Words of the Wise

How do we acquire wisdom? In this first session of our study in Proverbs, we examine what the Bible means when it talks about wisdom and how God’s people are to become wise.

Frequently, Scripture commands us to listen. Moses does so to the people of Israel before they go into the Promised Land. Likewise Jesus instructs his followers as he proclaims the kingdom of God. But why is listening so important, and how do we listen well?

Words have power. They can wound and they can heal. They can strengthen and they can weaken. They can inspire a person to action and they can destroy a person’s spirit. Words have power. So how and when and in what ways should we use them? How should we speak and how should we listen? What does it mean to do this with wisdom? Those are the questions that we’ll discussion in this session.

Americans have fewer and fewer friends. We’re busy and distracted, yes, but perhaps the decline in friendship has more to do with how little we understand its value and purpose. In this session we explore why friendship matters, how can we protect it, and what it means to be a good friend.

Work is a good part of creation, and good work is neither drudgery nor degrading. Proverbs, therefore, encourages us to work diligently. In this session, we examine the wisdom of work, answering not only the question of how we should work but also why.

The Bible talks about money more than almost anything else in human life. Though we often look for advice to obtain money or advice to keep it, Proverbs asks about the proper use of the money we have. In this session we explore the wise use of money and how to avoid spiritual mistakes.

“He who commits adultery lacks sense.” Proverbs thus summarizes sexual intimacy outside of marriage. Forbidden pleasure may seem enjoyable for a moment, but it inevitably results in hurt, regret, and heartache. At the same time, Proverbs celebrates the blessings of marriage and the intimacy of a husband and wife.