Winner of four book awards, including two 2024 International Book Awards in Religion and Young Adult Nonfiction.
Lenora Trembath started this study for her own teenage sons. The motivation behind it was personal: she entered adulthood without the wisdom Proverbs offers, and she lived with its long-term consequences. This journal is what she wished had existed when she was young.
Proverbs 1–9 speaks directly to the situations teens are already facing: How do you recognize a harmful situation before it's too late? How do you pick the right friends? How do you handle bullying, drama, and pressure to go along with things you know are wrong? What does it actually mean to be wise?
How it works
Each chapter opens with a Memory Verse Challenge, followed by a relatable scenario, before moving into the corresponding passage in Proverbs. From there, the study questions require more than fill-in-the-blank answers. Teens are asked to compose their own thoughts, which means they're doing real cognitive work, not just checking boxes. A group activity closes out each chapter.
No Bible background is needed, and no teaching experience is required to lead it. Lenora wrote this as a homeschool mom — and the writing reflects that. It's direct, warm, and written for real teenagers in the real world.
What readers say
"The brilliance of this study guide is that youngsters are provided the opportunity to consider difficult issues they will inevitably face in life and think through the wisest responses for each. When they're out in the wide world making real decisions, it won't be the first time they've had to deal with the issue." —Verified purchase, 5 stars
"I really wish I had the wisdom talked about in this book. I feel like it would have helped me through my teen years." —Verified purchase, 5 stars
"She lets the Bible do the talking. She just helps to direct the conversation and does a great job of it." —Verified purchase, 5 stars
"Though it is written for teen boys and girls, my wife and I found the practical exercises useful and relevant to the problems that face everyone, not only teens in this warped society." —Verified purchase, 5 stars
A good fit for
- Personal study (ages 13–18)
- Youth group Bible studies
- Homeschool curriculum
- Confirmation classes
- Small group discussions
- Teen Sunday school
Free Parent and Leader's Guide available upon request.
