Big Idea: Life doesn’t flow from the outside in; it flows from the inside out
Sexual Lust (Pr. 5:15-19; 6:20-32)
Greed (Pr. 11:24-28)
Envy (Pr. 14:30; 23:17-18)
Gluttony & Drunkenness (Pr. 23:19-21, 29-35; 25:16, 27)
Laziness (Pr. 6:6-11; 24:30-34)
Proverbs Wisdom Applied: Conflict
Big Idea: To resolve life’s daily conflicts, we desperately need God’s daily wisdom
1. Go higher (Pr. 17:14; 19:11; 25:21-22)
2. Get real (Pr. 18:13; 19:20; 28:13)
3. Gently engage (Pr. 10:18; 15:1; 25:15; 26:23-26; 27:5-6; 28:23)
4. Get together (Pr. 10:12; 11:12-13; 17:9)
Proverbs Wisdom Applied: Pride & Humility
Big Idea: Destruction marches behind pride; grace follows in the quiet steps of humility
1. Destruction marches behind pride (Pr. 11:2; 15:25; 16:18-19; 18:12a; 21:4; 29:23a)
2. Grace follows in the quiet steps of humility (Pr. 15:33; 18:12b; 22:4; 29:23)
Proverbs Wisdom Applied: Wealth
Big Idea: Our problem with wealth is that we think too small, not too big
1. Shortcuts are small. Faithful earning is big.
2. Greed is small. Contentment is big.
3. Selfishness is small. Generosity is big.
Proverbs Wisdom Applied: Words
Big Idea: Words hold the power to either destroy or build up—use them wisely
1. The power of our words
2. The power of silence, listening and timing
3. The power of God’s Word
Proverbs Wisdom Applied: Family
Big Idea: The wise know family matters much, but not most
1. Marriage matters (Pr. 2:16-17; 12:4; 19:14; 21:19; 27:15-16; 31:10-11, 28-31)
2. Children and parents matter (Pr. 22:6, 15; 23:22-25; 30:17)
3. What matters MOST (Pr. 14:26; 1 Tim. 3:14-16)
Proverbs Wisdom Applied: Friendship
Big Idea: Friendship is part of God’s design for a fruitful life—not a distraction from it
A good friend gives...
1. Constant Love (Pr. 17:17; 18:24; 27:10)
2. Honest Counsel (Pr. 27:6, 9, 17; 28:23)
3. Safe Cover (17:9)
Proverbs Wisdom Applied: Anger
Big Idea: The wise person controls their anger; their anger does not control them
Anger, in and of itself, is not sinful, but does reveal our hearts (Pr. 14:29)
Anger is often the result of our influences (Pr 15:1, 22:24-25)
To be slow to anger, become unoffendable (Pr 19:11)
Wisdom's Feast (Pr 9)
Big Idea: Wisdom is a feast for those who fully commit themselves to it
1. Wisdom’s feast is bountiful and life-giving (9:1-6)
2. Folly’s feast is phony and deadly (9:13-18)
3. Wisdom’s blessing is only for the committed (9:7-12)
A Mother's Wisdom (Pr 8)
Big Idea: Wisdom is a beautiful, loving mother who offers us life if we will just listen
This mother is...
1. Impartial (8:1-9)
2. Precious (8:10-11)
3. Prudent (8:12-13)
4. Generous (8:14-21)
5. Work of God in Creation (8:22-31)
6. Not To Be Ignored (8:32-36)
The Lectures of a Loving Father (Pr 1-7)
Big Idea: We are wise to listen to our Father’s lectures because they are full of love and life
Ten Parental Lectures: 1:8–19; 2:1–22; 3:1–12, 21–35; 4:1–9, 10–27; 5:1–23; 6:1–5, 20–35; 7:1–27
Address: “My son...”
Charge: “Listen up...”
Motivation: “This is good for you...”
Imperative: “Do this/don’t do that”
Summary: “Wickedness leads to death, righteousness leads to life”
The Foundation for Wisdom (Pr. 1:1-7)
Big Idea: Proverbs reveals our need for wisdom and where we can find it
The wisdom of Proverbs...
1. Originates with a young, wise king (1:1)
2. Gives knowledge and skill to the young and inexperienced (1:2-4)
3. Invites the teachable to learn well (1:5-6)
4. Founded on the fear of the LORD (1:7)