A Gentle Answer

Today, we look at a proverb about giving a gentle answer.

A gentle answer turns anger away. But mean words stir up anger.

Proverbs 15:1 (NIrV)

Discussion

• The Hebrew word translated answer here is ma`aneh which can also be translated as response. This proverb is equally true no matter which way you translate the word.
  • What might you give an answer to? a question, being asked something or asked to do something
  • What might you give a response to? Someone (a parent, boss, commander) telling you to do something, or even someone saying something to you
• The word translated gentle here rak means tender, soft, delicate, weak or gentle.
• If I were wearing a hat and asked you "Do you like my hat?" what would be a gentle answer to my question?
• The Hebrew word translated mean here is `etseb which implies that the mean words cause pain.
• If I were wearing a hat and asked you "Do you like my hat?" what would be a mean answer?
• Which answer do you think I would like better? Why?
• If you were being told to do something you didn't want to do, what would a gentle answer be?
• If you were being told to do something you didn't want to do, what would a mean answer be?
• If you were being asked to get ready for dinner and said "yes" and asked what else you could do, what kind of answer would that be?
• If you were asked to clean up your room and complained, what kind of answer would that be?
• If you don't want your parents to be upset with you when asked or told to do something, what kind of answer should you use?