Lesson 4
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Lesson 4
People, Wise and Otherwise
(KEY VERSES: PROVERBS 1:7; 2:1–22; 3:7; 8:13; 14:6, 15–16; 15:5; 21:24; 26:3–12; 29:9)
Before you begin …
Getting Started
From the Commentary
The book of Proverbs is basically about different kinds of people, what they believe and do, and how they interact with one another. People create circumstances that are good and bad, and you and I have to deal with people and circumstances as we go through life. Solomon’s aim in writing this book is to help us become skillful in relating to both people and circumstances so that we can make a success out of life to the glory of God.
—Be Skillful, page 75
1. People who are Christians and non-Christians often quote proverbs to one another that come straight out of Scripture (whether they know it or not). From what you’ve read so far in Proverbs, what makes it such a treasure trove of wisdom? How can the wisdom you’ve discovered so far be applied to marriages? Friendships? Work relationships? Our relationship with God?
More to Consider: Read 2 Timothy 3:15. How is a saving faith the first step toward wisdom?
2. Read this week’s key verses (Prov. 1:7; 2:1–22; 3:7; 8:13; 14:6, 15–16; 15:5; 21:24; 26:3–12; 29:9). Which of these verses is most meaningful to you? Explain.
Going Deeper
From the Commentary
Wise people listen to wise instruction, especially the Word of God.
This means that we must diligently spend time reading and studying the Word of God, appropriating its truths into our hearts, and obeying what God commands (2:1–9). It isn’t enough to own a study Bible and read books about the Bible, helpful as they are. It’s one thing to know about the Bible and quite something else to hear God speak through His Word and teach us His wisdom so that we become more like Jesus Christ.
—Be Skillful, page 76
3. What are the moral benefits of wisdom as noted in Proverbs 2:1–22? How does wisdom help us to know the right path to take in life? How does discretion protect you (v. 11)? How does it protect you from the adulteress (v. 16)?
From the Commentary
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom” (Prov. 1:7). “Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and depart from evil” (Prov. 3:7 NKJV).… Fearing the Lord means respecting Him so that we obey His will and seek to honor His name. Fearing the Lord is the opposite of tempting the Lord by deliberately disobeying Him and then daring Him to intervene.
—Be Skillful, page 77
4. Read Philippians 2:12 and Psalm 2:11. How do these verses speak to the idea that the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom? What are some practical ways we go about “fearing the Lord” in our daily walk? How is “fearing the Lord” different from being afraid of God?
From the History Books
Sometimes the charisma of a leader is what draws people to follow him or her. Throughout history, there are many examples of leaders who gain substantial followings and then lead them down paths that are anything but wise. The most notorious of these is certainly Adolf Hitler, whose brilliance as a strategist and influence over a culture were matched only by the evil path that he led his people down. But there are many other examples that illustrate how difficult it can be sometimes to know if the person you’re following is a wise leader. This is true not only with leaders of nations, but also with leaders of companies and even families.
5. What can compel people to follow leaders who are doing unwise things? What are some good guidelines to heed when considering the leaders you follow? How can Solomon’s advice assist in the assessment of potential leaders?
From the Commentary
“A wise man fears and departs from evil, but a fool rages and is self-confident” (14:16 NKJV). If we fear the Lord, we will hate evil (8:13; see Ps. 97:10; Rom. 12:9). The self-confident person isn’t wise. Joshua was self-confident and lost a battle (Josh. 7); Samson was self-confident and became a prisoner (Judg. 16:20ff.); Peter was self-confident and betrayed the Lord three times (Luke 22:33–34). “Therefore let him who thinks he stands take heed lest he fall” (1 Cor. 10:12 NKJV).
Wise people don’t take unnecessary chances and experiment to see how close they can get to the precipice without falling off.
—Be Skillful, page 79
6. What is the difference between appropriate confidence and foolish confidence? What are examples of “unnecessary chances” that fools often take? (Think in terms of the workplace, the home, relationships, and even church situations.) How do you know if you’re taking a wise risk and not an unnecessary one?
