A study on Proverbs for girls

I've been meaning to write up some of the things I've learned from my Bible study on "His Glory" (my theme this year), but right now a study I'm doing in Proverbs with my girls is foremost in my mind.

I wanted to put together a summary with some pictures to help us remember the important points we studied in Proverbs. Here's the two page summary I came up with:

Proverbs is a book about people, the good and bad things they do, and how we can be wise about interacting with people so that our lives are not ruined, but successful.

 Proverbs 1:4,5 says this book was written to three kinds of people:

1. those who are simple, so they can know what to watch out for

2. those who are young, to gain knowledge and discretion;

3. For wise people so they can become even wiser

Proverbs 1:22  and many other verses in Proverbs describe several different types of fools. "How long will you who are simple love your simple ways?  How long will mockers delight in mockery and fools hate knowledge?"

1) The Simple Fool doesn't know that sin has consequences.

• Will believe anything; is easily swayed. Doesn’t think ahead to what could happen.
• Doesn’t take the time to learn about what is good or bad (Proverbs 22:3)

2) The Self-Confident Fool doesn't believe that sin has consequences.

Argument, persuasion, and advice from well-meaning friends fail to convince these fools of error. But correction by authorities, which publicly shames this fool, may change his ways.

• Chooses to ignore wisdom and go their own way.
• Proverbs 26: 11 As a dog returns to its vomit, so fools repeat their folly.
• Proverbs 14:8 Wise men give thought to their ways, but a fool is easily deceived (falls for lies easily!)
• Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools ignore wisdom and instruction.
• Proverbs 14:3 A fool’s proud talk becomes a rod that beats him, but the words of the wise keep them safe.

3) The Committed Fool doesn't care that sin has consequences.

• Proverbs 27:22 says, "Though you crush a fool in a mortar like grain with a pestle, yet will his foolishness not depart from him."
• Psalm 14:1  The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.” They are corrupt, their deeds are vile.

4) The Scornful fool (the mocker) hates the truth and makes fun of it

• Proverbs 13: 1  A wise son heeds his father’s instruction,  but a mocker refuses to listen to correction
• Proverbs 9:7, 8   Whoever corrects a mocker invites insults… Do not rebuke mockers or they will hate you; rebuke the wise and they will love you.
• Proverbs 21:11 When a mocker is punished, the simple gain wisdom; by paying attention to the wise they get knowledge.

Which type of fool was Samson?

5) The wise person listens to instruction, and becomes wiser, and successful

• Proverbs 12:15 The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.
• Proverbs 14: 13   People who despise advice are asking for trouble;   those who respect a command will succeed.

 

The wise person is described in Proverbs 2:1-10

• God holds success in store for them
• God protects them & guards them
• God shows them every good path – gives them direction and fulfillment in life
• Wisdom will save them from the ways of wicked men
• They understand the fear of the LORD and find the knowledge of God
• Their lives are full of light and joy. Proverbs 13:9
• They are able to flourish even during hard times. Proverbs 10:25:  When the storms of life come, the wicked are whirled away,  but the godly have a lasting foundation

Wise people are known by what they say:

• Some people make cutting remarks, but the words of the wise bring healing. Truthful words stand the test of time, but lies are soon exposed. Proverbs 12:18, 19
• “Let another praise you, and not your own mouth; a stranger, and not your own lips.” Proverbs 27:2
• James 3:5-7 A tiny spark can set a great forest on fire.  And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself. People can tame all kinds of animals, but no one can tame the tongue. It is restless and evil, full of deadly poison

Wise people aren’t proud, and they check in with God instead of going their own way

• We can make our own plans, but the Lord gives the right answer. Proverbs 16:1 This one is repeated a lot!! A person may think their own ways are right, but the Lord weighs the heart. Proverbs 20:2, 16:9, 19:21, 5:21, 24:12
• Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will direct your path. Proverbs 3:5,6
• “Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than for him.” Proverbs 26:12
• “A man’s pride brings him low, but a man of lowly spirit gains honor  Proverbs 29:23
• “When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.” Prov. 11:2

Proverbs teaches you how to identify a friend that will cause you trouble:

• They will quarrel (argue) a lot. They may be nice to you, but if you see that they hate other people, they may turn on you too: “Hatred stirs up quarrels, but love makes up for all offenses.” (10:12)
• A troublemaker causes division; gossip separates the best of friends. (16:28)
• If sinners entice you, turn your back on them! If a bird sees a trap being set, it knows to stay away.  But these people set an ambush for themselves (Prov 1:10,17,18)

Proverbs teaches you the keys to success and happiness

• He who is greedy for gain troubles his own house (14:27) and it robs them of life (1:19)
• Whoever is kind to the poor… will be rewarded for what they have done (19:17)
• Work hard and become a leader, be lazy and become a slave. (12:24)
• The blessing of the Lord makes a person rich,  and he adds no sorrow with it (10:22) Rich people who do not know God are never satisfied and end
• up full of regret
• Dishonest money dwindles away, but whoever gathers money little by little makes it grow (13:11)

Proverbs teaches the difference between true love and tempting but false love

• True love respects both you and God. False love tempts you to do the wrong thing (sex outside of marriage) Proverb 5:15 Drink water from your own well— share your love only with your wife (or husband. Wait for true love!)
• False love is at first beautiful and exciting, but eventually it is disappointing. Then it leads to bitterness, and finally it leads to death. (Proverbs 5:3-5)
• 1 Cor 6:16  Do you not know that he who unites himself with another is one with her in body? For it is said, "The two will become one flesh." 
• When the relations hip ends and you separate, you lose part of yourself as you tear away from another person.
• 2 Cor 6:14 Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership has light with darkness?
• Proverbs 19:4 Fathers can give their sons an inheritance of houses and wealth, but only the LORD can give an understanding wife.  (Your best chance of having a loving marriage: trust God to provide your husband/wife and trust/obey Him throughout the marriage