Participants 84
Discussion Questions
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Choose one of the proverbs and explain how it can be applied today.
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Proverbs 13 began with the importance of learning from your father. The chapter also continues with many other passages about not being lazy and contributing to work and not to be lazy. Finally, the chapter also looks at the importance of chasing after righteousness instead of the follies of the world. These passages are applied to the world today because there is more foolishness to get today than in the past. Proverbs 13 shows that learning from your father, working hard, and chasing after righteousness will lead to a successful life, however the opposite of those lead to receiving the rod, being lazy, and falling into despair.
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Proverbs 3: 5 – 6 “Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy paths.”
These verses are a great comfort when we do not understand why circumstances are happening to us. The verses also give comfort that God is in control and He will direct our decisions if we seek His guidance. But the warning to not lean on our own understanding reminds us that we will make wrong choices if we rely on ourselves and do not trust in the LORD. We see this in the choices of the unsaved, but sadly also of saved individuals who choose their own way.
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Proverbs 17:9 : Love prospers when a fault is forgiven, but dwelling on it separates close friends.
We are called to forgive others as Christians, when we forgive not only do we have peace, but we can salvage a relationship. When we dwell on it and continue to get angry and bitter over it, eventually the relationship will decline.
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Proverbs 3: 27-28 “Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due, when it is in your power to act. Do not say to your neighbor, ‘Come back tomorrow and I’ll give it to you’— when you already have it with you.” We are called to be the hands and feet of Jesus. To do good is to meet a need at the time it is presented. To wait is to possibly miss the opportunity altogether.
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Choose one of the proverbs and explain how it can be applied today
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. Acknowledge Him in all you ways. Then He will make your path straight.” (Proverbs 3:5-6)
This proverb teaches us the importance of humility. The teacher of the proverb, King Solomon, had everything people would desire – wealth, reputation, knowledge, wisdom – and many wives and concubines. In spite of all those good things, Solomon came to the conclusion that faith and personal relationship with God is the true ingredient for success and happiness. In order to trust in the Lord and not lean on our own understanding, we must understand how limited our strengths, understanding, and wisdom are. That requires humility. It will also lead us to trust in Him and follow His ways and guidance on a daily basis.
The proverb is also the exact opposite of today’s popular philosophy “Believe in yourself.” The sad reality of believing oneself is that nobody is perfect so we can never put full trust in ourselves. Proverbs 3:5-6 serves as much comfort to those who realize how powerless people are. It also points us to God to whom we can put our complete trust as we live each day.
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How might the book of Proverbs be useful in training young people?
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I really enjoyed how, during the end of the lecture, Dr. Stuart reigns in the focus of specific ways Proverbs can practically be taught and used when training up our young people! He gives the suggestion of choosing one to read at the dinner table with your children and then having a discussion about its meaning. With having two teenage boys, I understand well that at the dinner table, they will not offer too much explanation about how their days have been going. But doing this together as a family is a great way to have a meaningful conversation starter and could easily open doors to discussion about their lives. Additionally, I agree that using them specifically with youth group should be happening much more frequently. The aspect that reading Proverbs is like figuring out a puzzle appeals to young people. Because of the way the book is constructed, these proverbs are provided in short, small chunks that are more easily digested and implemented by not only young people but people of all ages!
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Like the book of Proverbs says right at the beginning, in chapter 1:
“Written down so we’ll know how to live well and right,
to understand what life means and where it’s going;
A manual for living,
for learning what’s right and just and fair;
To teach the inexperienced the ropes
and give our young people a grasp on reality.
There’s something here also for seasoned men and women,
still a thing or two for the experienced to learn—
Fresh wisdom to probe and penetrate,
the rhymes and reasons of wise men and women.”It’s written to meet the needs of people throughout all stages of lives- from childhood on. What better book to teach young people how to gain Wisdom! Proverbs addresses so many different issues that young people deal with- peer pressure, making decisions, finances, sex, and how to be successful.