1. Words For the Wise  |  07/06/25

Study Guide

Opening Discussion:  Who is someone you admire for their wisdom?  What qualities make them wise in your eyes?

Key Takeaways:

• Wisdom is knowing and doing what is right and best in any circumstance.
• Wisdom is essential for everyone, not just academics or religious people.
• The fear (reverence) of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.
• Living with God and surrendering to His leadership leads to wisdom.

Discussion Questions:

1.  How does our society's view of wisdom differ from the biblical perspective presented in the sermon?  

a)  The sermon mentions several ways life becomes simpler when we follow God's way.  Which of these resonated with you most, and why?

2.  Read Proverbs 2:1-11.  Wisdom is more than mere knowledge, it's the application of godly understanding to our daily lives.   It's not just about accumulating facts, but about developing discernment and character that aligns with God's heart.  Can you share an example from your own life where knowledge alone wasn't enough, but wisdom was needed?  

a)  Which area of your life do you need God's wisdom right now?  Ask God to fill you with His wisdom—He promised if we seek it earnestly, He will grant it generously (James 1:5).

3.  The sermon outlined five benefits of wisdom (understanding righteousness, making knowledge meaningful, giving discretion, resisting peer pressure, and seeing through temptation).  Which of these do you find most challenging in your life?  Why?

4.  Read Proverbs 9:10-12, and Psalm 111:10.  The fear of the Lord isn't about terror, but a deep reverence and awe for who God is—recognizing His holiness, power, and authority, while also embracing His love and grace.  How might developing a deeper reverence for God lead to greater wisdom in your life?

5.  Read Proverbs 2:12-19, and 1 Corinthians 10:13.  Wisdom can protect us from the allure of sin and its destructive consequences.  Reflect on areas where you feel most vulnerable to temptation.  What are your "trigger points" that often lead to unwise choices?  

a)  What specific things could you proactively do to avoid situations that you know weaken your resolve?

6.  Read Romans 12:1-2, and Philippians 4:8.  True transformation comes through the renewing of our minds.  As we align our thinking with God's truth, our actions naturally follow.  Consider what inputs are shaping your mind—what media, relationships, or habits are influencing your thought patterns?  

a)  Are they drawing you closer to God's perspective or pulling you away?

7.  Read James 3:13-18, and Galatians 5:22-23.  Godly wisdom isn't just about making good decisions—it's a way of life that bears fruit.  How is wisdom evident in your life?  

a)  Are you seeing evidence of the fruit of the Spirit?

8.  Solomon emphasized the importance of pursuing wisdom, which comes through our relationship with God.  What are some practical ways you can actively seek wisdom/God in your daily life?

Practical Applications:

1. Identify a "trigger point" in your life that often leads to unwise decisions.  What steps can you take this week to address or avoid that trigger and 'stay away from the edge'?
2. Choose a chapter from Proverbs to read each day this week.  Journal about any insights you gain and how you can apply them.
3. Reflect on an area of your life where you've been trying to maintain control.  Practice surrendering that area to God's leadership through prayer and intentional actions.
4. Find an accountability partner in the group to check in with regularly about pursuing wisdom and living according to God's ways.

Closing Prayer:  Close the session by praying for wisdom, a deeper reverence for God, and the courage to live according to His ways, even when it's challenging.

2. Humility - Descending Into Greatness  |  07/13/25

Study Guide

Opening Discussion:  What does humility mean to you?  How have you seen it displayed (or not displayed) in your life or the lives of others?

Key Scripture:  Proverbs 11:2 "When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with the humble is wisdom."

Key Takeaways:

• Humility is a right understanding of who we are—recognizing our dependence on God.
• Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.
• God actively tries to help us develop humility through our experiences.
• Humility requires trusting that God is in control.

Discussion Questions:

1.  How does our culture's emphasis on self-expression and personal rights conflict with biblical humility?

2.  Read Proverbs 11:2 and James 3:13-18.  True humility comes from a right understanding of who we are in relation to God.  How are wisdom and humility interconnected? 

a)  ‘Humility isn't thinking less of yourself, it's thinking of yourself less.’  What does this look like in practice? 

b)  How might your interactions with others change if you approached them with the "meekness of wisdom" James describes?

