This lesson teaches children that wisdom, choosing to do what is good and right, makes a real difference in everyday life, while foolishness causes trouble. It works well for children ages 5 to 11 and takes about 20 to 30 minutes to teach.
Big Idea
Being wise means choosing carefully, so good choices help us and foolish choices cause problems for us and for others.
Memory Verse
Ecclesiastes 10:10
If the ax is blunt, and one doesn’t sharpen the edge, then he must use more strength; but skill brings success.
(WEB)
Teach the children to hold both hands up like a stack of blocks, then slowly sharpen an imaginary pencil while saying “Be wise!” The sharpening motion reminds them that skill and careful effort help us do things well.
The Story: Ecclesiastes 10 for Kids
Long ago, a wise teacher named Qoheleth wrote down what he had seen in life. He wanted people to understand that small choices can make a big difference. He compared it to a jar of perfume. If a single dead fly falls into the perfume, the whole jar starts to smell bad. In the same way, a little bit of foolishness can spoil a person’s wisdom and good name.
Qoheleth also talked about people who dig pits, break down walls, or cut stones and wood. He reminded everyone that careless work can hurt the worker. He said that a dull ax takes more strength to use, but a sharp ax gets the job done with skill. Wisdom is like sharpening the ax before you start chopping.
He also spoke about words. He said a wise person speaks kind and helpful words, but a fool talks a lot and says things that bring trouble. Qoheleth gave a warning to a nation whose leader was only a child, and he told the people that it was a sad thing when leaders did not think carefully. He said it was happy when leaders were wise and when people worked hard and did not waste their time.
At the end of the chapter, Qoheleth taught that people should be careful even about what they think and say in private. He said birds can carry messages, so we should always speak respectfully about others and about those in charge. Everyday choices matter, and wisdom helps us make them well.
Read It Together
Ecclesiastes 10:1
Dead flies cause the oil of the perfumer to produce an evil odor; so does a little folly outweigh wisdom and honor.
(WEB)
Point out how one dead fly ruins a whole jar of perfume. Ask the children to name a small bad choice that can spoil a whole day, such as an unkind word or a careless habit.
Ecclesiastes 10:12
The words of a wise man’s mouth are gracious; but a fool is swallowed by his own lips.
(WEB)
Point out that a wise person’s words are kind and helpful, while a fool’s words cause trouble for themselves. Help children see that the words we choose can either build people up or get us into trouble.
Talk About It
- What is one small choice you made today that made a big difference?
- How can a sharp pencil or a sharp knife help us do our work better?
- What kind of words make people feel happy and safe, and what kind of words cause problems?
- Why do you think it is important to be careful about what we say about our leaders and friends?
- When is a good time to stop and think before you act?
Activity Ideas
Perfume Jar Drawing
You will need paper, crayons, and a small picture of a jar. Ask each child to draw a jar and then add one dot in the middle to show a dead fly. Talk together about how one small bad choice can spoil something good, and invite each child to draw a happy thing that wisdom can keep fresh.
Sharpen the Ax Game
You will need a few pencils, a pencil sharpener, and a small timer. Let children take turns sharpening a pencil and then using it to write a kind word on a sticky note. Explain that the sharp pencil is like wisdom, because it helps us work well and speak clearly.
Wise Words Take-Home Card
You will need index cards, markers, and a sticky note. Have each child write or draw one wise word or kind action on a card and bring it home. Encourage them to put the card somewhere they will see it each morning as a reminder to choose wisely and speak kindly.
Teacher Notes
For adults, Ecclesiastes 10 is a collection of practical proverbs about how small foolish choices can undo great value, and how wisdom, diligence, and careful speech shape daily life. The chapter reflects on how the world does not always seem fair, yet God calls his people to live thoughtfully and humbly before him.
With children, avoid overstating the idea that bad things always happen to foolish people or that good choices guarantee a perfect life. Keep the focus on the simple truth that wisdom helps us make better choices, and let children know that God loves and helps them even when they make mistakes.
A Prayer to Close
Dear Father, thank you for giving us wisdom to make good choices. Help us to think before we act and to speak kind words to others. Teach us to be careful and kind every day. Amen.
