“Wisdom” Defined:
- The ____________ use of knowledge
- The ____________________ of people or situations accompanied by unusual discernment and judgment in ______________ with them.
- To know ___________ you’re ____________ and to know ________ to get there.
Foundational Scripture:
Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance. Perseverance must finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to him. — James 1:2-5 (NIV)
“I, Wisdom, live together with good judgment. I know where to discover knowledge and discernment… The Lord formed me from the beginning, before he created anything else. I was appointed in ages past, at the very first, before the earth began… I was the architect at his side. I was his constant delight, rejoicing always in his presence. And how happy I was with the world he created; how I rejoiced with the human family!” — Proverbs 8:12, 22-23, 30-31 (NLT)
I also saw under the sun this example of wisdom that greatly impressed me: There was once a small city with only a few people in it. And a powerful king came against it, surrounded it and built huge siegeworks against it. Now there lived in that city a man poor but wise, and he saved the city by his wisdom… — Ecclesiastes 9:13-15a (NIV)
Wisdom is supreme; therefore get wisdom. Though it cost all you have, get understanding. — Proverbs 4:7 (NIV)
Ten Wisdom Realities for Kingdom Living and Praying
1. Reality One: Wisdom Is a _____________!
The _________________ of Wisdom
“______________” defined: “The ____________________ of a human being or deity. The unitary personality of ___________ that ___________ the divine and human ______________.”
Timeless Insights
“Creation in itself, without reference to the Almighty Spirit from which it sprung, is formless and without order—a mass of chaotic objects, of whose uses we are ignorant and whose destiny we cannot imagine. It is only when its visible glory leads our minds to its unseen Author, and we regard it as a manifestation of Divine Wisdom, that we can truly comprehend its character and designs.” — George Ripley
Scripture:
In [Christ] lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. — Colossians 2:3 (NLT)
Christ is the visible image of the invisible God. He existed before anything was created and is supreme over all creation, for through him God created everything in the heavenly realms and on earth. He made the things we can see and the things we can’t see—such as thrones, kingdoms, rulers, and authorities in the unseen world. Everything was created through him and for him. He existed before anything else, and he holds all creation together. — Colossians 1:15-17 (NLT)
Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. Sing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs to God with thankful hearts. — Colossians 3:16 (NLT)
But to us who are personally called by God himself—both Jews and Greeks—Christ is God’s ultimate miracle and wisdom all wrapped up in one. — 1 Corinthians 1:24 (MSG)
What a wildly wonderful world, God! You made it all, with Wisdom at your side, made earth overflow with your wonderful creations. — Psalm 104:24 (MSG)
2. Reality Two: Wisdom Is a ___________________!
The ______________ of Wisdom
“____________________” defined: “A ______________ of a pilgrim. One who is on a spiritual journey. The ____________ of one’s ________ on earth.”
Timeless Insights
“There is no short cut, no patent tramroad to wisdom; after all the centuries of invention, the soul’s path lies through the thorny wilderness which must be still trodden in solitude, with bleeding feet, with sobs for help, as it was trodden by them of old time.” — George Eliot
Scripture:
Walk with the wise and become wise; associate with fools and get in trouble. — Proverbs 13:20 (NLT)
The path of life leads upward for the wise; they leave the grave behind. — Proverbs 15:24 (NLT)
I’m writing out clear directions to Wisdom Way, I’m drawing a map to Righteous Road. I don’t want you ending up in blind alleys, or wasting time making wrong turns. — Proverbs 4:11-12 (MSG)
And I’ll stride freely through wide open spaces as I look for your truth and your wisdom. — Psalm 119:45 (MSG)
Let those who are wise understand these things. Let those with discernment listen carefully. The paths of the Lord are true and right, and righteous people live by walking in them. But in those paths sinners stumble and fall. — Hosea 14:9 (NLT)
3. Reality Three: Wisdom Is a ______________!
The __________ for Wisdom
“____________” defined: “The act of employing _________________ to obtain something; a continuing _______________ one engages in toward achieving an __________________.”
Scripture:
Instruct the wise, and they will be even wiser. Teach the righteous, and they will learn even more. — Proverbs 9:9 (NLT)
The wise look ahead and see what is coming, but fools deceive themselves. — Proverbs 14:8 (NLT)
The tongue of the wise makes knowledge appealing, but the mouth of a fool belches out foolishness. — Proverbs 15:2 (NLT)
My child, if your heart is wise, my own heart will rejoice! — Proverbs 23:15 (NLT)
I ponder every morsel of wisdom from you, I attentively watch how you’ve done it. — Psalm 119:15 (MSG)
4. Reality Four: Wisdom Is a ___________________!
The ___________ of Wisdom
“____________________” defined: “One who ____________; one who guards as to prevent harm or injury; one who ____________ from injury, damage or destruction.”
Scripture:
Wise choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe. — Proverbs 2:11 (NLT)
Wisdom will save you from evil people, from those whose words are twisted. — Proverbs 2:12 (NLT)
The wise are cautious and avoid danger; fools plunge ahead with reckless confidence. — Proverbs 14:16 (NLT)
So don’t go to war without wise guidance; victory depends on having many advisers. — Proverbs 24:6 (NLT)
Lady Wisdom will be your close friend, and Brother Knowledge your pleasant companion. Good Sense will scout ahead for danger, Insight will keep an eye out for you. — Proverbs 2:10-11 (MSG)
5. Reality Five: Wisdom Is a ___________________!
The _______ of Wisdom
“____________________” defined: “To look ______________; to see clearly. The capacity to ________ things in their ________ relationship or relative importance to other matters.”
Scripture:
For my words are wise, and my thoughts are filled with insight. — Psalm 49:3 (NLT)
Your laws please me; they give me wise advice. — Psalm 119:24 (NLT)
A fool is quick-tempered, but a wise person stays calm when insulted. — Proverbs 12:16 (NLT)
Wise people think before they act; fools don’t—and even brag about their foolishness. — Proverbs 13:16 (NLT)
If you listen to constructive criticism, you will be at home among the wise. — Proverbs 15:31 (NLT)
Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips. — Proverbs 22:17-18 (NLT)
AFTERTHOUGHTS… PONDER AND PRAY
Ponder Points: Discuss (or ponder) why we define wisdom as the person of Jesus Christ. Why is wisdom pictured as a pilgrimage and a pursuit rather than simply spontaneous occasions of momentary insight or discernment?
Prayer Points: Because wisdom is defined as a “protector,” pray for specific individuals who you know who need wisdom in order to protect them from making wrong choices. Pray the same for those in authority whether local, national or international.
