Proverbs 28 Bible study questions help a group or an individual move from simply reading this chapter to understanding it and living it out. The chapter contrasts the righteous with the wicked, the wise with the foolish, and the faithful with the greedy. These questions suit a small group, a Sunday school class, or a quiet personal study time.
Proverbs 28 at a Glance
The chapter opens with the courage of the righteous, who are bold like a lion while the wicked run without being chased. From there it moves through a series of contrasts about justice, honesty, and the treatment of the poor. Wealth gained through oppression is set against wealth gained through integrity, and a stubborn heart is set against a heart that fears the Lord.
Near the end the chapter returns to leadership, generosity, and trust. Verses 25 and 26 draw a sharp line between the person who trusts in God and the person who trusts only in self. Verse 28 closes the chapter with the same theme it began with: when the wicked gain power, people hide, but when the righteous thrive, the community is held together.
Observation Questions
Use these questions at the start of a session to get everyone looking closely at the words on the page before anyone offers an opinion. Ask group members to find the answer in the text itself, and invite them to read the relevant verses aloud before answering.
Proverbs 28:1
The wicked flee when no one pursues; but the righteous are as bold as a lion.
(WEB)
Read this verse first to set the tone of the chapter. It introduces the central contrast between fear and boldness that runs through the whole passage, and it gives the group an image they can return to throughout the study.
Proverbs 28:5
Evil men don’t understand justice; but those who seek the LORD understand it fully.
(WEB)
This verse links justice with seeking the Lord, which is one of the chapter’s most important claims. Reading it aloud helps the group see that understanding what is right begins with a relationship to God rather than only with clever reasoning.
Proverbs 28:13-14
13 He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy. 14 Blessed is the man who always fears; but one who hardens his heart falls into trouble.
(WEB)
These two verses pair hiding sin with confessing it and set a fearful heart against a hardened one. Reading them together gives the group a clear picture of how the chapter understands repentance and the difference it makes in a person’s life.
Proverbs 28:19-20
19 One who works his land will have an abundance of food; but one who chases fantasies will have his fill of poverty. 20 A faithful man is rich with blessings; but one who is eager to be rich will not go unpunished.
(WEB)
These verses describe the difference between steady faithfulness and restless pursuit of gain. Reading them aloud invites the group to reflect on where they are investing their energy and whether that investment is producing lasting fruit.
Proverbs 28:25-26
25 One who is greedy stirs up strife; but one who trusts in the LORD will prosper. 26 One who trusts in himself is a fool; but one who walks in wisdom is kept safe.
(WEB)
This pair of verses closes the chapter’s sharpest contrast between trusting the Lord and trusting oneself. Reading them near the end of the session gives the group a clear focus for the closing reflection and prayer.
Memory Verse for Proverbs 28
Proverbs 28:13
He who conceals his sins doesn’t prosper, but whoever confesses and renounces them finds mercy.
(WEB)
This verse is short enough to memorize and speaks directly to a common human struggle. Encourage group members to repeat it during the week and to notice how it shapes their willingness to bring hidden failures into honest conversation with God.
A Closing Prayer for the Group
Father, we come to you as people who often prefer to hide our failures and trust our own judgment. Thank you that you invite us into the light, where mercy is found and where our hearts can be steadied. Give us the boldness of the righteous, the fear of the Lord that is wise and not fearful, and the integrity that keeps us safe in private as well as in public. Help us to be generous to those in need, to refuse the pull of greed and favoritism, and to trust you with our whole lives. Teach us what this chapter teaches, and make us people who walk in wisdom. Amen.
