Living Translation of Proverbs 3:5-6:

"Trust in the journey of life with your whole heart, and don’t rely solely on your own understanding. In every twist and turn, acknowledge the wisdom that guides you, and it will light the path ahead."

Fictional Narrative Writing Prompt:

Title: "The Path of Wisdom"

Characters:

  • Jasmine: A college student who is struggling with a major life decision regarding her future career.

  • Lisa: Jasmine’s best friend, who is a firm believer in following her instincts but sometimes overlooks the bigger picture.

  • Bruce: Jasmine’s wise professor who often offers guidance and insights, urging his students to think deeply.

  • Charlie: Jasmine’s adventurous brother who encourages her to take risks but also faces challenges in understanding his own path.

  • Shawn: A practical and grounded coworker of Jasmine who prefers a more stable and predictable lifestyle.

Directions:

  1. Setting the Scene: Begin by establishing a college campus as the backdrop. Describe the vibrant environment, the pressure students feel as they approach graduation, and the uncertainties ahead.

  2. Inciting Incident: Jasmine receives an offer for a prestigious internship that could lead to her dream job. However, this opportunity comes at the cost of taking a risk that could endanger her relationship with friends and family.

  3. Character Dynamics:

    • Develop conversations between Jasmine and Lisa where Lisa encourages her to trust her instincts, while Jasmine feels a deeper unease about this path.

    • Introduce Bruce as a mentor who challenges Jasmine to explore her own motivations and desires rather than just following a safe route.

    • Explore sibling dynamics between Jasmine and Charlie, showcasing his adventurous spirit and how it influences her decision-making.

    • Present Shawn’s perspective as someone who represents stability and safety, offering a contrast to Jasmine’s inner turmoil.

  4. Conflict: Jasmine grapples with her own understanding of trust and wisdom. She feels torn between following her heart—echoed in Lisa’s advice—and seeking guidance from Bruce and Shawn, who encourage careful thought and reflection.

  5. Resolution: As Jasmine contemplates her decision, she reflects on the wisdom of Proverbs 3:5-6. Using the insights gained from Bruce, the support of her friends, and her own beliefs, she ultimately learns to trust in her journey, realizing that the combination of her heart and wisdom can guide her successfully.

  6. Conclusion: End with Jasmine making her choice. How does this decision reflect her growth? What lessons has she learned about trust, guidance, and understanding? Close with a scene that hints at the potential future paths she can embark on, leaving room for growth and adventure ahead.

Encourage the writers to expand on the emotions and thoughts of each character as they navigate their challenges and support each other, intertwining their stories with the wisdom found in Proverbs.