Week 49: August 16-21
Proverbs 1-9
GodSpeak readings for each day are listed below. Click the link to read the section and/or listen online. A discussion question is listed below for you to use in your GodSpeak group session or for discussion with others who are reading along.
Monday, August 16 Proverbs 1-3 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
1. Solomon, inspired by the Holy Spirit, says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom” (Proverbs 1:7). What is the “fear of the Lord”? See Ecclesiastes 12:13; Psalm 111:10; Psalm 112:1; 1 Peter 3:15). Nicodemus was a wise man who wanted to be taught by Jesus. Jesus taught him the truth (John 3:11), the essence of which was the Gospel (John 3:16). How is John 3:21 related to the fear of the Lord? How might we show that we fear the Lord? How is this passage related to Christian education?
2. As you read and meditate on Proverbs 2 and 3, remember that the wisdom spoken of here is wisdom from God (Proverbs 2:6) and wisdom that fears the Lord (Proverbs 1:7). It is wisdom that proceeds from faith in Christ, “in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge” (Colossians 2:3). Make a list of the blessings that Solomon says such Godly wisdom brings to people. How does Godly wisdom protect a person? Identify and discuss several things that a person with Godly wisdom will do. Pray that you can live a life that exhibits Godly wisdom.
Tuesday, August 17 Proverbs 4 Read & Listen Online (Click “Audio” link to listen)
3. In Proverbs 4 Solomon says that his father, David, taught him something important that he now wanted his own children to really absorb (Proverbs 4:3–4). What was this important bit of “sound learning” (Proverbs 4:2)? See Proverbs 4: 14, 23, 27. What experiences did David have that would make this message so important to him that he would want Solomon to really remember it? See 1 Samuel 16:7, 12; 1 Samuel 18:1–4, 17–19; 1 Samuel 23:1–5; 1 Samuel 24:3-7; 2 Samuel 11:1-5, 14; 2 Samuel 13:22. How is Solomon’s message applicable to us today? When we fall, what is the Lord’s Word to us through Peter, another who failed in this respect (1 Peter 2:24)?