ABCs: Proverbs One, Two, and Three

In one paragraph

On Mother's Day, Pastor Ray walked through the opening verses of Proverbs 1, 2, and 3, letting the text speak largely for itself. He drew a through-line between the motherly voice of Proverbs and the wisdom that God offers every person who is willing to receive it. The message was personal, honest, and at times bittersweet, acknowledging that Mother's Day lands differently for different people in...

Read together

1. Proverbs 1:1-7 read and discussed as the purpose of Proverbs, wisdom and discipline, fear of the Lord as foundation of knowledge
2. Proverbs 1:8-9 instruction to listen to father's correction and not neglect mother's instruction, what you learn will crown you with grace
3. Proverbs 2:1-9 read and discussed on listening for wisdom, seeking understanding, the Lord granting wisdom and common sense to the honest
4. Proverbs 3:1-2 never forget what God has taught you, store commands in your heart, you will live many years
5. Proverbs 3:3-4 never let loyalty and kindness leave you, find favor with God and people, earn a good reputation
6. Proverbs 3:5-6 trust in the Lord with all your heart, do not depend on your own understanding, seek his will and he will show you the path
7. Proverbs 3:7-8 do not be impressed with your own wisdom, fear the Lord and turn away from evil, healing for your body
8. Proverbs 3:9-10 honor the Lord with your wealth and the best of everything you produce, he will fill your barns
9. Proverbs 3:11-12 do not reject the Lord's discipline, the Lord corrects those he loves as a father corrects a child
10. Proverbs 3:13-18 joyful is the person who finds wisdom, more profitable than silver or gold, wisdom is a tree of life
11. Hebrews 12:11 referenced twice noting that no discipline is pleasant at the time but it is necessary
12. John 20:31 cited as John stating he wrote so that readers might believe and have life in Jesus' name
13. Matthew 4:4 referenced as are we to live by bread alone, no but by every word from the mouth of God
14. Matthew 6:33 cited as Jesus saying seek first the kingdom of God and everything else will be given
15. Romans 8:1 referenced noting there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ
16. Hebrews 9:27 referenced as it is appointed once for a man to die

Talk about it

1. Solomon asked God for wisdom above everything else he could have had. What is something a parent, teacher, or mentor passed on to you that you did not fully appreciate until later?
2. Pastor Ray read that 'fear of the Lord is the foundation of all true knowledge,' and said that fools despise wisdom and discipline. Where in your own life have you resisted correction, and what did that cost you?
3. Proverbs two says to search for insight and understanding as you would search for silver or hidden treasure. What does that kind of active, persistent searching actually look like in daily life?
4. Pastor Ray said that when people call him at a crossroads not knowing which way to go, his usual response is, 'Are you seeking God's will? He will show you the way to go.' What has seeking God's will looked like for you in a genuinely hard decision?
5. The sermon ended with the warning not to be impressed with your own wisdom, and described how easily we convince ourselves of things we already agree with. How do you personally guard against that tendency?