Wisdom
Notes
Transcript
Handout
Introduction:
Introduction:
Have you ever thought: “I just want to succeed at life.” “I want to win.”
How do you define success?
How do you define winning?
Self-help books reached $813 million in 2023 and the overall industry reached $11 billion in the US.
Often what people want is a quick way to achieve, the cliff notes version of success, or the easy way.
Sort of tells us that the world wants help...or at least think there is someone out there with some answers to their struggles.
Is there an answer?
The reality is yes there is. It is the Lord.
If you are a follower of Christ, this nothing new.
The problem is, we often do not practice what we know to be true.
In the O.T. alone we have three books devoted to teaching us wisdom.
Do you know which three? Job, Ecclesiastes, and Proverbs.
In the N.T. we are told all we, as Christians, have to do is ask...if we want or find ourselves in the need of wisdom.
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.
Let’s be mindful that James was not saying there is no need to study the Word or to grow in knowledge. No, James is reminding that God will grow us in the Word and in practice.
Have you ever considered the word “Wisdom”?
Let’s be mindful:
Wisdom is not intelligence, nor is it capacity.
Wisdom is “the ability to discern or judge right and wrong.” —Millard Erickson, “Concise Dictionary of Christian Theology
Based around this definition alone...we will title this series:
The Two Ways
The Two Ways
The “Wise” Way
The “Foolish” Way
Tonight we will start a study in the book of Proverbs.
I want you to recognize this book, while a collection of writings, is compiled with a specific theme: The Two Ways.
Let’s read the prologue together:
1 The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel:
2 To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight,
3 to receive instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity;
4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—
5 Let the wise hear and increase in learning, and the one who understands obtain guidance,
6 to understand a proverb and a saying, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.
Based on the text: let’s get to the heart of who wrote this book, when, and why.
Date - Completed collection in the 700-686 B.C. range.
Authors: Solomon - at minimum he wrote some and collected some. (Prov. 1:1)
Why? “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction. (Prov. 1:7)
Solomon gives us a clear picture from verses 2-7 the conceptualization of the text...in essence his why?
Often we forget the “why” of what we are doing. Our purposeful intention of beginning down a path.
Let’s process the “Why” of the book from the Prologue...
Solomon says this book is for:
wisdom
instruction
understanding
righteousness
justice
equity
Shrewdness
What Does the Book Do?
What Does the Book Do?
Solomon’s Answer:
Gives Prudence
Discretion
Learning
Guidance
Understanding
Here we start nine chapters with a central purpose:
The next nine chapters deal with the outflow of Prov. 1:4
4 to give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth—
Why do you think people are drawn to the cliff note version of life?
2. Why should we, as Christians, pursue a different definition of success?
3. How is wisdom better than a good vs bad scenario?
4. Why would you say Proverbs is different or better than a new set of ten commandments?
