week of 8/31

Unit 12  Session 5

LEARN GOD'S WISDOM

Proverbs 4:10-19

 

Key Concept:

Staying focused on God's path keeps us from stumbling.

Like Ecclesiastes, Proverbs is a Bible book in the genre of wisdom literature. Many of the proverbs were written by Solomon. A proverb is simply a short saying stating general truth or advice. The Biblical proverbs teach the fear of the Lord and give advice for covenant living in everyday situations and relationships. Proverbs covers many topics and can feel random or disjointed, but it has a few major themes: God's will is practical, and following His will leads to happiness and usefulness, but living this way takes work, study, and discipline. There's no middle way or compromise when it comes to living faithfully in covenant with God.

As you read Proverbs 4:10-19:

✞   Recognize that God's words are wisdom for the right path, leading

    to long life.

     

✞   Note that neglecting God's words leads us down a difficult and 

    foolish path.

       

week of 8/24

Unit 12  Session 4

SHARE GOD'S WISDOM

1 Kings 10:1-10

 

Key Concept:

Sharing God's wisdom points people to Him.

When the Lord gave Solomon the opportunity to ask for anything of Him, Solomon humbly requested wisdom. This pleased the Lord, Who also blessed Solomon with great wealth and honor. News of Solomon's wealth, renown, and especially his wisdom spread among the nations surrounding Israel, and emissaries were sent from those nations to listen to and learn from Solomon's great wisdom. The queen of Sheba - modern-day Ethiopia or Yemen - was one who came to Jerusalem to see for herself if what she had heard about King Solomon was true. 

As you read 1 Kings 10:1-10:

✞   Consider that as believers, we always have opportunities to share

    godly wisdom with others.

     

✞   Recognize that as we live out our faith, God's love should be seen 

    by others who don't yet know Him.

week of 8/17

Unit 12  Session 3

LIVE WITH WISDOM

ECCLESIASTES 3:1-15

 

Key Concept:

God's timing is perfect, and everything is a gift from God.

Wisdom literature in the Bible includes the books of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Songs. This genre wasn't unique to ancient Israel but was popular throughout the ancient Near East. Nations such as Egypt and Babylon wrote down wise sayings before Israel did. In Scripture, however, the wisdom books only address one God and generally speak to human flourishing by living according to God's holy will.

As you read Ecclesiastes 3:1-15:

✞   Acknowledge that while we long to know the future, only God knows

    His purpose for everything.

     

✞   Celebrate that God is awe-inspiring and just in all His ways.

week of 8/10

Unit 12  Session 2

WORK WITH WISDOM

1 KINGS 6:8-413; 38:3-11

 

Key Concept:

God desires to dwell with His people.

King Solomon grew in the Lord's wisdom, gaining fame as the wisest person on earth (1 Kings 4:29-34). Israel flourished under his rule, and the Lord gave His people peace on all sides from conflict or war. Solomon then turned his attention to the construction of the temple for the Lord that God and David had appointed him to build. First Kings 6-7 details the building and furnishings of the temple with a brief interruption describing the building of Solomon's palace (7:1-12). After completing the temple, Solomon assembled the people of Israel to celebrate the ark of the covenant being brought within its sacred walls.

As you read 1 Kings 6:8-13 ; 8:3-11:

✞   Notice that God reminded Solomon that walking in His ways was the

    prerequisite for His dwelling with His people.

     

✞   Reflect upon God's glory, which is more magnificent than any building

    human beings could make to contain it.