Proverbs
Godly Wisdom
Fearing God
For further reflection: 1. Read Isaiah 55:8-9: “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, Nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, So are My ways higher than your ways And My thoughts than your thoughts.” Then read 1 John 4:16, “God is love, and the one who remains in love remains in God, and God remains in him.” What two different aspects of God’s character do these verses highlight? How does the combination of these two aspects lead us to a fear of the Lord? 2. Read Proverbs 1:7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; Fools despise wisdom and instruction.” Why do you think fear of the Lord cause us to accept his wisdom and instruction? 3. What does fearing God look like in your own life right now? Do you tend to focus more on God’s superiority or God’s love?
Serenity
For further reflection: 1. Read Proverbs 3:5: “Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding.” In this verse, why is trusting in God opposed to leaning on our own understanding? In other words, why can’t we be doing both things at the same time? 2. Read Proverbs 3:6: “In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight.” What does it mean to acknowledge God in all our ways? 3. Where in your life are you trusting in your own perceptions instead of trusting in God?
Self-Awareness
For further reflection: 1. Read Proverbs 4:20&22: “My son, give attention to my words; Incline your ear to my sayings…For they are life to those who find them And health to all their body.” Why do you think the author connects wisdom with life and health? 2. Read John 14:26: “But the Helper, the Holy Spirit whom the Father will send in My name, He will teach you all things, and remind you of all that I said to you.” Why do we need the Holy Spirit to help us with our self-awareness through his teaching and reminding? 3. Practice a self-awareness check-up on your heart. Set a timer for 3 minutes, and let your mind run. Write down every thought, emotion or desire that comes up. Pray and ask God for his grace to help you submit more of your heart to him.
Making Plans
For further reflection: 1. Read Proverbs 16:9: “The mind of man plans his way, But the Lord directs his steps.” We are not in control of the success of our plans. How does the fact that God is in control change your feelings towards your plans? 2. Read Proverbs 16:3: “Commit your works to the Lord And your plans will be established.” Why would committing our current works to God lead to the fulfillment of our future plans? 3. Think about a specific plan in your life that is causing you anxiety. Reflect on what it is that you are trying to control. What would it look like to surrender this to God?
Anger
For further reflection: 1. Read Proverbs 16:32: “He who is slow to anger is better than the mighty, And he who rules his spirit, than he who captures a city.” What is the common denominator between being slow to anger and ruling one’s spirit? In other words, what character trait do you think is necessary to practice both? 2. Read Proverbs 14:30: “A tranquil heart is life to the body, But passion is rottenness to the bones.” According to this verse, what is the effect of harbored anger? 3. Think about a person that is making you angry. Try slowly processing what it is you are angry about. What is it that you are defending? Bring this to God in prayer.
Money
For further reflection: 1. Read Matthew 6:19-21: “Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal; for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Why does the Bible tell us to pursue treasures in heaven over treasures on earth? 2. Read Proverbs 23:4: “Do not weary yourself to gain wealth, Cease from your consideration of it.” How would you convey the attitude towards money this verse advocates for? 3. What does it look like practically for your love of God to dictate how you handle your money?
Friendship
For further reflection: 1. Read Proverbs 18:1-2: “He who separates himself seeks his own desire, He quarrels against all sound wisdom. A fool does not delight in understanding, But only in revealing his own mind." How do these verses characterize social isolation? 2. Read Proverbs 27:5-6: “Better is open rebuke Than love that is concealed. Faithful are the wounds of a friend, But deceitful are the kisses of an enemy.” According to this verse, what is the mark of healthy confrontation within a relationship? 3. First, reflect on the love and compassion God has shown you. Second, think of a tangible way you can show love and compassion to a friend.
Justice
For further reflection: 1. Read Proverbs 21:3: “To do righteousness and justice Is desired by the Lord more than sacrifice.” Why do you think it bothers God when we make sacrifices or engage in religious activity but aren’t actively loving our neighbors? 2. The devotional listed three steps to pursuing justice: 1. Understand 2. Show concern 3. Deliver. Why is it important that we engage in all three of these steps? 3. Reflect on how God has shown concern and love for you. What is one way you can show concern and love for someone else? Reflect on how Jesus defends you, proclaiming your worth and value. How can you defend someone else?
The Godly Woman
For further reflection: 1. Read Proverbs 31:25: “Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.” Why does this woman’s fear of the Lord lead her to possess the qualities described in this verse? 2. Read Proverbs 31:30: “Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.” Keeping in mind that this Proverb was written to a man about what kind of wife he should marry, why do you think it describes charm as deceitful and beauty as vain? 3. Do you feel you are someone who is defined by your fear of the Lord? How would your life look different if more of it was characterized by fearing God? Remember, to fear God is to be in awe of his superiority and his love.