More to Consider: The wicked and their wickedness are mentioned at least one hundred times in Proverbs. Read Proverbs 6:12–19. How does this passage summarize the wicked? What are the characteristics of someone who is wicked?
From the Commentary
The simple are the naive people who believe everything because they don’t have convictions about anything. What they think is sophisticated “tolerance” is only spiritual ignorance, because they lack the ability to discriminate between truth and error. “A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps” (14:15 NIV). Charles R. Bridges writes, “To believe every word of God is faith. To believe every word of man is credulity.”
—Be Skillful, pages 87–88
7. What are some examples from your experience (or observation) that illustrate the truth “A prudent man gives thought to his steps”? Why is it important to test the words of man when considering them? How do we go about testing those words? How can God’s Word help us in that effort?
From the Commentary
Scorners think they know everything, and anybody who tries to teach them is only wasting time. “Proud and haughty scorner [scoffer] is his name” (21:24). Scorners can’t find wisdom even if they seek for it (14:6), because learning God’s truth demands a humble mind and an obedient will. What scorners lack in knowledge they make up for in arrogance.
—Be Skillful, page 89
8. Who are examples of “scorners” in popular culture? What makes these people so arrogant? What is the line between appropriate confidence and inappropriate arrogance?
From the Commentary
In Proverbs, three different Hebrew words are translated “fool”: kesyl, the dull, stupid fool who is stubborn; ewiyl, the corrupt fool who is morally perverted and unreasonable; and nabal, the fool who is like a stubborn animal, the brutish fool. In this summary of the characteristics of the fool, we’ll combine the verses and not distinguish the three different types. After all, fools are fools, no matter what name we give them!
[The problem with fools] is their hearts.… “There is no fear of God before their eyes” (Rom. 3:18).
A fool’s own father can’t instruct him (Prov. 15:5), and if you try to debate with him, it will only lead to trouble (29:9). Why? Because fools actually enjoy their folly and think they’re really living!
—Be Skillful, page 91
9. What are some modern examples of Solomon’s “fools” as described in Proverbs 15:5 and 29:9? Why is it useless to debate with fools? What is the difference between a fool as described in Proverbs and someone who just makes a foolish decision?
From the Commentary
Fools don’t learn from their mistakes but go right back to the same old mess, like a dog returning to eat his vomit (Prov. 26:11). Experience is a good teacher for the wise, but not for fools. This verse is quoted in 2 Peter 2:22 as a description of counterfeit believers who follow false teachers. Like a sow that’s been washed, they look better on the outside; and like a dog that’s vomited, they feel better on the inside; but they’re still not sheep! They don’t have the divine new nature; consequently, they go right back to the old life. Obedience and perseverance in the things of the Lord are proof of conversion.
—Be Skillful, page 96
10. What does Proverbs 26:3–12 teach us about the consequences of giving a fool a job to do? What should our response be to those who choose a life of foolishness?
Looking Inward
Take a moment to reflect on all that you’ve explored thus far in this study of “People, Wise and Otherwise.” 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 listen to wise instruction? How do you discern between wise and foolish advice?
12. Have you ever followed a leader who was doing unwise things? How did you learn the leader wasn’t wise? What did you do in response to this discovery? How does Solomon’s advice to avoid following the foolish or evil leader interact with the Scripture passages that teach us to respect authorities, such as Romans 13:1–7?
13. When have you been a scoffer or scorner? What prompted that behavior? What are practical ways to avoid falling into that trap when you’re tempted to become arrogant?
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 put more energy into recognizing and avoiding foolishness? Do you need to work on avoiding arrogance? 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: Take an informal survey of friends, coworkers, and family members. Ask them to share any “proverbs” they have about life. Don’t prompt them to share specifically from Scripture, just ask for the first thing that comes to mind. Then compare what you collect with what is in Proverbs (an online Bible or concordance program will speed up the process). What does this tell you about the prevalence of Solomon’s wisdom? About the ways people interpret wisdom?
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: