1. Bearing the Image – part 1
Wisdom

2. Genesis 1
27 So God created human beings in his own image. In the image of God he created them; male and female he created them. 28 Then God blessed them and said, “Be fruitful and multiply. Fill the earth and govern it. Reign over the fish in the sea, the birds in the sky, and all the animals that scurry along the ground.”

3. 1 John 4
God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God lives in them. 17 And as we live in God, our love grows more perfect. So we will not be afraid on the day of judgment, but we can face him with confidence because we live like Jesus here in this world. 18 Such love has no fear, because perfect love expels all fear. If we are afraid, it is for fear of punishment, and this shows that we have not fully experienced his perfect love.

4. 1 Peter 2
17 Show proper respect to everyone, love the family of believers, fear God, honor the emperor.

5. Exodus 14
30 That day the Lord saved Israel from the hands of the Egyptians, and Israel saw the Egyptians lying dead on the shore. 31 And when the Israelites saw the mighty hand of the Lord displayed against the Egyptians, the people feared the Lord and put their trust in him and in Moses his servant.

6. Psalm 25
14 The Lord confides in those who fear him;     he makes his covenant known to them.

7. The fear-0f-the-Lord is the stock biblical phrase for the way of life that is lived responsively and appropriately before who God is, who he is as Father, Son and Holy Spirit. --Eugene Peterson, “Christ Plays in Ten Thousand Places”

8. Deuteronomy 10
12 And now, Israel, what does the Lord your God ask of you but to fear the Lord your God, to walk in obedience to him, to love him, to serve the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul, 13 and to observe the Lord’s commands and decrees that I am giving you today for your own good?

9. Proverbs 9
10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom,     and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding

10. Wisdom is one of those qualities difficult to define—because it encompasses so much—but which people generally recognize when they encounter it. And it is encountered most obviously in the realm of decision-making. Psychologists tend to agree that wisdom involves an integration of knowledge, experience, and deep understanding that incorporates tolerance for the uncertainties of life as well as its ups and downs. There's an awareness of how things play out over time, and it confers a sense of balance. It can be acquired only through experience, but by itself, experience does not automatically confer wisdom. Only now are researchers beginning to look into the social, emotional, and cognitive processes that transmute experience into wisdom. Wise people generally share an optimism that life's problems can be solved and experience a certain amount of calm in facing difficult decisions. Intelligence be necessary for wisdom, but it definitely isn't sufficient; an ability to see the big picture, a sense of proportion, and considerable introspection also contribute to its development. -Psychology Today

11. Wisdom: the ability to think and act using knowledge, experience, understanding, common sense, and insight

12. Proverbs 8
Does not wisdom call out?     Does not understanding raise her voice? 2 At the highest point along the way,     where the paths meet, she takes her stand; 3 beside the gate leading into the city,     at the entrance, she cries aloud: 4 “To you, O people, I call out;     I raise my voice to all mankind. 5 You who are simple, gain prudence;     you who are foolish, set your hearts on it.[a] 6 Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say;     I open my lips to speak what is right. 7 My mouth speaks what is true,     for my lips detest wickedness. 8 All the words of my mouth are just;     none of them is crooked or perverse. 9 To the discerning all of them are right;     they are upright to those who have found knowledge. 10 Choose my instruction instead of silver,     knowledge rather than choice gold, 11 for wisdom is more precious than rubies,     and nothing you desire can compare with her.

13. Proverbs 8
12 “I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence;     I possess knowledge and discretion. 13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil;     I hate pride and arrogance,     evil behavior and perverse speech. 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine;     I have insight, I have power. 15 By me kings reign     and rulers issue decrees that are just; 16 by me princes govern,     and nobles—all who rule on earth.[b] 17 I love those who love me,     and those who seek me find me. 18 With me are riches and honor,     enduring wealth and prosperity. 19 My fruit is better than fine gold;     what I yield surpasses choice silver. 20 I walk in the way of righteousness,     along the paths of justice, 21 bestowing a rich inheritance on those who love me     and making their treasuries full.

14. Proverbs 8
22 “The Lord brought me forth as the first of his works,[c][d]     before his deeds of old; 23 I was formed long ages ago,     at the very beginning, when the world came to be. 24 When there were no watery depths, I was given birth,     when there were no springs overflowing with water; 25 before the mountains were settled in place,     before the hills, I was given birth, 26 before he made the world or its fields     or any of the dust of the earth. 27 I was there when he set the heavens in place,     when he marked out the horizon on the face of the deep, 28 when he established the clouds above     and fixed securely the fountains of the deep, 29 when he gave the sea its boundary     so the waters would not overstep his command, and when he marked out the foundations of the earth. 30     Then I was constantly[e] at his side. I was filled with delight day after day,     rejoicing always in his presence, 31 rejoicing in his whole world     and delighting in mankind.

15. Proverbs 8
32 “Now then, my children, listen to me;     blessed are those who keep my ways. 33 Listen to my instruction and be wise;     do not disregard it. 34 Blessed are those who listen to me,     watching daily at my doors,     waiting at my doorway. 35 For those who find me find life     and receive favor from the Lord. 36 But those who fail to find me harm themselves;     all who hate me love death.”

16. Proverbs 2
My son, if you accept my words     and store up my commands within you, 2 turning your ear to wisdom     and applying your heart to understanding— 3 indeed, if you call out for insight     and cry aloud for understanding, 4 and if you look for it as for silver     and search for it as for hidden treasure, 5 then you will understand the fear of the Lord     and find the knowledge of God. 6 For the Lord gives wisdom;     from his mouth come knowledge and understanding. 7 He holds success in store for the upright,     he is a shield to those whose walk is blameless, 8 for he guards the course of the just     and protects the way of his faithful ones.
9 Then you will understand what is right and just     and fair—every good path. 10 For wisdom will enter your heart,     and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul. 11 Discretion will protect you,     and understanding will guard you.