We all want things in life, but sometimes we just don’t put forth the effort to achieve them. It is not a complicated principle to know that if we don’t do anything, then we don’t get anything. Diligence is about doing what we know is right in a situation to achieve our goal even if we don’t see anything change immediately. But if we just wish for something to happen without putting in the necessary effort, we will never be able to obtain what we desire.

Illustration: The diligent effort of Dr. Jonas Salk who tirelessly pursued researching a vaccine for poliovirus for years despite challenges with funding, criticism from colleagues, and repeating thousands of lab tests.

Verses: Prov. 13:4; 19:24; 26:15

Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

Ever come across someone who thinks they know it all? Maybe we tend to think that we have got the answers at times. But a wise person realizes that the journey in gaining knowledge and understanding is never complete. No matter how experienced we are, how much we have studied, or how skilled we have become, there is always room to become even better.

Illustration: Expert surgeon Atul Gawande’s decision to hire a coach after 8 years so that he could become an even better surgeon.

Verses: Prov. 9:9; 1:5; 12:15; 3:7

Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

Everyone experiences tough times in life. Some tough times are really hard or filled with deep anguish, sorrow, and pain. But we are not alone through them. We are strengthened and comforted by Yahweh, and if we trust in Him and make Him the one that we depend on, then we know that no matter how many times we get knocked down, we can get back up and keep living for His glory.

Illustration: José Hernández and his persistence in applying to the NASA Space Program to be an astronaut every year for over a decade.

Verses: Prov. 24:16

Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

Sometimes we may think of people who do evil and benefit from it as the ones who end up winning in the end. But that is not the case. Evil people have justice coming, whether it is in this life or at the final judgment. Calamity and destruction will befall those who think they can take advantage of others and get off scott-free.

Illustration: Bernie Madoff and his multi-decade investment deception with the largest Ponzi scheme in known history.

Verses: Prov. 6:14-15; 16:30; Jer. 17:11

Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

The world is not a safe place because there are many people who are seeking to do evil to others. Individuals who have chosen to follow the wickedness of the Devil are called the “Devil’s children” because they do the works of their “father”—the Devil. Wisdom instructs us to be observant and discerning as we live in the world since there are many who desire to take advantage of us and do us harm.

Illustration: The Tran Organization casino ring and their deceptive methods to cheat by using non-verbal gestures and signals.

Verses: Prov. 6:12-13; 16:27; John 8:44; 1 John 3:10

Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

No one likes to wait for what they want. We live in a world that seeks immediate gratification. While waiting for something takes patience, the payoff when it comes to pass can be huge. If we are willing to stick with things even when the goal seems far off, we will experience deep satisfaction when it finally arrives. So, we must not quit too soon, or we won’t get to experience the joy of success.

Illustration: Australian swimmer Emma McKeon failed to qualify for the Olympics, and it almost made her quit swimming altogether.

Verses: Prov. 13:12

Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

Have you ever said, “I don’t want your advice” to someone? Well, if that person is someone you trust, then you just shot yourself in the foot, because why would you not want to hear what they have to say? We often think our perspective is complete and the best, and therefore, what need do we have for the insights of others? But as life will teach us, we are better off asking others, “So what do you think?”

Illustration: Queen Elizabeth I’s formation of the Privy Council—her royal advisory board—when she ascended the throne.

Verses: Prov. 11:14; 15:22; 20:18; 24:5-6

Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

Everyone likes a good deal when buying something, but some people are looking to take advantage of others in a dishonest manner in order to profit off of them. Everyone is out to get something for nothing, if they can. The challenge as a seller is to be wise enough to realize the value of an item and to not allow others to sway you through deceptive means or rhetorical trickery, because people can have hidden agendas.

Illustration: When Jerry goes to sell his motorcycle, a buyer tries to depreciate the value and get him to sell it for considerably less than it is worth by constantly criticizing and complaining.

Verses: Prov. 20:10, 14

Teacher: Jerry Wierwille

Everyone likes to be right. But who’s to say whether we actually are or not? Do we get to decide? If it were up to each of us, we would probably claim that most of our actions and behaviors are right. However, the desire to be right is so strong in us that we can tend to make up reasons to legitimize what we have done or are about to do. But only Yahweh can determine if we are deceiving ourselves or living out of a pure heart.

Illustration: In the 1964 NFL season, Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jim Marshall recovers a fumble but then accidentally runs 66 yards to score a touchdown in the wrong endzone.

Verses: Prov. 21:2; 15:11

Teacher: Jerry Wierwille