Be Quick to Listen
Bible Readings
Take a few minutes to read the Bible verses listed and ask the Holy Spirit to lead you in how this verse applies to you this week.
Proverbs 2:2-5, Proverbs 1:8-9, Proverbs 13:1
Memory Verse
“My dear friends, you should be quick to listen and slow to speak…” (CEV)
Do you like to chat with your friends? Who does most of the talking? Suppose you have a friend who talks a lot and doesn’t leave space for what you have to say. How would that make you feel? Maybe you’re the talker. Are you a good listener yourself?
God instructs us to listen well: “Be quick to listen and slow to speak” (James 1:19). Many verses in Proverbs show that God wants us to listen to our parents, especially when they teach important life lessons. King Solomon wrote to his son saying, “My child, you must follow and treasure my teachings and my instructions” (Proverbs 2:2). Listening well shows another person respect, love, and patience.
Listening is a skill and it takes practice to become a good listener. What makes someone a good listener? Showing interest in what someone is saying and not getting distracted are good listening skills. Making eye contact and not interrupting are great ways to be a good listener.
If you’re a good listener for your friends, you will see your friendships grow deeper. By listening well and showing respect, you’ll strengthen your relationships with your parents and teachers. Finally, as you pray to God, be a good listener. You can also listen for his loving presence everywhere in your everyday life, including when a friend speaks.
Prayer
God, thank you for my friends, parents, and teachers. Help me learn to listen well and show them love. Help me to hear your loving voice every day too. Amen.Related Resources
Mary Ma
Mary Ma loves reading and creating stories with her two young children. She has written books for children, families, and the broader faith community. These include a theological guide to C. S. Lewis' Chronicles of Narnia in Chinese. Currently, Mary is a researcher affiliated with the Safe Creative Foundation, a think tank for cross-cultural and inter-faith research. Her hobbies include nature walks, family movie time, and cooking Chinese food. Mary and her family live in Grand Rapids, Michigan.