Greetings Church,
As we continue our series on wisdom, this week we will explore how we grow in wisdom.
Questions for Small Groups:
To start your group, have everyone share one way they have seen God at work in their life this week.
I. The pursuit of wisdom.
1. Read Proverbs 2 and look for the words or phrases that describe our pursuit of wisdom. Wisdom is something we must desire. Do you desire wisdom?
II. The path of wisdom.
2. Pastor Mark said “wisdom is a path, not a door.” In what way have you seen this truth of wisdom as a path in your own life (daily, repeated, steady obedience)? In what ways have you expected wisdom to be a door (a quick solution)?
III. The process of wisdom.
If wisdom is a path, then what are the steady, repeated ways that we move along this path?
3. Pursuing God through his word:
How do you pursue God through His word?
Read Proverbs 2:5 and 3:3. Do you seek to know the fear of the Lord- his steadfast love and faithfulness as you read and study God’s word? What are you looking for when you read the Bible?
4. Self Examination:
Read Proverbs 3:5-8. Are you “wise in your own eyes” or are you aware of your own foolishness? Remember the love and faithfulness of God allows us to be honest with ourselves and others.
5. Suffering:
Read Proverbs 3:11-12. Why does God allow us to suffer and go through discipline? Have you ever experienced a trial that brought you closer to the love and wisdom of God?
IV. The person of wisdom.
6. Pastor Mark said that “we gain wisdom through suffering” is an insufficient or incomplete answer to our suffering. There must be a deeper wisdom than this.
Read Proverbs 30:1-4. Notice the suffering of Agur. What does he long for?
7. Read John 3:13-16. Jesus says that HE is the one that Agur longed for- the one who ascended into Heaven (because he descended from Heaven) and found true wisdom. Jesus then begins to predict his death.
“Unless you see the cross as the ultimate wisdom of God, you will never walk the path of life.” What does this statement mean? What does it mean to you?
Or to ask it another way: How does the death of Jesus on the cross (the gospel) provide us with ultimate wisdom, especially when it comes to our suffering? Our innocent suffering? Our guilty suffering?
8. Read the Fighter Verse one more time- Proverbs 3:5-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths.
How does the death of Jesus for you and with you allow you to trust God with your whole heart?
