Like an archer who wounds at random is he who hires a fool or passerby. Bible Study Questions and Answers 1. What is the meaning of Proverbs 26:10? 2. How does Proverbs 26:10 warn against hiring fools or strangers for tasks? 3. What does "shooting arrows" symbolize in Proverbs 26:10 regarding responsibility? 4. How can we discern between wise and foolish workers in our lives? 5. What other Proverbs emphasize the dangers of associating with fools? 6. How can Proverbs 26:10 guide our decisions in leadership and delegation? 7. What does Proverbs 26:10 reveal about God's role in human actions and consequences? 8. How does Proverbs 26:10 challenge the concept of divine justice? 9. In what ways does Proverbs 26:10 address the theme of wisdom versus folly? 10. What are the top 10 Lessons from Proverbs 26? 11. What does the Bible say about fools? 12. Proverbs 26 (overall): How do we reconcile the repeated harshness toward 'fools' with biblical themes of mercy, forgiveness, and understanding? 13. Proverbs 26:4-5: How can these adjacent verses not be contradictory when they offer opposite instructions on answering fools? 14. Proverbs 26:7: Does the idea of a proverb in a fool's mouth being 'useless' conflict with other Bible passages that suggest all wisdom is beneficial? Discussion Questions 1. How does the imagery of an archer in Proverbs 26:10 help us understand the potential consequences of hiring a fool?2. In what ways can we apply the principle of discernment in our personal and professional relationships? 3. How does the concept of wisdom in Proverbs 26:10 connect with the broader biblical theme of wisdom found in Proverbs 1:7? 4. What are some practical steps we can take to ensure we are not acting like the "archer who wounds at random" in our daily decisions? 5. How can we identify and avoid the influence of "fools" in our lives, and what biblical principles can guide us in this process?1. In what ways does honoring a fool compare to rain in harvest or snow in summer (v1)? 2. How do you interpret the metaphor of a lame man's legs, which are useless (v7)? 3. How does the behavior of the sluggard in verses 13-16 apply to modern day procrastination? 4. Verse 12 warns against thinking oneself wise. How can one stay humble and open to learning? 5. What is the significance of the metaphor of a quarrel dying down without gossip (v20)? 6. How does Proverbs 26 speak to the importance of our words and actions aligning? 7. How might we prevent ourselves from falling into the trap of laziness as portrayed in verses 13-16? 8. What modern examples can you think of that reflect the dangers of becoming involved in someone else's argument (v17)? 9. How can the lessons in Proverbs 26 guide us in our interactions on social media? 10. How does Proverbs 26:22 relate to our contemporary issue of fake news? 11. How can you apply the wisdom from Proverbs 26 to improve your personal relationships? 12. Discuss a situation where you've seen the effect of a quarrel dying down once gossip is removed (v20). 13. How can we discern when someone is hiding malice behind flattering words (v24-28)? 14. Reflect on a time when you were the recipient or the deliverer of a misleading "joke" as described in verse 19. 15. How does the proverb "As a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly" (v11) encourage personal growth and learning from mistakes? 16. How does verse 27 ("Whoever digs a pit will fall into it; if someone rolls a stone, it will roll back on them") illustrate the principle of karma or "you reap what you sow"? 17. How can the principles found in Proverbs 26 aid in conflict resolution in our everyday lives? 18. What lessons can businesses and leaders learn from the warnings against laziness in Proverbs 26? 19. How can the wisdom in Proverbs 26 guide us in our pursuit of truth in a world filled with misinformation? 20. Reflect on the ways that wisdom from Proverbs 26 could be applied to current global issues. Links Proverbs 26:10 NIVProverbs 26:10 NLT Proverbs 26:10 ESV Proverbs 26:10 NASB Proverbs 26:10 KJV Proverbs 26:10 Commentaries Bible Hub |



