Proverbs Series Discussion Questions
July 7, 2024 - A Tale of Two Roads
What do you need most in life right now? How would you answer that?
When Solomon was asked that, he chose to ask for wisdom. Why was that important and how did that shape his life as a King?
How is wisdom the skill of bringing all of life together into a dance? What are the different parts of the skill of wisdom?
Wisdom turns weapons into tools. How is this seen in money, power, acceptance, and intimacy?
Proverbs is the book of a Father King passing on wisdom for every stage of life. How does wisdom impact each phase differently?
The road more traveled is that of the fool. Proverbs calls us out as simple, proud, scoffers that are headed for destruction. Talk through these three traits of a fool. How foolish do you find yourself at times?
Will you commit this summer to being a summer of wisdom?
What does it look like to find the gospel in green and pink?
How is Jesus found in the book of Proverbs and what does it mean to "be like" Him?
July 21, 2024 - The Antidote to Pride
How does the world’s view of pride differ from the biblical view presented in Proverbs?
In what ways can pride be seen as an "upside down understanding of how the universe works"?
Discuss how humility is the antidote to pride according to the sermon.
Can you share a personal experience where pride led to a negative outcome for you or someone you know?
Why is it significant that humility is described as recognizing who we are and who God is?
How does the example of Jesus in Philippians 2 challenge our everyday attitudes and behaviors?
Reflect on the statement, “Pride is at the root of all sin.” Do you agree or disagree, and why?
What practical steps can we take to cultivate humility in our lives?
How does community play a role in helping us identify and address pride in our lives?
July 28, 2024 - Let Go, Hold Fast, Go With
Do you know how to let go of what is foolish in your life? What did the process look like for our students to have their lives deconstructed?
Why was it easier for them to see the entanglement they were in while in the discomfort of a mission trip?
Is it possible that you have been entangled by excess and have more to let go of in your life?
In a state of absence you make room for abundance. How does this statement shift our mindset of what is important in life?
When you let go of the things of the world you can now hold onto God. What practices did the students put into life that helped them experience an abundance of Jesus?
How can we incorporate these practices into our lives and experience more of Jesus every day?
Why did Solomon ask for wisdom? Why did Solomon pass wisdom on?
What does it mean to Go with Jesus for His purpose? How was this expressed through the missionaries?
Can our life have that purpose now in Monroe? What is God's will? How does my life fit into that?
August 4, 2024 - How to Be a Boss and Treat a Boss
Have you ever seen The Princess Bride? How would you respond to a person randomly saying "you killed my father, prepare to die"?
Wisdom shapes life into the understanding that it's not all about "me" it's all about the King. How does this automatically challenge our understanding of work, being a boss, and being a good employee?
How does meekness play into wisdom shaping how we manage our businesses as bosses?
If you are a boss, how should wisdom shape your vision, work environment, employee relationships, and stewarding of resources?
If you are a worker, what does it mean to use what you have as an expression of power and authority?
If you are showing up to work for the King, why do you need to curb your appetites?
How does one begin to work for the purpose of Jesus in their job?
What does it mean to connect the eternal purpose to your seemingly mundane tasks?
What is the difference between work feeling worthless and work feeling worthy?
August 11, 2024 - When Debt and Life Get Reconciled
You have no choice… you do have money and have to be accountable to what you do with what you have? So how do you feel you are actually doing with the stewardship of this powerful substance?
Solomon uses truth to shake us into realizing the vanity and despondency that our normal mindset of money has on us and the world? Why is it so natural for us to start by thinking of what we want to get out of life? How does that make us our own ‘gods’?
What do we do with our wealth? We are the 12% squandering 85% of global wealth on acquiring empty idols and become enslaved to our debt. How does that sit with you and how do you see that in your life?
Have you ever found yourself saving for security? How much do you have left to save for the future? What does Proverbs point out about this?
Most of us put little thought into giving to places of need. Most of us feel like we don’t have much to give because of our financial reality. What does it take to change that and see the grace offered in Proverbs and the words and life of Jesus?
Start with trust! How does trusting in God and His care for you recalibrate life and your connection to money?
Why should we give first? How is this modeled by the church? How would it feel to know that right off the bat your money is being used to address the disparity in our world for the kingdom of God?
What does it mean to Save Reasonably and Steward your Life Moderately? How does this fuel a purposeful and fulfilling life?
Jesus was after Zacchaeus’ heart not his money. But once Jesus got his heart new life and purpose was quickly found. It wasn’t too late for Zac and it’s not too late for you. What steps need to happen to turn your mindset upside down and start living a wise financial life?
August 18, 2024 - Choose Your Words Carefully
Do you believe there is power in words? How have words been used to sink your life? How have words been used to redirect your life?
How has silence hurt your life in the past? When would silence have benefited your life?
Words can bring life or death and silence can give life or take life? Does this make you evaluate how and when you use your words?
What does it take to make sure the words we are speaking are words of truth? Why does that matter? How many of you love to be truth tellers?
Truth needs to be well timed. How have you seen true words used at the wrong time hurt relationships or negate truth?
How does gauging receptivity, being emotionally discharged, and finding the right forum help timing make truth more palatable?
Our words should be true, well timed, and always used toward the purpose of redemption (not just being right). How does redemption reframe truth and why we use our words?
How is redemption needed in your work environment, family relationships, friendships, politics, and other areas of your life? Moving toward redemption in these areas ensures we are moving toward life the way God intended it.
In what area can you focus on using no negative words and only words of life?
August 25, 2024 - What Are We Looking For?
Lady folly and the world’s way of finding pleasure leads us to empty places. Read Proverbs 7:13-20. Why does seeking physical pleasure as our main goal never lead to satisfaction?
How do the quotes shared testify that the world is recognizing the emptiness in this pursuit? How have you seen the vanity of looking for love in all the wrong places?
Wisdom leads us to pursue intimacy instead of just physical pleasure. How is this seen in how God designed us to be “one”?
Intimacy is expressed in covenant language. What does the “seal” of permanency do to free us to be known?
How does Proverbs 31 demonstrate that we are to know and acknowledge to our spouse with admiration? How does this admiration open doors to affection?
What does it mean to be committed to growth? Why is this central to our faith as individuals and in the context of marriage?
Proverbs 24 speaks of a vineyard owner who isn’t attentive to his work. How does this correlate to our attentiveness to the growth of our spouse? How do you grow through grace with one another?
Intimacy leads to life. Take a minute to talk about the significance of God’s desire for our intimate love to lead to the life of a child.
God’s good design for intimacy is to find physical pleasure deeply connected and fueled by intimacy. From the beginning God has said it is good. Proverbs 5:15-19 describes it as being intoxicating and full of joy. Isn’t that the kind of sex the world seems to be looking for. Why can it not be separated from intimacy with commitment and growth?
September 1, 2024 - How To Not Be A Fool
What talk on wisdom stood out the most to you this summer? What was compelling or convicting about it?
Does hearing wisdom always translate to actual life change?
As you've read through Proverbs and used a highlighter to distinguish wisdom from folly, have you created a "do & don't" list? What does that look like?
How does a heart check differ from a checklist?
What does your heart desire and detest? How does sitting with the King shape your heart?
How did Jesus sit at the table with John and change John's heart? Who did John pass Jesus' heart off to?
How was sitting at the table with Jesus modeled in reality and in the parable Jesus shared in Luke 15?
In John 15 Jesus sat at the table and shared the key to walking in His wisdom. What did Jesus show the disciples they would need to abide? How is this seen in the vine and the branches?
Do you have a walking partner that is helping you learn to abide? Why is that needed in your life spiritually and in the context of our current culture?