May 26, 2024 – Proverbs 6; 11; 12; 15; 16; 17; 21; 28

Lesson Date: May 26, 2024

Focal Scripture Passage: Proverbs 6:16-19; 11:20; 12:22; 15:8-9, 26; 16:5; 17:15; 21:4, 27; 28:9

AIM: To lead students to discover things God hates and finds revolting, and to turn away from anything that doesn’t please Him.

Before class: Read the notes on Proverbs 6; 11; 12; 15; 16; 17; 21; and 28 found in the Sunday School Teacher Book.  Write the words “Detestable,” “Disgusting,” “Revolting,” and “Hate” on the board.

INTRODUCTION (Create Learning Readiness): Direct the students’ attention to the words “Detestable,” “Disgusting,” “Revolting,” and “Hate” written on the board.  Ask them what each word means.  Tell them dictionary definitions[i] of those words include the following:

Detestable = arousing or meriting intense dislike.

Disgusting = causing a strong feeling of dislike.

Revolting = extremely offensive.

Hate = intense hostility and aversion, extreme dislike or disgust.

Ask: “What are some things that you find detestable, disgusting, or revolting?” (they might name garbage, rotten food, roadkill, pornography, sex trafficking, etc.).  Ask: “What are some things that you hate?” (they might name child abuse, perversion, terrorism, etc.).

Tell the class that detestable, disgusting, and revolting, are very harsh words, which we don’t use very often.  Tell them as Christians, we are expected to love others and not to hate anyone.

Ask: “Would it surprise you to learn that there are some things God finds detestable, disgusting, and revolting?  Since we know that the Bible tells us God is love, would it surprise you to learn that there are some things God hates?”

Tell the students the title of today’s lesson is Things God Hates.  Tell them we will discover things God hates and finds revolting, so that we can turn away from anything that doesn’t please Him.

HEART OF THE LESSON (Bible Study):

