YOG - February 14, 2024

Intro

Puzzling Question

What is as light as a feather, but even the world’s strongest man couldn’t hold it for more than a minute?

breath

Two Truths and a Lie

Joe

I played college basketball

I was trapped under the tarp at Kauffman Stadium

Before I could propose to my wife I had to get permission from an NFL head coach. Select a student to go next week

Valentine’s

Open in Prayer

Winning: Proverbs 7

Intro Questions

We saw this Sunday, but what does it look like to win the Super Bowl?

What do you want to win at?

What does that look like?

Imagine yourself 60 years from now, what do you want your life to look like? What do you want to have accomplished?

How do you get there?

Proverbs 7:7–27 CSB

I saw among the inexperienced, I noticed among the youths, a young man lacking sense. Crossing the street near her corner, he strolled down the road to her house at twilight, in the evening, in the dark of the night. A woman came to meet him dressed like a prostitute, having a hidden agenda. She is loud and defiant; her feet do not stay at home. Now in the street, now in the squares, she lurks at every corner. She grabs him and kisses him; she brazenly says to him, “I’ve made fellowship offerings; today I’ve fulfilled my vows. So I came out to meet you, to search for you, and I’ve found you. I’ve spread coverings on my bed— richly colored linen from Egypt. I’ve perfumed my bed with myrrh, aloes, and cinnamon. Come, let’s drink deeply of lovemaking until morning. Let’s feast on each other’s love! My husband isn’t home; he went on a long journey. He took a bag of silver with him and will come home at the time of the full moon.” She seduces him with her persistent pleading; she lures with her flattering talk. He follows her impulsively like an ox going to the slaughter, like a deer bounding toward a trap until an arrow pierces its liver, like a bird darting into a snare— he doesn’t know it will cost him his life. Now, sons, listen to me, and pay attention to the words from my mouth. Don’t let your heart turn aside to her ways; don’t stray onto her paths. For she has brought many down to death; her victims are countless. Her house is the road to Sheol, descending to the chambers of death.

I heard a pastor once say that our direction determines our destination.

Or, let’s think of it another way. Let’s imagine I want to lose weight. I really want to lose weight, my desire is there but I also have a habit of grabbing 3-4 munchers donuts every morning. My desire might be there, but my actions and my direction aren’t going to lead me to weight loss.

Or, let’s imagine that I want to go to Florida on Spring Break. My intention is get to the beach so I can just relax all week. So, I jump on I-70 and I start driving West. I’m going to run into a problem. My intention and dream might be Florida, but my direction is taking me somewhere else.

Or, let’s think of it one another way. Let’s say you want to learn a foreign language because you’re going on vacation. What steps do you take to do that?

So, my question is this, where do you want to go? My hope is that you all desire to grow deeper in your faith and that when you’re 75 that you are first and foremost a mature, committed Christ-follower.

How do you get there? Our lives, our habits, our thoughts have to reflect that desire. We have to take steps today to grow in our obedience, our holiness, our wisdom so that we can eventually reach our goal.

Regularly Scheduled Lesson

Introduction

Is quality or quantity most important in friendship? Why?

What is hard for you about being a friend or having friends?

WHOM TO AVOID…

Read Prov 18:24

Proverbs 18:24 CSB

One with many friends may be harmed, but there is a friend who stays closer than a brother.

What do you think Solomon is trying to say here?

In each of the following passages, Solomon says it is wise to avoid certain kinds of people. He also tells us why. Paraphrase his advice in your own words. (tip: assign the passages to your group

so you can read one after the other)

Passages

Prov 20:19 / 22:24-25 / 23:6-8

Proverbs 20:19 CSB

The one who reveals secrets is a constant gossip; avoid someone with a big mouth.

Proverbs 22:24–25 CSB

Don’t make friends with an angry person, and don’t be a companion of a hot-tempered one, or you will learn his ways and entangle yourself in a snare.

Proverbs 23:6–8 CSB

Don’t eat a stingy person’s bread, and don’t desire his choice food, for it’s like someone calculating inwardly. “Eat and drink,” he says to you, but his heart is not with you. You will vomit the little you’ve eaten and waste your pleasant words.

Whom to avoid? Reasons why?

Look up the next few passages and paraphrase these negative character traits to avoid in a friend.

Proverbs 16:28 CSB

A contrary person spreads conflict, and a gossip separates close friends.

Proverbs 25:19 /

Proverbs 25:19 CSB

Trusting an unreliable person in a difficult time is like a rotten tooth or a faltering foot.

Proverbs 26:18–19 CSB

Like a madman who throws flaming darts and deadly arrows, so is the person who deceives his neighbor and says, “I was only joking!”

WHOM TO SEEK OUT…

From these Proverbs, describe in your own words the qualities that Solomon considers to be sought out in good friends.

Proverbs 11:13 / 17:17 / 27:9

Proverbs 11:13 CSB

A gossip goes around revealing a secret, but a trustworthy person keeps a confidence.

Proverbs 17:17 CSB

A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for a difficult time.

Proverbs 27:9 CSB

Oil and incense bring joy to the heart, and the sweetness of a friend is better than self-counsel.

What do you think Solomon is saying in Prov 27:6?

Helpful quote: “A loving knife that cuts out sin is far safer and better for us than hate-filled lips that encourage us to sin.”

How does Prov 27:17 relate to friendships?

Application:

In what areas do you need to grow in being a better friend?

Of the 4 biblical characteristics Tyler talked about in the large group (constancy, candor, carefulness, council) which of these do you feel is your greatest strength in a friendship?