A practical guide
Five questions for studying Proverbs 31
Start here
Use a few open questions to slow down your reading of Proverbs 31:10–31. Answer from the text before moving to personal application.
Read the poem first
Read verses 10–31 in one sitting. Keep the translation open while answering, so a familiar phrase does not replace attention to the whole portrait.
Sources: Proverbs 31, World English Bible
Choose two questions to begin
You can return to the others in another session.
- What actions receive the most attention in this reading?
- Who benefits from the woman’s care?
- Which details show judgment as well as effort?
- What does the ending praise?
- What have I assumed that the passage does not actually say?
Support one answer with a verse
Write an answer and add the verse number that led you to it. For example, care for people in need can be connected to verse 20. If you cannot locate support, leave the answer as a question rather than a conclusion.
Common questions
Do I have to answer all five questions?
No. One careful answer can be more useful than five rushed ones.
Can I use these with a group?
Yes. Invite different observations and ask people to point to the text without requiring personal disclosure.