Wildside 11.17.19

Wildside November, 17, 2019

Wisdom for God’s People

Bible Passage: ; ;

Main Point: Wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God through His Word.

Small Group Opening

(10–15 minutes)

Large Group Bible Study

(25–30 minutes)

Small Group activities

(25–30 minutes)

Leader BIBLE STUDY

“Look both ways before crossing the street.” “Don’t touch the stove; it’s hot.” “Stay in your seat.” Young children need to hear these instructions because left to their own devices, most would run into traffic, burn their hands on stove tops, and meander around the dining room.

As young children discover the world and begin to understand how it works, they are prone to making foolish decisions. So it is with sinners.

On our own, we would trust in ourselves and lean on our own understanding. (See ) We would turn toward evil, rather than away from it. (See ) We would despise the Lord’s discipline. (See .) Our lives would end in destruction. But in His great mercy, God has given to us in His Word the Book of Proverbs.

When Solomon became king, God told Solomon he could ask for anything. Solomon asked for wisdom. Wisdom is the knowledge and understanding of what is right, true, honest, and fair. Solomon wrote down many wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs. God empowered Solomon to lead God’s people well, and other kings and queens traveled from far away to learn from him.

The proverbs teach us that there are two ways to live: a wise way and a foolish way. God made the world and He knows how it works best. He made people and knows the best way for them to live and have joy. Our sin makes us foolish, but wisdom comes from God.

Solomon was a wise leader, but more than 900 years later, God provided someone greater than Solomon—His Son, Jesus. (See .) As you teach, help kids understand that the gospel—the good news of what Jesus has done for sinners—“seems foolish to those who are lost and dying. But it is God’s power to us who are being saved” ().

The BIBLE Story

Wisdom for God’s People

; ;

When David’s son Solomon became king, God told Solomon he could ask for anything he wanted. King Solomon asked God to make him wise, so God gave Solomon wisdom. Solomon’s wisdom helped him understand how to make right choices and live in a way that pleased God. Other kings and queens came from far away to learn from Solomon.

Solomon wrote down many wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs to help people live wisely. These are some of the words Solomon wrote.

“These proverbs are good for teaching you wisdom, for giving you understanding, and for leading you to what is right, honest, and fair. There is wisdom for everyone—for young people and old people. If you really want to be wise, begin by fearing the Lord. Only foolish people ignore wisdom and instruction.

“Listen to the things I am teaching you. They will help you live a long life and be successful. Never let go of love and truth. Then you will find favor with God and with man.

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; think about Him in all your ways and He will guide you on the right path.

“Do not pretend to know everything. Run to God, and run away from evil. Then you will be healthy and strong. Honor God with everything you have, and give Him the first and the best. You will have more than you need.

“When God disciplines you, do not hate His instruction. God trains those He loves, like a father trains his son.

“Listen to my advice. I am teaching you how to be wise. Stay away from people who do evil. Do not act like they do. Evil people are always making trouble. They hurt others and make foolish decisions. But a wise person is like the sun in the morning. They shine brighter throughout the day. A foolish person is like darkness. They can’t even see what makes them trip and fall.”

Christ Connection: Wisdom comes from God. He made the world and knows how it works best. Everyone is born a foolish sinner, but God sent His Son to earth to save us. The Bible says that Jesus is the wisdom of God. Jesus makes us wise and holy. He frees us from sin. (,)

Small Group Opening

Session Title: Wisdom for God’s People

Bible Passage: ; ;

Main Point: Wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God through His Word.

Welcome time

Greet each kid as he or she arrives. Use this time to connect to your group and make sure each student is checked in.

As kids arrive, lead them to talk about wisdom. What is wisdom? What does a wise person look like? Who is the wisest person you know?

Table Wars

Transition to large group

Large Group LEADER

Session Title: Wisdom for God’s People

Bible Passage: ; ;

Main Point: Wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God through His Word.

Countdown

Show the countdown video as your kids arrive, and set it to end as large group time begins.

Remember,a couple weeks ago we talked about this man… Solomon, who was the son of King David. God told Solomon he could ask for anything, and God would give it to him. Does anyone remember what Solomon asked for? (Solomon asked God for wisdom to lead God’s people.) Absolutely.

Today’s Bible story is called “Wisdom for God’s People.” We are going to take a look at some of the wisdom God gave Solomon.

Big picture question

Leader • Before we get started, let’s review our big picture question. Where does wisdom come from? Any ideas? [Allow kids to respond.] Wisdom comes from God through His Word. Let’s say that all together. I’ll ask the question, and you answer. Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God through His Word.

Tell the Bible story

Open your Bible to the Book of Proverbs. Let’s watch the Bible story video “Wisdom for God’s People.”

Leader • Solomon wrote down many wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs. God gave Solomon wisdom, and Solomon was the wisest man around! Other kings and queens traveled from far away to learn from him.

These wise sayings are helpful to us. They teach us how to be wise; help us understand the world; and lead us to what is right, honest, and fair.

Solomon wrote that if you want to become wise, begin by fearing the Lord. Do not ignore His wisdom and instruction. Wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word.

