Godly Wisdom – Pt 2
Ephesians 5:15-20 (NLT)
15 So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. 16 Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. 17 Don’t act thoughtlessly, but understand what the Lord wants you to do. 18 Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit, 19 singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs among yourselves, and making music to the Lord in your hearts. 20 And give thanks for everything to God the Father in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.
HOW TO WALK IN GODLY WISDOM TO MAKE THE MOST OF EVERY OPPORTUNITY:
1. Address laziness disguised as busyness.
Proverbs 6:6-11 (NLT)
6 Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones.
Learn from their ways and become wise!
7 Though they have no prince
or governor or ruler to make them work,
8 they labor hard all summer,
gathering food for the winter.
9 But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep?
When will you wake up?
10 A little extra sleep, a little more slumber,
a little folding of the hands to rest—
11 then poverty will pounce on you like a bandit;
scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.
– Ignorance
– Indifference
– Inaction
2. Produce fruit for the benefit of others.
John 15:1-5 (NLT)
“I am the true grapevine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 He cuts off every branch of mine that doesn’t produce fruit, and he prunes the branches that do bear fruit so they will produce even more. 3 You have already been pruned and purified by the message I have given you. 4 Remain in me, and I will remain in you. For a branch cannot produce fruit if it is severed from the vine, and you cannot be fruitful unless you remain in me.
5 “Yes, I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit. For apart from me you can do nothing.
– Remain connected to Jesus as the source.
– Be pruned and purified by the words of Jesus.
3. Walk carefully by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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: Walk in Godly wisdom to make the most of every opportunity by learning to be productive, not just busy.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read the Big Idea. What are the differences between being busy and being productive?
▶ Read Proverbs 6:6-11. Pastor Matt mentioned that laziness can show up as three silent enemies working against us – Ignorance, Indifference, and Inaction. Which of these three is your biggest challenge?
▶ Read John 15:1-5. Make a list together of things that can be pruned from our lives and how that can produce more fruit in us for others.
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
Read Ephesians 5:15-20. Think of your unique assignment in life. What area is the spirit prompting you to make the most of your opportunity?
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Pray that we would be filled by the power of the Holy Spirit to continue walking and seeking Jesus as the source for our everyday lives.