Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
Proverbs 3:1-35
- What did it mean to the original reader or original audience?
- What nicknames were you given as a child? How did you get them?
- How do you gauge success: Earnings? Education? Toys? Good name? Leisure-time?
#People = The author - traditionally believed to be King Solomon
- The reader or listener - originally intended for Solomon's sons but applies broadly to all readers
- God
#Place = The exact location isn't specified in Proverbs 3. Proverbs is traditionally understood as wisdom literature of ancient Israel.
#Obedient faith
#Sin
#Key Idea
Trust in the Lord with All Your Heart
3 My son, do not forget my teaching,
but let your heart keep my commandments,
2 for length of days and years of life
and peace they will add to you.
3 Let not steadfast love and faithfulness forsake you;
bind them around your neck;
write them on the tablet of your heart.
4 So you will find favor and good success
in the sight of God and man.
5 Trust in the Lord with
all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord,
and turn away from evil.
8 It will be healing to your flesh
and refreshment to your bones.
9 Honor the Lord with
your wealth
and with the firstfruits of all your
produce;
10 then your barns will be filled with plenty,
and your vats will be bursting with wine.
11 My son, do not despise the Lord's
discipline
or be weary of his reproof,
12 for the Lord reproves
him whom he loves,
as a father the son in whom he delights.
Blessed Is the One Who Finds Wisdom
13 Blessed is the one who finds wisdom,
and the one who gets understanding,
14 for the gain from her is better than gain from silver
and her profit better than gold.
15 She is more precious than jewels,
and nothing you desire can compare with
her.
16 Long life is in her right hand;
in her left hand are riches and honor.
17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness,
and all her paths are peace.
18 She is a tree of life to those who lay hold
of her;
those who hold her fast are called blessed.
19 The Lord by
wisdom founded the earth;
by understanding he established the
heavens;
20 by his knowledge the deeps broke open,
and the clouds drop down the dew.
21 My son, do not lose sight of these—
keep sound wisdom and discretion,
22 and they will be life for your soul
and adornment for your neck.
23 Then you will walk on your way securely,
and your foot will not stumble.
24 If you lie down, you will not be afraid;
when you lie down, your sleep will be
sweet.
25 Do not be afraid of sudden terror
or of the ruin of the wicked, when it
comes,
26 for the Lord will
be your confidence
and will keep your foot from being caught.
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due,
when it is in your power to do it.
28 Do not say to your neighbor, “Go, and come again,
tomorrow I will give it”—when you have it with
you.
29 Do not plan evil against your neighbor,
who dwells trustingly beside you.
30 Do not contend with a man for no reason,
when he has done you no harm.
31 Do not envy a man of violence
and do not choose any of his ways,
32 for the devious person is an abomination to
the Lord,
but the upright are in his confidence.
33 The Lord's
curse is on the house of the wicked,
but he blesses the dwelling of the
righteous.
34 Toward the scorners he is scornful,
but to the humble he gives favor.
35 The wise will inherit honor,
but fools get disgrace.
Proverbs 3 is a timeless guide filled with valuable insights on life. It encourages us to pursue wisdom, trust in God, live righteously, and treat others with kindness. As we embrace these truths, we can expect to experience God's favor, protection, and blessings.
Section 1: The Call to Remember Wisdom (Verses 1-4)
These verses encourage us to not forget the teachings of wisdom, but to keep them in our hearts for long life, peace, and favor with both God and man. They emphasize the importance of steadfast love and faithfulness.
Section 2: Trusting in God's Guidance (Verses 5-6)
These famous verses urge us to trust in the Lord wholeheartedly and not lean on our own understanding. We are called to acknowledge God in all our ways so that He may direct our paths.
Section 3: The Fear of the Lord (Verses 7-8)
This section stresses the significance of humility and the fear of the Lord. It advises us not to be wise in our own eyes but to fear the Lord and turn away from evil, promising it will bring health and vitality.
Section 4: Honor God with Wealth (Verses 9-10)
These verses instruct us to honor God with our wealth and firstfruits, promising that doing so will lead to prosperity and abundance.
Section 5: The Blessing of Divine Discipline (Verses 11-12)
This section reminds us that God's discipline is a sign of His love, just as a father disciplines the son he delights in.
Section 6: The Value of Wisdom (Verses 13-20)
These verses extol the value of wisdom, describing it as more profitable than silver and more precious than rubies. It brings long life and peace to those who embrace it.
Section 7: The Path of Righteousness (Verses 21-26)
Here, the reader is urged to maintain sound wisdom and discretion. It brings safety, security, and freedom from fear.
Section 8: The Practice of Kindness and Truth (Verses 27-32)
These verses encourage us not to withhold good from those to whom it is due when it is in our power to act. They instruct us to avoid envy and strife, for the Lord detests the perverse but blesses the dwelling of the righteous.
Section 9: The Wise and the Foolish (Verses 33-35)
The chapter concludes with a contrast between the fate of the wicked and the blessing of the wise, emphasizing that wisdom brings honor and life.
Proverbs 3 is a powerful chapter within the book of Proverbs that emphasizes the profound value of wisdom, understanding, and righteousness. The chapter offers insights on various life aspects from trusting in God, kindness, and charity, to God's discipline and the fear of the Lord, serving as a guide for righteous living.
- God is ... What do we learn about God in this passage?
- We are ... What do we learn about people in this passage?
- How does this passage strike you: (a) The ramblings of an old man? (b) The insight of a philosopher? (c) The logic of a scholar? (d) The warm entreaty of a concerned father? Why?
- What three sections do you observe (introduced by "My son")? What instructions, benefits and exhortation accompany that lead-in address? Within each section, what verses best sum up what the teaching is all about?
- How does one know if God is trustworthy (vv. 5-6)? Does such faith involve a "blind leap"? Or is faith predicated on understanding based on sound teaching (vv. 1-4)? Why is that?
- Who makes it possible to have wisdom (see 2 Corinthians 3:5-6)? Why is this the only trustworthy wisdom?
- "Poetic parallelism" is a literary device wherein the second line or verse repeats, extends or contrasts with the first. What evidence of each kind of parallelism can you find here?
- A good name (honor and reputation) is highly prized in our culture. How does this chapter suggest you gain it (vv. 4,32, 35)? How might you lose it?
- This chapter introduces us to the first use of short, isolated, seemingly unrelated bits of wisdom called "proverbs." We tend to seize on these "promise" verses, either hopefully or critically, but often out of context. Verse 10 is a case in point: What is this promise based on? What does it mean to honor the Lord with your finances: Gratitude? Trust (v. 5)? “Tithing” from the cream of the crops? Investing in the Lord's work?
- How does the Lord's discipline (vv. 11-12) relate to his blessing? What other blessing is to be prized besides the material one (vv. 13ff)?
- How do you understand the concept of 'wisdom' based on Proverbs 3?
- What does Proverbs 3:7 say about fearing the Lord
- What does Proverbs 3:8 say about being wise and understanding
- What does Proverbs 3:5-6 say about trusting in the Lord with all your heart and mind
- What does Proverbs 3:13-14 say about blessedness and prosperity
- What does Proverbs 3:15-16 say about guidance and counsel
- What does Proverbs 3:9-10 say about honoring the Lord with your possessions
- What does Proverbs 3:11-12 say about wisdom and understanding
- What does Proverbs 3:17-18 say about wisdom and well-being?
- What does it mean to trust in the Lord with all your heart and not lean on your own understanding? How can you apply this to a current situation in your life?
- How can you balance the fear of the Lord with a loving relationship with Him?
- How can honoring God with your wealth look like in today's context?
- How do you respond to the discipline of God according to verses 11-12? Can you share a time when you experienced God's discipline?
- What can we learn about the value of wisdom from this chapter? How does it compare with worldly riches?
- How can you apply the principles of kindness and truth from verses 27-32 in your day-to-day life?
- What are the practical ways to show kindness to others as recommended in verses 27-30?
- How does the comparison between the righteous and the wicked in verses 33-35 impact your perspective on life?
- How does the promise of peace to those who find wisdom inspire you?
- In what ways have you experienced God's guidance when you acknowledged Him in all your ways?
- How can we balance humility and confidence in today's society as verse 7 suggests?
- What is the connection between wisdom and health as described in verse 8?
- How does the promise of prosperity in verses 9-10 align with the reality of poverty and wealth disparity in the world today?
- How does the concept of divine discipline affect your understanding of God's love?
- How can the virtues of wisdom and discretion bring safety and freedom from fear in contemporary society?
