Creative Teaching Options for Engaging Adults in Bible Study Proverbs, Song of Songs Learn, Live, & Love QuickSource for Leaders spring
Born Again Have you ever wondered what the phrase born again means? The Bible records that Jesus used the phrase in a conversation with a man named Nicodemus. Nicodemus approached Jesus at night. He was curious about Jesus and the kingdom of God. Jesus told him: Unless someone is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God (John 3:3). Nicodemus responded, But how can anyone be born when he is old? (John 3:4). Nicodemus was a highly moral man who obeyed God s law. He was a respected leader of the Jewish community. No doubt he was a fine man. Yet something was lacking. Like Nicodemus, many people today confuse religion with new birth in Christ. Phrases like I pray regularly or I believe there is a God often are confused with a real new-birth experience. New birth begins with the Holy Spirit convicting a person that the person is a sinner. Because of sin, we are spiritually dead. For this reason, spiritual birth, as Jesus described it, is necessary. God loves us and gives us spiritual birth when we ask Him for it. The Bible says all persons are sinners (Romans 3:23). Jesus died on a cross and was raised from the dead to save sinners. To be born again means that a person admits to God that he or she is a sinner, repents of sin, believes in or trusts Christ, and confesses faith in Christ as Savior and Lord. Jesus told Nicodemus that everyone who believes in (places faith in) Christ would not perish (John 3:16). Jesus is the only One who can save us (John 14:6). To believe in Jesus is to be born again. Confess your sins and ask Jesus right now to save you. Whoever calls on the name of the Lord will be saved (Acts 2:21). After you have received Jesus Christ into your life, share your decision with another person, and following Christ s example, ask for baptism by immersion in your local church as a public expression of your faith (Romans 6:4; Colossians 2:6).
For the Lord & gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge understanding. Proverbs 2:6 (HCSB) 3
QuickSource At A Glance Proverbs, Song of Songs Unit 1: VALUE WISDOM AND LEARN March 2 Seek Wisdom s Way 7 March 9 Learn Wisdom s Benefits 11 Proverbs 1:33 3:8 March 16 Listen to Wisdom s Invitation (Evangelistic Lesson) 15 Proverbs 8:1 9:18 Unit 2: APPLY WISDOM AND LIVE March 23 Guard Your Speech 19 March 30 Don t Be a Slacker 23 April 6 Exercise Financial Responsibility 27 April 13 Forge Godly Friendships 31 April 20 Be Amazed by the Resurrection 35 (Easter Evangelistic Lesson) Mark 14:32 16:8 April 27 Avoid Alcohol and Drug Abuse 39 May 4 Live in Moral Purity 43 May 11 Treasure Mothers 47 Proverbs 31:10-31 Unit 3: EMBRACE WISDOM AND LOVE May 18 Righteous Romance 51 Song of Songs 1:1 5:1 May 25 Invest in the Best 55 Song of Songs 5:2 8:14 4 SPECIAL FEATURES Born Again 2 Reflections 5 Making the Most of QuickSource 6 Expanded Key Words 59 Coming Next Quarter/Writers 65 Make a Bigger Impact 66 Aspects of Wisdom Writings 67 QUICKSOURCE LEADER WORKSHOP Extending Your Influence 62 Seven Things To Do 64 OBJECT LESSONS FOR THIS QUARTER March 2: March 9: March 16: March 23: March 30: April 6: April 13: April 20: April 27: May 4: May 11: May 18: May 25: Athletic Shoes Life Jacket/ Life Preserver Megaphone Grapes Alarm Clock $1 Bills Garden Hoe Facebook Cans of Apple Pie Filling and Spinach Red Lipstick Treasure Chest Wedding Rings and Paper Hearts Pennies
Explore The Bible: QuickSource Creative Teaching Options for Engaging Adults in Bible Study Volume 9, No. 4 Spring Dwayne McCrary Project Team Leader PHILIP NATION Director, Adult Ministry Publishing FAITH WHATLEY Director, Adult Ministry LifeWay Church Resources Send questions/comments to Editor, ETB QuickSource One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN 37234-0175 Or make comments on the Web at www.lifeway.com Printed in the United States of America EXPLORE THE BIBLE: QuickSource (ISSN 1547-1764; Item 005075279). For ordering or inquiries visit www.lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Church Resources Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0113. For subscriptions or subscription address changes e-mail subscribe@lifeway.com, fax 615.251.5818, or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, e-mail orderentry @lifeway.com, fax 615.251.5933 or write to the above address We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review Lifeway s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/ doctrinalguideline. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Unless otherwise indicated, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Holman Christian Standard Bible Copyright 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible, Holman CSB, and HCSB are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. Suggestions for pronouncing Bible names are from That s Easy for You to Say: Your Quick Guide to Pronouncing Bible Names, by W. Murray Severance, copyright 1997 by Broadman & Holman Publishers. Used by permission. AMP Scripture quotations taken from The Amplified Bible, copyright 1954, 1958, 1962, 1964, 1965, 1987 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. (www.lockman.org) ESV The Holy Bible, English Standard Version Copyright 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. KJV King James Version. Public Domain. MSG The Message by Eugene H. Peterson, copyright 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved. NASB Scripture taken from the New American Standard Bible, Copyright 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission (www.lockman.org). NIV Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version, NIV. Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www. zondervan.com. NLT Scripture quotations marked (NLT) are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright 1996. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Wheaton, IL 60189 USA. All rights reserved. Imagine what it would be like to become the king. The day before is like every other day you are the son of a king, enjoying the benefits without the pressure of leading. You wake up and it seems like any other day, but then it all unfolds and you become king in your father s place. Now you are the person wearing the crown and answering all the hard questions. It is all on you. That was the situation facing Solomon. After his coronation, God offered Solomon the opportunity to make a request of Him. Solomon simply requested he be granted wisdom to lead God s people (see 1 Kings 3). His request was unselfish and filled with humility. His request was also filled with reality; the reality of the awareness that he had an enormous task ahead. We may not have the same kind of decisions to make as those that would face Solomon, but there are times I feel much of the same weight of responsibility carried by Solomon. Taking care of family, raising kids, fulfilling the expectations of my job, and living in a fallen world are all things that require wisdom. As I look at the Books of Proverbs and Song of Songs, I find the wisdom granted to Solomon that will also help me carry my responsibilities. God has granted us the same luxury as granted Solomon by inspiring Solomon to record the wisdom God granted him. The ultimate source of wisdom is found in Christ, being the complete wisdom of God. I pray that as we study these two books of wisdom that God will grant us Solomon s requests as well the wisdom needed to live a Christ-honoring life. The key can be found in Proverbs 1:7 and 2:6: The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and For the Lord gives wisdom, from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. Seek Him and His wisdom as you join us in this study. In His service, G Dwayne McCrary Reflections All Web site sources within this issue were cited/verified on 11 July 2013. Image credits: All photos and Illustrations in Quicksource istock photo.com 5
Making the Most of QuickSource Prepare yourself. Read the Bible text from your own Bible and compare it with the translation printed in QuickSource. Use Key Words and other study tools to clarify your understanding of the text. Prepare a plan. Begin formulating a plan to introduce the Bible passage, examine the Bible content, and move learners toward applying the Bible to their own lives. Review Discussions & Points. Look for questions and ideas to challenge learners understanding and application of Scripture. Consider ways to connect the Scripture to the lives of class members using Object Lesson and Dig Deeper ideas. Look for Target Audience suggestions that will help personalize the Bible truths for specific ages and interest groups. Develop, adapt, and refine a teaching plan based on the unique needs, life-stage, and understanding of your group. Pray for God s wisdom and power as you guide the Bible study experience. Way f Israel: 2 For ing insightful ice, and integrity; edge and discrehis learning, and g a proverb or Discussions & Points Seek Wisdom s Way INTRODUCTION With so many conflicting voices claiming to have the secret to a meaningful life, how can I know who will lead me in the Make the connection between God s Word and the lives of the learners by using one or both of these ideas. Seek Wisdom s Way OBJECT LESSON: ATHLETIC SHOES Display a worn pair of athletic shoes; also, you might want to display a variety of different shoes including casual, dress, boots, and water shoes. Poll learners to discover how many different pairs/types of shoes they own. Ask: What are your favorite brands of shoes for different activities? Lead learners to explain why they favor or choose certain shoes over others. Ask: How long do your shoes normally last? Where do you go when you are wearing your different shoes? Generally, when we walk, run, bike, or drive, we are on some sort of road, path, trail, walkway, sidewalk, or hallway. Ask: What are the purposes for roads, trails, and paths? How difficult might it be to get where you are going without them? Considering the various roads or paths you normally travel, how did you discover those routes? Do you know other ways to get where you need to go? Explain that very few people just set off for a run, walk, bike ride, or drive without some sort of idea of where they are heading or what path/road they will travel and most people will have some sort of shoes on to help them on the path. Read aloud Proverbs 1:1-6. State: In these opening verses of the Book of Proverbs, Solomon described God s Word