Proverbs 3 - Choosing the Right Path pt V

Introduction
- we're studying Proverbs chapter 3 and the issue of hoe wisdom directs one's path.
- this is part of an overall section in the book that can be loosely organized around the idea of…
- chapter 2 - Wisdom protects your path.
- chapter 3 – Wisdom directs your path.
- chapter 4 – Wisdom perfects your path.
- last week we concluded our time in verse 8--the matter of obeying God's will [cf. vv. 5-6]
- I appreciated your input on the matter of the balance between checking your mind at the door on one hand, and leaning on your own understanding on the other.
- let's pick it up at verse 9 --- [read vv. 9-35]

I. The Conditions to Meet if We Want God to Direct Our Paths

A. Learn God’s truth – vv. 1-4
B. Obey God’s Will – vv. 5-8

[Nancy - please begin blanks in the outline here]

C. Share God’s Blessings – vv. 9-10

- INPUT – Does it surprise you that these verses are in this chapter? Why or why not? How does this information fit into the rest of the chapter?

- if time, cf. Lev. 23:9-14—point is that our obedience is often tested by the way we handle our material possessions. This is not an end in itself, but if we are not faithful here, we won’t be faithful in other areas.

D. Submit to God’s chastening – vv. 11-12

Warren Wiersbe - “Chastening is a part of God’s plan to help His sons and daughters mature in godly character (Heb. 12:1-11). God chastens us, not as a judge punishes a criminal, but as a parent disciplines a child. He acts in love and His purpose is that we might become ‘partakers of His holiness’ (Heb. 12:10). Sometimes He chastens because we have rebelled and need to repent; other times He chastens to keep us from sinning and to prepare us for His special blessing. No matter how much the experience hurts us, it will never harm us, because God always chastens in love” (Deut. 8:2-5).

INPUT – Do you agree with what Warren Wiersbe has said here? Do you like it? How should these ideas impact us? What is the relationship of all of this to our overall study of wisdom?

II. The Blessings that Come When God Directs Our Paths

A. True wealth that comes from wisdom (vv. 13-18)

- these verses are very similar to the ones we studied in chapters 1, 8, and 9.

- INPUT - What conclusion is the writer wanting us to draw, and what would a person's life look like who has drawn this conclusion?

B. Personal knowledge of the Creator (vv. 19-20).

- two of the most important philosophical questions are "why am I here?" and "where did I come from?".
- Solomon is suggesting that knowing God and following His truth allows someone to have comprehensive and compelling answers to these questions.

- INPUT - The issue of creation has come up at other points in our study of the book of Proverbs. Does that surprise you? What should we make of that fact?

- [mention possibility of special emphasis on Sun. pm in 03, Mac's book, possibility of having Ken Ham]

C. The Father's providential care (vv. 21-26).

- INPUT - What are some of the specific blessings listed in these verses? What other methods might a person employ to receive these blessings in places other than God's wisdom? How effective are these methods?

D. A positive relationship with others (vv. 27-35).

- INPUT - How do verses 27-28 fit in with some of the community ministry initiatives we've been discussing? How does this fit in with the wisdom of God?

Adult Bible Fellowship
Choosing the Right Path #5
Proverbs Series #16

I. The Conditions to Meet if We Want God to Direct Our Paths
A. Learn God’s truth. – vv. 1-4
B. Obey God’s will. – vv. 5-8

C. ___________ God’s _______________. – vv. 9-10
INPUT – Does it surprise you that these verses are in this chapter? Why or why not? How does this information fit into the rest of the chapter?
D. ___________ to God’s __________________. – vv. 11-12
Warren Wiersbe says, “Chastening is a part of God’s plan to help His sons and daughters mature in godly character (Heb. 12:1-11). God chastens us, not as a judge punishes a criminal, but as a parent disciplines a child. He acts in love and His purpose is that we might become ‘partakers of His holiness’ (Heb. 12:10). Sometimes He chastens because we have rebelled and need to repent; other times He chastens to keep us from sinning and to prepare us for His special blessing. No matter how much the experience hurts us, it will never harm us, because God always chastens in love” (Deut. 8:2-5).
INPUT – Do you agree with what Warren Wiersbe has said here? Do you like it? How should these ideas impact us? What is the relationship of all of this to our overall study of wisdom?
II. The ______________ that Come When God Directs Our Paths
A. True ___________ that comes from wisdom (vv. 13-18)
INPUT – What conclusion is the writer wanting us to draw, and what would a person's life look like who has drawn this conclusion?
B. Personal ________________ of the Creator (vv. 19-20).
INPUT – The issue of creation has come up at other points in our study of the book of Proverbs. Does that surprise you? What should we make of that fact?
C. The Father’s providential __________ (vv. 21-26).
INPUT – What are some of the specific blessings listed in these verses? What other methods might a person employ to receive these blessings in places other than God's wisdom? How effective are these methods?
D. A _______________ relationship with others (vv. 27-35).
INPUT – How do verses 27-28 fit in with some of the community ministry initiatives we've been discussing? How does this fit in with the wisdom of God?

Adult Bible Fellowship
Choosing the Right Path #5
Proverbs Series #16

I. The Conditions to Meet if We Want God to Direct Our Paths
A. Learn God’s truth – vv. 1-4
B. Obey God’s Will – vv. 5-8
C. Share God’s Blessings – vv. 9-10
INPUT – Does it surprise you that these verses are in this chapter? Why or why not? How does this information fit into the rest of the chapter?
D. Submit to God’s chastening – vv. 11-12
Warren Wiersbe says, “Chastening is a part of God’s plan to help His sons and daughters mature in godly character (Heb. 12:1-11). God chastens us, not as a judge punishes a criminal, but as a parent disciplines a child. He acts in love and His purpose is that we might become ‘partakers of His holiness’ (Heb. 12:10). Sometimes He chastens because we have rebelled and need to repent; other times He chastens to keep us from sinning and to prepare us for His special blessing. No matter how much the experience hurts us, it will never harm us, because God always chastens in love” (Deut. 8:2-5).
INPUT – Do you agree with what Warren Wiersbe has said here? Do you like it? How should these ideas impact us? What is the relationship of all of this to our overall study of wisdom?
II. The Blessings that Come When God Directs Our Paths
A. True wealth that comes from wisdom
(vv. 13-18)
INPUT – What conclusion is the writer wanting us to draw, and what would a person's life look like who has drawn this conclusion?
B. Personal knowledge of the Creator
(vv. 19-20).
INPUT – The issue of creation has come up at other points in our study of the book of Proverbs. Does that surprise you? What should we make of that fact?

C. The Father's providential care
(vv. 21-26).
INPUT – What are some of the specific blessings listed in these verses? What other methods might a person employ to receive these blessings in places other than God's wisdom? How effective are these methods?
D. A positive relationship with others
(vv. 27-35).
INPUT – How do verses 27-28 fit in with some of the community ministry initiatives we've been discussing? How does this fit in with the wisdom of God?