Grace Point Church

Proverbs 16:1-4

If someone were to ask you "what is the meaning of life?" - Could you answer them in a clear and compelling statement in under 30 seconds?

Read Proverbs 16:1-4 – What are the key words in this text that point to the domains of our life? What is a common word that is true in every verse (LORD)?

How should “the LORD” be defining and influencing our purpose in life?

EXISTENCE: Do you ever struggle with why you are alive? (Jeremiah 20:18) How do you reconcile your answer with Scripture (Prov 16:4, Eph 4:10)

SIGNIFICANCE: Has God ever given you a word or verse that has given you a sense of direction in your purpose in life? (Isaiah 49:4-5

What does it mean to have significance behind your life?

INTENTION: How does a relationship with God help steer our paths forward in life? (Col 1:16; Prov 4:18)

Prov 12:17-19

From your own experience, what was the most life-giving conversation you have ever experienced?

Be as specific as you want, but what was an example of a debilitating conversation you have experienced? (Prov 18:2)

Why is the heart the first line of defense for guarding the speech? (Prov 4:23-24; Matt 12:34)

Can you recall all the "methods of mass destruction" our speech can generate? (lies, arguments, slander, gossip)

How much does God hold us accountable for our mass destruction? (Matt 12:36-37)

How can we be better at being life-givers with our speech?

What is required to WHOLLY LISTEN to someone?

Bonus: if anyone wishes to study all the passages in Proverbs that speak to our speech, you can forward them this list… Proverbs 6:16–19, 24; 7:21; 8:6–9, 13; 10:6, 11, 13–14, 18–21, 30, 32; 11:9, 11–13; 12:6, 13–14, 17–19, 22–23; 13:2–3, 5; 14:3, 5, 25; 15:1–2, 4, 7, 23; 16:13, 23–24; 17:4, 7, 20, 28; 18:4, 6–8, 13, 17, 20–21; 19:5, 9; 20:15, 19–20; 21:23, 28; 22:10; 25:9–11, 18, 20, 23, 25; 26:4–7, 9, 17, 20–26, 28; 27:1–2, 5, 14–16; 29:5, 8–9, 11, 15, 19; 30:10–11, 17, 32; 31:8

Prov 12:17-19

From your own experience, what was the most life-giving conversation you have ever experienced?

Be as specific as you want, but what was an example of a debilitating conversation you have experienced? (Prov 18:2)

Why is the heart the first line of defense for guarding the speech? (Prov 4:23-24; Matt 12:34)

Can you recall all the "methods of mass destruction" our speech can generate? (lies, arguments, slander, gossip)

How much does God hold us accountable for our mass destruction? (Matt 12:36-37)

How can we be better at being life-givers with our speech?

What is required to WHOLLY LISTEN to someone?

Bonus: if anyone wishes to study all the passages in Proverbs that speak to our speech, you can forward them this list… Proverbs 6:16–19, 24; 7:21; 8:6–9, 13; 10:6, 11, 13–14, 18–21, 30, 32; 11:9, 11–13; 12:6, 13–14, 17–19, 22–23; 13:2–3, 5; 14:3, 5, 25; 15:1–2, 4, 7, 23; 16:13, 23–24; 17:4, 7, 20, 28; 18:4, 6–8, 13, 17, 20–21; 19:5, 9; 20:15, 19–20; 21:23, 28; 22:10; 25:9–11, 18, 20, 23, 25; 26:4–7, 9, 17, 20–26, 28; 27:1–2, 5, 14–16; 29:5, 8–9, 11, 15, 19; 30:10–11, 17, 32; 31:8

Take an extended time in this week's meeting to pray for our nation, our leaders and the election. Read 1 Tim 2:1-2. Start your time with prayer or it may be good to end your discussion with a prayer time. Follow the prompting of God’s Spirit in your life.

Message Title: Fools, Wise and Otherwise

What are the 3 primary behaviors that Proverbs speaks of? (wise, foolish, and Evil)

What are the traits of the behavior of a wise person? (Prov 1:5)

How do you correct a wise person? (Prov 9:6; 15:31-32)

What are the traits of foolish behavior? (Prov 15:5)

Why can’t you correct a foolish behaving person with “words?” How do you correct a fool?

What are the traits of the Evil? (Prov 1:24-29)

How do you correct or deal with evil?

What do you do to people in the church who are conspiring evil and are divisive? (Titus 3:10-11)

How do you steer your life away from evil? (Prov 3:7)

Take an extended time in this week's meeting to pray for our nation, our leaders and the election. Read 1 Tim 2:1-2. Start your time with prayer or it may be good to end your discussion with a prayer time. Follow the prompting of God’s Spirit in your life.

Message Title: Fools, Wise and Otherwise

What are the 3 primary behaviors that Proverbs speaks of? (wise, foolish, and Evil)

What are the traits of the behavior of a wise person? (Prov 1:5)

How do you correct a wise person? (Prov 9:6; 15:31-32)

What are the traits of foolish behavior? (Prov 15:5)

Why can’t you correct a foolish behaving person with “words?” How do you correct a fool?

What are the traits of the Evil? (Prov 1:24-29)

How do you correct or deal with evil?

