Proverbs 10
Proverbs contrasting righteousness (wisdom) and wickedness (foolishness).
- Review what wisdom is (see comment at 3:19–20) and Solomon’s teaching about these proverbs (summaries of chapters 1–9).
- “Head” (v. 6) refers to the individual—a figure of speech where a part of the body represents the whole person.
Proverbs 9
The contrasting invitations of wisdom and folly—two paths (wisdom or folly) with two destinations (life or death).
- In verses 7–12, one’s willingness to receive and ability to profit from a rebuke depends entirely on his faith in God.
- What does unbelieving foolishness appeal to (v. 17)? What doesn’t it tell about (v. 18)?
Proverbs 8
The call, character, value, necessity, and blessing of wisdom.
- Verses 7–8 testify what God’s wisdom is and is not characterized by.
- Are you diligently seeking wisdom (v. 17)?
- Where is wisdom found (v. 20)? By implication where is it not found? In what “way” should you walk then?
Proverbs 7
Young people must devote themselves to gaining God’s wisdom so they are protected from immorality.
- As you read verses 6–23 note the character of the young man and the adulteress and make application from that.
- Compare verse 7 with 1:4!
Proverbs 6
The wise person is controlled by God’s Word rather than selfish, sinful impulses.
- Do you love what God loves and hate what God hates (vv. 16–19)
- Why the emphasis on the “heart” and “eyes” (v. 25)? Note the next verse!
- Note the irony of immorality (v. 32)—driven by sensuality and “living life to the fullest,” it actually shows a lack of sense and leads to death.
Proverbs 5
Wisdom protects one from the wiles of immorality.
- Immoral persons do not live for eternity; what do they live for? (VV. 3–6)
- What is the only sure protection from immorality (vv. 7–8)? Application for today?
- Verse 21 states a truth, but truth must be received, understood, and skillfully applied—wisdom.
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.
Proverbs 3
Wisdom is found only by depending on the Lord (vv. 1–12). Wisdom brings God’s blessings (vv. 13–26) and is characterized by obedience to God (vv. 27–35).
- What does true wisdom require and result in (vv. 3–8)?
- Wisdom is the skillful application of truth and knowledge to life. If God created life (vv. 19–20), doesn’t it make sense to seek that wisdom to live life?
- Note who blesses and curses (vv. 32–33)—such is based on your heart and character of life. What do you love?
Proverbs 2
Gain God’s protection from evil by whole-heartedly seeking God’s wisdom.
- How involved do you need to be in seeking the Lord (vv. 1–4)? Are you?
- What will you gain if you seek God’s wisdom (vv. 5–11)? What will happen if you don’t have God’s wisdom?
- There are two specific ways God protects through his wisdom (vv. 12–15, 16–19). What will happen to you if you’re without God’s wisdom?
Proverbs 1
The reasons (vv. 2–6) and theme (v. 7) of Proverbs are stated. The wise person avoids the way of sinners (vv. 8–19) and heeds wisdom’s rebuke (vv. 20–33).
- Verse 7 is Proverbs’ “theme” verse. “Beginning” means foundation (built upon) and fount (springs from).
- Why should you avoid the way of sinners (vv. 16–19)?
- There is great danger in rejecting wisdom—destruction (vv. 26–27, 32–33), trouble (v. 26), and yet more foolishness than they desire (v. 31).
Introduction to the Book of Proverbs
Why Should You Read and Study the Book Of Proverbs? It is a source for navigating life—how to live, what to avoid. It practically teaches how to make God an essential part of your life. God uses Scripture to teach who He is, your sinfulness, and your need of a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. All Scripture is God’s Word, and therefore profitable for teaching, reproof, correction, and training so that believers will be mature and equipped to serve. This book deals with everyday life, which is essential for being and making disciples.
Who Wrote Proverbs? Solomon wrote most of the Proverbs (1:1; 10:1; 25:1; cf. 1 Kings 4:29–32; Eccl 12:9). The last two chapters were written by Agur (30:1) and Lemuel (31:1), of whom we don’t know anything about.
What is a Proverb? A proverb is a compact statement expressing biblical wisdom. Wisdom is skillfully applying God’s Word to life. Proverbs tell what life is like (18:8) and how life should be lived (5:18). They state insights, make observations, and offer advice. Proverbs must be correctly applied—this requires understanding who you’re dealing (people) with and what is going on (circumstances). Proverbs are practical wisdom in the form of (1) Instruction, giving commands with reasons for obedience (22:17–18) and (2) Sentences, making simple observations with no exhortation (22:15). These are gleaned from different settings of life, from the farmer’s field (10:5) to the king’s palace (23:1–3).
What is the Purpose of This Book? To teach God’s people how to live life skillfully (1:2–6). It teaches how to live godly and avoid ungodliness. To be wise is to be skilled at living a godly life. This requires first and foremost a relationship with God, which is what the fear of the Lord means and points to (1:7). “Fear the Lord” is an OT way of saying “saving faith.” It is a controlling reverence and respect for who God is, evidenced in a life of trust, worship, obedience and service. Proverbs taught and shaped God’s people to live godly lives (cf. Deut 6:4–9). Think of Proverbs as a handbook or manual on right living and attitudes that help you live as a believer.
What is the Theme of This Book? Learning to live in the fear of the Lord.
Study Sheet for Sunday, March 9, 2014
These questions will help prepare you for next Sunday afternoon’s lesson which will look at Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 24, Mark 13, and Luke 21, which is called The Olivet Discourse. This teaching was given after Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem (Matt 21; Mark 11; Luke 19) and before His crucifixion.
1. Who—what people—is Jesus’ teaching about (Matt 24:1-2; Mark 13:1-2; Luke 21:1-6)?
2. What are the two questions the disciples asked Jesus (Matthew 24:1-3; Mark 13:1-4; and Luke 21:5-7)?
3. Read Luke 21:7-24. Only Luke records Jesus’ answer to the disciples’ first question. What is the key phrase in Luke 21:12 showing when Jerusalem will be destroyed in relation to Christ’s return?
4. How long would Jerusalem be “trodden down by the Gentiles” (Luke 21:24)?
5. Read Matthew 24:4-26. Matthew’s account (and Mark 13:9-23) answers the disciples’ second question (Luke does not). What does Jesus say will happen and what things will be like in Matthew 24:5-14?
6. What is the “turning point” event in Matthew 24:15? Who does Jesus refer to here? What is the OT passage Jesus refers to?
7. What does Jesus say will happen and what things will be like in Matthew 24:15-28?
8. What does Jesus say will happen next (Matt 24:29-31)? How soon will these things happen (v. 29)?
9. Review—What are the two questions the disciples asked and Jesus answered, and which gospel answers which question?
