1318 Youth Q&A (5-Minute Proverbs Q&A for Youth) is a Q&A book tailored to youth written by Pastor Lee Jeong-hyeon, an education expert who has been in charge of youth ministry at church schools for 22 years, who meditated on and wrote Proverbs for his spiritual children.

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge.
Fools despise wisdom and instruction (Proverbs 1:7).
The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.


To study well, you need knowledge.
So, to acquire the knowledge required for each subject, such as Korean, English, and math, students go to academies, receive private tutoring, or study on their own.
But today's message says that the beginning of gaining knowledge is to fear God.
To 'fear' God means 'to fear Him with reverence,' which is the beginning of true knowledge.


In this passage, the Message Bible says, “Begin with God.
The first step to knowledge is to bow down before God.”
The first step toward gaining true knowledge is to begin our lives by bowing down to God.
This means that the reason and purpose of studying must be God.

But fools despise wisdom and instruction.
They make light of the wisdom and knowledge that comes from God and study only with their own heads and wills.
Such people are foolish because their only reason and purpose for studying is themselves.
Only God is the beginning of knowledge.

---From "The First Step to Study"

Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.
In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight (Proverbs 3:5-6).
Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight.

You may have received college counseling at school.
It's fun to discover your aptitude and talents and explore the universities and majors you want.
But human guidance and coaching are somehow imperfect.
There is only one who can perfectly guide our path, and that is God.
So when we sketch our lives, we shouldn't do it haphazardly.
We shouldn't pretend to know first.
You must trust only in God.


Trusting God means listening to His voice no matter what you do or where you go.
Acknowledging and praying to God, who knows the path of my life far better than I do, should be my top priority.
Believe and trust in God who loves me and guides my path.

---From "My Life's Perfect Guide, God"

Does not wisdom call, and does not understanding lift up its voice? Does it not call from the heights of the wayside,
Standing at the crossroads, at the gates, at the entrances, at the gates of the cities, they call out (Proverbs 8:1-3).
Does not wisdom call out? Does not understand raise her voice? At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand; beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud.

In Proverbs, wisdom can ultimately be seen as symbolizing Jesus.
There is no problem at all in reading today's message by replacing 'wisdom' with 'Jesus.'
Jesus is not someone who hides anywhere.
He comes to us first and moves toward us every day to win our hearts.
Sometimes when we live without Jesus, He doesn't whisper to us, but shouts at us loudly.
“**(Ah) Hey! Where are you?”, “**(Ah) Hey! What are you doing there?”, “I’m here, let me see your face!”

Even now, Jesus is looking for you.
He is screaming loudly as he searches for you.
Block out all the noise around you.
Then you will hear the voice of Jesus.
Hear that voice and come to Jesus.

---From "A Loud Voice Calling My Name"

He who walks uprightly walks securely.
He who walks in crooked ways will be found out (Proverbs 10:9).
Whoever walks in integrity walks securely, but whoever takes crooked paths will be found out.

When you become a high school senior, you see quite a few students suffering from minor illnesses like headaches or gastritis.
These symptoms usually appear in students who are under a lot of stress.
Everyone wants to live a peaceful life without stress.
Who can live a peaceful life free from stress? Today's reading says that those who walk honestly will find peace.
Those who honestly walk their own path while practicing the words God has given will always find peace.


However, people who do not live by the Word and instead live by tricks will actually experience stress.
And that trick can actually lead to difficulties.
Do you lack peace within yourself? If so, ask yourself if you are living honestly according to the Word.

---From "I want to live without stress!"

Commit your actions to the Lord
Then your plans will be successful (Proverbs 16:3).
Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and he will establish your plans.

How wonderful would it be if a dream you've had since childhood came true? I often see students achieving their dreams.
I remember the students being so happy on the day their goal was achieved.
But if I want my life to turn out the way I want it to, I need to put God in charge of my life.
We say we believe in God, but when it comes to making important decisions, we put God last.
We pray in a way that prioritizes the advice of our parents, teachers, and friends, and only at the very end do we ask for God's permission.
The order is wrong.


We need to make God the one in charge, allowing Him to prepare, direct, and accomplish every aspect of our lives.
I just need to entrust my entire life to God.
If that happens, everything I'm thinking about will come true.
Because I dream God's dream, everything is bound to come true.
When God is in charge, all plans come to fruition.

---From "Will my dream come true?"

He who loves to communicate becomes poor.
He who loves wine and oil will not become rich (Proverbs 21:17).
Whoever loves pleasure will become poor; Whoever loves wine and olive oil will never be rich.


Many test takers will want to finish the CSAT and have fun.
Let's say you hate the oppressive life of a student preparing for an exam, so you gather your friends and go to places like karaoke, billiard halls, and PC rooms.
What would happen if a student behaved like this with only three weeks left until the CSAT? They would fail the exam.

Today's message warns that those who like to keep in touch with friends and have fun may end up poor.
He also warns that people who drink alcohol and eat meat all the time will also be far from saving money.
Let's apply this to test takers.
Even though it is difficult, now is the time to endure and persevere.
The day will soon come when we can have fun to our heart's content.

---From "The day when we can play to our heart's content is coming soon"

The wicked flee when no one pursues.
The righteous are bold as a lion (Proverbs 28:1).
The wicked flee though no one pursues, but the righteous are as bold as a lion.

Children love lions.
The sight of a lion reflected in the eyes of children is wonderful.
He is fearless and always wins.
No matter what happens, I won't be afraid.
Conversely, children do not like animals that are perceived as cowardly, such as hyenas.


In today's message, the wicked who do not believe in God are described as cowards.
He is weak and always anxious, and he looks full of fear even when no one is chasing him.
Conversely, the image of a righteous person who believes in God is depicted as a lion.
Never be afraid at any moment.
No matter what happens, he stands tall in his place.
Be sure to remember.
That we are not like scared hyenas, but always like strong and courageous lions.
God speaks to us.
“You are a brave lion! So you have nothing to worry about!”
---From "Bold as a Lion"

Every word of God is pure; he is a shield to those who put their trust in him.
Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you.
For fear that you will be found a liar (Proverbs 30:5-6).
Every word of God is flawless; he is a shield to those who take refuge in
him.
Do not add to his words, or he will rebuke you and prove you a liar.

The Bible we read is the perfect word of God, without any errors.
And a frequently repeated message in the Bible is that God comes to us in our difficulties to help us and be our shield.
This statement is also perfect.


God thoroughly protects those who rely on Him in all circumstances.
So, all we need is the Word of God.
There is absolutely no need to add anything other than the words of the Bible to our lives.
Those who hold on to God's Word from morning till late at night will powerfully experience the power of that Word.
This is the exact interpretation of the Message Bible.
“All of God’s promises are true, and he protects all who run to him for help.”

---From "Only! Words"