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Marks of Godly Living
Focus Text: Proverbs 10:1-14
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list three evidences of a godly person.
Central Truth: Godly living must be demonstrated in our actions and attitudes.
I. The Mark of Righteousness (Prov. 10:1-3)
II. The Mark of Diligence (Prov. 10:4, 5)
III. The Mark of Integrity (Prov. 10:6-10)
IV. The Mark of Righteous Speech (Prov. 10:11-14)
Talk Positively
Talk positively about the church. The small group is not the time to plot against the worship leader or to complain about the pastor. It is also not a time to pass judgment on those who think differently than you do on an issue, be it political, religious, or social. Keep the same principles of worship, prayer, and teaching that are found in the congregation as designated by your congregational leaders. Your time together should be a time to rejoice over the church, to pray for the church, and to increase your love for the Lord’s church.
The Challenge of Wisdom
Read Proverbs 9:1-8
“Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee” (v. 8).
Those who fear the Lord are teachable. Ouch! Refusing to tell a commercial pilot that he is off course could result in the demise of many innocent passengers. When we embark on a journey, we have a destination in mind. The highway to heaven passes through deep valleys and dark tunnels. Treacherous mountains lurk at us; tsunamis threaten our souls! God’s Positioning System (GPS) will correctly guide us heavenward if we will but seek His counsel. Thank God for Christian friends who are honest and loving. Reading God’s Word and fellowshipping with God’s family, our brethren in Christ, will ensure a safe landing on the heavenly shores. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching” (Heb. 10:25). The trumpet could sound at any moment, as Christ’s return appears to be imminent! The Captain of our soul will guard and guide us. There is not a nanosecond that He is asleep or taking a much-needed break! Listen to that still small voice that guides you throughout your busy day. Get quiet before our Heavenly Father and ask for His divine leadership in your life! He will safely steer us homeward. (Beverly K. Tatum)
Pressing more closely to Him Who is leading, When we are tempted to turn from the way; Trusting the arm that is strong to defend us, Happy, how happy, our praises each day. — Eliza Edmunds Stites Hewitt
“Labor to keep alive in your heart that little spark of celestial fire — Conscience” (George Washington).
The Excellence of Wisdom
Focus Text: Proverbs 8:11-23; 9:10-12
Objective: By the end of this lesson my students should be able to list ways in which wisdom may be shown in their daily living.
Central Truth: It is impossible to know the way of wisdom apart from knowing Jesus Christ.
I. The Wealth of Wisdom (Prov. 8:10-21)
II. The Origin of Wisdom (Prov. 8:22-31)
III. The Importance of Wisdom (Prov. 9: 10-12)
Serve Together
Build community by serving together. The small group is a wonderful way for the church to invade a world of need and opportunity. Volunteering together will add vibrancy and excitement to your group, along with deepening your relationships. Within your group, you might collect supplies or money for a local food pantry. You might go down to the pantry and work together. If one of your group members has a service project at a workplace, go join in together.
Preservation
Read Proverbs 4:1-6
“Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee; love her, and she shall keep thee” (v. 6).
I enjoy how Solomon gives a persona to Wisdom, picturing her as a woman standing in the busy intersections of life, crying out her message in the marketplaces, pleading with all to seek her. The wise man urges us to clasp Wisdom to our hearts and to cling to her as to a treasure. If we do not forsake godly wisdom, it will preserve (keep, defend, protect) us; if we love wisdom, it will keep (guard) us. How many of us have yearned for this wisdom as we face decisions, disappointments, disasters, and death? And we have found that as we ask God for wisdom and humbly await His response to our request, He has ultimately provided the direction we need. We need wisdom in the home and with the family, in the schoolroom and the market, on the road and in solitude, in the choices large and small that we must make. And God is the giver of wisdom without reproaching us for the asking; He gives liberally when we ask Him. (Leonard L. Sankey)
Higher, higher in the school of wisdom, More of grace to know — Charles P. Jones
God is pleased when we turn to Him and ask for His wisdom and understanding.