Resources on Life Issues
The Tongue
Proverbs (various) Discussion Questions
Choose Life
Proverbs 9:1-18 9:1 Wisdom has built her house; she has set up its seven pillars.2 She has prepared her meat and mixed her wine; she has also set her table.3 She has sent out her servants, and she calls from the highest point of the city,4 “Let all who are simple come to my house!”To those who have no sense she says,5 “Come, eat my food and drink the wine I have mixed.6 Leave your simple ways and you will live; walk in the way of insight.” 7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults; whoever rebukes the wicked…
Wisdom Calling
Proverbs 8:1-36 1 Does not wisdom call out? Does not understanding raise her voice?2 At the highest point along the way, where the paths meet, she takes her stand;3 beside the gate leading into the city, at the entrance, she cries aloud:4 “To you, O people, I call out; I raise my voice to all mankind.5 You who are simple, gain prudence; you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right.7 My mouth speaks what is…
Sexual Infidelity
Proverbs 6:20-7:27 20 My son, keep your father’s command and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.21 Bind them always on your heart; fasten them around your neck.22 When you walk, they will guide you; when you sleep, they will watch over you; when you awake, they will speak to you.23 For this command is a lamp, this teaching is a light,and correction and instruction are the way to life,24 keeping you from your neighbor’s wife, from the smooth talk of a wayward woman. 25 Do not lust in your heart after her beauty or let…
Resources, Industry, Community
Proverbs 6:1-19 1 My son, if you have put up security for your neighbor, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger,2 you have been trapped by what you said, ensnared by the words of your mouth.3 So do this, my son, to free yourself, since you have fallen into your neighbor’s hands:Go—to the point of exhaustion— and give your neighbor no rest!4 Allow no sleep to your eyes, no slumber to your eyelids.5 Free yourself, like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, like a bird from the snare of…
The Folly of Adultery, the Wisdom of Marriage, & the Gift of Sex
Proverbs 5:1-23 1 My son, pay attention to my wisdom, turn your ear to my words of insight,2 that you may maintain discretion and your lips may preserve knowledge.3 For the lips of the adulterous woman drip honey, and her speech is smoother than oil;4 but in the end she is bitter as gall, sharp as a double-edged sword.5 Her feet go down to death; her steps lead straight to the grave.6 She gives no thought to the way of life; her paths wander aimlessly, but she does not know it. 7 Now then,…
Wisdom in the Heart
Proverbs 4:1-27 1 Listen, my sons, to a father’s instruction; pay attention and gain understanding.2 I give you sound learning, so do not forsake my teaching.3 For I too was a son to my father, still tender, and cherished by my mother.4 Then he taught me, and he said to me, “Take hold of my words with all your heart; keep my commands, and you will live.5 Get wisdom, get understanding; do not forget my words or turn away from them.6 Do not forsake wisdom, and she will protect you; love her, and she will…
Wisdom in the World, Wisdom for the World
Proverbs 3:13-35 13 Blessed are those who find wisdom, those who gain understanding,14 for she is more profitable than silver and yields better returns than gold.15 She is more precious than rubies; nothing you desire can compare with her.16 Long life is in her right hand; in her left hand are riches and honor.17 Her ways are pleasant ways, and all her paths are peace.18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her; those who hold her fast will be blessed. 19 By wisdom the Lord laid the earth’s foundations, by understanding…
Borrowed Strength
Proverbs 3:1-12 1 My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands in your heart,2 for they will prolong your life many years and bring you peace and prosperity. 3 Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart.4 Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;6 in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your…
The Benefits of Wisdom
Proverbs 2:1-22 1 My son, if you accept my words and store up my commands within you,2 turning your ear to wisdom and applying your heart to understanding—3 indeed, if you call out for insight and cry aloud for understanding,4 and if you look for it as for silver and search for it as for hidden treasure,5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord and find the knowledge of God.6 For the Lord gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.7 He holds success in store for the upright, he is a shield to those…
Mother Wisdom’s Cry
Proverbs 1:20-33 20 Out in the open wisdom calls aloud, she raises her voice in the public square;21 on top of the wall she cries out, at the city gate she makes her speech: 22 “How long will you who are simple love your simple ways? How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?23 Repent at my rebuke! Then I will pour out my thoughts to you, I will make known to you my teachings.24 But since you refuse to listen when I call and no one pays attention when I stretch out my…
Father Wisdom’s Warning
Proverbs 1:8-19 8 Listen, my son, to your father’s instruction and do not forsake your mother’s teaching.9 They are a garland to grace your head and a chain to adorn your neck. 10 My son, if sinful men entice you, do not give in to them.11 If they say, “Come along with us; let’s lie in wait for innocent blood, let’s ambush some harmless soul;12 let’s swallow them alive, like the grave, and whole, like those who go down to the pit;13 we will get all sorts of valuable things and fill our houses with plunder;14 cast lots with…