Proverbs 19
Proverbs describing life and encouraging wisdom.
- Proverbs like verse 6 simply state “how things are”—it does not necessarily recommend it.
- Young ladies, gain God’s wisdom now (v. 14)! You don’t become prudent when you get married—it does not depend on the status of your relationship.
- External discipline is only as effective as the character of the heart (v. 25).
Proverbs 18
Proverbs contrasting righteousness (wisdom) and wickedness (foolishness).
- Verses 1–2 provide helpful counsel for growing in wisdom. Why are they true?
- What is the point of verse 17? How could it be applied in a family? Church? Work? Media? Government?
Proverbs 17
Proverbs contrasting righteousness (wisdom) and wickedness (foolishness).
- Compare verse 14 with verses 27–28.
Proverbs 16
Proverbs contrasting righteousness (wisdom) and wickedness (foolishness).
- In Bible times merchants had bags with weights for their scales, and they could cheat customers by adding to or taking away from the bags (v. 11).
- How valuable is wisdom to you (v. 16)? How is that proven in your life?
Proverbs 15
Proverbs contrasting righteousness (wisdom) and wickedness (foolishness).
- Apply verse 14 to our entertainment and amusement oriented society.
- What is emphasized and esteemed in verses 16–17?
- Why is verse 28 true?
Proverbs 14
Proverbs contrasting righteousness (wisdom) and wickedness (foolishness).
- What is the principle of verse 7? Why is this so?
- Why is verse 30 true? Which does Christianity produce and encourage? Which does Hollywood and the media produce and encourage? Remember what Solomon taught in 2:1–4, 10; 3:3, 5; 4:4, 20–27.
Proverbs 13
Proverbs contrasting righteousness (wisdom) and wickedness (foolishness).
- The idea of “insolence” (v. 10) is brazen, cocky, contemptuous—the opposite of humble.
Proverbs 12
Proverbs contrasting righteousness (wisdom) and wickedness (foolishness).
- As you read these proverbs, prayerfully apply specific ones that you know address an area in your life.
- What is verse 23 getting at?
- How would you apply verse 25?
Proverbs 4
Gaining God’s wisdom demands devoting yourself to God’s ways and staying far from the path of evil.
- In order to have God’s wisdom you must do your part (vv. 14–15). What are some of the “paths” and “ways” of the wicked today that you must stay far away from?
- Verses 20–27 detail how to devote yourself to acquiring wisdom (v. 7). Prayerfully crawl through these verses and make application to your life.
Psalm 150
A final call to praise the Lord.
1 Where God should be praised
2 Why God should be praised
3–5 How God should be praised
6 Who should praise God
Psalm 149
Israel’s praise to God for his blessings.
1 Call to praise
2–4 God’s salvation of Israel
5–9 God’s judgment of the nations through Israel
- Have you meditated recently on God’s grace in your salvation (v. 4)?
- Verses 6–9 may seem out of place, but Israel was God’s “tool” of judgment on pagan, idolatrous nations. In fact, note the middle of verse 9!
Psalm 148
All creation called to praise the Lord.
1–6 Praising God in the heavens
7–12 Praising God on the earth
13–14 Praise of God by Israel
- All creation—including you—is to praise the Lord. Are you? Do you?
- Note verses 5–6 and 13–14 for reasons why God should be praised.
