Bible Edition Summary Proud Rooster, always ignoring everyone s advice, gets into all sorts of trouble. Filling his tummy with green strawberries, falling off a tree while showing off, and skating on thin ice after being warned, nearly do him in. But his hard lessons change him forever. Proud Rooster is glad to learn that it is not too late to obey. In this exciting tale, Carl Sommer reveals the importance of humility, obedience to parents, and self-discipline. Main Virtues Humility/Respect for Parents/Self-Discipline Other Virtues Assertiveness, Caring, Citizenship, Civic Virtue, Commitment, Community Service, Compassion, Cooperation, Creativity, Diligence, Generosity, Kindness, Obedience to Parents, Respect for Law, Safety, and trust Contents Listening to Parents Humility/Pride Self-Discipline Avoiding Temptation Listening to Correction The Law of Sowing and Reaping Being Persecuted for Doing Right God Disciplines Us for Our Good Repentance Questions
Listening to Parents As Papa Rooster and Mama Hen watched everyone play, Mama said, I hope Little Rooster will start learning to obey. So do I, said Papa. Lately, Little Rooster has been getting into all kinds of trouble for not listening. God wants children to obey their parents, and wise children listen to them. Proverbs 1:8-9 My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother; [9] for they will be a graceful ornament on your head, and chains about your neck. Proverbs 6:20-21 My son, keep your father s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother. [21] Bind them continually upon your heart; tie them around your neck. Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. Ephesians 6:1-3 Children, obey your parents in the Lord, for this is right. [2] Honor your father and mother, which is the first commandment with promise: [3] that it may be well with you and you may live long on the earth. * Colossians 3:20 Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord. Additional verses: Exodus 20:12; Proverbs 3:1-2; Proverbs4:1-15; Proverbs15:5 * The check is a recommended scripture to teach the particular lesson. All verses are from the New King James Version. Humility/Pride Papa and Mama often tried to teach Proud Rooster, but he would just stick out his chest. He was not going to listen to anyone! The only one he listened to was himself. Humble people listen to others, but the proud do not. The end result is that the proud often get into all sorts of trouble. Listen to what the Bible says about pride. Proverbs 11:2 When pride comes, then comes shame; but with the humble is wisdom. 2
Proverbs 16:5 Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished. Matthew 23:11-12 But he who is greatest among you shall be your servant. [12] And whoever exalts himself will be humbled, and he who humbles himself will be exalted. 1 Corinthians 13:4 Love suffers long and is kind; love does not envy; love does not parade itself, is not puffed up. 1 Peter 5:5 Likewise you younger people, submit yourselves to your elders. Yes, all of you be submissive to one another, and be clothed with humility, for God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble. Additional verses: Proverbs 29:23, Daniel 4:37, Matthew 20:25-28 Self-Discipline Avoiding Temptation Little Hen warned Proud Rooster about the strawberries, You d better not eat them. They aren t ripe. Mama told us, Green strawberries will make us sick. Proud Rooster said, I ll just take one little bite. But the green strawberries tasted so good that one little bite became two little bites. And so it went, until Proud Rooster had stuffed his tummy full of green strawberries. Proud Rooster could have avoided the temptation of eating the green strawberries if he had listened to his mother. Instead, he tasted one strawberry, and it tasted so good that he didn t stop until his stomach was stuffed full. His disobedience and lack of self-discipline made him terribly sick. Proverbs 1:10 My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent. Proverbs 4:14-15 Do not enter the path of the wicked, and do not walk in the way of evil. [15] Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn away from it and pass on. Proverbs 12:26 The righteous should choose his friends carefully, for the way of the wicked leads them astray. Matthew 26:41 Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak. 1 Corinthians 10:13 No temptation has overtaken you except such as is common to man; but God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted beyond what you are able, but with the temptation will also make the way of escape, that you may be able to bear it. Additional verses: Psalm 1:1-3; Matthew 6:13; Luke 22:40, 22:46; 1 Peter 5:8 3
Listening to Correction Proud Rooster bragged, I can climb higher than anyone. Tom Turkey pointed to the largest tree on the farm. I dare you to climb to the top of that tree. That s easy, boasted Proud Rooster. Everyone warned him it would be dangerous. But Proud Rooster wouldn t listen to correction. He was going to show off by climbing the high tree, even if it was dangerous. Proverbs 9:8 Do not correct a scoffer, lest he hate you; rebuke a wise man, and he will love you. Proverbs 12:1 Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge, but he who hates correction is stupid. Proverbs 13:1 A wise son heeds his father s instruction, but a scoffer does not listen to rebuke. Proverbs 15:31 The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise. Proverbs 27:5-6 Open rebuke is better than love carefully concealed. [6] Faithful are the wounds of a friend, but the kisses of an enemy are deceitful. Additional verses: Proverbs 13:18; Proverbs 15:5; Proverbs 15:10; Proverbs 15:12; Proverbs 17:10; Proverbs 25:12; Revelation 3:19 The Law of Sowing and Reaping Proud Rooster fell from the tree, and they rushed him to the hospital. After the doctors examined him, they bandaged him from head to toe. Ohhhhhh!!! cried Proud Rooster. My head hurts! And my arms and legs hurt, too! Everything hurts! There is the law of sowing and reaping we reap what we sow. Sow good things reap rewards. Sow evil reap trouble. Proverbs 22:8 He who sows iniquity will reap sorrow, and the rod of his anger will fail. 4
