1. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom
Trust in the Lord with all your heart;
do not depend on your own understanding.
Seek his will in all you do,
and he will show you which path to take.
Proverbs 3.5-6
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

2. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom
Review: Proverbs is a compilation of parents’ distilled wisdom to their son.
It shows him how to develop moral character, trains him to think clearly and make wise choices.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

3. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom
Wisdom is the ability to know what the right thing to do is in the 80% of life situations to which the moral rules don’t apply. Tim Keller.
It’s meant to be read and studied for a lifetime. It’s jumbled because life is.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

4. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom
Proverbs is a book of principles, not promises, a book of observations, not formulas (if A, then B).
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

5. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom
Wisdom helps you address reality.
What’s reality?
Life is difficult
2) It’s difficult for everyone
3) It’s more difficult for some than others.
(John Maxwell)
You have two choices: embrace wisdom,
or be a fool. King Saul described his life,
I have played the fool (1 Sam 26.21).
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

6. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom
Proverbs will attract or repel you,
and make you wince, it’s so blunt.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

7. [God] will show you which path to take. (v 6.b)
Training Proverbs ;
Training in Wisdom:
The path of wisdom
[God] will show you which path to take. (v 6.b)
Life isn’t a quick fix or a quantum leap. It’s a slow, steady walk down the right path.
The way of the righteous is like the first gleam of dawn, which shines ever brighter until the full light of day. ( )
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

8. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Training in Wisdom: 3.1-12
The path of wisdom
Which path? God shows us. A Long Obedience in the Same Direction (book title)
Why take this seriously? Some paths lead to ruin. There is a path before each person that seems right, but it ends in death. (14.12; 16.25)
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

9. Warning: our culture disagrees. and everything must conform to it.
Training Proverbs ;
Training in Wisdom:
The path of wisdom
Warning: our culture disagrees.
Pick your reality,
and everything must conform to it.
Not.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

10. Walking the path takes faith in God, which is reason plus courage.
Training Proverbs ;
Training in Wisdom:
The path of wisdom
Walking the path takes faith in God,
which is reason plus courage.
The Lord directs our steps, so why try to understand everything along the way? (20.24)
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

11. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Training in Wisdom: 3.1-12
The Process of wisdom
Know your friends My child, never forget the things I have taught you. (3.1a)
You’ll need many counselors and mentors to be wise. It should start in the home, and continue through life with spiritual parents and advisors.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

12. it takes communication. Let others speak into your life.
Training Proverbs ;
Training in Wisdom:
The Process of wisdom
Know your friends. My child, never forget the things I have taught you. (3.1a)
The fool is an individualist. Wisdom is more than classroom instruction;
it takes communication.
Learn to ask and listen.
Let others speak into your life. 
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

13. Store my commands in your heart. (3.21b)
Training Proverbs ;
Training in Wisdom:
The Process of wisdom
Know God’s teachings.
Store my commands in your heart. (3.21b)
God gives direction in major areas of life: money, friends, sexuality, emotions, relationships, family, work. Make the Bible your guide book. Learn to pace yourself step by step on the path.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

14. You must become self-aware, but it’s difficult (eg the Johari window).
Training Proverbs ;
Training in Wisdom:
The Process of wisdom
Know yourself ...don’t depend on your own understanding. (3.5b) Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. (3.7a)
You must become self-aware, but it’s difficult (eg the Johari window).
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

15. Training Proverbs ;
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

16. We all have weaknesses and sins that make us stumble (Heb 12.1).
Training Proverbs ;
Training in Wisdom:
The Process of wisdom
Know yourself ...don’t depend on your own understanding. (3.5b) Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. (3.7a)
We all have weaknesses and sins that make us stumble (Heb 12.1).
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

17. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Training in Wisdom: 3.1-12
The Process of wisdom
Know yourself ...don’t depend on your own understanding. (3.5b) Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. (3.7a)
Maybe needing others’ approval. Maybe fear of failure. Maybe a duplicitous nature. A critical spirit. A hair-trigger temper.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

18. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Training in Wisdom: 3.1-12
The Process of wisdom
Know yourself ...don’t depend on your own understanding. (3.5b) Don’t be impressed with your own wisdom. (3.7a)
If you’re proud and unteachable, you’ll make stupid choices. Good friends can help, but it’s risky.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

19. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 Training in Wisdom: 3.1-12
The Process of wisdom
Know God Never let loyalty and kindness leave you! (3.1a) Trust in the Lord with all your heart (3.5a) fear the Lord and turn away from evil (3.7b)
Steep yourself in God’s kindness. Rely on his loyalty, the greatest trait of a friend. Fear him. God isn’t mean, but he’s dangerous, like electricity.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

20. Know God’s way: discipline
Training Proverbs ;
Training in Wisdom:
The Process of wisdom
Know God’s way: discipline
My child, don’t reject the Lord’s discipline, and don’t be upset when he corrects you. For the Lord corrects those he loves, just as a father corrects a child in whom he delights. ( )
God uses crosses and losses to make us wise. Troubles and suffering can help us become wise faster, if we cooperate.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

21. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 the Wise Trainer: 30.1-4
The sayings of Agur son of Jakeh
contain this message.
I am weary, O God;
I am weary and worn out, O God.
2 I am too stupid to be human,
and I lack common sense.
3 I have not mastered human wisdom,
nor do I know the Holy One.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

22. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 the Wise Trainer: 30.1-4
4 Who but God goes up to heaven
and comes back down?
Who holds the wind in his fists?
Who wraps up the oceans in his cloak?
Who has created the whole wide world?
What is his name—and his son’s name?
Tell me if you know!
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

23. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 the Wise Trainer: 30.1-4
Agur admits he can’t figure life out. He needs someone in his life who knows it all.
Who has created the whole wide world? What is his name—and his son’s name? Tell me if you know! (30.4b)
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

24. His cross is upside down wisdom. Win by losing. Live by dying.
Training Proverbs ;
the Wise Trainer:
We know. It’s Jesus. He’s perfect wisdom. He always made right choices. His life was full of suffering – God worked through it.
His cross is upside down wisdom.
Win by losing. Live by dying.
Gain by giving.
That’s God’s wisdom.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

25. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 And you? Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom
Are you learning from the wise Trainer?
Has the cross convinced you that God knows the path, and the culture doesn’t?
Are you teachable?
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom

26. Training Proverbs 3.1-12; 30.1-4 And ROOTS?
Imagine ROOTS full of wise men and women, walking the path, able to teach others.
Proverbs: the Way of Wisdom