1. Review.
   • Tell the students that this is our final lesson from the book of Proverbs.
   • Be sure everyone has a copy of the Sunday School Member Quarterly for our Summer quarter study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians.
   • Ask: “What was last week’s lesson about?” (Dishonesty and Laziness; we discovered three biblical principles relating to dishonesty and laziness and examined ourselves for signs of dishonesty and laziness).
2. Things God Hates and Finds Revolting.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 6.
   • Read Proverbs 6:16.
   • Explain the following:
     • This verse introduces verses 17-19, which list some things God hates and are an abomination to Him.
     • The word abomination refers to something that is disgusting, detestable, revolting, abhorrent, loathsome, and that will make you physically sick to your stomach.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 6:17-19.
   • Ask: “According to verse 17, what does God hate and find disgusting?” (proud and haughty eyes that look down on others, lying, and people who shed innocent blood).
   • Ask: “Are pride, lying, and violence common in our day?” (yes).
   • Ask: “What does verse 18 say God hates?” (people who have wicked thoughts and plans, and those who are eager to do evil).
   • Ask: “Are these things common in our day?” (yes).
   • Ask: “What does verse 19 say God hates?” (people who give false testimony and people who stir up discord and strife among brethren, such as within the church.
   • Note that the previous verses name attitudes and actions God hates, but verse 19 identifies some people God finds hateful and revolting.
   • Ask: “Are people that do the things described in verse 19 common in our day?” (yes).
   • Read Proverbs 6:16
   • Ask: “How does God feel about the actions, attitudes, and people named in verses 17-19?” (He hates and is disgusted by them).
   • Summarize: God hates and is disgusted by pride, lying, violence, wicked thoughts, evil deeds, those who give false testimony, and those who stir up discord within the church.
3. Contrasts.
   • Tell the students that the next verses we will read identify more things God hates, but they also contrast those hated and disgusting things with attitudes and actions that please God.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 11.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 11:20.
   • Ask: “Who does God view as an abomination (detestable, disgusting)?” (those who have froward, perverted, twisted, crooked hearts).
   • Ask: “How does He feel about those who are upright (blameless, honest)?” (they delight Him).
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 12.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 12:22.
   • Ask: “What is an abomination (repulsive, revolting) to the Lord?” (lying lips).
   • Ask: “Who delights the Lord?” (those who are honest).
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 15.
   • Read Proverbs 15:8-9, 26.
   • Ask: “What does verse 8 say is an abomination to the Lord?” (the sacrifice of the wicked).
   • Stress the fact that many lost people think they can “get in good” with God if they go to or give money to the church, but the Bible says God is disgusted by such insincere religious activities.
   • Ask: “What does verse 8 say delights God?” (when His people pray).
   • Ask: “According to verse 9, what else is an abomination to the Lord?” (the “way” of the wicked).
   • Explain that the word way refers to one’s course of life or habitual behavior (Ps. 1:1).
   • Ask: “According to verse 9, who does God love?” (those who pursue righteousness).
   • Ask: “What does verse 26 say is an abomination to the Lord?” (the thoughts of the wicked).
   • Ask: “What does verse 26 say is pleasant to Him?” (pure, wholesome, upright words).
   • Tell the class that many people think they can please God by not hurting others and by doing good things, but the Bible says the sacrifice, the walk, and even the thoughts of the unsaved are detestable and revolting to Him.
   • Summarize: God hates and is disgusted by those with crooked hearts, lying lips, insincere religion, and wicked behavior and thoughts. In contrast, He is delighted by those who are upright, honest, and sincere in their worship, walk, and words.
4. Disgusting Behaviors.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 16.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 16:5.
   • Ask: “Who is detestable and revolting to the Lord?” (everyone who is proud in heart).
   • Tell the class that the rest of verse 5 says even if the proud join forces to increase their strength, they will not escape God’s judgment (as the people who tried to build the tower of Babel learned; Gen. 11:1-9).
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 17.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 17:15.
   • Ask: “Who does that verse say is an abomination to God?” (those who justify the behavior of wicked persons and those who condemn people who are truly innocent).
   • Stress the fact that God cares about the courts and legal system, and He is disgusted when the guilty go free or the innocent are punished.
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 21.
   • Read Proverbs 21:4, 27.
   • Ask: “According to verse 4, what three things does this verse identify as sin?”
     • A high look (haughtiness, looking down on others)
     • A proud heart (boastfulness, arrogance, self-sufficiency)
     • The plowing of the wicked.
   • Tell the students that we have already learned that God hates pride, but this verse reveals that even an innocent activity such as plowing (everyday work) done by an unsaved person is sinful in God’s sight!
   • Ask: “We have already learned that the sacrifice (religious activity) of the wicked is an abomination to God, but what makes it even worse?” (when he or she does it while harboring evil, sinful, thoughts).
   • Ask everyone to turn to Proverbs 28.
   • Ask a volunteer to read Proverbs 28:9.
   • Ask: “What does this verse say is an abomination (revolting, detestable, disgusting) to God?” (the prayers of people who reject, disregard, and disobey the Bible).
   • Summarize: God hates and is disgusted by those who are proud in heart, those who twist and pervert justice, haughtiness, arrogance, and even the work and prayers of the wicked who reject God’s Word.

PERSONAL APPLICATION: Remind the students that the title of today’s lesson is Things God Hates.  Direct their attention once again to the words “Detestable,” “Disgusting,” “Revolting,” and “Hate” written on the board.  Tell them we have discovered numerous attitudes, actions, and people that are disgusting to and hated by God, including the following:

• Pride, haughtiness, and arrogance.
• Lying.
• People who shed innocent blood.
• People who have wicked thoughts and are eager to do evil.
• False witnesses.
• People who stir up strife and discord.
• People who have perverted, twisted, and crooked hearts.
• People who do insincere religious activities.
• The behavior, work, thoughts, and prayers of the wicked.
• People who pervert and twist justice by excusing the guilty and condemning the innocent.

Ask: “Do you want to displease God?” (of course not).  Ask: “Are any of those hated attitudes or behaviors present in your life?”  Ask: “What do you need to change?”

Ask everyone to bow their head and close their eyes.  Tell them to be very open and honest with God.  Tell them to confess and turn away from any behaviors or attitudes God hates.  Tell them to ask the Lord to enable them to please Him in all that they do.  Allow a moment for silent prayer, and then voice a closing prayer.

CONCLUSION: Tell the students that our study of the book of Proverbs has only covered selected portions of the entire book.  Encourage them to continue reading the book of Proverbs so they can continue to learn God’s way to live wisely.  Explain that since there are 31 chapters in Proverbs and 31 days in most months, one easy way to read Proverbs is to read the chapter corresponding to the day of the month.

Tell everyone our new study in 1 Thessalonians begins next Sunday.  Urge them to begin the Daily Bible Reading Guide tomorrow.  Tell them that Jesus is Coming Back, and we will learn about it through this Summer study.

[i] https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary