In "Biblical Perspective", Dr. Gordon Snider writes:

If they heed the proverbs, they will become a wise man, which is defined as someone who will listen. The proverb writer amplified the point in 9:9, where he observed that if a wise man is given instruction, he will become yet wiser. Thus learning is both for the naïve and the accomplished. Again the writer seemed to be using a synonymous parallelism, where a wise man and a man of understanding are repetitive phrases. Wise counsels is a navigation word, suggesting the ability to steer the ship correctly. Listening and learning always leaves the learner in a better position to deal with the storms and rapids of life.

Discussion: Why is listening and wisdom so closely connected?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 48.

"For ye are bought with a price: therefore glorify God in your body, and in your spirit, which are God’s." (1 Corinthians 6:20)
In "Biblical Perspective", Dr. Gordon Snider writes:

Ye are bought with a price. Your body should have a “Sold” sign on it! The purchase price is the blood of Christ which “cleanses from guilt,” “releases from bondage,” and “abolishes the enmity” that sin created between man and God (The Essentials of Life, W. H. Griffith Thomas). Therefore glorify God in your body. This might be translated “with your body,” but “in” is the more literal reading of the Greek text. Since the property in which you live belongs to God, live in such a way as to bring Him glory. Don’t trash the place where you live with immorality which is not becoming to the owner of the house.

Discussion: Since we have been bought by the blood of Christ, how then should we live?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 43.

"But I say unto you, That whosoever looketh on a woman to lust after her hath committed adultery with her already in his heart." (Matthew 5:28)
In "Word Focus", Dr. Glenn McClure writes:

Jesus made a definite point to inform the Pharisees that this commandment not only dealt with the external act, but also the secrets of the heart and the movements of the eye. Matthew 5:28 brings to mind two quotes of Wünsche: “The eye and the heart are the two brokers of sin.” “Passions lodge only in him who sees.” Within this short verse we find this truth revealed, and why Scriptures deal seriously with moral purity.
The word looketh on in the Greek is blepō, which literally means “to see.” It is not just sight, but is an intended look, an effort made to gaze upon something; the constant fixation of the eyes upon something to examine it. Metaphorically it implies directing the mind upon it or joyfully beholding it. “According to the literal meaning of the Greek, the man who is condemned is the man who looks at a woman with the deliberate intention of lusting after her” (Barclay, NDSB).
The words of Randolph O. Yeager seem appropriate on this subject: “Jesus is not condemning everyone who looks at a woman; only those who look at a woman for the specific purpose of illicit sexual fantasy. The look must be directed toward the woman with a specific purpose in mind — that mental adultery with her can be enjoyed. Many men have looked at women in a legitimate way and later, as a result of that look, have found themselves aroused to evil thoughts. This is not the situation that Jesus was describing. The evil intent must precede the look; thus the look is for an evil purpose. The mental adultery has already been committed before the gaze is directed at its object. This is the force of hēdē (already). . . . Note that epithumeō (lust) [used here in v. 28] is the word used in the tenth commandment (Thou shalt not covet)” (Renaissance New Testament).

Discussion: Why might some argue that what they look at has no effect on them spiritually?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page, 40.

In "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gordon Snider writes,

It should be remembered that the point of the story was to define the term “neighbor.” The priest and Levite were presented as being the most likely to treat the wounded man as a neighbor, but they did not. Then came an unlikely candidate, a certain Samaritan. As he journeyed suggests that his journey was more extensive than just a commute from Jerusalem to Jericho. As a result he was likely more equipped to help, but also under greater time constraints. He also saw him, the same verb used of the priest and Levite. But instead of responding with apathy, the Samaritan had compassion on him. He was deeply moved in his inner being by the plight of the wounded traveler. The same verb was used often by Matthew and Mark to describe Jesus’ response to situations of need. (See Matt. 9:36 and Mark 1:41 for examples.)

Discussion: What would you say it means to be a neighbor?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, pages 35-36.

