The Titus 2 Woman - Lesson 8 - Wisdom

Posted Thu, 08/19/2010 - 12:00am by Kristie Kerr

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The Titus 2 Woman

Lesson 8

Wisdom

 

Teach the older women to live in a way that is appropriate for someone serving the Lord.  They must not go around speaking evil of others and must not be heavy drinkers.  Instead, they should teach others what is good.  These older women must train the younger women to love their husbands and their children, to live wisely and be pure, to take care of their homes, to do good, and to be submissive to their husbands.  Then they will not bring shame on the word of God.

Titus 2:3-5

 

 

The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, and to help them understand wise sayings.  Through these proverbs, people will receive instruction in discipline, good conduct, and doing what is right, just, and fair.

Proverbs 1:2

 

 

What are proverbs? (Daniel Villa)

 

  • Proverbs are short, memorable sayings whose meanings are relevant to many different situations

 

  • The book of proverbs probably started out as a book to help parents instruct their kids in life skills.

 

  • It is also likely that proverbs later became a textbook for Israel to prepare future leaders

 

  • Proverbs are generalizations of what is true MOST of the time.

 

 

 

What is wisdom?

 

  • The ability to make right use of knowledge

 

  • Prudent, considered, experienced, and competent action to master the various problems of life…

 

Wisdom is the convergence of knowledge and skill which enables a person to make right choices that honor God.

Kelly Randolph

 

Wisdom is the God-given ability to discern what is true or right 

Dr. Larry Lea

 

Wisdom is what is true and right combined with good judgment.  Bill Hybels

 

 

 

3 categories of wisdom:

 

 

Knowledge:

 

  1. Acquired knowledge; accumulated philosophical or scientific learning; a learned skill or trade

 

 

The Lord has filled Bezalel with the Spirit of God, giving him great wisdom, intelligence, and skill in all kinds of crafts.  He is able to create beautiful objects from gold, silver, and bronze.  He is skilled in cutting and setting gemstones and in carving wood.  In fact, he had every necessary skill.

Exodus 35:31

 

 

(Speaking of King Solomon) He composed some 3,000 proverbs and wrote 1,005 songs.  He could speak with authority about all kinds of plants, from the great cedar of Lebanon to the tiny hyssop that grows from cracks in a wall.  He could also speak about animals, birds, reptiles, and fish.  And kings from every nation sent their ambassadors to listen to the wisdom of Solomon.

I Kings 4:29

 

 

  1. How do we pursue knowledge?

 

  1. Feed your brain

 

  • Challenge your intellect

 

  1. Take a class
  2. Stay on top of current events
  3. Read books
  4. Learn something new

 

 

 

  1. Start 3“Smart Files” – fill them with articles, stories, etc.

 

  • Intellectual

 

  1. Geography
  2. Vocabulary
  3. Politics
  4. History
  5. Current Events

 

  • Practical

 

  1. Vocational Study
  2. Hobbies
  3. Special Interests
  4. Raising Children
  5. Marriage

 

  • Spiritual

 

  1. In-depth Bible study
  2. Spiritual Disciplines
  3. Historical contexts of scripture
  4. Counseling
  5. Prayer

 

  1. Gather information and fill the files
  • Articles
  • Books
  • Magazines
  • News clippings
  • Attend seminars

 

  1. Use your personal growth to help others

 

 

 

The 2nd Category of Wisdom:

 

Insight:

 

  1. The ability to discern inner qualities and relationships; discernment with understanding

 

 

But we know these things because God has revealed them to us by his Spirit, and his Spirit searches out everything and show us even God’s deep secrets.

I Corinthians 2:10

 

 

  1. How do we pursue insight? 

 

  1. Be filled with the Holy Spirit

 

 

But when the Father sends the Counselor as my representative – and by the Counselor I mean the Holy Spirit – he will teach you everything and will remind you of everything I myself have told you.

John 14:26

 

Cry out for insight and understanding.  Search for them as you would for lost money or hidden treasure.  Then you will understand what it means to fear the Lord, and you will gain knowledge of God.  For the Lord grants wisdom.  From his mouth come knowledge and understanding.

