Lesson 8
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Lesson 8
God’s Guidance
(KEY VERSES: PROVERBS 2:13, 18, 20; 3:1, 5–6; 6:20; 7:1; 8:20; 12:15, 28; 20:18; 21:2; 27:8; 30:5)
Before you begin …
Getting Started
From the Commentary
Those who obey the wisdom taught in God’s Word will become more skillful in handling the affairs of life. But we must not think that this wisdom is a set of rules or a collection of “success formulas” that anyone can occasionally apply as he or she pleases. Following God’s wisdom is a full-time endeavor.… If you’re concerned with making a life, you must major on building godly character.
This explains why the words righteous and righteousness are used so often in Proverbs. Wisdom leads “in the way of righteousness” (8:20), and “in the way of righteousness is life” (12:28).
The Hebrew words in Proverbs that are translated “righteous,” “righteousness,” “upright,” and “uprightness” describe ethical conduct that conforms to God’s standards and moral character that comes from a right relationship to the Lord and His Word. True righteousness isn’t just toeing the line and obeying the rules. As Jesus teaches in the Sermon on the Mount, it is possible for us to obey the law outwardly while cultivating sin inwardly. It isn’t enough for us not to kill or not to commit adultery; we must also not harbor hatred and lust in our hearts (Matt. 5:21–48).
—Be Skillful, pages 149–50
1. In what ways is following God’s wisdom a full-time endeavor? What is the “way of righteousness” that Solomon refers to in Proverbs 8:20? What does it mean to walk in the way of righteousness? How does listening to God’s instruction help us walk this path?
More to Consider: Read Proverbs 8:6, 8–9 and Psalm 119:138. What do these passages say about God’s Word? What do they tell us about how we ought to respond to God’s words?
2. Read this week’s key verses (Prov. 2:13, 18, 20; 3:1, 5–6; 6:20; 7:1; 8:20; 12:15, 28; 20:18; 21:2; 27:8; 30:5). Which of these verses is most meaningful to you? Explain.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
It is unthinkable that a righteous God would violate His own nature and disobey His own Word by asking His people to be less than righteous. Before He gave Israel His law, God said, “Now therefore, if you will indeed obey My voice and keep My covenant, then you shall be a special treasure to Me above all people … and you shall be to Me a kingdom of priests and a holy nation” (Ex. 19:5–6 NKJV).
The problem, of course, is that people are—people. And that means that they’re sinners. “Every way of a man is right in his own eyes, but the LORD weighs the hearts” (Prov. 21:2 NKJV).
—Be Skillful, page 151
3. Why do so many people believe they know “the right way” to live and don’t need input from outside? How does this arrogance affect our relationship with others? With God? If only God knows the right way, how are we to know when someone is teaching God’s way and not his or her own? What are the markers that help us to know what is God’s truth?
From the Commentary
In our study of Proverbs 2—4, we learned that following the way of wisdom is compared to a pilgrim walking a path. As we follow His wisdom, God protects, directs, and perfects our path. God’s desire for us is that we “walk in the way of goodness, and keep to the paths of righteousness” (2:20 NKJV).
—Be Skillful, page 153
4. Generally speaking, who are some of the evil men who “walk in the ways of darkness” (2:13) or the evil women whose “house leads down to death” (2:18) in the world today? Why do people leave the paths of righteousness in the first place? What draws them from the righteous path?
From Today’s World
As the lines between traditional media and social media are blurred, and the Internet becomes a place of equal access for the wise and the foolish, determining what is good and what is evil can be challenging for those who don’t already know and trust God’s Word. Pools of information with varying reliability and “wisdom” offered by celebrities whose only claim on the public ear is their celebrity status mean it is getting to be more and more difficult to sort through information in search of truth.
5. How do the challenges of this Internet age affect the manner in which we seek out answers to questions, big and small? What are some of the greater concerns this access to information poses? How does this impact the way we are to raise our children or teach others? How do we go about testing the information we find online and elsewhere against God’s Word? In what ways can these new technologies actually help us discover true wisdom?
From the Commentary
“Like a bird that strays from its nest is a man who strays from his home” (27:8 NIV). In our contemporary American society, about 17 percent of the population relocates each year, but in ancient Israel, people stayed close to home. The extended family was the norm, with children and grandchildren learning to revere their ancestors and respectfully learning from them. The person who strayed from home was either up to no good or had to leave because of family problems.
But the verse applies spiritually as well as geographically: We must not stray from the example of our godly ancestors or the spiritual treasures they left us.
—Be Skillful, page 157
6. Why are people so nomadic today? What are the disadvantages of a transient life? What does it mean, metaphorically, to “stray from home”? How can we become spiritually grounded in a home? In what ways is our spiritual grounding a better definition of “home” than the house we live in?
