HOW TO USE THIS GUIDE: Firstly, you will notice that at the start of each lesson there are three important bits of information. These will be the basic tools you need to lead the study. All Scripture will appear in this BLUE colour. All Scripture references are taken from the NIV version of the Bible unless otherwise stated. All discussion questions are in this GREEN colour. These discussion questions are meant to help open up times of sharing in your group. Occasionally you will see text in RED. Red text are some ideas and thoughts that you may want to use for your group. The bulk of the text will be in BLACK. This is the script and information for your lesson. However, please do not stick to the script word for word. The information is there just to serve as a guideline. Please feel free to lead or facilitate the discussion in the way which GOD is leading you.
Proverbs: An Introduction June 10, 2018 Pastor Andrew Gardener Introduction: What are some famous quotes or sayings that you know? An example of a few might be: A bird in the hand is worth two in the bush An apple a day keeps the doctor away Every cloud has a silver lining We tend to like these little phrases of advice because they are quite catchy and easy to grasp. In the busy lifestyle that we live, we don t have time for anything other than bite-sized bits of wisdom. When it comes to the book of Proverbs, it s easy to treat the words in this book like little individual bits of Christian wisdom. Sometimes it s almost treated like a Christian bumper sticker. We read the Proverbs for a little bit of encouragement and inspiration and move on with our day. The book of Proverbs however is so much more than this. Whilst there are a lot of good quotes and short pieces of advice that are beneficial for us, the purpose of the Proverbs is to teach us about TRUE wisdom and how this wisdom has an impact on all of life. This sermon and study is the beginning of a nine-week series in the book of Proverbs. As we study this book together, I hope that we will all be able to learn what true wisdom is. God does have a way that He wants us to live. God wants us to live a life that flourishes. The book of Proverbs will help us to discover how. In Christ, Ellison Tsang Study Starts When you think of the word wisdom what comes to mind? What is the best wisdom/advice someone has given to you? Have you ever read the book of Proverbs? What do you think about it? What is your favourite Proverb and why? Many images may come to mind when we think about the word wisdom. For me, I think about a really old white haired man with a long wispy beard. He sits very still and he doesn t say very much, but when he does speak, every word is mind blowing! The book of Proverbs contains a collection of poems, wise sayings and warnings that were written by a variety of people. They were written so that the readers and hearers of these short poems would have practical instruction of how to live an uprightly life. Right at the beginning of the book of Proverbs, it gives us a very vivid picture of what wisdom looks like and it may be very different from the picture that you or I might be imagining. Page 2 of 5
Read Proverbs 3:13-18 13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding, 14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor. 17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. What details stand out to you as you read this passage? In his message, Pastor Andrew taught us that the Hebrew word for wisdom is: Chokmah Chokmah is a feminine word. All through the book of Proverbs wisdom is given in a feminine voice. This would have been very counter cultural to the male dominated structure that was in place in ancient Israel at the time when Proverbs was written. God s wisdom is often different from what the world thinks. As Christians we need to live by God s wisdom we will see why as we continue on this study and this series. As Ps Andrew said: The book of Proverbs is an invitation into a counter-cultural way of life. It is accessing an ancient wisdom from the heart of God that has the power to shape our lives so they might truly flourish. How does the fact that the word wisdom is presented to us in the feminine form make you feel? In your experience and knowledge, what are some differences between the world s wisdom and God s wisdom? Read Proverbs 3:19-20 19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth s foundations, by understanding he set the heavens in place; 20 by his knowledge the watery depths were divided, and the clouds let drop the dew. Page 3 of 5
Does anyone have an experience where they felt the presence of God as they were looking at His creation? Tell us about it. These verses tell us that wisdom has been present since the beginning of time. It was through using wisdom that God created the earth. This means wisdom is not something that changes. Just like God, wisdom is strong and steadfast. Wisdom has been set into the very foundation of how God intended this world to function. Our role therefore is to LISTEN to God and discover what wisdom is because God wants to share His wisdom with us! Read Proverbs 1:20-21 20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square; 21 on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: What would you think if you saw and heard someone screaming in a public square? To be honest, if we encountered someone screaming on the street or in another public setting we would probably be quite freaked out! However, this person would probably catch your (and everybody else s) attention. This verse isn t to say that wisdom is like a crazy person on the street who is trying to freak us out. It s saying that the message of wisdom is actually for EVERYONE. Anyone who listens to God s wisdom and follows His ways will be able to live a life that is flourishing! To those who do not listen to the cry of wisdom they are called foolish 1 and there are consequences for fools. Read Proverbs 1: 24-26 24 But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my hand, 25 since you disregard all my advice and do not accept my rebuke, 26 I in turn will laugh when disaster strikes you; I will mock when calamity overtakes you 27 when calamity overtakes you like a storm, when disaster sweeps over you like a whirlwind, when distress and trouble overwhelm you. 1 Do not speak to fools, for they will scorn your prudent words. (Proverbs 23:9) Page 4 of 5
Has there ever been advice that you wish you had taken? What was the consequence of ignoring that advice? How do you feel when good advice you give, is ignored by the person you are giving it to? Wisdom is not something that we can just ignore if we feel like it. Our arrogance may fight against God s wisdom at times and this is why we need to be aware about our pride constantly. As Ps Andrew said: Wisdom begins when we put ourselves in a posture before the awesomeness of God and simply say I need help. I ve made a mess of things. My relationships are in tatters. I am exhausted. I have strived for success at the expense of others. I have allowed my pride to block my ears from words I need to hear. When do you feel the most prideful? How can you submit this pride to God? How can our group encourage each other to live wisely? How has your view of what wisdom is changed since the beginning of this study? As we journey through the book of Proverbs together, we will discover that God cares deeply about the way we live. He has wisdom to give on all aspects of our lives. If we want to live lives that flourish under God s purpose and design, we must live by His wisdom. Pray End. Page 5 of 5