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Dr. Gayle Woods discusses what it means to be Christlike, in part saying:

Romans 12:1, 2 speaks of the necessity of a continual condition of surrender to God. In this surrender we volunteer our lives as “living [sacrifices].” We relinquish all selfish ambitions to God, desiring to have our minds renewed and transformed so that we think like Christ. Thinking like Christ brings us to the next aspect of being like Christ. This human responsibility also includes a continual freedom from sin. The Sinless One expects His servants to be “dead indeed unto sin,” according to Romans 6:11. When we offer ourselves upon the altar of personal sacrifice for the glory of God, we no longer bow the knee to sin. Sin ceases to be our master. We follow in the footsteps of our Lord, refusing to look back toward the enticements of rebellion and disobedience. We follow our Lord in obedience, sacrificial love, and patient suffering (John 15:10, 12, 13; 1 Peter 2:19-23).

Discussion: What one thing (habit, attitude, action, etc.) do you need to change in order to be more Christlike?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 38.

In "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gordon Snider writes:

Shepard notes that the dangerousness of this road was legendary. The man could not possibly have not known his danger! Thieves . . . stripped . . . and wounded him. The violent nature of these men is clear from their actions. They were not petty thieves, but hardened criminals without mercy. Leaving him half dead. Luke wanted the reader to understand the desperate plight of this traveler. Unless someone gave aid soon, death was certain.

It is possible to read this story without truly visualizing how hurt this man was. Art, such as this picture, might shock some for its somewhat graphic nature.
Discussion: Do we truly understand the "desperate plight" of this man? Do we truly care for the plight of others around us who are in need?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 35.

In "Doctrinal Discussion" Dr. Gayle Woods writes...

A self-disciplined person’s actions are rational responses rather than an emotional or impulsive response. He will even at times put aside the possibility of pleasure and comfort in order to do what is most important at the moment.
Our instant gratification, fast-food, fast-paced society wants a quick fix for every problem. The wise understand, however, that to succeed spiritually, you must be more deliberate and take the route of self-discipline.

Discussion: What attitudes must we adopt to take "the route of self-discipline"?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 32.

"And she made him sleep upon her knees; and she called for a man, and she caused him to shave off the seven locks of his head; and she began to afflict him, and his strength went from him. And she said, The Philistines be upon thee, Samson. And he awoke out of his sleep, and said, I will go out as at other times before, and shake myself. And he wist not that the LORD was departed from him." (Judges 16:19-20)

In "Biblical Perspective" Dr. Gordon Snider writes...

When we place ourselves in a position to bring embarrassment to the cause of God, our strength will leave us as well.

It is difficult to understand how people in flagrant disobedience to God’s commands assume that God will ignore their disobedience and be faithful to His part when they have not been faithful on their part. But it happens every day.

Discussion: How can God's people be so oblivious both to the shame they bring to God's cause as well as to the condemnation of God they receive when they willfully disobey God's Word?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 29.

In "Word Focus", Dr. Glenn McClure focuses on the phrase "striveth for the mastery" (1 Corinthians 9:25) and writes:

Paul’s emphasis on self-control is expressed by G. G. Findlay: “Entering the race is not winning it; do not be satisfied with running, but make sure of winning — so run that you may secure (the prize)!” (Exp. Gk. Test.). So, Paul’s focus was on the word egkrateuetai (is temperate). These athletes trained for ten months prior to the Great Games, and under oath followed a prescribed diet and a vigorous control of passions. They did all they could “to make their bodies vigorous, active, and supple” (Barnes). This included abstaining from both unlawful and lawful indulgences.
If an athlete can do this just to win a wreath that will wither after one day, what should the Christian do to win an eternal crown?

Discussion: To what lengths should the Christian go to win life's race?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 28.

"Now therefore give me this mountain, whereof the LORD spake in that day; for thou heardest in that day how the Anakim were there, and that the cities were great and fenced: if so be the LORD will be with me, then I shall be able to drive them out, as the LORD said." (Joshua 14:12)
David Woods writes in "God's Word for Today":

The most admirable aspect of Caleb's bold request to receive the inheritance God had promised was not his age, his perseverance for forty-five long years in the wilderness, or his courageous stand when the rest of the nation wanted to return to Egypt. Rather, Caleb's confident attitude is seen most now, having that past, asking for one of the most difficult areas of Israel in which he might settle.
The land Caleb wanted was mountainous. It was filled with the Anakim, the giants that scared the ten spies so many years before, and the remnants of which settled in Philistine territory.

Discussion: When you have your choice of challenges, do you choose the most difficult or the easiest?
Source: Biblical Family Values, Adult Teacher's Insights, page 24.