From the Commentary
No matter how we may feel personally about the topic, if we’re going to be skillful in life, we have to understand what God’s will is and how it works in our everyday experiences. In the book of Proverbs, Solomon shares with us the essentials for knowing, doing, and enjoying the will of God.
The first of these is faith.
“Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths” (Prov. 3:5–6 NKJV). These two verses have encouraged believers everywhere in their quest for God’s guidance, and for those who have sincerely met the conditions, the promise has never failed.
—Be Skillful, pages 163–64
7. What does it mean to “trust in the Lord”? How do believers go about trusting “with all their heart”? Why is our own understanding not enough?
From the Commentary
In the book of Proverbs, the wise father repeatedly gives his son loving calls to obedience. “My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands” (3:1 NKJV). “My son, keep your father’s command, and do not forsake the law of your mother” (6:20 NKJV). “My son, keep my words, and treasure my commands within you” (7:1 NKJV). The will of God isn’t a curiosity for us to study, it’s a command for us to obey; God isn’t obligated to reveal His will unless we’re willing to do it.
—Be Skillful, page 166
8. What does Wiersbe mean when he writes, “The will of God isn’t a curiosity for us to study”? What keeps us from being willing to do what God says? What helps us become willing? What do you learn from Proverbs that motivates you to be willing?
More to Consider: The Hebrew word for “acknowledge” in Proverbs 3:6 is the same word used to describe the marriage relationship in Genesis 4:1. How does this shed light on the deeper meaning of Proverbs 3:6?
From the Commentary
In order to “trust in the Lord,” we must have His Word to instruct us, because “faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17 NKJV). Scripture is “the word of faith” (Rom. 10:8) that generates and nourishes faith in our hearts, and we can depend on His Word. “Every word of God is pure; He is a shield to those who put their trust in Him” (Prov. 30:5 NKJV; see 22:17–21).
—Be Skillful, page 167
9. If faith comes by “hearing, and hearing by the word of God” (Rom. 10:17), what are some practical ways Christians can hear the Word of God? How important is regular Bible study to developing our faith? In what ways are God’s words “shields” to those who trust Him (Prov. 30:5)? How can those shields help us in daily life?
From the Commentary
“Plans are established by counsel; by wise counsel wage war” (Prov. 20:18 NKJV). If experienced generals seek counsel as they wage war, shouldn’t we seek counsel for the battles of life? It’s dangerous to rely on our own wisdom and experience and to ignore the wisdom and experience of other believers who have successfully walked with the Lord. “The way of a fool is right in his own eyes, but he who heeds counsel is wise” (12:15 NKJV).
—Be Skillful, pages 168–69
10. What are some of the different ways Christians can seek wise counsel? (See Prov. 23:33; 27:6, 9.) How do people isolate themselves? Why? What are some of the ways the church can help those who tend to isolate themselves from wise counsel?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of “God’s Guidance.” Review your notes and answers and think about how each of these things matters in your life today.
Tips for Small Groups: To get the most out of this section, form pairs or trios and have group members take turns answering these questions. Be honest and as open as you can in this discussion, but most of all, be encouraging and supportive of others. Be sensitive to those who are going through particularly difficult times and don’t press for people to speak if they’re uncomfortable doing so.
11. What are some of the ways you regularly seek God’s wisdom? How do you differentiate between the wisdom of the world and that which comes from God? What resources do you have to help you in this endeavor?
12. In what ways are you transient in your life? What causes you to feel this way? How can the foundation of God’s wisdom help you feel grounded? What are some practical ways you can build that foundation?
13. How much time do you spend regularly in God’s Word? Do you find it easy or difficult to make time for this study? Explain. How do you know if your Bible-study time has become a ritual instead of a meaningful time of hearing God speak? What are some ways to stay fresh and open to God in your study time?
Going Forward
14. Think of one or two things that you have learned that you’d like to work on in the coming week. Remember that this is all about quality, not quantity. It’s better to work on one specific area of life and do it well than to work on many and do poorly (or to be so overwhelmed that you simply don’t try).
Do you need to do something about your tendency to be nomadic and isolated? Do you need to reevaluate your Bible-study habits? Be specific. Go back through the key verses in this lesson and put a star next to the phrase or verse that is most encouraging to you. Consider memorizing this verse.
Real-Life Application Ideas: If you don’t already have time set aside for regular Bible study, consider what sort of system would work best for you. Perhaps first thing in the morning is a good time for reading and hearing God speak through His Word. Or maybe just before bed. As you think about your Bible-study habits, consider also how to approach the Bible with a desire to learn instead of a sense of obligation. Don’t guilt yourself for not reading an hour every day if that’s not the best way for you to grow good study habits. Spend time in prayer, asking God to help you make good choices for study, then trust the Holy Spirit to guide you in this path.
Seeking Help
15. Write a prayer below (or simply pray one in silence), inviting God to work on your mind and heart in those areas you’ve previously noted. Be honest about your desires and fears.
Notes for Small Groups: