LIFE COACH

Proverbs 4:1-9                                             Dad’s at it Again!

How many times do I have to tell you? is a frequent question asked by frustrated parents of children who seem to be unresponsive to parental words. This question does not want an answer. Verses 1-9 are replays of previous words of Dad. Verse 1 starts with the familiar, Listen to me so you can learn type statement. The wisdom spoken of here has to do with daily living aka common sense and is based on spiritual wisdom found in Christ.

Compare the statement the beginning of wisdom is this: Get Wisdom (7) with the Proverbs Principle the fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom

 What is the relationship between the practical wisdom of daily living and the Wisdom given to those who fear God?

 Who models the wisdom of daily life for children? (3)

 Give an example of how you use wisdom in daily life.

 How do parents provide opportunities for you to learn practical wisdom?

 What is the result of obedience to parents in verse 4?

 What are the results of living a life of practical wisdom based on the foundation of biblical spiritual Wisdom?  

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you apply the Wisdom He gives you.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

 

Proverbs 3:31-35                                   Which One Are You?

These verses introduce us to eight people types identified by how they live. Each of them have consequences to their lifestyles. In reality these are characteristics of the two groups of people compared in Proverbs, the righteous and the wicked.

Describe each wicked people type and the consequence of each lifestyle:

Describe each righteous people type and the consequence of each lifestyle:

Which ones describe you?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

    

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you praise Him for making you righteous.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY! 

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 3:25, 27-31                                “Do Not” List

      These verses have a list of ‘do nots’ involving behavior towards other people. Jesus expounded on these behaviors in the Sermon on the Mount. The rule for life with others is to do to them as you would have them do to you. This statement has been called the ‘golden rule’ because if everyone lived by it there would be peace on earth. The person who lives a life of wisdom and discretion understands his responsibility to other people in his world.

Describe the do not’s in verses 27-31 and think of an example of each:   

What is different about the do nots in verse 31? 

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you do to others as you would have them do to you.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 3:24-26                              Fear Factor

      What makes you afraid? Night seems to be the time when human fears heighten. A tree branch blown by the wind against a window takes on a whole new meaning at night because it can’t be seen in the dark. Our minds conjure up things in the dark that aren’t reality and suddenly fear sets in, causing anxious hyperventilation. Forget sleeping, because fear has just done its work.

     These verses provide the cure for this type of fear. The cure is only available to those who focus on sound wisdom and discretion (see verse 21). Those who depend on themselves to conquer the fear factor will fail because, it can only be dealt with outside of self.

     The reason we can live without fear is found in verse 26.  We can live without fear because God is our protection and we have complete confidence in Him.  He promises no fear and sweet sleep.

     We hear a lot about terrorist activities in the world. In fact the United States is engaged in a war against terror. Verse 25 tells us that we do not have to be concerned with sudden terror or the ruin of the wicked. This statement indicates that God will deal with those who want us to live in fear of their power over us.

     So as we focus on Wisdom and discretion we will not be focusing on fear.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

      Glorify and enjoy God as you live in His peace today.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 3:21-23                               CONFIDENCE FOR LIFE

     Ice skating is an amazing sport to observe, especially in championship competitions. Skaters do fancy footwork while speeding across the ice. They leap into the air, twirl, and land on their skates to continue the amazing dance on two thin blades. In order to achieve this ability skaters must live and breath the sport, practice relentlessly, and make skating a part of who they are. Skaters who do not live this discipline cannot have the confidence of leaping into the air and landing on their skates. They have a fear of falling that prevents them from performing without hesitation, and they stumble, then fall.

     Confidence is the quality that allows a skater to leap and twirl without hesitation because she knows she has what it takes. These verses speak of two qualities that must be present in one’s life in order to live without fear and hesitation.

What are these two qualities?

Describe discretion:

What do wisdom and discretion do for a person?

What sense is used to keep these qualities as a focal point?

How can you lose sight of these qualities?

What words in verses 23 and 24 describe confidence?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God as you live the confidence He gives you today.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 3:19-20                                Foundations in Science

     Students begin to study science in early elementary school. Science is the study of God’s wisdom in creation and the physical multiverses in our world. As time goes by God allows man to learn more about himself and the world God created for him to inhabit. This is the biblical view of science. The view of science that is not based on Scripture has no room for God. Science without God is taught to most students in the world.

     These two verses clearly state the foundations for science and the beginnings of our universe. There could have been a big bang but, it didn’t just happen; God created it. Science changes as God allows man to discover more about creation, giving man more knowledge about Himself.

What four areas of science are found in these verses?

What three attributes of God were used in creation?