Proverbs 1:3-6

 

 

  1. Listen to the Holy Spirit when He speaks to you

 

 

(Wisdom speaking) I called to you so often, but you didn’t come.  I reached out to you, but you paid no attention.  You ignored my advice and rejected the correction I offered.

Proverbs 1:24

 

 

  1. Respond when you feel a that God is speaking to you

 

  1. Keep stepping out in faith – even when you are unsure of your ability to hear

 

 

  1. How do you know if it is God’s voice?

                  Excerpt from “An Ordinary Day With Jesus” by John Ortberg

 

  • He will always speak in a way consistent with his character

 

  • It will always be consistent with scripture

 

  • It will not be self-serving – it will be full of love

 

 

 

 

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure.  It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others.  It is full of mercy and good deeds.  It shows no partiality and is always sincere.

James 3:17

 

 

 

The 3rd Category of Wisdom:

 

Judgment

 

  1. Good sense; the process of forming an opinion or evaluation by discerning or comparing

 

  1. I Kings 3:16 – Solomon judges wisely

 

Word of the king’s decision spread quickly throughout all Israel, and the people were awed as they realized the great wisdom God had given him to render decisions with justice.

I Kings 3:28

 

 

  1. How do we pursue good judgment?

 

  1. Ask God to teach you

 

If you need wisdom – if you want to know what God wants you to do – ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking.  But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is an unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.  People like that should not expect to receive anything from the Lord.  They can’t make up their minds.  They waver back and forth in everything they do.

James 1:5–8

 

 

  1. Use Biblical standards for moral judgment

 

  1. The Ten Commandments

 

  1. Study the scriptures for moral guidelines

 

 

 

Topics of Wisdom in Proverbs:

 

  • Wealth (3:9)
  • Planning (3:21)
  • Dealing with neighbors (3:29)
  • Instruction for children(4:1)
  • Avoiding evil people (4:14)
  • Avoiding perverse talk (4:24)
  • Guarding your heart (4:23)
  • Staying focused (4:25)
  • Avoiding immoral relationships (5/7)
  • Co-signing loans (6:1 & 17:18)
  • Avoiding laziness (6:6)
  • Accepting correction (10:17)
  • Controlling the tongue (10:190
  • Honesty (11:1)
  • Humility (11:2)
  • Gossip (11:12-13)
  • Leadership (11:14)
  • Generosity (24-25)
  • Being a good wife (12:4)
  • Avoiding a quick temper (12:16)
  • Keeping your word (12:22)
  • Seeking advise (13:13 & 15:22)
  • Disciplining your children (13:24)
  • Arguing (15:1)
  • Business ethics (16:11)
  • Inventiveness (18:15)
  • Honoring parents (19:26)
  • Choosing friends (23:20)
  1. Observe others

 

Whoever walks with the wise will become wise; whoever walks with fools will suffer harm.

Proverbs 13:20

 

 

  1. Listen to other’s instruction
  • Parents
  • Spouse
  • Teachers
  • Pastors
  • Friends
  • Leaders
  • Relatives

 

 

Part of being an adult is sorting through that other’s advice, keeping the truly wise, and rejecting the unwise.

Daniel Villa

 

  1. Learn from your failures and experiences

 

Good people are good because they’ve come to wisdom through failure.  We get very little wisdom from success. William Saroyan

 

 

 

Character & Community:

 

  1. Character:
    1. We should be women who are intelligent and informed
    2. We should be growing in our ability to hear God’s voice and follow His direction
    3. We should be exercising good judgment in every area of our lives

 

  1. Community:
    1. Pursue knowledge with a friend!
  • Take a class together
  • Start a book club
  • Help each other pursue special interests

 

  1. Encourage each other to grow spiritually
  • Share your experiences
  • Pray together
  • If God speaks to you – be obedient

 

  1. Be a sounding board for your friends

 

 

 

Discussion Questions:

 

  1. Name one or two topics that could be in your “3 Smart Files”

 

  1. How do you feel about your level of spiritual insight?

 

  1. In what areas of your life do you need good judgment?