What would you do for $1 million? Would you spend 40 days on an island trying to outwit, outplay, and outlast other contestants? Would you go on a worldwide scavenger hunt (maybe even with a stranger) filled with detours and roadblocks? According to Proverbs 2:4, there’s something worth far more than silver or gold that we can search for and find: wisdom. This week, we learn that all wisdom comes from God and how to find it!
WISDOM: An Understanding of God's Truth That Guides My Actions
MEMORY VERSE: “But the wisdom from above 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 the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere." JAMES 3:17 (NLT)
This Week’s Finish Line: All Wisdom Comes From God
God’s Word tells us a lot about wisdom, especially in the book of Proverbs. Proverbs 2:4 NLT encourages us to search for wisdom and understanding “as you would for silver; seek them like hidden treasures.” It is clear from the Bible that we are supposed to look really hard for wisdom, but does it tell us how we will get it or where we will find it? Oh, you bet it does! Proverbs 2:6 NLT says, “For the LORD grants wisdom! From His mouth come knowledge and understanding.” Bingo! ALL wisdom comes from God. God wrote down all He wanted us to know in His Word, the Bible. We can search for wisdom by reading and memorizing His Word. Make it a point today to set aside time to seek wisdom from God’s Word. The book of Proverbs is a great place to start!
Family Questions:
- Read Proverbs 2:1-8 According to these verses, where does all wisdom come from? (God) How do these verses describe wisdom?
- What are some ways God gives us wisdom? (Through His Word. The words in the Bible are the very words of God. He is sharing His wisdom with us through these words. He also can give us wisdom when we pray or talk to other godly believers.)
- Why is it important to memorize scripture? (That’s one way God shares His wisdom with us throughout our daily lives. When you are facing a situation and don’t know what to do or say, you can think of verses you have memorized.)
- Where can you use wisdom from God’s Word this week?
Bring it Home Conversations & Activities:
* Check out our vision for parents and how to use these activities each week.
Teacher: Meal Time
Print off a copy of Proverbs 2:1-8. Circle all the action words in the first four verses. What does it say seeking wisdom is like? Have you ever searched for wisdom like this? Now put a box around the verbs that describe what God does in verses five through eight. What do you learn about God in these verses? Talk about ways you and your family can search for wisdom from God this week.
Friend: Drive Time
Play “Spot the Lie.” All around us, there are ads, commercials, stores, etc. that are trying to convince us to that wisdom comes from anywhere other than God. As you are out and about this week, see who can be the first to spot something that tells the lie “Wisdom is found here” instead of from God. Talk about why those things are lies and see if anyone can remember a verse from God’s Word that tells the truth. Examples: college you pass on the road (lie=wisdom comes from teachers/education alone), billboard advertising medical treatment (lie=wisdom comes from doctors), healthy food advertisement (lie=wisdom comes from being healthy), cruise ship billboard/Six Flags ad (lie=wisdom comes from your experiences), etc.
Counselor: Bedtime
Read Proverbs 3:5. Thank God for being the source of all wisdom and understanding. Thank Him for not having to rely on yourself for wisdom. Ask Him to help you when you’re tempted to lean on your understanding instead of His.
Coach: Anytime
Check out the Significant Summer Calendar and Activity Book for this week’s National Postal Worker Day (July 1st) challenge! Our postal workers serve us through rain, sleet, or snow, so you have the opportunity to serve them any day this week!
See who in your family can come up with the most creative challenge or activity for National Eat Your Beans Day (July 3rd) and National Fried Chicken Day (July 6th) and do that activity as a family! For example: play Bean Boozled as a family, buy a meal for the person behind you in line at Raising Cane’s, etc.
Prayer
Thank God for being the source of all wisdom and understanding. Thank Him for not having to rely on yourself for wisdom. Ask Him to help you when you’re tempted to lean on your understanding instead of His.
Looking Ahead
Next week we will continue the month of July with the godly character trait, WISDOM. We will learn that God gives us wisdom when we ask.
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