as wisdom that can serve as our guide, or path, in life. This descriptive analogy is also seen WISDOM Along with the Book of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes are included in the list of the Bible s wisdom literature. Psalms, Song of Songs, and Lamentations also include elements of the wisdom tradition. Solomon identified the key Dig Deeper Target Audience Seek Wisdom s Way YOUNGER ADULTS To supplement your study of Proverbs 1:7-9, provide index cards and pens. Instruct learners to number 1-10 on the front side of the card and label the top Wisdom from my Parents. Encourage Exploring Key Words a Comparison; pithy allusion; brief saying full of ethical meaning and truth intended to be thought over. b Author of most of the Book of Proverbs. Solomon succeeded David in 970 B.C. D c Practical application of knowledge. d Common sense. In Proverbs, this is a positive trait related to craftiness or cunning. just a few references to wisdom from the Bible. Contrasting the one true God from temporal gods, the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed, He made the earth by His power, established the world by His wisdom, and spread out the heavens by His understanding (Jer. 10:12). Use these probing questions a points to facilitate an in-dept of God s Word. PROVERBS 1:7 3. How can the fear of God be the beginning of knowle To fear the Lord does not mean running from Him in concern fo safety. Fearing the Lord means viewing Him with awe, recognizi one true God, approaching Him in reverence and respect, and ob As a believer grows closer to God, that person will come to kno dimensions as Savior, friend, judge, guide, all-powerful, truth, o omnipresent to name a few. The Book of Proverbs helps follow grow in godly wisdom. the Lord that includes submitting to His lordship Making Connections in other passages in the Bible such as where the psalmist described God s Word as a light for our path (Ps. 119:105) Ask: What is the purpose of the wisdom God provides for us in the Bible? What are some of your favorite Scripture verses that provide wisdom or guidance for your life? Considering the various paths in your life, how does God s Word give you direction? When have you introduced a friend to the wisdom you have discovered in the Bible? Challenge learners to consider the importance of the wisdom in the Bible every day when they put on their shoes. Paul burst into song in Romans 11:33-36, praising God for His wisdom. He quoted several Old Testament verses that believers today may read aloud in praise of our Lord, beginning in verse 33 by describing the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God. Personalize Bi ages and inter oof these ideas. OLDER ADULTS To supplement your discussion of Proverbs Book of Proverbs is a collection of truths and wisdo gained through a variety of experiences. Many of t in Proverbs are written as wise advice from a paren Lead older adults to recall and share wisdom they or grandparents. Ask: How did they communicate t with you? How often were you told the same thing? feel at the time? How has that helped your retentio 6
Use Key Words to unlock the truths of God s Word and prepare for a rich Bible study experience. Seek Wisdom s Way Proverbs 1:1-6 1 The a proverbs of b Solomon son of David, king of Israel: 2 For learning what c wisdom and discipline are; for understanding insightful sayings; 3 for receiving wise instruction in righteousness, justice, and integrity; 4 for teaching d shrewdness to the inexperienced, knowledge and discretion to a young man 5 a wise man will listen and increase his learning, and a discerning man will obtain guidance 6 for understanding a proverb or a D parable, the words of the wise, and their e riddles. Proverbs 1:7 7 The f fear of the Lord is the beginning of g knowledge; h fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 1:8-9 8 Listen, i my son, to your father s instruction, and don t reject your mother s teaching, 9 for they will be a j garland of grace on your head and a gold chain around your neck. Proverbs 1:10-19 10 My son, if sinners k entice you, don t be persuaded. 11 If they say Come with us! Let s set an ambush and kill someone. Let s attack some innocent person just for fun! 12 Let s swallow them alive, like l Sheol, still healthy as they go down to the m Pit. 13 We ll find all kinds of valuable property and fill our houses with plunder. 14 Throw in your lot with us, and we ll all share our money 15 my son, don t travel that road with them or set foot on their path, 16 because n their feet run toward trouble and they hurry to commit murder. 17 It is foolish to spread a net where any bird can see it, 18 but they set an ambush to kill themselves; o they attack their own lives. 19 Such are the paths of all who make profit dishonestly; it takes the lives of those who receive it. the Lord that includes submitting to His lordship D Whenever you see this icon, look for expanded details for this word or phrase on pages 59-61. For detailed commentary, see your March 2 Leader Guide or Adult Commentary. 