Proverbs 1:8-33

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TALKS FOR GROWING CHRISTIANS

The Call of Wisdom

This lesson overlaps slightly with lesson 1 and includes verse 7. With that in mind, what are the 3 precepts of wisdom given in concise form in verses 7-10? Which of these precepts is the theme of the book of Proverbs?
In verse 8, the terms “My son” and “your father” and “your mother” are mentioned, with instruction for the son to listen to his parents and not forsake them. This indicates to us that not only are the precepts of wisdom taught here, but also taught is the responsibility of __________ to teach the precepts to their children.
In verses 20-33, Wisdom is personified and she is calling out to everyone to follow the way of wisdom. Who or what is actually making this call?
In these same verses, Wisdom is calling out particularly to the naïve and the scoffers. What characteristics are commonly found among these people?
Describe the life of the person who listens to Wisdom as given in these verses.

Three precepts of wisdom are given in concise form here in verses 7-10; revere God, respect authority and resist temptation. To revere God is the precept that is the theme of the book.
It is an important part of a parents’ responsibility to teach their children the precepts of wisdom as given to us here in the book of Proverbs. Not only are parents to be the teachers of the precepts, but they should be students of the precepts as well, as living examples that follow the precepts.
The Wisdom that is calling out here to those in the rush and routine of daily life is the Word of God – even the Lord Himself.
The simple, the scorners and the fools, as they are called in verse 22, do not revere God, do not respect authority and do not resist temptation. Wisdom is calling the godly to the 3 precepts of wisdom given to us in verses 7-10.
The last verse of this chapter tells us that “whoever listens to Wisdom will dwell safely and be secure, without fear of evil.”

Consider the characteristics of the evil people of Solomon’s time detailed in verses 10-19, and those of the simple, scorners and fools in verses 22-32. Are the characteristics of men and women in the world around you the same today? Discuss your experiences with people like this and their resistance to sound counsel and to God’s authority.

Can you recall a time in your life when you turned your back on God and fell into company with ungodly people? Did God in His grace accept your repentance when you turned back to Him? Learn from the book of Proverbs the lures of the ungodly and the way of wisdom so that you will not be enticed and fall away again.

“My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent . . . do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path; for their feet run to evil.” Proverbs 1:10,