Gaurding Your Heart

Proverbs 3:1–8; 4:20–27

Proverbs 3:1–8 CSB

1 My son, don’t forget my teaching, but let your heart keep my commands; 2 for they will bring you many days, a full life, and well-being. 3 Never let loyalty and faithfulness leave you. Tie them around your neck; write them on the tablet of your heart. 4 Then you will find favor and high regard with God and people. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 8 This will be healing for your body and strengthening for your bones.

Proverbs 4:20–27 CSB

My son, pay attention to my words; listen closely to my sayings. Don’t lose sight of them; keep them within your heart. For they are life to those who find them, and health to one’s whole body. Guard your heart above all else, for it is the source of life. Don’t let your mouth speak dishonestly, and don’t let your lips talk deviously. Let your eyes look forward; fix your gaze straight ahead. Carefully consider the path for your feet, and all your ways will be established. Don’t turn to the right or to the left; keep your feet away from evil.

Object Lesson: The Filter

Pour water containing dirt through a coffee filter. Compare the filtered water with the dirty water.

Point: What we allow into our hearts affects what comes out of our lives. We need to be careful about what we watch, hear, think about, and pursue.

Materials:

Clear cups

Water

Dirt

Coffee filters

Funnel

Bowl