wisdom2

This is the second part on the wisdom small group sessions and comes from Proverbs 3.19-26 - and Proverbs 3.1-12!

Take a look at the headings of Proverbs 3 and 4. Chapter 3 is giving advice to children and young people. Chapter 4 is about the value of wisdom. You'd do well to read both chapters completely! There's so much there, for young people and youth workers like me!

I once heard a young person say, 'the youth leaders think they know everything.' Not true. I know very little. But youth workers - be they Christian or not - have a duty to pass on their experience, wisdom and lessons in life. If they don't they aren't all that. As Christian youth workers, we are also charged under God to pass on spiritual wisdom and lessons. Not because 'we know it all' but because we want the very best for all young people.

If you saw a child about to put their hand into a fire or run into a road, wouldn't you try to stop them?

Shared wisdom is like treasure to those who listen, especially when that wisdom comes from God. We'd be stupid not to listen! Oh yeah?

Read verses 1-12 and then take a look at each verse individually. Look at what it says about wisdom or the consequences of wisdom:

Verse 1

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(ANSWER: Don't forget teaching given to you by God, from the Bible or from others)

Verse 2

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(ANSWER: Long life and success. This doesn't simply mean life on earth!)

Verse 3

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(ANSWER: Don't ever forget kindness and truth in all you do)

Verse 4

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(ANSWER: This leads to respect in the eyes of God and man. This pleases God and man/woman)

Verse 5

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(ANSWER: Trust God with all your heart. Don't depend on yourself but on God)

Verse 6

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(ANSWER: This leads to respect in the eyes of God and man/woman. Remember the Lord in all you do and he'll give you success - this may be in God's eyes and not other people's eyes!)

Verse 7

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(ANSWER: Don't depend on your own wisdom. Fear/respect God and don't do wrong)

Verse 8

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(ANSWER: Consequence of this is a healthy body and strong bones)

Verse 9

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(ANSWER: Honour God with all you have. Give him the first in all you do and have)

Verse 10

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(ANSWER: Then you'll have all you need to eat and live)

Verse 11

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(ANSWER: Don't reject God's discipline or get angry because of it)

Verse 12

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(ANSWER: God corrects those he loves, like a parent correcting a child)

Nice one! Now read Proverbs 3.21-26 out loud within the group..

QUESTION - What other things does God promise as a result of wisdom?

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(ANSWER: give you life, an inner beauty, safety, peace, freedom from fear, God's protection)

How can we respond to all of this?

1. We can ask God for forgiveness for our sin and for not putting him first and for relying on our own wisdom not his.

2. We can tell God we intend to change and put him first and depend on him alone.

3. We can ask God for wisdom. Also understanding, good judgment, insight, street wisdom, common sense.

4. We can take a check on our motivations in life.

5. The Bible is a mirror that you hold up to your own life to see how you reflect what God says. If you're like me then you'll fail pretty badly in light of what God says! But we can change in areas that God reveals. We need God's help so ask the Holy Spirit to help you make the changes you know deep down that you need