IBC Richmond

Application Questions:

Should you lend money to family or friends? Is it wise to ever loan money? How does wisdom govern lending practices?

What can be learned from the ant? What observable behaviors inform work and rest in the life of the wise?

What is an abomination? Why does Proverbs say God hates them? How should Christians hate what God hates?

Define the phrase “one who sows discord among the brothers” (Prov. 6:19).

Who does this describe? What does this offense look like in a family, a church, or a small group?

Application Questions:

What is the result of succumbing to sexual temptation? How does Proverbs describe it? What examples in the Bible prove that sexual sin is foolish?

What practical do's and dont's apply the principle of Proverbs 5:8 by avoiding exposure to sexual temptation?

Is avoiding sexual sin the same as avoiding sexual sinners? How did Jesus treat sexual sinners? How should Christians and the church treat sexual sinners?

How can your war against sexual sin be fought and won in the heart?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

How can wisdom be gained? How can wisdom be lost? How should you think about aging and growing in wisdom?

After reading Proverbs 4:3-5, what is the influence of a father? What should you do in the absence of a godly, instructive father?

To what degree should long life, success, and profit motivate your tenacious pursuit of wisdom?

What is worldview? Proverbs 4:18-19 contrasts righteousness and light to wickedness and darkness. How are these two worldviews distinct in relation to wisdom?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

In what sense is moral wisdom a "tree of life"?

How is "good" defined, qualified, and expressed in Proverbs 3:27-30?

How does privilege, influence, and opportunity factor into doing good? What implications does this have on a person and in a community?

Why does moral wisdom need a community context? What examples have you observed of Proverbs 3:35, "The wise will inherit honor, but fools get disgrace"?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

What does it mean to “acknowledge God” in all your ways? What will God do in response?

Do you study to be intelligent? Do you learn in order to be smart? How does pursuing education fit with wisdom’s counsel to “be not wise in your own eyes” (Prov 3:7)?

How may a believer honor God with their wealth as an application of Proverbs 3:9? Give 4-6 examples.

Why does God discipline? How has God disciplined you personally and recently? What did you learn from the experience?

Application Questions:

Wisdom is described as a treasure to be sought and searched. How does a person pursue wisdom? What practical means will assist in a search for wisdom?

What is the significance of the path imagery in Proverbs 2? What does is signify about life?

Define righteousness, justice, and equity in Proverbs 2:9. What examples of each show up in daily life?

In what ways will your life be spared if you walk in wisdom?

Application Questions:

1. Proverbs speaks of a father’s instruction and a mother’s teaching (Prov. 1:8). Who gives you spiritual advice and wise counsel? What is their name? How have you learned from them?

2. What will a wise person avoiding by not consenting and by not walking with sinners?

3. What is the destination of the evil path? How does this connect with Jesus’ teaching in Luke 9:25?

4. As a parent or as a leader, how often should you motivate negatively, telling others what they should not do?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:

1. Why does Luke describe the two companions on the Emmaus road as “looking sad”? What was their disappointment? What circumstances cause you to be disappointed with God?

2. What does it mean that “their eyes were kept from recognizing him” (Lk 24:16)? Were they blinded by emotion or blinded by God?

3. Why does Jesus ask Cleopas and his companion, “What things” (Lk 24:19)? Didn’t Jesus already know?

4. Why does Jesus appeal to OT Scripture to substantiate the resurrection before revealing himself to them? Wasn’t his physical presences enough? How does this help you weigh the value of Scripture verses personal experience?

Application Questions:
1. What does it mean to walk in the fear of the Lord?
2. Why don’t people fear the Lord?
3. Who are the wise, the simple, and the fool in the book of Proverbs?
4. If you choose to live in godly fear, what would it change about your life on day one?

Application Questions:

1. What is the difference between your ideal life and real life? How does the book of Proverbs reconcile the two?

2. Who wrote Proverbs? What can be learned from his life?

3. Defined the categories (1) wise, (2) simple, and (3) foolish. How does each category relate to your decision making?

4. Who is the hearer and listener in Proverbs 1:1-6?