•See if anyone will volunteer to translate into words that might be used in modern language as we read line by line:
Proverbs 4:20 – 27″My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words.21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart; 22 for they are life to those who find them and health to one’s whole body. 23 Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it. 24 Keep your mouth free of perversity; keep corrupt talk far from your lips. 25 Let your eyes look straight ahead; fix your gaze directly before you. 26 Give careful thought to the paths for your feet and be steadfast in all your ways. 27 Do not turn to the right or the left; keep your foot from evil.”
Talk briefly about what this verse means as a whole (listen to the word of God, it is life giving. What you store up in your heart will affect everything you do. Be mindful of your words – which are really an overflow of your thoughts. Know what is right and do it, don’t get distracted.)
•Ask for two volunteers to demonstrate this analogy as an illustration, but with water and another liquid, I am going to change some of the wording:

You are holding a cup of coffee when someone comes along and bumps into you or shakes your arm, making you spill your coffee everywhere.

Why did you spill the coffee? 

“Because someone bumped into me!!!”

Wrong answer.

You spilled the coffee because there was coffee in your cup. 

Had there been tea in the cup, you would have spilled tea.

*Whatever is inside the cup is what will spill out.*

Therefore, when life comes along and shakes you (which WILL happen), whatever is inside you will come out. It’s easy to fake it, until you get rattled.

*So we have to ask ourselves… “what’s in my cup?”*

When life gets tough, what spills over?

Joy, gratefulness, peace and humility? 

Anger, bitterness, harsh words and reactions? 

Life provides the cup, YOU choose how to fill it. 

Today let’s work towards filling our cups with gratitude, forgiveness, joy, words of affirmation; and kindness, gentleness and love for others.

Some questions to ask yourself (break into groups?):

Do I react or respond in difficult situations (and do I know the difference)?

Do I spend more time feeling angry and/or frustrated or feeling glad/content?

How can I improve what’s in my “cup,” and how willing am I to work toward healthy habits?

Prayer.

-K