Welcome to Week 7 of our Family Bible Study in the book of Proverbs! Today, we’ll be making the case that honesty is a big deal. Our kids need to hear this from us and see this lived out in our lives. Let’s spend some time talking about and learning to live this out!
Why Proverbs? Proverbs is a book of wisdom for real life–helping us make good decisions, work hard, and choose wise friends. But it’s not merely good advice. Biblical wisdom is knowledge applied to everyday life for the glory of God. The goal of this Bible study series is to lead our kids in developing practical skills to live by God’s rules in God’s world. Let’s inspire our children to embrace these timeless truths and deepen their understanding of God’s purpose for their lives!
This post is divided into two parts. The first section is aimed at parents to help you gain a better understanding of the Bible passage before teaching it to your children. The second section is the Family Bible Study, including a prayer, discussion questions, and a family activity.
Click here for week 6 of our Proverbs Bible study – Hard Work Matters
Let’s Study the Bible Together: For Parents
Read Bible Passages: We’ll be looking at two different passages to gain a fuller picture of what God expects from us when it comes to honesty and integrity.
Big Idea: The person who chooses honesty and integrity pleases the LORD and becomes the kind of person who can be trusted.
Think about it—most of us, including our children, face moments when we have to decide whether to tell the truth. Sometimes it’s something small and easy to overlook. Other times, the choice to be honest—or not—can carry much bigger consequences. The book of Proverbs doesn’t ignore this struggle. Instead, it provides us with clear, practical wisdom that helps shape our hearts toward the truth. Why? Because honesty is a big deal!
The Practical Outcome of Honesty
In Proverbs 10:9, we learn that the person who walks in integrity walks securely. What does it mean to walk securely? Like much of Proverbs, this isn’t a guaranteed outcome, but a general principle: those who live with integrity don’t carry the anxiety of being found out. They can walk through life without the fear of being exposed, because they have nothing to hide.
The second half of the verse offers a contrast: Whoever takes crooked paths will be found out. The person who deceives others is constantly looking over their shoulder, worried about keeping their story straight or being caught in a lie. When you live honestly, you don’t have to remember who you told what—you walk in peace. That’s the security integrity offers: not perfect outcomes, but a clear conscience before God and others.
The God-Focused Motivation for Honesty
In Proverbs 12:22, we learn that lying lips are an abomination to the Lord. I don’t hear or use the word abomination very often, but I do know that it’s not a good thing. And this much is clear: Lying lips displease God. In a world full of ambiguity and confusion regarding what it means to be honest, this proverb makes it clear that God expects truthfulness from His people. The second half of the verse tells us that those who act faithfully are His delight. Regardless of the positive or negative consequences that come from telling the truth, this verse reminds us that we bring delight to God when we choose to be honest people.
Honesty is a Big Deal
I appreciate the different approaches these verses take. Proverbs 10:9 shows us the real-life benefits of living with integrity, while Proverbs 12:9 reminds us that God cares more about our character than our appearance or status. Both perspectives matter, and both are important for families who want to follow Jesus with sincerity. As we teach our kids to live honestly, we’re helping them grow into the kind of people God calls us to be—secure, faithful, and full of integrity.
Discussion Questions
Here are two sets of questions: one for younger children (7 and under) and another for older children (8 and up). If you have kids in both age groups, I encourage you to mix it up to reach the whole family!
Younger Kid Questions
What does it mean to be honest?
Why do you think it’s important to tell the truth, even when it’s difficult?
Have you ever told the truth and felt good about it afterward?
Would you rather be popular or honest? Why?
What do you think it means to be the kind of person God wants us to be?
Older Kid Questions
What does it mean to be honest?
Why do you think honesty is a big deal, even when it’s difficult?
Can you think of a time when telling the truth was hard but worth it?
What’s the difference between being honest because you “have to” and being honest because you love God?
How can our family show integrity this week—in school, at home, or with friends?
Note for Parents: You know your kids better than anyone else, so feel free to adjust the questions to work for your family. Enjoy!
Family Life Application
Let’s memorize this verse as a family!
- Write down the verse on a sheet of paper or a whiteboard.
- Read it out loud together 2 or 3 times. For younger kids, break the verse down into short phrases.
- Cover one word of the verse at a time. Say the verse out loud again, trying to remember the missing words.
- Keep going until the family has it memorized!
Family Question: How does this verse remind us to live like the new people God is making us to be?
If you want to dig a little deeper into this verse, check out this Colossians Bible study: Colossians for Families: Put Off
Additional Resources:
10 Verses that Teach Our Kids Honesty and Integrity
Week 6 of our Proverbs for Families Bible Study – Hard Work Matters
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