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PROVERBS AND GODLY WISDOM
Lesson Twelve
Godly Wisdom Has Incredible Objectives!
Text: Proverbs 8:1-21
The objective of this lesson: To stress that godly wisdom is beneficial.
What good does the “best” of anything do if it is inaccessible? Whether it is the “best solution” to a specific problem, the “best direction” to staying healthy, the “best insight” for a specific sickness, the “best route“ in the challenges of being successful, or the “best guidance” for relationship challenges -- the “best” is of no benefit (no matter how good it is) if it is inaccessible or a mystery. Can you imagine someone shouting, “Good news! THE solution exists!” yet the person does not know what “THE solution” is or where it can be found?
Stress that it does “ME” no good to know a solution exists to a problem or challenge if the solution is not available to “ME.”
Godly wisdom is not hidden! It is not inaccessible! True, it requires choices and decisions (as does everything). True, those choices and decisions involve prices (as does everything). However, the choices and decisions are known, and it is possible for anyone to pay the prices. The choices and prices primarily involve self without threatening others. Following godly wisdom is “doable” for the person who chooses to follow and will pay the price. Our challenges do not lie in godly wisdom being unknowable or inaccessible.
Stress that godly wisdom is accessible to anyone. That does not mean it will always be pleasant, but—with time—the person will know it was worth the price! A wicked situation is never impressed with godly wisdom!
Some things you are challenged to note in Proverbs 8:1-5. First, you should note that godly wisdom took the initiative. It did not wait to be discovered—instead, it called. In the situation of the writer and those in need, godly wisdom was aggressive as it sought to benefit people.
Stress that godly wisdom wants to bless people. It does not “stand off” and say, “Maybe I will help—or maybe I will not.
Second, note that this godly wisdom not only called (took the initiative), but it did so in high-profile places. It was obvious and where people were! The heights beside the routes people traveled, intersections where routes crossed, the gates leading into fortified cities, and entrances to homes were common places that heard godly wisdom’s call. Remember that then people walked or (a few) rode donkeys; thus they had time and opportunity to hear.
In its desire to be of help to people, godly wisdom not only took the initiative, but it also went where people were to be found—even people who were not looking for godly wisdom.
Third, note that wisdom’s call was not restricted. It targeted everyone, not just a narrow audience. It called to the mature who should understand “what is what” in physical existence. Godly wisdom even called to those of simple thinking who were naïve about the realities of physical life.
Godly wisdom sought people who know the value of godly wisdom, and people who did not! It did not say, “First show me your interest, and then I will decide if I am interested in you.” Even before Jesus Christ came, God was interested in helping those who did not know they needed Him.
What did godly wisdom say as it called out (Proverbs 8:6-11)?
Discuss the value of each call.
a) Godly wisdom spoke noble things that were concerned with what was right, and it did not deceive.
b) It spoke truth, thus it was dependable.
c) It spoke righteousness in the concern to direct people in a trustworthy direction.
d) Its instruction was more valuable than the highest symbols of wealth—it offered a wealth that surpassed any form of earthly treasures.
Note some things that are fundamental to yielding to the instructions of godly wisdom.
Stress there must be specific internal conditions for a person to respond to godly wisdom and respond with motives that bless the person. The person must invite godly wisdom into his/her life. Godly wisdom will not force itself into a person’s life.
a) The person must believe there is a good and right way to live.
b) The person must believe that life without deception or wicked behavior is possible.
c) The person must believe that a straight, trustworthy direction exists.
d) The person must believe that knowing and understanding this straight direction is possible.
e) The person must believe that something more valuable than physical wealth exists.
What are the credentials of this godly wisdom?
We do not accept godly wisdom into life because godly wisdom is in dire need, but because we are in dire need. We need the benefits of having godly wisdom as a part of us. There are reasons for placing our trust in the wisdom that comes from God.
a) It lives continually with the ability to govern one’s self.
b) It understands that respecting God means despising evil (God and evil are opposites).
c) It hates deception.
d) Its ability to guide is based on realizing that understanding is power.
e) “I am essential to the ability to reign in the greatest political authorities.”
f) “I return the love of those who love me.” (It is not consumed with self.)
g) “I grant enduring wealth.” (Wickedness is not the route to enduring wealth.)
h) “I possess a wealth that exceeds what is considered physically valuable.”
i) “Righteousness and justice form the direction I take.”
j) “Those who love me are endowed with treasures.”
The values of these credentials are to be seen in the realization of how blessed we would be and feel if our lives were significantly touched by these values.
Discuss the value of each of those credentials to us.
For Thought and Discussion
1. What good does the “best” do if what is true?
It must be accessible. What good does any solution do if it is not accessible?
2. Godly wisdom is not what two things?
It is not hidden or inaccessible.
3. What two things does godly wisdom require?
It requires choices and decisions.
4. Who can respond in those two ways?
Anyone can respond in those ways.
5. In Proverbs 8:1-5, list the three things you are asked to note.
a) Godly wisdom took the initiative.
b) Godly wisdom not only called, but it also called in high-profile places.
c) Godly wisdom was not restricted in its call.
6. What four things did godly wisdom say as it called out?
a) It spoke noble things that were concerned with what was right.
b) It spoke truth.
c) It spoke righteousness in the desire to direct people in trustworthy directions.
d) Its instructions were more valuable than the highest symbols of wealth.
7. List five fundamental beliefs a person must have to yield to the instructions of godly wisdom.
a) The person must believe that there is a right and good way to live.
b) The person must believe that life without deception and wicked behavior is possible.
c) The person must believe that a straight, trustworthy direction exists.
d) The person must believe that knowing and understanding this straight direction is possible.
e) The person must believe that something more valuable than physical wealth exists.
8. List the ten credentials of godly wisdom.
a) It lives continually with the ability to govern one’s self.
b) It understands that respecting God means despising evil.
c) It hates deception.
d) Its ability to guide is based on realizing that understanding is power.
e) “I am essential to the ability to reign in the greatest political authorities.
f) “I return the love of those who love me.”
g) “I grant enduring wealth.”
h) “I possess a wealth that exceeds what is considered physically valuable.”
i) “Righteousness and justice form the direction I take.”
j) “Those who love me are endowed with treasures.”
9. How is the value of these credentials seen?
They are seen through realizing how blessed we would be and feel if our lives were significantly touched by these values.
10. How would you benefit from the presence of this force in your life?
A discussion question that is a highly individual response.
11. How would you explain these benefits to someone who had never seen or experienced them?
A discussion question that will relate to the responses of # 10.
Link to Student Guide Lesson 12
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David Chadwell & West-Ark Church of Christ