A Word to the Wise- Get Together
Deeper Dive
A Word to the Wise-Get Wisdom
Proverbs 4:3-9
Sermon Recap
In the opening message of A Word to the Wise, we were introduced to the book of Proverbs and its invitation into a wiser way of living. Proverbs isn’t about quick fixes or guaranteed outcomes—it’s about learning how to work with life rather than against it.
Wisdom, we learned, is not the same as intelligence. It’s less about what we know and more about the posture of our hearts. Wisdom calls for humble curiosity, openness to correction, and a willingness to admit that life is complex and constantly changing. Rather than expecting life to behave, Proverbs invites us to become the kind of people who can meet life as it actually is—paying attention, staying open, and remaining teachable.
At its core, wisdom is about alignment: learning to live in step with how God designed life to work, instead of making life harder than it has to be.
---Go a Little Deeper
The opening chapters of Proverbs personify wisdom as Lady Wisdom—a poetic way of saying that wisdom is woven into the fabric of creation itself. In Proverbs 8, wisdom speaks as something present before the world began, delighting in creation and humanity. This means wisdom isn’t merely moral advice; it’s an invitation to live in harmony with reality as God intended it.
That’s also why Proverbs doesn’t function like a rulebook or a list of promises. Its sayings are observations, not guarantees. They describe how life tends to work, not how it always works. Wisdom, then, is not about control—it’s about attentiveness. Knowing when to speak and when to stay silent. When to act and when to wait. The same situation can call for different responses, depending on timing, context, and the people involved.
This helps explain why Proverbs can sometimes sound contradictory. Those tensions aren’t flaws—they’re features. They train us to pay attention and to grow in discernment rather than depend on formulas.
Scripture to Read
· Proverbs 4:3–9
· Proverbs 8:22–36
· Proverbs 9:7–12
· Proverbs 26:4–5
Read slowly. Notice what wisdom promises—and what it does not promise.
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Discussion Questions
Where in your life do you most feel the tension between wanting a quick fix and being invited into deeper wisdom?
The sermon suggested that wisdom is more about the heart than the head. What helps—or hinders—you from staying open and teachable?
Can you think of a situation where reacting to what was “on the surface” caused misunderstanding or frustration?
What does humble curiosity look like in your relationships right now?
Where might you be tempted to “double down” rather than pause and ask whether you still have something to learn?
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Suggested Practice
Practice Prudence Through Curiosity
Once a day this week, notice a moment when you feel irritated, defensive, or quick to judge—especially with another person. Before responding, pause and ask:
· What else might be going on here?
· What might I not be seeing?
· What would wisdom look like in this moment?
You don’t have to resolve the situation—just practice paying attention beneath the surface.
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Closing Prayer
God of wisdom, We confess how quickly we rush to conclusions and how easily we close ourselves off. Teach us to slow down. Give us hearts that stay open, minds that remain curious, and lives shaped by attentiveness rather than certainty. Where we are stuck, meet us with your wisdom. Where we are rigid, soften us. And lead us into the life you delight to give. Amen.