3.  Read Isaiah 66:1-2 and James 4:6-10.  God's attention and favor are drawn to those who are humble and contrite in spirit—not because God enjoys seeing us belittle ourselves, but because humility opens our hearts to receive from Him.  What does it mean to ‘tremble’ at God's word? 

a)  Consider areas in your life where you might be resisting God's will out of pride.  How can you cultivate a heart that is more receptive to God's voice and leading?

4.  Read Deuteronomy 8:2-5 and 2 Corinthians 12:7-10.  God often uses difficult experiences to teach us humility and dependence on Him.  What current struggle might God be using to teach you humility or reliance on His strength? 

a)  How might asking God to reveal what He wants you to learn through it, instead of asking Him to remove the difficulty, change your approach to trials?

5.  Why do you think God places such a high value on humility?

6.  Read 1 Peter 5:6-11 and Romans 8:28-30.  Humility requires trusting that God is in control.  When we believe that God is working all things for our good according to His purpose, we can let go of our need to control outcomes.  In what areas of your life do you struggle to let go of control? 

a)  What would it look like to fully surrender these areas to Him? 

7.  How can pursuing Jesus lead to greater humility in our lives?

8.  Read Genesis 2:15-17 and Galatians 5:1, 13.  God's original design for humanity was one of simplicity and freedom—in Eden, there was only one rule.  How does pride complicate our lives? 

a)  How can you embrace the freedom Christ offers and live more simply—humbly—today?

Practical Applications:

1. Choose Humility: This week, intentionally look for opportunities to practice humility. This might involve admitting when you don't know something, showing vulnerability, or putting others' needs before your own.
2. Learn from Your Experiences: Reflect on a current challenge in your life. How might God be using this situation to teach you humility and dependence on Him?
3. Trust God's Control: Identify an area of your life where you're trying to maintain control. Practice surrendering this to God through prayer and intentional actions.
4. Surrender to Jesus: Ask God to help you identify areas where you've overcomplicated your faith and to guide you back to the freedom and simplicity found in Christ. Offer yourself as a ‘living sacrifice' to Jesus. Ask Him to develop His character, including humility, in you.

Closing Prayer: Close your time by offering a prayer of surrender, asking God to increase your trust in His control and goodness.

3. Integrity  |  08/03/25

Study Guide

1.  Read Proverbs 28:6.  What does it mean to be crooked in your ways? 

     a)  How does this contradict living with integrity?

2.  Read Proverbs 27:19.  How does this verse illustrate the connection between our inner thoughts and desires and our outward actions? 

     a)  How does this verse connect with how Jesus saw the Pharisees? 

     b)  How can we cultivate a heart that reflects the "real person" we want to be?

3.  Read Psalm 24:3-5.  According to this passage, what qualities are necessary to approach God? 

     a)  How do these qualities relate to the concept of integrity?

4.  Read Proverbs 17:3.  How does God test our hearts? 

     a)  What kinds of "fires" might we face that reveal our true character and integrity? 

     b)  How can we prepare ourselves for these tests?

5.  Read Matthew 5:8.  What does it mean to be "pure in heart?" 

     a). How does this purity enable us to see God, and what does it mean to "see God" in this context?

6.  It's difficult to achieve integrity on our own.  How does surrendering to God and seeking His help play a role in developing integrity?

7.  Being accountable with others is an important aspect of integrity.  How can we create a supportive community that encourages and helps us maintain integrity?

8.  Brené Brown says, "Integrity is choosing courage over comfort; choosing what is right over what is fun, fast, or easy; and choosing to practice our values rather than simply professing them."  How does this definition of integrity challenge you? 

     a)  Think of a time when you had to choose between courage and comfort, or between what was right and what was fun, fast, or easy.  What was the outcome, and what did you learn from the experience? 

     b)  In what specific areas of your life do you find it most difficult to put your values into practice, rather than just professing them?