Study Questions for Groups
By Michael C. Mack
1. How did you seek God’s wisdom over the last week?
• How did you teach someone else how to seek God’s wisdom?
2. What challenge did you face last week?
Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read Proverbs 3:1-12; 14:2; and 22:4 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions. (Leader, for the sake of continuity, it may help to print these as handouts before the meeting.)
Ask the third person to summarize the main points of the passages.
3. What aspects of life do these passages say are affected by someone’s wisdom or lack of it?
4. Let’s dig deeper into these passages:
• Look at how the main passage (Proverbs 3:1-12) is arranged. You’ll see six commands or actions (do this or don’t do that) followed by corresponding results or rewards (“wages”). In what ways do you find this format to be beneficial?
• As a group, look through the main passage again and read aloud each positive action (do this). What most stands out to you about these commands?
• Now read aloud each negative action (don’t do that). What most jumps out to you from these?
• What role does reverence/respect for the Lord (fear of the Lord) play in gaining wisdom?
5. What do you learn about God from these passages?
6. What do you learn about humankind?
7. Look again at the actions (both positive and negative) in these passages. For each one, silently and prayerfully evaluate how you are following that command. (Leader, allow participants a couple minutes to look through the passages and reflect on this.)
• Which ones do you sense you are doing well?
• Which one are you struggling with the most?
• What action step will you take to grow in that area of discipleship?
8. How can you help someone else (inside or outside this group) to mature in an area of weakness?
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
10. What challenges do you anticipate this week as you seek to grow in wisdom?
For Next Week: Read and reflect on Proverbs 8:1-11; 9:1-6, 13-18. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
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