- How does the wisdom of Proverbs 3 challenge our society's understanding of success?
- What are some practical ways to maintain steadfast love and faithfulness in our relationships?
- How does God's blessing on the dwelling of the righteous in verse 33 encourage you in your walk with God?
- How can you apply the principles of Proverbs 3 to enhance your daily life and decisions?
- What does it mean to "Honor the Lord with your wealth and with the firstfruits of all your produce"
- What does it mean to "lean not on your own understanding"
- What does it mean to "walk in the way of the Lord"
- What does it mean to "acknowledge Him in all your ways"
- What are some of the benefits of living a life of wisdom
- How can we practically apply the principles found in Proverbs 3
- Why is it important to "fear the Lord"
- What does it mean that "wisdom" will "bestow well-being"?
Thesis: The pursuit of divine wisdom as characterized in Proverbs 3 is not merely an intellectual endeavor but a heart-issue that requires the fear of the Lord as its starting point and humility in our approach to life.
Introduction: Discovering how wisdom in Proverbs 3 transcends mere intellect and transforms our hearts.
1. The Fundamental Nature of Wisdom: A Heart Issue
A. Proverbs 3:5-7 emphasizes trusting in the Lord with all your heart and leaning not on your own understanding.
B. This passage shows that the foundation of wisdom is a heart fully submitted to God, signifying a comprehensive trust beyond mere cognitive agreement.
2. Fear of the Lord: The Beginning of Wisdom
A. Proverbs 3:7 advises us not to be wise in our own eyes but to fear the Lord and shun evil.
B. Associating the fear of the Lord with wisdom highlights that true wisdom starts with a reverential awe and submission to God's sovereign authority.
3. Humility: The Lifestyle of the Wise
A. Proverbs 3:34 states that God mocks proud mockers but shows favor to the humble and oppressed.
B. Emphasizing humility, this part suggests that living wisely involves recognizing our limitations and depending on God's guidance and strength.
Conclusion: To embrace wisdom as summarized in Proverbs 3, we need a transformation that starts within our hearts, guided by a profound reverence for God and marked by humility in our daily lives. This sermon invites us to reassess our understanding of wisdom, urging us to engage all aspects of our lives with an attitude of trust, fear, and humility before God. Let us pursue this divine wisdom, recognizing that it is accessible but demands our wholehearted dedication.
- In what ways do you think wisdom brings well-being?
- Why do you think it is important to "not despise the Lord's discipline" (v. 11)?
- Proverbs 3:5-6 talks about trusting in the Lord. What does it mean to you to trust in the Lord?
- What does it mean to you to "honor the Lord with your substance" (v. 9)?
- Out of all the virtues mentioned in Proverbs 3, which do you think is the most important? Why?
- What are some of the ways you think you can acquire wisdom (v. 18)?
- The verse says that "wisdom is a tree of life to those who embrace her." What does this mean to you?
- What do you think it means that "wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men" (v. 23)?
- Which one of the promises and warnings seem to have "your name" on it (whether you be "my son" or a daughter)? Why that Bone?
- With verses 1-2 in mind, what would you say to the saddened parents of a Christian 8-year-old who was killed by a drunk driver? How might your Christian understanding of life help?
- Whose name comes to mind as you read verses 27-28: Which charitable organization? Any political action committees? Any unemployed neighbors? Anyone in your small group or church?
- How can verses 5-6 help if a skeptic asks you, "How can you believe all those fantasies in the Bible"?
- Where have you experienced the leading of the Lord (as in vv. 5-6)? Let someone in your group share their story of God's leading: How does that make you feel? At what points can you relate to it?
- What kind of person does the Lord "take into his confidence" (v. 26)? Would you like to be that person? At what price? For whose benefit? How are you doing at not betraying the confidences of your group?
- How can I help others to benefit from wisdom?
- What does it mean to me that wisdom bestows well-being?
- What does it mean to live a life full of wisdom?
- What are some benefits of having wisdom?
- What are some things I can do to help others become wiser?
- How does wisdom help me in my daily life?
- What can I do to become wiser?
- How can I tell when I am being wise?
- I will ... What has the Holy Spirit revealed to us in this passage? How can I apply it to my life this week?
- You can ... Who do you know who needs to hear this? Feel free to share with others by social media links at the bottom of this.