Romans 2:5-10 But in accordance with your hardness and your impenitent heart you are treasuring up for yourself wrath in the day of wrath and revelation of the righteous judgment of God, [6] who will render to each one according to his deeds : [7] eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality; [8] but to those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness indignation and wrath, [9] tribulation and anguish, on every soul of man who does evil, of the Jew first and also of the Greek; [10] but glory, honor, and peace to everyone who works what is good, to the Jew first and also to the Greek. 2 Corinthians 9:6 But this I say: He who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully. Galatians 6:7-8 Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. [8] For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life. Additional verses: Job 4:8, Psalm 126:5-6, Proverbs 11:18, Haggai 1:5-11 Being Persecuted for Doing Right Proud Rooster said his friends were all a bunch of babies because they didn t do what he was doing. Sometimes one is ridiculed for doing what is right. Never give in to those who want you to do foolish and evil things. We should always listen to the Lord regardless of what others say. Matthew 5:10-12 Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. [11] Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. [12] Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 10:21-22 Now brother will deliver up brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. [22] And you will be hated by all for My name s sake. But he who endures to the end will be saved. John 15:18-19 If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. [19] If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. 2 Timothy 3:12 Yes, and all who desire to live godly in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 1 John 3:13 Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you. Additional verses: Matthew 10:28; Mark 13:13; Luke 6:22-23; John 16:1-2; John 17:14; Romans 8:35-37; 2 Corinthians 12:10; 1 Peter 4:12-16 5
God Disciplines Us for Our Good Proud Rooster thought about all the trouble he had gotten into. It s all because I was proud and didn t listen. I ve learned my lesson. From now on I m listening! When we go astray, God disciplines us for our good. God does this because He loves us. It was Proud Rooster s troubles that caused him to change. He learned his lessons the hard way. Those who are wise learn from the mistakes of others. Psalm 94:12 Blessed is the man whom You instruct, O Lord, and teach out of Your law. Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word. Psalm 119:75 I know, O Lord, that Your judgments are right, and that in faithfulness You have afflicted me. Proverbs 3:11-12 My son, do not despise the chastening of the Lord, nor detest His correction; [12] for whom the Lord loves He corrects, just as a father the son in whom he delights. 1 Corinthians 11:30-32 For this reason many are weak and sick among you, and many sleep. [31] For if we would judge ourselves, we would not be judged. [32] But when we are judged, we are chastened by the Lord, that we may not be condemned with the world. Additional verses: Deuteronomy 8:5, Psalm 119:71, Jeremiah 31:18-19, Hebrews 12:5-11 Repentance There was Proud Rooster, barely able to open his eyes, but he was ready to talk! I m sorry for being so proud and not listening, he whispered. Papa, is it too late? Papa wrapped his arms around his son and said, No, Little Rooster. You have learned to listen just in time. Proud Rooster was willing to say he was sorry for what he did. God is pleased when we repent of our sins and ask Him for forgiveness. Luke 24:45-47 And He opened their understanding, that they might comprehend the Scriptures. [46] Then He said to them, Thus it is written, and thus it was necessary for the Christ to suffer and to rise from the dead the third day, [47] and that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in His name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. 6
Acts 2:38 Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit. Acts 17:30 Truly, these times of ignorance God overlooked, but now commands all men everywhere to repent. Acts 20:20-21 I kept back nothing that was helpful, but proclaimed it to you, and taught you publicly and from house to house, [21] testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. Revelation 3:19 As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten. Therefore be zealous and repent. Additional verses: Matthew 4:17; Luke 5:32; Acts 3:19; Acts 5:31; Acts 26:20; Romans 2:4; 2 Corinthians 7:9; James 5:16 Questions 1. When winter was finally over, what did Little Rooster yell? Little Rooster yelled, Yippeeee! We can finally go outside and play ball again. 2. What did Mama say she hoped Little Rooster would do? Mama said, I hope Little Rooster will start learning to obey. 3. What did Papa say when Mama said, I hope Little Rooster will start learning to obey? Papa said, So do I. Lately, Little Rooster has been getting into all kinds of trouble for not listening. God wants children to obey their parents. The Bible says, Children, obey your parents in all things, for this is well pleasing to the Lord (Colossians 3:20). 