The Wise Man and the Foolish Man

Faith, if it hath not works, is dead. … I will shew thee my faith by my works. (James 2:17–18).

While He was in Galilee, Jesus Christ gave the Sermon on the Mount.* In it, he taught His disciples the Beatitudes and to be a good example to the world. He taught them that it was wrong to be angry with or hate anyone, even their enemies. Not only should His disciples do what is right, but their thoughts should be righteous, too. He taught the principles of prayer, forgiveness, and seeking “first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness” (Matt. 6:33).

Jesus said that to live with Him in the kingdom of heaven, His disciples needed to learn the gospel and to live it. He explained: “Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

“And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

“And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.” (Matt. 7:24–27.)

We have many opportunities to learn the gospel of Jesus Christ. We can show that we have faith that the gospel is true by choosing the right each day. If we do, we will be like the wise man—building our lives upon the solid foundation of the gospel and preparing ourselves to live again with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.

Instructions

Color the flannel-board figures, then mount them on heavy paper. Cut them out and use them to retell the story of the wise man and the foolish man.

House; Wise man; Foolish man; Fallen house; Storm: Rain, wind, floods; Rock hill; Sand hill.
(Illustrated by Beth M. Whittaker.)

• Matt. 5–7

Sermon on the Mount by Harry Anderson