7 Exploring Key Words a Comparison; pithy allusion; brief saying full of ethical meaning and truth intended to be thought over. b Author of most of the Book of Proverbs. Solomon succeeded David in 970 B.C. D c Practical application of knowledge. d Common sense. In Proverbs, this is a positive trait related to craftiness or cunning. e Things in life which are difficult to understand; mysteries. The Bible provides wisdom for these mysteries. (See Col. 1:27.) f Respect; awe; honor; trust. Fear involves worship of the Lord and submission to Him, His mission, and His authority. A central theme for the Book of Proverbs. g Intellectual understanding; insight gained through theological reflection. h Hebrew ewiyl; morally deficient in speech, morality, discipline, religion. D i Highlights the family role of teaching biblical wisdom as seen in Deuteronomy 6:4-9. j Symbols of honor, guidance, protection; the benefit of living out godly teachings. D k Attempting to lure others in. l Death and the grave; the destination of the wicked after death. m A symbol of death. n Unwise living always leads to hurtful consequences. o The wicked who know their lifestyle is self-destructive don t have the sense to turn away from it.
Discussions & Points Seek Wisdom s Way INTRODUCTION With so many conflicting voices claiming to have the secret to a meaningful life, how can I know who will lead me in the right direction? People today who are searching for spirituality or meaning in life may be pointed to an eastern religion, to advice on trusting only in yourself, or to choosing the elements most meaningful to you from several religions. For Christ-followers, God expects people to find wisdom through a reverent, submissive, and loving relationship with Him. For persons who are not Christians but are seeking answers, God loves them, wants to have a relationship with them, and will guide them to wisdom for living each day. PROVERBS 1:1-6 1. As you read Proverbs 1:1-6, what character traits best illustrate wisdom? Solomon defined wisdom as the knowledge and ability to make the right choices at the right time. He also listed: (1) choosing to live by God s commands; (2) knowing and applying God s revealed truth; (3) practicing discipline; (4) living with integrity; (5) accepting instruction (6) listening well; and (7) remaining a lifelong learner. Note characteristics of wisdom you see practiced today; identify common weaknesses. 2. What cultural barriers make it difficult for believers to pursue wisdom? The world teaches a primary focus on self in contrast to the call to live in a submissive relationship with God and to serve others. In the world, people desire to believe whatever works for them while God s Word emphasizes absolute truth as faith s foundation. Getting to the top is glorified in the world while Jesus taught servant leadership. the Lord that includes submitting to His lordship For more teaching helps, see your March 2 Leader Guide or Discovery Study Guide. 8 Use these probing questions and content points to facilitate an in-depth discussion of God s Word. PROVERBS 1:7 3. How can the fear of God be the beginning of knowledge? To fear the Lord does not mean running from Him in concern for personal safety. Fearing the Lord means viewing Him with awe, recognizing He is the one true God, approaching Him in reverence and respect, and obeying Him. As a believer grows closer to God, that person will come to know God s many dimensions as Savior, friend, judge, guide, all-powerful, truth, omniscient, and omnipresent to name a few. The Book of Proverbs helps followers of Christ grow in godly wisdom. PROVERBS 1:8-9 4. What is Solomon s warning in Proverbs 1:8-9 and the reward for heeding the warning? These verses illustrate the relevance of Proverbs to 21st century life. Solomon warned his audience (including his son and younger generation) to listen to and obey their parents in a culture where many young people joined gangs. The reward to one who heeded Solomon s warning is pictured as a victorious athlete on a winner s stand with a garland on his head and a gold chain around his neck. CLUE: Explain Proverbs takes the form of an instruction manual for fathers to use in teaching sons. Emphasize the truths in this book apply to all people. Believers who embrace this guidance will find their well-being enhanced. 5. How are the lives of Christians affected when they fail to become students of God s Word? Their relationship with God remains that of a baby Christian. They have little understanding of what God expects of them or how they are to live. They are more vulnerable to the attractions of the world. They lack a strong moral compass. PROVERBS 1:10-19 6. What temptation did Solomon warn young people against in Proverbs 1:10-19? Solomon warned against the lure of peers to engage in behavior offensive to God, parents, and law enforcement. Solomon called such behavior folly. 7. What are the consequences of choosing folly over wise counsel? Those who choose folly over wisdom get in various forms of trouble. CONCLUSION How can believers today the Lord that includes submission to His lordship? A good place to start is to study the Book of Proverbs and identify from it key principles for growing in wisdom. God expects people to find wisdom for living through a reverent, submissive, and loving relationship with Him. Personal Challenge: Decide to recognize and submit to Jesus as Lord of life, submitting to His will. Approach God consistently in loving reverence.
