The resources God has given us to live a thriving life are His Word, Spirit, and People.
Read God’s Word:
Proverbs 5-8
Act 2: God’s Covenant People
Scene 5: Kings and Prophets: God shapes a kingdom people
Background Information: Proverbs 5-8
Proverbs is written so that the young may become wise and the already wise may increase in their wisdom. It is written so that we won’t live stupid lives. In vivid language, the stupidity of a lack of sexual discipline is lined up against the beauty and joy of sex within God’s good design for marriage. Sexual discipline is given a lot of attention because the lack of this discipline has ruined so many lives… then as it does now. Generosity will be encouraged in the book of Proverbs, but taking on unlimited liability is stupid and will become a trap. The stupidity of laziness leads to anything but rest, as poverty and need rob you of what little you have left. Stupid indeed is the person who delights in sowing discord among others. Gossip, tearing others down, putting self first, feels life-giving to the fool, but will lead to ruin in the end. Seven things that God detests are given to describe the evil traits of this kind of divisive person. Proverbs is written so that stupid things will look stupid. Why use the word stupid over and over versus the word foolish? Stupid is sometimes used as a translation of “folly”(5:23). It is a good translation because the word “foolish” doesn’t carry the weight it used to with many people. The word “stupid” has a sarcastic, cutting edge to it, and that is more to the point of Proverbs. These Proverbs cut like a knife, getting down to the heart of things. They push us to consider the long-term consequences beyond the temporary and enticing pull of stupid choices. When we hear of people, famous or otherwise, who have made decisions that led to their ruin, we often think to ourselves, “How stupid!” It is stupid to throw away so much for so little. It is stupid to throw away the long term for short-term pleasures. Forrest Gump famously said, “Stupid is as stupid does.” He got this right. A person’s actions, not their perceived intelligence, ultimately determines whether they are fools or not. Proverbs tells us over and over, “Don’t be stupid.” Believe God’s word and obey God’s word: “wisdom is as wisdom does.”
Pray:
Praise God for…
Thank God for…
Confess your sins to God
As we enter the summer, pray for our small group members to be intentional to stay connected to one another and to stay in God’s Word. Pray for our families as they develop new summer rhythms including traveling, that they would maintain good habits of Bible reading, family devotions and prayer while they enjoy more family time.
Ask God for… (what else concerns you?)
Reflect:
Write down one passage of scripture that stood out to you today.
Write down why this passage stood out to you.
Engage Community:
Text or call someone now and tell them…
– What you are praying for.
– What stood out from God’s word today.