Word to the Wannabe Wise: So You Wannabe Wise?
Word to the Wannabe Wise: So You Wannabe Wise?
Key Bible Verses
Proverbs 1:1-7
Digging Deeper
The book of Proverbs is all about wisdom and living a God-pleasing life. Its practical wisdom gives insight into the facets of our lives so that we can learn and apply the knowledge and wisdom that others who have gone before us can teach us.
What suggestions can we incorporate into our lives as we desire to be wise?
Ask for guidance from the Holy Spirit, who is our teacher and gives wisdom.
Express gratitude for the wisdom and understanding that God has already given.
Receive God’s wisdom with an open heart and mind that is tender and teachable.
Maintain a willingness to learn and grow in faith, acknowledging that God gives access to wisdom.
Pray for discernment to know what is true and what is false and how to recognize wisdom and reject foolishness.
Seek wisdom from the Bible, which is the source of wisdom and guidance when applying the Bible’s principles.
Trust God to give wisdom at the right time and in the right circumstances.
May God give us wisdom as we take the wise words of the book of Proverbs to heart and apply them to our daily lives.
What Not To Miss
Main Points:
The aim of our awe determines the wholeness of our ways.
What mesmerizes us moves us.
The object of our wonder directs the obedience of our ways.
Key Questions
1. Where does wisdom come from?
Solomon, as a young king, asked God to give him a discerning heart to govern God’s people and to distinguish between right and wrong.
Through His grace, God made Solomon the wisest man, and Solomon wrote several books of the Bible, one of which is Proverbs for those who wanna be wise.
Wisdom comes from the Lord—the maker of heaven and earth!
2. What is wisdom?
Solomon builds out the elements of wisdom.
Instruction. (doctrine, education, intelligence)
Understanding. (insight, commands, principles)
Prudence. (how to apply doctrine practically; applying theology)
Right and just. (knowing what is right, wrong, and fair)
Maturation. (process of the simple and young growing and becoming more experienced and successful)
Listening more, talking less.
Posture of humility. (increase in learning)
Discernment. (situational awareness and insight)
Solve mysteries and hard problems. (understanding proverbs and parables, sayings and riddles of the wise)
What does wisdom look like in practice and action? (Proverbs 8:22-31)
Wisdom is the tool by which God created the heavens and the earth.
Wisdom is the tool by which the functionality and flourishing of creation happens.
Wisdom is practically living out God’s image and likeness in how we [humans] relate, create, and operate.
Wisdom is the divine tool of God that brings about functionality and flourishing in all spheres of life.
3. Why do we need wisdom?
Because of Adam and Eve's downfall, they bought into the lie that they knew better than God. As a result of humanity thinking they knew better than God, sin entered the world, and thus, foolishness entered the world through sin.
Human beings start from a deficit when it comes to wisdom.
Fools build a false reality world, which is why we need wisdom that comes from above.
4. How do we get wisdom?
Wisdom begins with the knowledge of the fear of the Lord.
What does it mean to FEAR the Lord?
F—Faith (Foundation of life; The first thing of life; It is the priority—your faith)
E—Exalt (Praise, Adoration, Glorify, Give to the Lord)
A—Acknowledge (Acknowledge God’s presence, God’s laws, in all our ways)
R—Rely (Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him…” (Proverbs 3:5–6)
5. What happens when we get wisdom?
Discern right and wrong.
Avoid traps and snares.
Experience blessing and satisfaction.
Become stable and secure.
Possess foresight and insight.
Demonstrate integrity, honesty, and trustworthiness.
Reflect the life of God in all spheres of life.
You have the wisdom to bring all of life under the rule and reign of God.
Are you mesmerized by the Lord?
Is the aim of awe what motivates you, inspires you, and takes your breath away, the Lord?
Is the Lord the object of your wonder?
This is the only way you move into the wholeness and obedience of wisdom in all of life.
Life Application
Read Chapter One of Proverbs, reflecting on the following elements of wisdom that are commonly used.
Wisdom-skill of right living.
Instruction-teaching, correction, or discipline telling what to do.
Understanding-comprehension of truth.
Insight-accurate and deep understanding of a problem or situation.
Knowledge-awareness of factual information.
Direction-guidance for living a fruitful life.
Discretion-behaving appropriately and not causing offence.
Learning-growing and acquiring new insights.
Wise counsel-advice from those who are discerning.
Fool- anyone who rejects wisdom.
Fear-awe and reverence concerning God.
What other words in this chapter stood out to you? How can you apply the principles represented by these words in your life this week?
Small Group Discussion Questions
Describe the wisest person you know.
In Proverbs Chapter 1, what are the advantages of being wise?
In Proverbs Chapter 1, what are the disadvantages of being foolish and sinful?
Why does God instruct us to be wise?
How can we be wise in circumstances we face in our culture?
Daily Devotional Bible Passages
Day 1: Warnings-Proverbs 11:19-21; Isaiah 5:20-21; Matthew 16:26-27
Day 2: Instruction-Proverbs 16:20; 2 Timothy 3:16-17; Psalm 19:7
Day 3: Knowledge-2 Peter 2:20-22; Proverbs 12:1; Proverbs 4:20-21
Day 4: Safety-Romans 15:4; Deuteronomy 4:40; 2 Timothy 4:18
Day 5: Wisdom-Proverbs 9:10; Proverbs 2:6; Proverbs 16:16
Prayer
Lord, I deeply desire to seek You, Your wisdom, and Your instruction in all areas of my life. I know that You are the source of knowledge and understanding. I need discernment and a teachable spirit as I learn from Your word how to best live my life so that I can serve You and be a light in a dark world. Give me wisdom and help me see the circumstances I face in life from Your perspective. Show me ways to grow in wisdom and reveal Your truths to me so that I can bring glory to Your name. I thank you for your love and faithfulness and for always being with me to guide and direct me.
