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This is a fairly short Bible study that focuses on Proverbs 4:23 – “Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life.”

Proverbs Four

Game: Popcorn Kernels

Scribble Page

Print out a copy of Proverbs 4 for each person – you can get a copy for free at Biblegateway.com. With each person working individually, have them follow these instructions:

1. Circle any phrases, words, or verses that you don’t really understand what they mean.
2. Underline any benefits of wisdom/knowledge/etc…
3. Put a star beside the verse or phrase that you think is the single most important verse in the passage.
4. Draw a square around the verses/phrases that you need to work on in your life.

Once everyone has completed their scribble page, go through some of their circles and stars. (Go over the things they don’t understand, find out what they think is the most important verse, etc….)

Verse 23 – Guard Your Heart

Think of different guards:

Palace Guards (White House or Buckingham Palace)

They guard so that unwanted people can’t get in. We need to guard our hearts against unwanted evil things. What are some common ones? (Examples: lust, greed, bitterness, envy, lies, etc….)

Prison Guards

They guard so that people can’t get out. We need to guard our hearts so they don’t run after the wrong things. What are some things we might run after? (Examples: money, boyfriend/girlfriend, music/movies/video games, etc…)

How can we guard our hearts?

• Accountability
• Hanging out with the good crowds (Bible study groups, youth groups, church, solid friends)
• Knowing the Bible
• Good relationship with God

Making it ac-count-able

Write up a formal looking contact that states: “I herby declare that I want to be accountable to this group of friends specifically for this next week to avoid these things:” Then leave a blank space and a place at the bottom for them to sign and date it.

Have everyone fill out one of these contracts with the things they intend to guard their heart from this week. Save all of these papers and do a check up on everyone the following week.