Proverbs

OBJECTIVE

  • The objective of this lesson is to introduce the book of Proverbs, describe how we should read it, and identify Christ within it

INTRODUCTION & HOOK - 5 Minutes

  • Imagine traveling to a new place without street signs, maps, milestones, or apps
  • In ancient times, there were no signs on the roads, so it was very easy to get lost on the way
  • Eventually the ancient people established signs along the road with information and questions
  • On the one hand, these indicated to the traveler the length of the journey, while, on the other hand, when one read the inscription and kept busy comprehending it, one was relieved of weariness
  • A road is called in Greek "oimos," from which is derived the word "Paroimia," which means Proverb
  • Therefore, the Proverbs are the signs that help us along the path of salvation to heaven that guide us along the way while providing rest for the weary

HOLY SCRIPTURE - 5 Minutes

  • 1 The proverbs of Solomon the son of David, king of Israel: 2 To know wisdom and instruction, To perceive the words of understanding, 3 To receive the instruction of wisdom, Justice, judgment, and equity; 4 To give prudence to the simple, To the young man knowledge and discretion--- 5 A wise man will hear and increase learning, And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel, 6 To understand a proverb and an enigma, The words of the wise and their riddles. 7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, But fools despise wisdom and instruction (Pr. 1:1-7)

Memory Verse

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, And the knowledge of the Holy One is understanding" (Pr. 9:10)

CONTENT (KEY POINTS) - 25 Minutes

Introduction to the Book of Proverbs

  • Authorship
    • King Solomon is recognized as the author (cf. Pr. 1:1, 10:1, 25:1)
      • Jewish tradition accepts that Solomon wrote Song of Songs during his youth, Proverbs in his middle years, and Ecclesiastes in his old age
  • Composition
    • The book of Proverbs teaches that the "fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom" (cf. Pr. 9:10), and presents Christ as Wisdom
    • Each proverb is comprised of a couplet, which are two clauses that may either speak about the same idea or contrast two truths
  • Structure of the Book
    • Wisdom Poems (Pr. 1-9)
    • First Collection of Sayings of Solomon (Pr. 10-22:16)
    • Words to the Wise (Pr. 22:17-24)
    • Second Collection of Sayings of Solomon (Pr. 25-29)
    • Various Lessons (Pr. 30-31)

Readings Proverbs Daily

  • What is a Proverb
    • A proverb is something said openly that has a deeper meaning inwardly
    • It is a short saying that stands for a whole discourse or lecture
  • What does this book concern
    • Proverbs is a practical book and translates our faith into practical behavior
    • The wisdom here is not merely intellectual, but is interested in everyday life
    • Proverbs is less about philosophy and more about in living in a responsible, productive, prosperous, and righteous manner
    • Whereas the believer is on his knees praying and worshipping through the Psalms, the believer is walking on his feet, practicing grace, through the book of Proverbs
  • Godly and Worldly Wisdom
    • The difference between knowledge and wisdom is knowledge is what you know in your head, whereas wisdom is what you do with that knowledge
    • The Church Fathers explain that the beginning of wisdom is the fear of God (cf. Pr. 1:7) because the fear of God causes a person to remember and think about God
      • Whereas the worldly people do not fear God and do not regard his presence, the godly people fear God, acknowledge His presence, and practice self-control and discipline
      • The fear of God means carefully acting in obedience to the commands of God, and those who do so have wisdom, and are not slaves to sin
  • Righteousness and Wickedness
    • The book of Proverbs compares the righteous to the wicked----the wise to the foolish
      • The fools are those who deny God and rely on their own understanding
      • The wise are those who embrace Christ, welcome virtue, and appreciate truth
    • The wise man will regard his friends, family, and treat others with respect while the foolish man will lie, cheat, steal, dishonor, disregard, and blaspheme
  • How do we study the book of Proverbs
    • The Church encourages us to study and meditate on the Proverbs
    • The Proverbs are like a puzzle, a riddle, or a mystery with a very deep meaning
      • Just like a person may spend a long time trying to solve a math problem or figure out a solution, the study of Proverbs causes us to exert great thought and consideration in the deep meaning behind these proverbs and their application to our lives
      • The true source of wisdom is virtuous living since he virtuous person fears God and keeps His commands, and through virtuous living we know God
    • Since Proverbs has 31 chapters and months have up to 31 days, a common practice exists where persons read the chapter of Proverbs that coincides with the calendar date (i.e. on the 1st of the month, one would read Proverbs 1, etc.)

Christ in Proverbs

  • To review, we study types of Christ within the Old Testament to learn more about Him through hidden images that weren't recognized until the coming of Christ
    • This is an example of using the New to read the Old Testament
  • Christ is Wisdom
    • Wisdom in the Old Testament means Jesus Christ (see 1 Co. 1:30, 2:6)
    • Descriptions of wisdom in the book of Proverb, such as the "tree of life" (Pr. 3:18, 11:30) describe Christ and our relationship with Him
  • Christ is the Instructor
    • Solomon, the author of Proverbs and wise king, is considered a type of Christ
    • However, even the wisdom of Solomon was given by God
    • He gives this wisdom to us through the Holy Spirit who enlightens our minds and our understanding
  • Christ is the Creator Who has Taken Flesh (Pr. 8:22-23)
    • In the Greek translation of the Proverbs it says "The Lord made me as the beginning of His ways for His works, He established Me before time was" (Pr. 8:22 LXX)
    • The Church understands this to describe Jesus, who is called Wisdom, who Has always existed with the Father
    • God the Father created through Wisdom, the Son
    • When the Proverbs says that He was established, it means that the Son took flesh to reveal to us the Father and to teach us the ways of salvation
    • Christ has taken the form of a servant that through obedience we may be obedient

DISCUSSION (Challenge) - 10 Minutes

  • How can we apply what we study from the book of Proverbs to our lives?
  • What is the relationship between learning lessons in Sunday School and practicing Christian behavior?

LIFE APPLICATION - 5 Minutes

  • When we read a Proverb, let's sit think about what advice we are being given and how we can apply it, and when we find ourselves in a tough situation, let's try to remember the Proverbs
  • We can know every lesson in Sunday School, but it doesn't benefit us if we don't practice Christian behavior and do not live our lives according to what we learn in church

ACTIVITY - 10 Minutes

  • Video: Godly Wisdom | God wants us to make wise choices

  • Rebus Puzzle
    • Assign or have youth select a verse (or set of verses) from Proverbs
    • Have them create a Rebus puzzle (see examples below at end of lesson) of their assignment or selection
      • They can cut images and paste them onto a scrapbook paper or create them electronically on Word or Powerpoint.
    • Have each student share their puzzle with their classmates.

SERVANT RESOURCES

PARENTS CORNER/HOMEWORK

  • Have your child read a Proverb a day based on the corresponding calendar date (so if it's the first of the month, read Pr. 1; fifteenth of the month is Pr. 15) alongside their current Bible reading

LESSON ATTACHMENTS

Grade 7 Week 2 Activity - Rebus Puzzle.pdf