Word to the Wannabe Wise: Priority for Wisdom for Making Good Decisions
Word to the Wannabe Wise: Priority for Wisdom for Making Good Decisions
Key Bible Verses
Proverbs Chapter 3:5-6 and other Scriptures in Proverbs
Digging Deeper
Proverbs gives wisdom as we desire to make God-honoring and wise decisions. As we live our lives, we make decisions constantly. Some decisions are routine, and other decisions are huge and life-changing.
How can we learn to make Godly and wise decisions?
Express gratitude to God for His love, guidance, and wisdom in the decision-making process.
Ask God for His wisdom in decision-making and for clarity and understanding.
Align our wills with God’s will and wisdom, trusting He knows best for our lives.
Pray for wisdom and seek wise counsel from mentors and advisors who are mature in their faith.
Be sensitive to the Holy Spirit and His leading and discernment, seeking to know the difference between right and wrong, good and evil, and unhealthy compromise.
Seek peace and calmness when making decisions, knowing God will guide us on His path.
Trust in God’s plan and timing and control over all circumstances, big and small.
Take courageous action when making decisions, knowing that God will honor choices that align with His Word and will.
Thank God for His wisdom and guidance in the decision-making process, relying on Him to provide confidence and direction every step of the way.
Let us have faith and strength and know God provides reassurance and comfort that He will never leave or forsake us. Let us rest in His promises and faithfulness, which allow us to trust and know that God is in control and sovereign over all our decisions.
What Not To Miss
Wannabe Wise: Priority For Wisdom For Making Good Decisions
African Proverbs are wise sayings with principles for sound decision-making with few words and short sentences, which provide a profound understanding and meaning. Here are some examples of African proverbs:
Do not throw away your water simply because you heard it will be raining.
You don’t go searching for bones in a lion’s den.
A good wind is no use to a sailor who does not know his direction.
Before you destroy a bridge, make sure you can swim.
Definition:
Your PRIORITY is the one thing that is most important and must be dealt with before other things in all you do. It is an anchor or grid to guide your life.
DECISION MAKING is based on the choice and selection of options.
Scientists say that the average adult makes 33,000 to 35,000 decisions daily.
Critical Decisions We Make:
Life purpose and passion.
Health.
Family and relationships.
Home.
Church.
Education.
Finances.
Risk-taking.
Lifestyle.
Aging well and having a legacy in life.
Why do we make poor decisions? (Graig Groeschel, Think Ahead)
We’re overwhelmed.
We’re fearful.
We’re emotional.
The Main Point
Your priority in decision-making will reveal who you are.
Your decisions reveal the priority in your life.
The priority in your life will determine your decision-making.
What is priority #1 in making the right and good decisions?
Glorifying God is the goal of all decision-making.
Trusting God’s Word and His ways in all areas of our life.
Praying and agreeing with God about our sins, leading us to repentance. God does not answer our prayers when we live in sin.
Having a heart that will surrender to God’s direction.
Acknowledging His word and obeying His direction.
Listening to wise counsel.
Abiding in Christian community.
Serving to benefit others.
What happens when I make bad decisions?
Know there is grace for the righteous to grow.
Realize the need to repent and rely on God.
Learn from our lesson of bad decision-making and begin making the right decisions.
Realize the consequences of a lousy decision, when you are not in line with Christ, are regrets.
How do I stay on the path of the Word to the wannabe-wise?
Know the fear of the Lord.
Practice daily reading from Proverbs for principles to live by.
Call on God in prayer.
Share your reflections with your friends.
Practice patience and perseverance.
Wait on God’s will and in all things, do things His way.
Listen and ask good questions.
Be faithful to hearing from God and others.
Conclusion:
The principle is all decisions are not the same and equal, but seeking wisdom from God will guide us.
How do you know God’s will to make good and right decisions?
Let your heart first trust King Jesus.
Seek God’s wisdom from His Word.
Make plans according to Godly principles.
What is your priority today for making good decisions?
The number one priority is to make Christ the center of your life.
The decision to follow Jesus.
Following Christ as the King of your life.
Loving and sharing with others.
Once you know Jesus, you will discern God’s will from His wisdom for all other decisions. You will make good and bad decisions, but remember that your priority is to please God.
Life Application
As you prepare for the week ahead, consider three decisions you anticipate you will make. These could be as simple as choosing daily activities or as significant as making a life-changing choice. Remember, you are not alone in this process. Pray about these decisions and ask God for His wisdom to guide you. Specifically, ask God to help you see your decisions from His perspective, which means considering how your choices align with His teachings and how they might impact your relationship with Him and others. Notice how God blesses you as you seek Him and desire his wisdom. Your active participation in this process is crucial, and your decisions matter.
Small Group Discussion Questions
What is your favorite decision you made this week?
What are examples of how we lean into our own understanding when making important decisions?
Why is it better to rely on God to give us wisdom as we make decisions?
What are the bad results of making decisions that are not Biblically sound?
What are some ways you can share about making Godly decisions?
Daily Devotional Bible Passages
Day 1: Deciding- Psalm 32:8; Isaiah 30:21; Proverbs 2:6
Day 2: Trusting-Philippians 4:6-7; Matthew 7:7-8; Romans 8:38
Day 3: Abiding-Psalm 25:4; Colossians 2:6-7; 1 John 5:14
Day 4: Submitting-Joshua 24:15; James 1:5; 1 Corinthians 10:31
Day 5: Loving-Galatians 6:9-10; John 3:16; 2 Timothy 1:7
Prayer
Lord, I come to you in prayer to ask for your help in trusting you entirely as I face decisions large and small. I don’t want to rely on my own understanding because I know that Your ways are higher than my ways, and Your thoughts are higher than my thoughts. Help me to let go of my limited understanding and trust in You. When I trust in You as You guide me in decision-making, I know I have peace and confidence in Your ultimate plan for me, which is a plan of love, purpose, and redemption. I know that You have the best in store for me, and I can rest in the security of Your plan. When times are tough, and the going is rough, let me remember that You are in control and that I can lean into the promises that You give in Your word and know that You will always provide me with reassurance and comfort. Give me the courage to rest in you in every decision I make, and let me give you glory and honor.