Which of these attributes does God give to people who fear Him? Psalm 19 says that the heavens (universe) declare the glory of God. Not everyone can understand this even though everyone on planet earth is confronted with this information 24/7.

Who can understand the science of these verses?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God as you study to learn more about Him and His creation.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

 

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 3:19                                 The LORD

     Today we are going to take a look at the names of God used in Proverbs. It is a blessing to see how God presents Himself to His people by the names that describe particular attributes. Verse 8 begins with these words, the LORD. This is the most common name for God in Proverbs. If you look at this four letter word you will notice that it is in all upper case letters and the L is larger than the other letters. You have probably read this name many times and never noticed this.

     There are two specific names of God throughout the book of Proverbs.  When the name “God” is used it is referring to God’s strength and power with the unusual characteristic of being in the plural form.  Elohim is this name for God in the original language and it speaks of God the Father, God the Son (Jesus) and God the Holy Spirit.

     The other name of God found throughout Proverbs is the LORD.  This name is Jehovah in the original language and declares God’s absolute sovereignty, the source of everything without beginning and without end.  This is the name of God found in Proverbs 3:19 as it speaks to the wisdom of creation.

     As you read Scripture it is important to pause and consider what God is saying to you in His name that you are reading.

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy your all powerful Sovereign, Creator today.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

    

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 3:13-18                                     The Proverbs Hymn              

       What is the most important thing in your life? wealth? health? recognition? entertainment?success? These verses are a statement of praise to the most important entity in the universe, wisdom; much more important than anything sinful man views as significant.

     Wisdom in Proverbs is a metaphor for Christ who is our Wisdom. The feminine voice is used because Wisdom is compared to another female type throughout Proverbs; the adulterous woman who is the antithesis to Wisdom. Read these verses and replace the terms for Wisdom/her with the name of our Savior, Jesus/His.

How can you have Wisdom and understanding?

Can you have Wisdom without God working in your heart?

How are those who find Wisdom described in verses 13 and 18?

     Blessed means happy. This passage describes personal health and wealth grounded in Christ.

What terms are used to describe wealth?

What terms are used to describe health?

      In verse 18 the phrase tree of life is used. This tree is found in the Garden of Eden before sin entered the world, Genesis 2:9. It is also found in Revelation 22:14 as a right to those who have been cleansed from sin by Christ. This verse portrays restoration after the chaos of sin and the gift of eternal life with Christ.

What two qualities does Wisdom bring to life in verse 17?

How does the lack of these qualities affect culture?      

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you live in His Wisdom.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

Proverbs 3:11-13                      The ‘D’ Word                          

     Discipline is a word that has several meanings. It can refer to how one manages life. Or, it can mean a corrective response to behavior. Parents discipline children to guide them in right living. Sometimes discipline is verbal while at other times it is physical.

     In these verses the Parent is actively helping His child to grow in wisdom by providing correction when there is rebellion. Children do not come into the world with the ability to make wise choices. The job of the parent is to provide teaching and a place for children to practice what is learned. Parental discipline is what allows the child to wisely apply learning .

     These verses are referred to and explained by the Apostle Paul in the New Testament. Read Hebrews 12:5-11, then answer the following questions.

Who does the Lord discipline?

What is your relationship to God if He does not discipline you?

How do earthly fathers discipline their children?

How does God discipline His children?

What does discipline allow us to share with God?

What is the gain from the pain of God’s discipline?

So when God says, “You are wrong,” He is showing you that He loves you. Pride often gets in the way of responding to this correction resulting in frustration and unhappiness. The right response to God’s discipline is confession and obedience resulting in restoration and joy.

      What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

       Glorify and enjoy your Heavenly Father as he lovingly disciplines you.

 HAVE A BLESSED DAY!

LIFE COACH

 Proverbs 3:9-10                         Investing in God’s Economy

     The nightly news usually has a segment on the stock market activity for the day. If you follow the stock market you understand that there are ups and downs in investing. The news just focuses on the activity of the day to which people usually overreact if they do not understand this economic picture. Investment values increase and decrease but, in the long run, bring good returns.

     Verses 9 and 10 speak of God’s economy for the person who trusts in the Lord.

What does verse 9 say we are to do with our wealth?

What does it mean to honor the Lord with your wealth?

Where does God fit when you plan your expenditures for the month according to verse 9?

What is the heart attitude of God’s economy?

Matthew 19:16-22 gives the account of a rich man who could not invest in God’s economy. What did Jesus tell him he needed to do?

Why did he go away sad?

What promises are given to those who invest in God’s economy, verse 10?

 

     What is God telling you about Himself and how should you respond?

 

     Glorify and enjoy God today as you invest in His economy.

 

HAVE A BLESSED DAY!