What do you do to people in the church who are conspiring evil and are divisive? (Titus 3:10-11)

How do you steer your life away from evil? (Prov 3:7)

Key Text: Proverbs 27:17

What does it mean to be free? How did Nathan define freedom? (Freedom is not the ability to do what you want; it is the capability to be who you were created to be.)

To be free, we must love our neighbor. (Galatians 5:13-15 and Mark 12:30-31). How can we as a group love our neighbors?

We are free to fill our calendars with whatever we want, but oftentimes we fill it with things that really don’t matter. To be who we were created to be, we need a community of believers. Do you find it difficult to make consistent time of biblical community a priority? Why or why not?

We were created for community. When chaos happens, or care and/or cultivation is needed, community comes through! Describe a time when your community has come alongside you in chaos, to care for you, or to cultivate (or sharpen) you.

Nathan used the illustration of a domino - linear and geometric progression. Faith isn’t linear; it’s geometric! The goal is to set off a chain reaction of disciple multiplication. (Note to leaders: Is there someone in your group who you need to lean into and challenge to lead a new group [and set off a chain reaction of multiplication]? Is God challenging anyone in your group to do this? If you’re bold, ask it!)

The domino illustration is also about discipleship. Think of the “someone who invested in you” (who discipled or is discipling you) and has challenged you to grow in your walk with the Lord. Take a few moments this week and write them a card to say “thank you” for investing in you.

At Grace Point, people can know God, love people, and live sent within a group. What does our group need to do to see all three of these manifested?

Key Text: Proverbs 27:17

What does it mean to be free? How did Nathan define freedom? (Freedom is not the ability to do what you want; it is the capability to be who you were created to be.)

To be free, we must love our neighbor. (Galatians 5:13-15 and Mark 12:30-31). How can we as a group love our neighbors?

We are free to fill our calendars with whatever we want, but oftentimes we fill it with things that really don’t matter. To be who we were created to be, we need a community of believers. Do you find it difficult to make consistent time of biblical community a priority? Why or why not?

We were created for community. When chaos happens, or care and/or cultivation is needed, community comes through! Describe a time when your community has come alongside you in chaos, to care for you, or to cultivate (or sharpen) you.

Nathan used the illustration of a domino - linear and geometric progression. Faith isn’t linear; it’s geometric! The goal is to set off a chain reaction of disciple multiplication. (Note to leaders: Is there someone in your group who you need to lean into and challenge to lead a new group [and set off a chain reaction of multiplication]? Is God challenging anyone in your group to do this? If you’re bold, ask it!)

The domino illustration is also about discipleship. Think of the “someone who invested in you” (who discipled or is discipling you) and has challenged you to grow in your walk with the Lord. Take a few moments this week and write them a card to say “thank you” for investing in you.

At Grace Point, people can know God, love people, and live sent within a group. What does our group need to do to see all three of these manifested?

Proverbs 5:1-2, 21

Do you agree or disagree with the statement that your marriage is the most important relationship on earth? Is it more important than your parenting relationships?

What is a fatal attraction in 1 word (adultery)? What all does adultery cover?

What are the primary ways a person is seduced (Proverbs 2:16; 6:24-25; 7:21-22)?

How does adultery damage a marriage (Proverbs 5:11, 22; 6:26, 32; 7:21,23, 27)? Divide these verses among the group and read each out loud, while long listing the answers of the impact of adultery.

Do you remember the 3 wise and practical ways that Mike mentioned to avoid adultery (Proverbs 5:1, 8; 1 Cor 6:18; 2 Tim 2:22; 5:18-19)?

How does God fit into our “most important” relationship?

Proverbs 5:1-2, 21

Do you agree or disagree with the statement that your marriage is the most important relationship on earth? Is it more important than your parenting relationships?

What is a fatal attraction in 1 word (adultery)? What all does adultery cover?

What are the primary ways a person is seduced (Proverbs 2:16; 6:24-25; 7:21-22)?

How does adultery damage a marriage (Proverbs 5:11, 22; 6:26, 32; 7:21,23, 27)? Divide these verses among the group and read each out loud, while long listing the answers of the impact of adultery.

Do you remember the 3 wise and practical ways that Mike mentioned to avoid adultery (Proverbs 5:1, 8; 1 Cor 6:18; 2 Tim 2:22; 5:18-19)?

How does God fit into our “most important” relationship?

Proverbs 3:1-10

What is the best advice you received from your parents growing up? What bit of wisdom did your parents “try” give you that you ignored and wish you hadn’t?

Read and compare the two different tones of Proverbs 1:8, 3:1 and 3:11. What do you hear in the voice of the father and mother to the son?

When Solomon tells people to obey, what are they to obey with (3:2)? What is the difference between heart obedience v. head obedience?

Why do you think steadfastness and faithfulness are such "respect building" qualities? (v.3-4)

God wants us to trust Him… (v.5-6) How is each practically lived out?

Trust in the Lord …

With all your heart…

Do not lean on your own understanding…

Acknowledge Him in all your ways…

Why is arrogance such a hard attitude to detect in ourselves?

How will being “wise in our own eyes” get in the way of our “trusting in the Lord?”

What does God say about our wealth? (Haggai 2:8)

Why is honoring the Lord with all our wealth a pattern of God?

Why does money say more about what we love in life than anything else (Matthew 6:21)?