When one of our kids are sick, it’s a house rule that they do not go to church on Sunday. This was the case last Sunday, and so Rachel our 6 year old stayed home with me and baby Ruth. When we stay home, we have our home Sunday School lesson, in the living room.

This past Sunday the Lord layed it on my heart to teach Rachel about a Proverbs 31 Woman, and becoming one. She understands (as much as a 6 year old can) that our ways, and our hearts must be changed by God, to enable us to please Him.

I didn’t really prepare, or study, because it was just a sudden urging, right after breakfast. Rachel made some very good contributions to this study. For each section, I asked her how a girl could be an example of the things mentioned, and she offered her own ideas. She didn’t give proof-texts, she didn’t look up the original Hebrew, and she didn’t consult a commentary. Some of her answers convicted me, some just made me laugh.

This is how the lesson went:

First I read to her, verses 10-31. Then we went back, and discussed certain sections, and how they might pertain to being a Proverbs 31 girl.

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Discussion:
How valuable a good, godly woman is. How important it is to be known as someone who is honest, loving, compassionate, and sincere.
Rachel: A girl should be a good friend, pray with her siblings, and always tell the truth.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Discussion question:
how this might apply to a girl.
Rachel: being a good girl would give Papa the ability to always trust her, and by obeying him she would not be “not be doing evil”.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

Discussion question: Examples of a girl being this way.
Rachel: a girl might practice this habit by cleaning her room without being told to, and when given another chore to do, to not complain about it, and just do it.

14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

Discussion question: How can a girl do this?

Rachel: a girl could help her mother plan a grocery list, or prepare a meal, or help her set the table.

(by this point in the lesson she understood when I read a verse or two, how she might apply this to her own life, and quickly offered suggestions when I’d finish the verse)

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Rachel: A girl could (with permission) dig up a patch of dirt, and plant her own garden. She would take care of it herself, and when it was time to pick her fruits and vegetables, she would wash them and prepare them and serve them to her family.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

Rachel: A girl should keep herself strong and healthy (so that she can be a helper for others) by eating good food, getting a lot of fresh air and exercise, and sleeping well.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

Rachel: A girl should work hard at whatever she does, and make sure all her jobs get finished, even if she has to stay up later than her bedtime to do that.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Rachel: A girl should give often to missionary work.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

Rachel: A girl should not worry when it’s cold and snowy because she can always wear a sweater, even if it’s ugly and she doesn’t like it. She should just be glad to have one.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Rachel: A girl who does good things around the house makes her Papa proud and he won’t be embarrassed by her.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Rachel didn’t understand the concept of this verse, so I skipped it for the time being.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

Rachel: A girl should always be kind because it’s just the right thing to do.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

Rachel: A girl should never be lazy.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

Rachel: A girl who lives like this makes other people happy.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

Rachel: It doesn’t matter what a girl looks like, it’s what the girl does, that matters.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Rachel: A girl who does all these good things, will be happy that she does them.

Interestingly enough, since Sunday, Rachel has spent more time in the kitchen with me, just sitting and quietly watching, while I prepare meals. She asked me yesterday if someday soon I would teach her how to make muffins. The last 2 nights she has gotten out of bed after bed time, and layed out her clothes for the morning – without being asked, or told.

Her answer to verse 17 convicted me greatly.

Maybe the lesson was truly, wisdom from a child?

In any event, it worked out very well. Very short notice from the Lord on this lesson, but as always, He knows exactly who His word is to reach.

SOLI DEO GLORIA