Godly Wisdom – Pt 1
Godly wisdom is biblical knowledge applied.
Proverbs 1:1-7 (NLT)
These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel.
2 Their purpose is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise.
3 Their purpose is to teach people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair.
4 These proverbs will give insight to the simple,
knowledge and discernment to the young.
5 Let the wise listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance
6 by exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7 Fear of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.
James 1:5 (NLT)
5 If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking.
1 Corinthians 1:18-25 (NLT)
18 The message of the cross is foolish to those who are headed for destruction! But we who are being saved know it is the very power of God. 19 As the Scriptures say,
“I will destroy the wisdom of the wise
and discard the intelligence of the intelligent.”
20 So where does this leave the philosophers, the scholars, and the world’s brilliant debaters? God has made the wisdom of this world look foolish. 21 Since God in his wisdom saw to it that the world would never know him through human wisdom, he has used our foolish preaching to save those who believe. 22 It is foolish to the Jews, who ask for signs from heaven. And it is foolish to the Greeks, who seek human wisdom. 23 So when we preach that Christ was crucified, the Jews are offended and the Gentiles say it’s all nonsense.
24 But to those called by God to salvation, both Jews and Gentiles, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God. 25 This foolish plan of God is wiser than the wisest of human plans, and God’s weakness is stronger than the greatest of human strength.
1. We must slow down to obtain Godly wisdom.
2. We must seek out wise counsel to grow in Godly wisdom.
Matthew 16:24 (NLT)
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me.
3. Allowing Jesus to transform your life to be more like Him will lead to Godly wisdom.
1 Corinthians 1:30 (NLT)
30 God has united you with Christ Jesus. For our benefit God made him to be wisdom itself. Christ made us right with God; he made us pure and holy, and he freed us from sin.
COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Godly wisdom is biblical knowledge applied. All wisdom and all power is found in Jesus Christ.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Proverbs 1:1-7 Make a list of the purposes of proverbs together. See if you can find 8 or more outcomes.
▶ Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. How does Godly wisdom differ from what the world offers?
▶ Read Mathew 16:24. What are some ways believers give up their own ways and “take up their cross”? How does living a transformed life affect our lives and the people around us?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
What is one area where you are asking for Godly wisdom? Read James 1:5. Spend a moment in silent prayer asking God for wisdom.
Share with the group the area you are asking for wisdom and any initial thoughts you are having.
This week, share any insights you receive about this area with your group.
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray together that we will choose to slow down, listen to what God is saying, and be transformed by wisdom throughout this series.