I probably sound like a broken record with how many times I’ve said these words: If it’s one thing I’ve learned to be true about life (and especially since Google entered the picture), it is that when looking for an answer you can always find people who agree with what you are thinking and you can likewise find plenty of people who disagree with what you are thinking. My friend once said, “You can’t Google wisdom.” Oh how right he is.

The world is full of so much noise that makes it hard to know what’s right anymore. Passionate people on all sides of the table have countless opportunities to share their beliefs through books, blogs, social media, and church pulpits. All of the loud chatter often leads to confusion. But God has given us a wealth of wisdom in the Bible. We need to rise above the noise and dig into His Word to find answers for this complicated life we are living. And as we seek His answers to the questions in our own lives, we can guide our children to do the same.

3 Bible Stories That Teach Kids About Wisdom

King Solomon Asks for Wisdom

1 Kings 3

Bible Truth: God gives me wisdom when I ask for it!

“At Gibeon, the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, and God said, ‘Ask what I shall give you.’ ‘. . . And now, O Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of David my father, although I am but a little child. I do not know how to go out or come in .

 . . Give your servant, therefore, an understanding mind to govern your people, that I may discern between good and evil, for who is able to govern this your great people?’ It pleased the Lord that Solomon had asked this. And God said to him, ‘Because you have asked this, and have not asked for yourself long life or riches or the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern what is right, behold, I now do according to your word. Behold, I give you a wise and discerning mind so that none like you has been before you and none like you shall arise after you.’” 1 Kings 3:5, 7, 9-12 ESV

Wisdom is the most important gift we are given by God. Solomon was called by God to do a big job at a young age. He knew that he needed help in knowing how to be a good King and take good care of the kingdom. Solomon could have asked God for money or material possessions but instead, he asked God for wisdom. He asked God for understanding and help in knowing right and wrong. Because Solomon asked for this very important gift, God blessed him with it and with continued to bless him as a successful and prosperous king. Use this story to share with your child that wisdom and understanding are the most important gifts God can give us. When we come us against a situation we aren’t sure how to navigate, he is ready and willing to give us the gift of wisdom to help us through.

Related Verse: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. James 1:5

Related Episodes on Minno:

Read and Share Bible: Solomon

What’s in the Bible? Kings Make Mistakes Too

 

The Wise and Foolish Builder

Matthew 7:24-27

Bible Truth: God’s wisdom is my firm foundation.

“’Everyone then who hears these words of mine and does them will be like a wise man who built his house on the rock. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat on that house, but it did not fall, because it had been founded on the rock. And everyone who hears these words of mine and does not do them will be like a foolish man who built his house on the sand. And the rain fell, and the floods came, and the winds blew and beat against that house, and it fell, and great was the fall of it.’” Matthew 7:24-27 ESV

Wisdom is listening to what Jesus says and then doing it. In this teaching, Jesus tells his followers that a wise man builds his house on the rock or a strong foundation. There are many places in the Bible where Jesus is called this rock, the foundation of our faith. When we walk in relationship with Jesus he will guide us in knowledge and understanding to build our lives on the strong foundation of his wisdom. Use this story to encourage your child to be always listening to Jesus and those he has put as trusted leaders in their lives. When we follow Jesus and his ways, we walk in wisdom and point others to his truth.

Related Verse: Listen to advice and accept instruction, that you may gain wisdom in the future. Proverbs 19:20

Related Episodes on Minno:

Minno Church at Home: Wisdom

 

What Wisdom Looks Like

James 3:17

“But the wisdom from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, open to reason, full of mercy and good fruits, impartial and sincere.” James 3:17 ESV

Bible Truth: The wisdom of God is full of good things!

When facing an important decision we can look to the Word to find what wisdom looks like for that situation. When we follow Jesus, he leads us toward wisdom. First and foremost that wisdom is found in the Word. We may not find exactly what to do in every circumstance directly in the Bible but the Word does give us the characteristics of wisdom. Use this passage to help your child understand what wisdom looks like. Encourage them to ask these questions when faced with a decision—Is this pure? Do I have peace? Is this gentle? Will this bring good fruit (or can good come out of this?). These guidelines can help navigate our thought process and lead us to wise choices.

Related Verse: “…that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God’s mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. Colossians 2:2-3