path, because it was shorter.
- Which path actually worked?God's Way. It was longer but clear and safe.
- When have you tried to do things your own way and it did not work out?Let children answer. Rushing homework, hiding a mistake, arguing instead of apologizing, or skipping prayer.
Trust the Lord with your whole heart
6 minProverbs is a book of wise sayings, mostly written by King Solomon. It teaches how to live well every single day.
The most famous verse says to trust in the Lord with all your heart. Do not lean on your own understanding. In everything, acknowledge Him, and He will direct your paths.
- What does 'lean not unto thine own understanding' mean?Do not rely only on what you think is best. Include God in your decisions.
- What does it mean to 'acknowledge him' in all your ways?Pray, listen to the Spirit, follow the commandments, and ask what Jesus would want you to do.
- What is a promise in Proverbs 3:5-6?He shall direct thy paths. God will guide you when you trust Him.
- What is one decision you face this week where you could ask God for direction?Let children answer. A friendship, a choice at school, how to treat a sibling, or what to do with free time.
Wise people work hard and choose carefully
6 minProverbs compares a hard worker to an ant. Ants do not need someone standing over them. They prepare and work without being reminded.
Wisdom also means noticing warning signs before trouble comes. The wise person listens and turns away from danger.
- What did the ants do that the grasshopper did not?They worked and prepared ahead of time. The grasshopper played and did not prepare.
- What happened when winter came?The ants were ready and the grasshopper was not. Preparation matters.
- What is something you can prepare for this week?Let children answer. Schoolwork, a talk, packing a bag, scripture reading, or being kind before a hard day.
- How is preparing spiritually like the ants preparing for winter?Prayer, scripture study, and good habits help us when hard times come.
Every season of life has a purpose (optional)
optionalEcclesiastes teaches that there is a time for everything: planting and harvesting, laughing and crying, building and resting.
Some seasons feel easy and some feel hard. God is in all of them. We can trust Him in every season of our lives.
- Name two seasons or times mentioned in Ecclesiastes 3.Let children answer from the scripture. A time to plant and a time to pluck up, a time to weep and a time to laugh, and others.
- Why is it helpful to know that hard seasons do not last forever?Because it gives us hope. God has a purpose for each part of life.
- What season of life are you in right now?Let children answer. School starting, being the oldest or youngest, a sports season, or a family change.
In the scriptures
5 minRead these together and talk about them.
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
- What does 'with all thine heart' mean?Trust God completely, not just a little or only when it is convenient.
- What is one way to acknowledge God in your daily choices?Let children answer. Pray before decisions, read scriptures, keep commandments, or ask 'What would Jesus want?'
- What is the promise if we do these things?He shall direct thy paths. God will guide us.
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
- What is a season in this verse?A period of time with a purpose, not just spring or winter.
- Why would a wise person accept that different times have different purposes?Because fighting against every hard season makes us miserable. Trusting God helps us learn from each one.
- What is one hard season you are in, and one good thing that could come from it?Let children answer gently. Moving, a hard class, a loss, or learning patience.
Wisdom cards
optionalGive each child an index card or piece of paper.
On one side, have them write Proverbs 3:5-6 or draw the two paths from the object lesson.
On the other side, have them write one wise choice they will make this week and one way they will ask God to direct them.
Invite a few children to share their cards aloud.
Latter-day Kids lesson bundle and coloring pages for this week