Make the connection between God s Word and the lives of the learners by using one or both of these ideas. Seek Wisdom s Way Making Connections Object Lesson: Athletic Shoes Display a worn pair of athletic shoes; also, you might want to display a variety of different shoes including casual, dress, boots, and water shoes. Poll learners to discover how many different pairs/types of shoes they own. Ask: What are your favorite brands of shoes for different activities? Lead learners to explain why they favor or choose certain shoes over others. Ask: How long do your shoes normally last? Where do you go when you are wearing your different shoes? the Lord that includes submitting to His lordship Generally, when we walk, run, bike, or drive, we are on some sort of road, path, trail, walkway, sidewalk, or hallway. Ask: What are the purposes for roads, trails, and paths? How difficult might it be to get where you are going without them? Considering the various roads or paths you normally travel, how did you discover those routes? Do you know other ways to get where you need to go? Explain that very few people just set off for a run, walk, bike ride, or drive without some sort of idea of where they are heading or what path/road they will travel and most people will have some sort of shoes on to help them on the path. Read aloud Proverbs 1:1-6. State: In these opening verses of the Book of Proverbs, Solomon described God s Word as wisdom that can serve as our guide, or path, in life. This descriptive analogy is also seen in other passages in the Bible such as where the psalmist described God s Word as a light for our path (Ps. 119:105) Ask: What is the purpose of the wisdom God provides for us in the Bible? What are some of your favorite Scripture verses that provide wisdom or guidance for your life? Considering the various paths in your life, how does God s Word give you direction? When have you introduced a friend to the wisdom you have discovered in the Bible? Challenge learners to consider the importance of the wisdom in the Bible every day when they put on their shoes. Dig Deeper WISDOM Along with the Book of Proverbs, Job and Ecclesiastes are included in the list of the Bible s wisdom literature. Psalms, Song of Songs, and Lamentations also include elements of the wisdom tradition. Solomon identified the key definition of wisdom in Proverbs 1:7. Proverbs, biblical or secular, state a basic truth in a short memorable sentence. For example: The one who loves money is never satisfied with money, and whoever loves wealth is never satisfied with income (Eccles. 5:10). Beyond wisdom literature, the Bible includes many references to wise living. While Solomon was considered the wisest of kings, Jesus was the wisest man who ever lived. Following are just a few references to wisdom from the Bible. Contrasting the one true God from temporal gods, the prophet Jeremiah proclaimed, He made the earth by His power, established the world by His wisdom, and spread out the heavens by His understanding (Jer. 10:12). In Matthew 11:19, Jesus said, wisdom is vindicated by her deeds. In other words, our actions demonstrate whether we have integrated biblical truth into our lives. Evidence that Jesus lived the truth of the Scriptures was stated in the one-sentence summation of His life between His visit to the temple at the age of 12 and the launch of His ministry in his early 30s: And Jesus increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and with people (Luke 2:52). Paul burst into song in Romans 11:33-36, praising God for His wisdom. He quoted several Old Testament verses that believers today may read aloud in praise of our Lord, beginning in verse 33 by describing the depth of the riches both of the wisdom and the knowledge of God. Paul also contrasted the wisdom of man from the hidden wisdom of God in 1 Corinthians 2:8: None of the rulers of this age knew this wisdom, for if they had known it, they would not have crucified the king of glory. Finally, Jesus offered wise construction advice for houses and lives in Matthew 7:24 (NIV): Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. For more teaching helps, see your March 2 Leader Guide, Leader Pack, or Discovery Study Guide. 9