4. What was the other name that Little Rooster had around the farm? The other name for Little Rooster was Proud Rooster. 5. Who was the only one Proud Rooster listened to? The only one Proud Rooster ever listened to was himself. Papa and Mama often tried to teach Proud Rooster, but he would just stick out his chest. He was not going to listen to anyone! Listen to what the Bible says about pride. Everyone proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; though they join forces, none will go unpunished (Proverbs 16:5). 6. What would Papa Rooster tell Proud Rooster when he did not listen? Papa Rooster would say, Sometimes little roosters have to learn things the hard way. And sometimes they learn them when it is too late. 7. What did Little Hen say to Proud Rooster when he saw all the green strawberries? Little Hen said, You d better not eat them. They aren t ripe. Mama told us Green strawberries will make us sick. 7
8. What did Proud Rooster say he would do about eating green strawberries? Proud Rooster said, I ll just take one little bite. 9. What did Proud Rooster do after he took one little bite of a green strawberry? Proud Rooster stuffed his tummy full of green strawberries The green strawberry tasted so good that one little bite became two little bites. And so it went until Proud Rooster stuffed his tummy full of green strawberries. Many people get into bad habits because they just wanted to try something one time. Smoking is a bad habit that harms the body. Be smart never take the first puff of a cigarette. Avoid the temptation. 10. What happened to Proud Rooster that night? That night Proud Rooster could not eat his supper. He was sick terribly sick. Proud Rooster could have avoided the temptation of eating the green strawberries if he had listened to his mother. Instead, he ate the green strawberries and became terribly sick. The Bible says, Watch and pray, lest you enter into temptation. The spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak (Matthew 26:41). 11. What did Proud Rooster brag about when he heard his friends talking about climbing trees? Proud Rooster bragged, I can climb higher than anyone. 12. What did Lucy Lamb say to Proud Rooster? Lucy Lamb said, You could fall and get hurt. Proud Rooster wouldn t listen to correction. He was going to show off by climbing the high tree, even if it was dangerous. The Bible says, The ear that hears the rebukes of life will abide among the wise (Proverbs 15:31). 13. When Proud Rooster looked down and saw everyone talking, he said, They must be talking about how good a climber I am. They were not. What were his friends saying? His friends were saying how foolish he was for trying to show off. 14. What happened to Proud Rooster just when he nearly reached the top of the tree? The branch snapped and Proud Rooster lost his balance and began to fall. 15. What did Dr. Owl say happened to Proud Rooster? Dr. Owl said, He broke his arms and legs, and his head is badly hurt. 16. How much did they bandage Proud Rooster? They bandaged him from head to toe. We reap what we sow. By sowing good things, we reap good rewards; by sowing evil, we reap trouble. The Bible says, Do not be deceived, God is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, that he will also reap. For he who sows to his flesh will of the flesh reap corruption, but he who sows to the Spirit will of the Spirit reap everlasting life (Galatians 6:7-8). 17. What did the sign say about the ice? The sign said, Thin ice. Stay away! 8
18. What did Proud Rooster yell to all his friends because they would not skate on the thin ice? Proud Rooster yelled, You re all a bunch of babies! Proud Rooster said this because his friends didn t do what he was doing. Sometimes one gets ridiculed for doing what is right. Never give in to those who want you to do wrong. Be a person of character who always stands up for that which is right. We should always listen to the Lord regardless of what others say. In the Beatitudes it says, Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness sake, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted the prophets who were before you (Matthew 5:10-12). 19. What happened when Proud Rooster ran as fast as he could and slid far across the ice, yelling, Wheeeeeeee! This is fun? Proud Rooster fell into the freezing water. 20. What did Dr. Owl say after he examined Proud Rooster? Dr. Owl said, I don t know if Proud Rooster is going to make it. He s suffering from a bad case of frostbite. 21. What did Proud Rooster say about why he had gotten into all sorts of trouble? Proud Rooster said, It s all because I was proud and didn t listen. It was Proud Rooster s troubles that caused him to change. He learned his lessons the hard way. Those who are wise learn from the mistakes of others. When we go astray, God disciplines us for our good. God does this because He loves us. The Bible says, Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I keep Your word (Psalm 119:67). 22. What did Proud Rooster remember that his papa had warned him about over and over again? Proud Rooster remembered, Sometimes little roosters have to learn things the hard way. And sometimes they learn them when it is too late. 23. Proud Rooster was barely able to open his eyes, but he was ready to talk. What did he whisper? Proud Rooster whispered, I m sorry for being so proud and not listening. Papa, is it too late? Proud Rooster was willing to say he was sorry for what he did. God is pleased when we repent of our sins and ask Him for forgiveness. The Bible says, Then Peter said to them, Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:38). 24. What did Papa Rooster say to Proud Rooster after he asked, Papa, is it too late? Papa said, No, Little Rooster. You have learned to listen just in time. 9