Kingdom Prayer

Lesson 04 — Kingdom Wisdom

Part 1 — Ten Wisdom Realities for Kingdom Living and Praying!

“Wisdom” Defined:

  1. The ____________ use of knowledge
  2. The ____________________ of people or situations accompanied by unusual discernment and judgment in ______________ with them.
  3. 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.

Part 2 — Ten Wisdom Realities for Kingdom Living and Praying! (Continued)

Timeless Insights
“Truth sees God, and wisdom contemplates God, and of these two comes the third, and that is a marvelous delight in God, which is love. Where truth and wisdom are, truly there is love, truly coming from them both, and all are of God’s making.” — Julian of Norwich

6. Reality Six: Wisdom Is a ______________!
The ___________ of Wisdom

“______________” defined: “A series of ____________ or operations leading to an end; continuing activity that ___________ toward a desired conclusion; gradual ____________ that lead to a particular result.”

Scripture:
Get wisdom; develop good judgment. Don’t forget my words or turn away from them. — Proverbs 4:5 (NLT)

Only a fool despises a parent’s discipline; whoever learns from correction is wise. — Proverbs 15:5 (NLT)

Fear of the Lord teaches wisdom; humility precedes honor. — Proverbs 15:33 (NLT)

Get all the advice and instruction you can, so you will be wise the rest of your life. — Proverbs 19:20 (NLT)

Grow a wise heart—you’ll do yourself a favor; keep a clear head—you’ll find a good life. — Proverbs 19:8 (MSG)

7. Reality Seven: Wisdom Is a ________________!
The ________________ of Wisdom

“____________” defined: “To make _________; to free someone from guilt or moral ________________; remove from undesirable elements.”

Scripture:
But you desire honesty from the heart, so you can teach me to be wise in my inmost being. — Psalm 51:6 (NLT)

So be careful how you live. Don’t live like fools, but like those who are wise. Make the most of every opportunity in these evil days. — Ephesians 5:15-16 (NLT)

So we have not stopped praying for you since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you complete knowledge of his will and to give you spiritual wisdom and understanding. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and your lives will produce every kind of good fruit. All the while, you will grow as you learn to know God better and better. — Colossians 1:9-10 (NLT)

Real wisdom, God’s wisdom, begins with a holy life and is characterized by getting along with others. It is gentle and reasonable, overflowing with mercy and blessings, not hot one day and cold the next, not two-faced. — James 3:17 (MSG)

8. Reality Eight: Wisdom Is a _______________!
The _________ of Wisdom

“ ______________” defined: “Something ________________; the result of a process; something resulting or necessarily following from a set of _______________.”

Scripture:
The purpose of these proverbs is to teach people wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. — Proverbs 1:2 (NLT)

The wise inherit honor, but fools are put to shame! — Proverbs 3:35 (NLT)

…the words of the wise bring healing. — Proverbs 12:18b (NLT)

The lips of the wise give good advice… — Proverbs 15:7a (NLT)

A truly wise person uses few words; a person with understanding is even-tempered. — Proverbs 17:27 (NLT)

The wise have wealth and luxury… — Proverbs 21:20 (NLT)

The wise conquer the city of the strong and level the fortress in which they trust. — Proverbs 21:22 (NLT)

How wonderful to be wise, to analyze and interpret things. Wisdom lights up a person’s face, softening its harshness. — Ecclesiastes 8:1 (NLT)

9. Reality Nine: Wisdom Is a __________ ________!
The ______________ of Wisdom

“____________ ________” defined: “A measuring ____________ (or measurement) to determine if something is exactly _______; a line that has a weight at one end to determine the exact vertical ________ of a measurement.”

Scripture:
The words of the wise prod us to live well. They’re like nails hammered home, holding life together. They are given by God, the one Shepherd. — Ecclesiastes 12:11 (MSG)

The wise are mightier than the strong, and those with knowledge grow stronger and stronger. — Proverbs 24:5 (NLT)

The instructions of the Lord are perfect, reviving the soul. The decrees of the Lord are trustworthy, making wise the simple. — Psalm 19:7 (NLT)

Without wise leadership, a nation falls; there is safety in having many advisers. — Proverbs 11:14 (NLT)

The instruction of the wise is like a life-giving fountain; those who accept it avoid the snares of death. — Proverbs 13:14 (NLT)

10. Reality Ten: Wisdom Is a ___________!
The _______________ of Wisdom

“___________” defined: “Something exceptionally ________________; a thing highly ______________ or esteemed; that which is deeply _________________.”

Scripture:
Wealth is a crown for the wise; the effort of fools yields only foolishness. — Proverbs 14:24 (NLT)

Wise speech is rarer and more valuable than gold and rubies. — Proverbs 20:15 (NLT)

Being wise is as good as being rich; in fact, it’s better. — Ecclesiastes 7:11 (NLT)

Those who are wise will shine as bright as the sky, and those who lead many to righteousness will shine like the stars forever. — Daniel 12:3 (NLT)

Get wisdom—it’s worth more than money; choose insight over income every time. — Proverbs 16:16 (MSG)

AFTERTHOUGHTS… PONDER AND PRAY

Ponder Points: Discuss (or ponder) specific fruit you have seen as the result of God giving you or someone close to you unusual wisdom to handle a situation. How do you think we can “grow a wise heart” as suggested in Proverbs 19:8?

Prayer Points: Pray for specific areas in which you need wisdom whether individually or relationally. Take time to thank God specifically for occasions in the past where He gave you wisdom that protected you, your family or an acquaintance from harm or injury.