Summary: Everyone wants to make better decisions, to know what God's plan and will for their life is, and avoid mistakes in the future. To do those things, it's going to take wisdom. James not only helps to define wisdom in these verses, but also gives us a sneak peak into how different our lives will look if we choose Godly wisdom over earthly knowledge.
1. Wisdom vs Intelligence.
a. How would you describe someone that is wise? Is it age, life experiences, etc?
b. How would you describe someone that is smart or intelligent? Is it education, a large vocabulary, book sense, or common sense?
c. What is the difference between wisdom and intelligence? (wisdom comes from God and is defined in Ecclesiastes and Proverbs as knowing God and His Will for your life. Intelligence is simply head knowledge, education, or common sense).
d. According to verse 13, how does a person prove himself to be wise? (Wisdom is shown by a person's actions, decisions, and their life, not just their eloquent speech or large vocabulary).
2. READ Proverbs 9:10.
a. Where does wisdom begin?
b. How does a person gain insight?
3. READ James 3:16.
a. One indicator that a person may be caught up in worldly knowledge verses Godly wisdom is that their life will be marked by "disorder." Some other translations use the word "chaos." Would anyone be willing to share a story where your life was in disorder or chaos as a results of trying to do things on your own and using your own abilities as oppose to seeking and obeying Godly wisdom?
4. READ James 3:17.
a. What do you like about this description of a wise person?
b. What do you find most challenging about this description?
5. READ Proverbs 3:5-6. What is the key that we have to learn in order to jump from relying on our own personal intelligence, smarts, or experience, and start to seek, listen, and trust in God? (Stop leaning on your own talents, abilities, and knowledge, and trust in God and lean on His wisdom and understanding of your life).
When it comes to wisdom and having the ability to decipher the voice of God, here's a simple phrase to remember: "Intimacy determines clarity." Do you want to know God's Will for you life? Do you want clarity? Then the pathway to clarity starts with having intimacy with God through prayer, the Scriptures, worship, and an authentic relationship with Him.
Read James 1:5 and Matthew 7:7-8 to close out your time together. Remember that if you want wisdom, the Bible is very clear what your next step needs to be, and also promises what God's response will be to those that request wisdom.
0 comments:
Post a Comment