The proverbs tell us to trust in the Lord with all our heart. We should not trust in ourselves or our own understanding. Why? Well, who knows how the world works best? God! He created everything!

Without God’s instruction, we are foolish. God gives us wisdom. Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God through His Word. Everyone is born a foolish sinner, but God sent His Son to earth to save us. The Bible says that Jesus is the wisdom of God.

Help kids turn in the Bible to . Call on one kid to read the verse aloud.

Leader • Because of what God has done, those who trust in Jesus belong to Him. Jesus makes us right with God. He makes us wise and holy, and He sets us free from the power of sin.

Key passage

Show the slide of the key passage, . Lead the boys and girls to read the verse.

Leader • Who wrote down the wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs? (Solomon) That’s right! And where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God through His Word. Great job. Let’s practice saying our key passage together.

Review the hand motions for the phrases of the key passage. For example:

Point to head—For the Lord gives wisdom;

Point to mouth—from His mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Stand up tall with hands on hips—He stores up success for the upright;

Hold arms vertically in front of body like a shield—He is a shield for those who live with integrity.

Guide kids to read the key passage several times as they do the motions.

Discussion starter video

Leader • Have any of you ever thought you were doing something wise, only to find out you were being foolish? Check out this video.

Show the “Unit 11, Session 2” discussion starter video. Guide kids to discuss where wisdom comes from. Can anyone be truly wise without God?

Leader • Wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His instruction. God knows how the world works best; He created everything! God gives us instructions in the Bible. Apart from Him, we are naturally foolish.

Pray

Allow kids to share prayer requests. Invite kids to pray before dismissing to small groups.

Leader • Lord God, You tell us in the Bible that if we lack wisdom, we can ask You for it and You will give it to us! Father, please give us wisdom! Help us to understand Your Word. Help us to obey Your instructions and to trust in You. We love You! Amen.

Dismiss to small groups

Small Group LEADER

Session Title: Wisdom for God’s People

Bible Passage: ; ;

Main Point: Wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word.

Key Passage:

Big Picture Question: Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God through His Word.

Key passage activity (5 minutes)

Look up the key passage and lead kids to read it aloud together. If your group made posters for key words during the first session, ask four volunteers to hold up the posters as kids say the key passage.

Challenge kids to say using only the key words as prompts.

Say • The Lord gives wisdom! Can anyone tell me what wisdom is? Wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word.

Bible story review

Instruct kids to open their Bibles to the Book of Proverbs. Tell them that Proverbs is located after the Book of Psalms, which is in the middle of the Bible.

Say • Did you know that King Solomon collected 3,000 proverbs? [See .] Some of these wise sayings are here for us to read. Can anyone tell me why these proverbs are helpful to us? [Invite kids to respond.] These proverbs help us know how life works best. They are good for teaching us wisdom; for giving us understanding; and for leading us to what is right, honest, and fair.

Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God through His Word. Wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word.

Let’s explore some proverbs now.

Form three groups of kids. Give each team a piece of paper and a pencil. Designate one kid in each group to be the writer. The writer should record the group’s assignment:

Group 1:

Group 2:

Group 3:

Instruct kids to find the reference in the Bible and read it together as a group. Groups should talk about how the proverb might be useful in their own lives.

After a couple of minutes, call on groups to explain what their proverb says about people who are wise. What does it say about people who are foolish? Clarify as needed:

—Spending time with wise people will make you wise. Spending time with foolish people will get you into trouble.

—The wise are careful and avoid evil. Fools are careless and easily angered.

—A wise son makes his father glad. A foolish son dislikes his mother.

Activity choice (if you have extra time)

Option 1: Wise man says

Invite kids to play an active game. Explain that kids should listen to your words. If the words describe someone who is foolish, they should stand in place and cross their arms. If the words describe someone who is wise, they should jump up and down.

Read the following statements one at a time, allowing kids to respond accordingly:

I will listen and learn. (wise, )

I ignore instruction. (foolish, )

I trust in the Lord with all my heart. (wise, )

I trust in myself. (foolish, )

I plan evil against my neighbor. (foolish, )

I am slow to get angry. (wise, )

I’m happy when my enemy falls. (foolish, )

I am prideful. (foolish, )

I am humble. (wise, )

Say • Great job! You were able to detect the wise and foolish statements. Wisdom is fearing the Lord and obeying His Word. We can trust that God’s instructions for us are best because He knows how the world works best. He created everything!

You know, the Bible says that the gospel—the good news of what Jesus has done for sinners—“seems foolish to those who are lost and dying” (). Some people hear that Jesus came to save people from sin, and they don’t believe it! They think it is foolish. But for everyone who hears the gospel and trusts in Jesus, the gospel is God’s power. It is a gift of grace to be received with gladness.

prayer

Distribute pencils and prayer cards.

Say • Where does wisdom come from? Wisdom comes from God through His Word. [Hold up a Bible.] This—the Bible—is God’s Word. Solomon wrote down many wise sayings in the Book of Proverbs. Write on your prayer card some words of wisdom you have learned from the Bible.

Kids may also browse the Book of Proverbs for a wise saying and copy it onto their card.

Ask for prayer requests and close in prayer.