21 Fall Ladies Bible Study September 25, 2018 Proverbs: Lesson 4 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom our first step in becoming wise, but fearing the Lord is more than just the prerequisite to right living. All wise living flows from this fear, this reverence, this holy awe, this heart motivation to love the Lord with all we are and with all we have during our brief stay on earth. Fear of the Lord Is Commanded Deuteronomy 6:24 So the Lord commanded us to observe all these statutes, to fear the Lord our God for our good always and for our survival as it is today. Ecclesiastes 12:13 The conclusion, when all has been heard, is: fear God and keep His commandments, because this applies to every person. Proverbs 3:7b Fear the Lord and turn away from evil. 1. In the preceding verses, what commands accompany fear of the Lord? 2. Define fear of the Lord. Fear of the Lord Is Described 3. In the following verses, how is fear of the Lord identified? Psalm 19:9a The fear of the Lord is clean, enduring forever. Proverbs 1:7a The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Proverbs 14:27a The fear of the Lord is a fountain of life.
22 Proverbs 15:33a The fear of the Lord is the instruction for wisdom. 4. In the following verses, what part does God play in our fearing Him? A. Jeremiah 32:39 40 B. Psalm 34:11 C. Deuteronomy 31:12 D. Psalm 130:3 4 E. 1 Kings 8:38 F. 1 Kings 8:39 G. 1 Peter 1:17 Heart The condition of your heart is critical in your walk with the Lord and in growing in the fear of God. Proverbs 16:1 The plans of the heart belong to man, But the answer of the tongue is from the Lord. 16:5 Everyone who is proud in heart is an abomination to the Lord; Assuredly he will not go unpunished. 5. What sin affects our fear of the Lord in Proverbs 16:5? 16:18 Pride goes before destruction, And a haughty spirit before stumbling. 6. Underline the two outcomes of pride in the preceding verse. 7. What is the first of the seven abominations listed in Proverbs 6:17 19? Why do you think this one is at the top of the list? 8. According to Proverbs 8:36, 13:10, and 16:5, with whom is the proud person at odds? 8:36 13:10 16:5 16:21 The wise in heart will be called discerning, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 16:23 The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds persuasiveness to his lips.
23 9. In contrast, what does Proverbs 18:2 have to say about fools? 16:32 He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city. Write out James 1:19 Words Proverbs 16: 13 Righteous lips are the delight of kings, And he who speaks right is loved. 16:21 (Repeated) The wise in heart will be called discerning, And sweetness of speech increases persuasiveness. 16:23 (Repeated) The heart of the wise teaches his mouth, And adds persuasiveness to his lips. 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, Sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. 16:27 A worthless man digs up evil, While his words are a scorching fire. 16:28 A perverse man spreads strife, And a slanderer separates intimate friends. 10. What myths about slander will help us to avoid it? (taken from Tongue In Check, by Joseph Stowell) A. These are sins. (1 Timothy 3:11 and 5:13) B. If it is, then it is okay to share. (Romans 14:19 and Ephesians 4:29) C. This problem needs a lot of prayer. D. Sharing this information will deepen our. (Proverbs 16:28) E. Those I tell will not tell anyone else. 11. What helps us fight the temptation to slander? A. Take it to. (1 Peter 5:7) B. Go to the about whom we have heard this information. (Matthew 18:15 and Galatians 6:1)
24 C. Take the information to one who has to rectify the situation. (Matthew 18:16 17 and Romans 13:1 5) D. the victim of slander. (Proverbs 10:12) 12. According to Psalm 15:1 3, what is the consequence of slandering? Ways/Works Proverbs 16:2 All the ways of a man are clean in his own sight, But the Lord weighs the motives. (See also Proverbs 21:2 and 12:15) 16:3 Commit your works to the Lord, And you plans will be established. 13. Is this a general truth about all plans? To whom might this NOT apply? Proverbs 1:32 Proverbs 6:9 11 16:7 When a man s ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies to be at peace with him. 14. Why do we only need to be concerned with the first part of the above verse? (See Proverbs 29:25) 16: 9 The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps. 15. How is 16:9 a comfort to you in your busy life? 16:17 The highway of the upright is to depart from evil, He who watches his way preserves his life. 16:25 There is a way which seems right to a man, But its end is the way of death. 16:26 A worker s appetite works for him, For his hunger urges him on. 16:29 A man of violence entices his neighbor, And leads him in a way that is not good.
25 16. How does the Lord feel about those who love violence according to Psalm 11:5? 16:31 A gray head is a crown of glory, It is found in the way of righteousness. 17. What does Proverbs 20:29 say about gray hair? Benefits 18. What are the benefits of fearing the Lord according to the following verses? A. Proverbs 10:27a B. Proverbs 19:23 C. Proverbs 22:4 D. Psalm 115:13 E. Psalm 145:19 Ten Hindrances Given to the Growth of Fear of God (from The Fear Of God, by John Bunyan) 1. A hard heart 2. A prayerless heart 3. A light and wanton heart (cruel or violent; malicious) 4. A covetous heart 5. An unbelieving heart 6. A forgetful heart 7. A murmuring and repining heart (discontented; fretful) 8. A high and captious heart (finding fault; raising petty objections) 9. An envious heart 10. Hardening your heart at any time against convictions to particular duties Discussion Question: How can our minds inform our hearts to avoid the hindrances listed above? Be specific.