Target Audience Seek Wisdom s Way Younger Adults To supplement your study of Proverbs 1:7-9, provide index cards and pens. Instruct learners to number 1-10 on the front side of the card and label the top Wisdom from my Parents. Encourage learners to list ten nuggets of wisdom they have learned from one or both parents, directing them to label each item as M (mom) or D (dad). Review responses. Ask: What is the difference between the wisdom and instruction your parents shared with you as a child compared to the wisdom they share with you now? In your opinion, what did Solomon mean when he said your parent s wisdom would be like a garland around your neck? Instruct learners to flip their index cards over and label the top Wisdom from Teachers and Media. Direct learners to list ten nuggets of wisdom they have learned from teachers, professors, or media personalities. Review responses. Discuss any differences and similarities between this list and the list of wisdom from their parents. Read Proverbs 1:10-19. Ask: What are some things that are proclaimed as wisdom or truth that the Bible would identify as folly? What makes it hard sometimes to resist these things or activities? Distribute a second index card to each learner. Instruct them to title this card Wisdom from God. Instruct learners to list ten nuggets of wisdom they have learned from the Bible. Discuss the progression of knowledge of the wisdom God provides to conviction of that wisdom to making a change in one s lifestyle because of the wisdom learned. Ask: How does an understanding of God s Word lead one to a fear of the Lord as Solomon described in Proverbs 1:7? How have you grown in your understanding of the wisdom God provides through His Word and through your parents? What tools do you use to help you effectively evaluate the variety of wisdoms and truths you encounter as a young adult? the Lord that includes submitting to His lordship For more teaching helps, see your March 2 Leader Guide or Discovery Study Guide. 10 oof these ideas. Personalize Bible study and target specific ages and interests by using one or more Older Adults To supplement your discussion of Proverbs 1:1-6, explain that the Book of Proverbs is a collection of truths and wisdom that Solomon had gained through a variety of experiences. Many of the wisdom truths written in Proverbs are written as wise advice from a parent to a child. Lead older adults to recall and share wisdom they learned from their parents or grandparents. Ask: How did they communicate their nuggets of wisdom with you? How often were you told the same thing? How did that make you feel at the time? How has that helped your retention of those sayings today? How many of those things were written down for you? Discuss how older adults have approached passing on their wisdom to their own children and grandchildren. Ask: How many of the things your parents shared with you have you shared with your own children or grandchildren? Why have you shared those things? What things have you not passed along? Why? What are some of the most important pieces of wisdom that you would like your children and grandchildren to know? State: Solomon felt so strongly about the importance of passing on wisdom that he wrote down the things he wanted to pass along. Provide blank greeting cards or small notebooks. Encourage learners to spend some time this week writing the most important wisdom truths they want to be passed along to their children and/or grandchildren; encourage them to include Scripture passages that relate to the points of wisdom as well. If you have a Facebook group or an email list, encourage learners to share some of their wisdom with one another. Challenge learners to complete the project this week, then present the card or notebook to their children or grandchildren (duplicated as necessary). National Banana Cream Pie Day To supplement your discussion of Proverbs 1:8-9, note that March 2 is recognized as National Banana Cream Pie Day. To celebrate, prepare and bring your favorite banana cream pie or banana pudding recipe. Provide bowls and plastic spoons. Display the pie or pudding on a table as you begin the lesson. Ask: What are some of your favorite recipes that were given to you by your mother or father? Is there some way that your mom or dad prepared the recipe different from other people that made it especially good? Have you been able to duplicate the recipe? Why or why not? Share the banana pie or pudding with the group. Offer to share the recipe for those interested. Read aloud Proverbs 1:8-9. Discuss the importance of listening to the wisdom of our parents in things other than just recipes. Ask: What are some of the most important life lessons or teachings you learned from your parents?