The Good Life is the great Australian dream. We seek a level of security and comfort that will show we have a life that is successful and happy.
The Good Life is big business – magazines, lifestyle shows, seminars and books abound on how to find your way into the life worth living. We are often tempted to believe that a particular suburb, school, car, house or clothing label will give us that sense of having ‘made it’.
Despite all our increased opportunities, education and material blessings, happiness seems elusive. Recent media reports in Victoria have highlighted the alarming increase in alcohol abuse, assaults, depression and dissatisfaction in our lives.
Do you think it is true that we are: smarter yet dumber; richer yet poorer; better off but somehow worse off?
What is missing? How will we discover happy and successful living? The book of Proverbs says, what is needed is wisdom. The dictionary defines wisdom as “The knowledge needed to live a good life… the ability to discern of what is true and right and lasting in our living.”
Read Proverbs 1:1-7 and list their purpose for our lives. What is significant about Proverbs being more than just knowing?
What is the ‘doing’ part of wisdom that is described in these verses?
What kind of character is the result of these actions lived out?
In the book of Proverbs, wisdom is personified as a woman who invites us to learn from her and rebukes those who reject true wisdom.
Read Wisdom’s speech in Proverbs 1:20-33. How would you describe the various characteristics of her personality? How is her speech in keeping with the introduction to the book you read in Proverbs 1:1-7?
FOR PRAYER: - What are you anticipating God would like to do in your life as you read the Proverbs?
- How can you prepare yourself and participate in the invitation to grow in Wisdom?
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