Proverbs 31
I. Proverbs: A FATHER’S ADVICE (Proverbs 1-9)
A. PURSUE Lady WISDOM
1. She is a GUARDIAN to Those Who LOVE Her (4:5-9)
2. She is a TREE of LIFE for Those Who HOLD FAST to Her (3:13-18)
3. She is a FEAST for Those Who are HUNGRY (9:1-6)
4. She is WOVEN into the FABRIC of the UNIVERSE (3:19-20; 8:22-31)
B. FLEE from Lady FOLLY
1. She is DEATH to the SEDUCED (7:21-27)
2. She is RUIN to the ARROGANT (5:11-14)
II. Wisdom and the NEED for HUMILITY
A. The FEAR of the LORD (1:7; 8:13; 9:10; 16:9)
B. The NEED for DISCIPLINE (10:17; 12:1; 13:1,18,24; 22:6)
C. The COMPLEXITY of LIFE (26:4-5; 14:4; 16:25)
III. The END of Proverbs (Proverbs 31:10-31)
A. This is NOT a CHECKLIST (v. 10, 29)
B. Called into a RELATIONSHIP of BLESSING (4:5-9; 7:4-5; 31:11-12,23)
C. JESUS is Wisdom from GOD (I Cor. 1:27-30)
Questions for Further Reflection
1. Kid’s Question: What’s the best advice someone has ever given you? What is the best piece of advice you can offer?
2. How do the portraits of Lady Wisdom and Lady Folly affect the way you view wisdom?
3. Why do you think images from the Garden of Eden keep popping up in Wisdom Literature(Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon)?
4. Humility has been a constant theme for us this summer in both Ecclesiastes and James.Now we see it in Proverbs. Why is humility so crucial to wisdom?
5. In what ways are you tempted towards a false humility? How do you know when you aretruly being humble?
6. Which of the 3 themes we explored under point II is most difficult for you to embrace?How might you invite God to grow you in this area?
7. What has been your understanding of Proverbs 31? How has this affected your view ofyourself or others? Do you agree with Jake’s interpretation?
8. Do you worship a God who burdens you or a God who invites you into relationship?
9. What do you think it looks like to wait on God?