• wise: a person who makes good decisions
• foolish: a person who makes bad decisions

Both men listened to Jesus, but only one acted upon what he heard. It changed the very location of where he built his house. What major decisions do we make in life that might be affected by what Jesus taught? (who we marry, what work we do, where we live, how we entertain ourselves). Jesus said that the storm will attack all men, wise and foolish. The families that survive will be the ones who made their decisions based on the Bible. What "storms of life" do families struggle with today? (illness, arguing among family members, natural disasters). Where will we find the answers on how to survive? the Bible.

Jesus is also teaching in this chapter that if the storms of life don't get the foolish man, that judgment will. In verse 21 he says "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven, but he who does the will of My Father in heaven."

Read 15-23: Jesus taught this parable within the context of identifying his true disciples. It's in the same chapter as the verses about knowing a tree by its fruit and wolves that look like sheep. See the lesson on Wolves in Sheep's Clothing for activities related to that context.

1. The storm only hit one house.   (F)
2. Only one house survived the storm. (T)
3. A wise person listens to Jesus.  (T)
4. The foolish man did not listen to Jesus. (F - he listened, he did not act on what he heard)
5. Jesus tells us what we need to survive the trials of life.   (T)

Recreate the parable. Make a house from paper patterns, a paper cup, or small box. Place one on a rock or other solid object. Place the other on sand, styrofoam peanuts, or some other loose object. If possible, pour or sprinkle water on them both to demonstrate that a loose foundation will wash out from under you, but a solid foundation won't.

Jos 24:15b " But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord."

James 3:13 "Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom.

James 2:22 "Do you see that faith was working together with his works, and by works faith was made perfect?"

	linguistic questions
	What is a parable: a story Jesus taught to teach a lesson Name as many disciples as you can. Recite a memory verse.
	activity questions
	Draw a house. Act out the foolish man in his house as it falls down around him. What sound does a crashing house make?
	emotion questions
	How would the wise man feel when his house survived the storm? How would the foolish man feel when his house is destroyed? How does God feel when we don't do what He says?
	application questions
	Where can I get good advice for making decisions? (Bible) What will happen to the family that bases it's decisions only on the latest trends? (fall) How can I tell whether someone is building their house on God's Word? (it will bear the same fruit, and survive the storm)
	fact questions
	How many houses were in the parable? 2 How many houses did the storm attack? 2 How many houses survived? 1
	review questions
	What is represented by the firm foundation? (obeying Jesus) What is represented by the sandy foundation? (only listening, not obeying) What does the storm represent? (trials and/or judgment)