Proverbs (3)
Wisdom vs. Foolishness and Getting Advice
Main Point: Pray for wisdom and seek advice.
Antithesis: Being satisfied to be a fool and rashly following your heart.
· Solomon asked for wisdom. (1 Kings 3:5-15)
· Definitions of wisdom and foolishness:
o Prov. 1:7
o Wisdom = willingness to listen to and apply the knowledge available to us that results in a successful and satisfying outcome.
o Foolishness = unwillingness to pay attention to or apply knowledge (especially about spiritual things).
· Why is wisdom important?
o Prov. 14:12 [“a way that seems right…” indicates that you can be wrong]
o Prov. 3:13-18 [profitable and valuable]
· How do we get wisdom?
o Prov. 9:10 [Fear (respect) the Lord à Pursue His wisdom, not that of the world.]
o James 1:5 [Ask Him for wisdom like Solomon did.]
· The importance of seeking counsel:
o God uses us to teach and instruct each other, therefore He will use others to teach and instruct us. (Heb. 10:24)
o Prov. 11:14
o Prov. 10:17
o Ask students to consider how they feel and respond to counsel, especially in areas where they are sensitive or stubborn (character flaws or nagging advisors).
§ Are they able/willing to seek out any grain of truth in poorly given advice?
Application:
· Pray for wisdom and be willing to take counsel b/c that is how God often teaches us, growing our wisdom.
· Look for opportunities to serve others by counseling or admonishing a friend.
Work vs. Sloth
Main Point: Work hard.
Antithesis: Pursue comfort above all else.
· Problem of sloth: Prov. 18:9 [Sloth destroys.]
· Societies view:
o Glorification of vacations and recreation.
o Seeking out ways to work less and play more.
o Issues of sloth of Jr. High students:
§ Procrastinating on school work
§ Oversleeping
§ Studying the Bible
§ Serving at home (chores, investing in family)
§ Sacrificing for others when they “don’t feel like it”
· God’s view of diligent, hard working people:
o Prov. 12:24 (the diligent will rule)
o Prov. 16:26 (as hunger motivates people to work hard, we should desire a hunger to do God’s work)
o Prov. 20:13 (don’t love sleep)
· Example of the ant. Prov. 6:6-11
Application: Whatever you do, do it as well as you are able as if for the Lord (Col. 3:23).
Taming the Tongue
Main Point: Be careful with what you say because God cares about other people and your words are a powerful tool/weapon.
Antithesis: Words have no real power or influence, besides, I have a right to say what I feel or think.
· “It is better to remain silent and be thought a fool than to open your mouth and remove all doubt.” Mark Twain
· Words are powerful:
o FALSE: “Sticks and stones can break, but words can never hurt me.”
o Prov. 18:21 (Life and death)
o Prov. 10:11, 20-21
o Prov. 11:9, 11
o Prov. 12:18
o Prov. 15:23
o Prov. 16:28
o James 3:3-12 (Tongue as a spark that lights a whole forest ablaze. Very difficult to control.)
o Students experience the power of words:
§ Negatively- teasing, sarcasm, slander, gossip
§ Positively- encouragement, vision casting, God’s Word
· Consequences of an untamed tongue:
o Prov. 14:3
o Prov. 15:1
o Prov. 18:6
o Prov. 21:6
o Prov. 22:11
· How can we use words to build up others instead of tearing them down?
o Encouragement notes
o Casting vision for someone
Application:
· Ask God to reveal the power of our words (negative and positive).
· Look for opportunities to encourage and edify someone through your words.