Proverbs 3:1-12
This Week’s Main Idea:
Wisdom is attained through the knowledge of God and the love of His Word.
Icebreaker:
When you were young did you ever have an adult give advice that you thought was ridiculous, but looking back now you wish you’d listened to them?
Introduction:
The Book of Proverbs deals with many of life’s basic concerns. The book stresses the value of wisdom and the benefits we gain from following wisdom. Although the world offers many answers to our quest for wisdom, our first stop should always be to consider God and the wisdom in His Word. All of life is to be submitted to God’s direction.
There’s something we need to remember about the wisdom we find in the Book of Proverbs: “Proverbs, in the Bible, are not promises that God is required to satisfy for you…. [A]s a part of its genre, one of the most important interpretive principles is to remember that they are not promises by God, rather, proverbs are the way life generally goes. Proverbs entail probable outcomes, not guaranteed outcomes.” (Alan Shlemon, “Proverbs Are Not Promises,” str.org)
Read Proverbs 3:1-4.
- What are the commands given to the young man in verses 1-4, and what is the outcome described for following each of them?
- Why do you think “steadfast love and faithfulness” are associated with wise living? What connection do they have to knowing God and His Word?
- How does this emphasis on steadfast love and faithfulness compare with what the world tells us wisdom looks like?
Read Proverbs 3:5-8.
- What are the commands given to the young man in verses 5-8, and what is the outcome described for following each of them?
- What does it look like to trust in the Lord with all your heart? Why is this so challenging for us to do?
- What are some specific areas of your life in which it is easy to trust God? In which is it harder?
Read Proverbs 3:9-12.
- What are the commands given to the young man in verses 9-12, and what is the outcome described for following each of them?
- What would it mean for a believer to honor the Lord with their “firstfruits” today?
- How do the commands and outcomes of verses 1-10 differ from verses 11-12?
Taking it Home:
- How are you pursuing wisdom in your life right now?
- How can our group help one another treasure and submit to God’s Word?
Suggested prayer:
Heavenly Father, give us eyes to see that “everything else is ignorance, but You are wisdom.” Help us to lay down our fears and insecurities that lead us into foolishness and selfishness. Give us grace to be holy, kind, gentle, pure, and peaceable. Bless others through us, and be glorified in our faithful dependence on You.
Other Scriptures to Engage with this week:
2 Timothy 3; Revelation 3:14-22; Job 15:7-16; Isaiah 8:5-15; Romans 11:30-36; Hebrews 12:1-13.