Grow Guide | Nov 2/6

All Things New

Proverbs 16:1-3, 8-9

Connecting Questions

·      Are you someone who likes to plan things ahead or do you like to be spontaneous? What are the pros and cons of each style?

·      Name a time in life when you felt like the Lord was directing your steps. Where did you see God at work?

Context

This is the third week in our 4-week worship series called “All Things New,” the title of which comes from Revelation 21:5, “And the one who was seated on the throne said, “See, I am making all things new.” God is doing something new at Easter and in our lives, and through our generosity, we are a part of it. This week, we’re specifically reflecting on the congregational opportunity to declare Statements of Intent for giving to Easter in 2023 (indicating an estimate of a household’s giving to Easter in the next year).

Our scripture readings for this worship series are topical instead of chronological. As we explore the theme of generosity in scripture, we jump from the book of Deuteronomy (which we read last week) to the book of Proverbs. The Old Testament contains many different forms of literature including poetry, song, and prose; Proverbs is part of a section of scripture called “wisdom literature,” written in a poetic style and meant to give counsel on how to live. (The biblical books that are traditionally named as wisdom literature are Job, Psalms, Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon.) The book of Proverbs is divided into two sections—chapters 1-9 include instructions, poems, and a fascinating portion that personifies “wisdom” and “folly” in the form of two women and contrasts them with one another. Chapters 10 and following contain two-part sentences, called proverbs, that are succinct sayings meant to persuade the reader to live a morally upright life. Our reading for this week comes from this second section of Proverbs.  

Look at the Book

·      Read Proverbs 16:1-3, 8-9. What sticks out to you in these verses? What questions do you have after reading them?

·      On a piece of paper, map out the two parts of each verse/sentence in Proverbs 16:1-3, 8-9. Here is an example:

o   The plans of the mind belong to mortals  /BUT/ (notice the conjunction!)  

o   The answer of the tongue is from the Lord.

o   Compare and contrast the two parts of each sentence. What do you notice?

§  In the above example, notice:

·      “plans” is compared with “answer”

·      “mind” is compared with “tongue”

·      “belong” is compared with “from”

§  I find the comparison of “mind” and “tongue” especially intriguing. Thoughts are private, but spoken words are public. God may be most concerned with the words we speak because they affect others.

§  Practice with the rest of the verses!

·      A common theme in wisdom literature in the Old Testament is God’s power and control over all life. Where do you see this theme in our verses for today?

o   Yet, Proverbs also lifts up the idea that human intelligence also plays an important role in life (though it can be mistaken). Where do you see this theme in our verses?

o   Notice the tension between God’s power and human power in these verses (and in the entire book of Proverbs). How do you view God’s role in guiding your life? In global affairs?

·      Proverbs’ centering verse is 1:7a: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of all knowledge.” “Fear” in this context can also be translated as “respect” or “admiration.” How do you see “the good life” building upon knowing God?

·      What would happen if these verses from Proverbs were true in your life? How might your life change?

·      Have you ever resisted the ideas in these proverbs?

Taking it Home

·      Are there parts of your life that could benefit from more intentional planning? Would your patterns of giving change if you were more intentional?

·      Reflect on ways you can “commit your work to the Lord” this week (Proverbs 16:3). What parts of your life could use this energy of commitment?