Session 4: Finding Wisdom
Read Proverbs 13:10, 20; 13:12; 15:12; 21:30; 25:12
Wisdom has been described as the combination of knowledge and experience. Knowledge gives us the book-learning, the intellectual capacity to know what to do it. Experience gives us the hand’s on, the application practice that helps us to know how to do it. Help in gaining wisdom often comes from those more knowledgeable and more experience than we are in many areas. This portion of our study shows us where to tap in on the resources of those who understand things we do not yet know about.
1. Is there a skill that you would like to have because it would make your life, work or relationships better than they are?
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2. Who, in your life, have been instrumental in helping you acquire skills that have helped you? What did they teach you?
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3. All of the proverbs we read point, in one way or another, to a single “source” for wisdom. What is that source?
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4. As you reflect on these proverbs, what do you see in them that keeps a person from becoming wise?
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5. Think of a parent, mentor, coach, or friend who helped you to become wise in some area. Which of these proverbs match how you acquired skill or wisdom from the one who helped you?
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6. In Solomon’s day, wisdom was taught either at home or in a “wisdom” school. If you were going to attend a wisdom school, what would you consider during your selection process?
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7. What specific steps can we take to acquire the wisdom of a wise man or woman?
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8. Sometimes the lessons of wisdom are painful. How do these proverbs explain how “wising up” can sometimes involve pain?
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9. Often in athletics we hear the saying, “No pain, No gain.” Recall a time from your own life where getting smarter caused you personal pain.
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10. Why do you think there is such a large gulf between what seems right to us and what is truly wise? (14:12)
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11. Proverbs 21:30 assures us that certain advice will come to nothing. How can we be sure if the advice we are getting is good or if it will not succeed at all?
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12. At the beginning of this session, you were asked if there was an area in which you needed wisdom. What can you resolve to do right now so that you can begin acquiring it?
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Becoming wise is not a solo flight. We should always rely upon the proven wisdom of those we recognize by reputation and proven experience. In the Christian life, it is no different. Although we are all disciples at our own place on our journey with Christ, we each can learn from each other. Pray that in your life you can be a source of wisdom for others as you seek to gain wisdom at the same time.