Proverbs 11-17 Study Guide

100 Days to a Wiser You

Great Job! You are storing up God’s commands within you. I pray that this week you will have opportunities to take out what you are storing up and apply it to your circumstances. My prayer is for you to learn it, live it, and share it.

- Pastor Lincoln

June 11, Proverbs 11

Honest Scales

Prayer: Lord, I know the Proverbs have a lot to teach me about honesty. Help me to learn these lessons. - In Jesus’ name. Amen

Read Proverbs 11

Observations to Make:

This chapter in the Proverbs offers instructions for righteous or godly living. Go back through the chapter and write a big R next to each verse that contains a reference to righteousness, righteous persons, and the upright.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 11.1 below.

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What does the Lord abhor? __________________

What does the Lord delight in? _______________

Look up these other references to honest scales in the Proverbs and write the reference Pr 11.1 next to them: Pr 16.11; 20.10; 20.23

Live it!

When you purchase item or pay for a service are you always looking for a deal, a way to come out ahead of the other guy? This scripture and others encourage fairness and honesty in our business dealings. Commit yourself to paying what is fair or selling an item for what is fair, and in doing so being a witness for Christ in your financial life.

Share it!

Write out an explanation of this proverb in your own words, 2 or 3 paragraphs long? As you do keep in mind the question, “How would I explain this proverb to a child?”

June 12, Proverbs 12

Cutting Someone Else Some Slack

Prayer: Lord, help me to be as gracious with others as you are with me. - In Jesus’ name. Amen

Read Proverbs 12

Observations to Make:

Note that most of the proverbs in chapter 12 propose a contrast between two subjects. Next to at least ten of the proverbs in this chapter write a yeah next to the positive side of the proverb and a nay next to the negative side.

Example: Whoever loves discipline loves knowledge – Yeah But he who hates correction is stupid. - Nay

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 12.16 below.

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Look up these other Scriptures about having a charitable spirit: Pr 17.9; Mt 7.3; Ro 15.1; Gal 6.1

Live it!

Are you quick to overlook an offense? If you are annoyed, are others around you quickly aware of it? Pray for the Lord’s help with a person who easily annoys you. Memorize this proverb right now by reading it over and over until you can say it without reading it.

Share it!

Someone is going to annoy you this week. When it happens, cut them some slack, and overlook the insult. Then you can take joy in being a prudent person! Good for you!

June 13, Proverbs 13

Hopes and Longings

Prayer: Lord, help me to encourage a fellow believer today as you have encouraged me with the wisdom of the Proverbs. - In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 13

Observations to Make:

Again the proverbs in this chapter involve contrasts. List here at least 8 contrasting subjects:

Examples: wise son/mocker; sluggard/the diligent

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 13.12 below.

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Live it!

It’s wonderful to have a hope that comes to reality, while it is discouraging and depressing to have your longings go unfulfilled. Share with the Lord what hopes you have that seem to be on hold. Ask him for His encouragement.

Share it!

Who do you know whose heart is aching because of a hope deferred? Ask the Lord if there is something you can do to help that hope be realized. Be sensitive to the fact that the people you come in contact with today have deferred hopes and need your encouragement.

June 14, Proverbs 14

Private Hurts and Joys

Prayer: Lord, help to appreciate that all the persons I come in contact with have their own private hurts and joys. Help me to be a sensitive and gentle person. - In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 14

Observations to Make:

Again we have another chapter of the Proverbs that is full of contrasts. List here at least 6 contrasts of the outcomes;

Example: builds her house/ tears it down; fears the Lord/despises him.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 14.10 below.

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Live it!

Even this week I became aware of a close friend who had been bearing a burden I was completely unaware of. How does the truth of the Proverb that those around you have private hurts and joys make you rethink the way you interact with your friend and strangers on a daily basis?

Share it!

Send a note to friend simply letting them know that you are praying for them, that you are aware that they have hurts and joys that you don’t know about, but you are committed to bring them before the Lord in your daily prayer time.

June 15, Proverbs 15

A Gentle Answer

Prayer: Lord, I invite you again this day to be the Lord of my tongue. - In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 15

Observations to Make:

Put a big D next to all those proverbs that address correction and discipline in this chapter. Then invite the Lord to exercise his discipline in your life!

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 15.1 below.

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Look up these OT examples of gentle words and harsh words respectively: Judges 8.1-3; Judges 12.1-6. Note the results of gentle verses harsh speech.

Live it!

Consider a time when you reacted to someone with a harsh word. What was the result? Was the hostility of the other person defused? How could a gentle word turn a similar situation around? Ask the Lord to put you in a situation this week where you can turn away wrath with a gentle word, and then be ready to speak gently.

Share it!

This is a proverb to write down and post in a prominent location. If there was one proverb you were going to place on the refrigerator, this is the one. Do it now!

June 16, Proverbs 16

The Result of Pride

Prayer: Lord, I am a proud person; please teach me humility before I fall. - In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 16

Observations to Make:

The theme of pride saturates this chapter in the Proverbs. Reread this chapter and note which of the proverbs involve the issue of pride.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 16.18 below.

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Look up and read Revelation 3.17.

Live it!

The Bible is filled with examples of proud persons who were brought low by God: Pharaoh, Naaman, Haman, Hezekiah, Nebuchadnezzar, and Belshazzar. When you find yourself getting uppity this week stop and consider all your shortcomings and your utter need for God.

Share it!

Ask a friend or family member “In what areas of my life do you see me struggling with pride? Will you pray for my humility, that I would become humble before I fall?”

June 17, Proverbs 17

Friendship

Prayer: Lord, thank you for the friends who love me through thick and thin. Help me to be this kind of friend. - In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 17

Observations to Make:

Review the chapter and see the themes of peacemaking and strife-causing found in this chapter.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 17.17 below.

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Look up these other references to friendship in the Proverbs: 18.24; 27.10; 27.17. Mark each verse with the word friend.

Live it!

Think about the phrase “and a brother is born for adversity.” What do you think this means? When have you seen the truth of this in your life? Ask the Lord to make you this kind of brother or sister in the life of another.

Share it!

Express thanks to someone who has been a brother born of adversity. If you can’t think of someone like this in your life, be prepared to be such a person in the life of another. Ask the Lord for a brother born of adversity.

Pick up next week’s study at church Sunday, or call 360-598-5377 for an e-mail copy.