Proverbs July 16-22 Study Guide

100 Days to a Wiser You

As you complete this week’s study you are more than 50 days to Wiser You. Stop now and thank the Lord for all you have learned. Pray that he will keep you for the whole 100 Days!

- Pastor Lincoln

July 16, Proverbs 16

Crowns of Splendor

Prayer: Lord, help me to show the proper respect due the elders in my life. - In Jesus’ name. Amen

Read Proverbs 16

Observations to Make:

List below the number of every proverb in this chapter that relates somehow to a man’s ways or plans, directly or indirectly.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 16.31 below.

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Look up and mark these verses that mandate respect for the elderly: Lev 19.32; Job 32.6; Pr 23.22 1 Tim 5.1-2.

Live it!

Who are the older people in your life who have walked with Christ for decades? What are the qualities that you appreciate about them most? Do you seek out their wisdom? Do you look for opportunities to fellowship with them? Line up sometime soon to spend with an older saint.

Share it!

The biblical idea that the elderly are to be respected is at odds with the prevailing attitudes in our culture. If you have children or grandchildren communicate to them the importance of respecting and learning from the older people in their lives, especially elderly believers.

July 17, Proverbs 17

Momma Bear

Prayer: Lord, protect me from evil doers. - In Jesus Name. Amen

Read Proverbs 17

Observations to Make:

The Proverbs are filled with vivid images to make their points. Note four of the vivid images in this chapter. For example the dry crust of v.1, or the crucible of v.3. Find four more in this chapter.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 17.12 below.

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This proverb compares two meetings: the encounter with a mother bear and the encounter with a fool. Who of us would want to get between a mother bear and her cubs? And still the Bible says it would be worse to encounter a fool who is doing something foolish. Remember, in the Proverbs fool is synonymous with the wicked and foolishness with wickedness.

Live it!

Who do you know presently that is involved in foolishness? - In wickedness? Have you determined to avoid them, to not get tangled up in their foolishness? Ask the Lord to protect you from encounters with chance encounters with the fool in his folly. Pray this prayer over your children as well.

Share it!

When you share this proverb with someone today ask them to imagine this encounter with a bear? What would you do if you met the mother bear? Run, scream, climb a tree! Encourage the same kind of response when coming upon someone engaged in doing evil. Kids run, scream, get away!! Just don’t join the fool in his folly or you will be eaten alive.

July 18, Proverbs 18

A Good Thing

Prayer: Lord, thank you for all the good things in my life! - In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 18

Observations to Make:

At least four of the proverbs in this chapter have to do with personal relationships. Identify those proverbs by their verse numbers below.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 18.22 below.

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Also look up Pr 12.4, 19.14, and 31.11 which identify a wife as a blessing from the Lord.

Live it!

While other proverbs lament a bad wife, this proverb praises God for a good wife. We can broaden this idea to a good marriage. It is a blessing from the Lord. If you are married, thank the Lord for your spouse and pray for him or her now. If you are single pray, for several married couples in your life.

Share it!

If you are married, send a card to your spouse today, or leave him, or her, a love note to read quoting this verse. If you hope to be married one day list the good/godly qualities you will look for in a spouse.

July 19, Proverbs 19

Patience

Prayer: Lord, give me patience, and please give it to me right now! - In Jesus’ Name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 19

Observations to Make:

While reading this proverb, list below all the proverbs in this chapter that touch on the parent/child relationship, starting with 19.13.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 19.11 below.

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Put the second half of this verse in your own words.

Live it!

Are you hypersensitive? Can you shrug off an insult? Are you patient with the short comings of others? Can you keep communication open in hostile circumstances? Do your resist the temptation to bite back when bitten? Pray for the Lord’s help in these areas.

Share it!

This is a proverb worthy of memorization. Write it out on a scrap paper over and over until it is committed to memory.

June 20, Proverbs 20

Stay Awake

Prayer: Lord, help me to display a work ethic that honors you. – In Jesus Name, Amen.

Read Proverbs 20

Observations to Make:

Find the proverb that echoes yesterday’s featured proverb and write the reference Pr 19.11 next to it.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 20.13 below.

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Here is another proverb that encourages industry and condemns laziness. What is the positive part of this command (the do), the negative part of this command (the do not?).

Live it!

Do you sleep too much? How much of your time during the day would you describe as idle time?? Try this week trading a ½ hour of your idle time (sleep, watching TV, etc) for a ½ hour of activity. If you are a mom with children at home, ignore the previous instruction (unless the Lord convicts you of idleness). Remember rest is not idleness, and idleness is not rest.

Share it!

This is a proverb the truth of which is best learned at an early age. Pass this proverb on to someone who is younger. Put this scripture on a piece of paper folded like a tent and set it on your dinner table to see at breakfast all week.

June 21, Proverbs 21

Pleasure Lovers

Prayer: Lord, help me to take pleasure in the things that please you. – In Jesus Name, Amen.

Read Proverbs 21

Observations to Make:

Review yesterday’s featured proverb, 20.13. Now list all the proverbs in this chapter by verse that again touch on the issue of laziness.

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 21.17 below.

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In contrast to yesterday’s proverb that condemned the lover of sleep this proverb condemns the love of pleasure.

Live it!

Living a life of self-indulgent pleasure leads to poverty. The love of pleasurable things in this proverb is uncontrolled and excessive. Do these pleasures exist in your life? Are you living beyond your means in order to enjoy what you cannot afford? Confess and repent. Make a decision to stop spending money on a guilty pleasure in your life.

Share it!

Sit down with a friend and talk about the guilty pleasures you spend your money on. Challenge each other to go without these pleasures for a month and then celebrate with a small celebratory purchase to enjoy together.

July 22, Proverbs 22

Boundary Stones

Prayer: Lord, help me to respect the property rights of others. - In Jesus name. Amen.

Read Proverbs 22

Observations to Make:

This chapter of the Proverbs includes the beginning of a special section. Identify the verse where this section begins, and identify in the 24^th chapter where it ends. What is the section called?

Learn it! Write out Proverbs 22.28 below.

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Quickly skim chapter 23 and find this proverb expanded on.

Live it!

This proverb warns against stealing someone else’s property through the moving of a property stake. Violations were frequent in ancient days and especially evil because the Lord owned the Land and had given to the people as their inheritance. Is there a property dispute that you are currently engaged in? Pray for justice and quick resolution.

Share it!

If you have children talk to them about respecting the property of others. How might this very proverb apply in your own home? Give an example here:

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