Word To The Wise
Hearing Without Doing | Week 1
April 23, 2023 | By Jesse DeYoung
The greatest threat to Christianity today is Hypocrisy. All of us are broken people, trying and working to line our lives up with what God says is right and true, and best. And while the purpose of the hospital is to help heal the sick, if the people in the hospital aren’t trying to heal and get better, that’s not a hospital. That’s hospice. If we are not actively letting God heal us and working on it—then it’s going to hurt us, it’s going to hurt the next generation, it’s going to hurt the church, and ultimately that hurts the world.
SETLIST
Great Things By Phil Wickham Available on “Living Hope” from Phil Wickham
Kingdom of Heaven By Flatirons Music – Unavailable
Homecoming By Bethel Music Available on “Homecoming (Live)” from Bethel Music
Make Room By Community Music Available on "Make Room (Live)" From Community Music
GROUP QUESTIONS
// Bible References
Matthew 7:24; Luke 7:35; 1 Kings 12:1-14; Proverbs 1:7, 16:10-15, 20:7, 22:6; Psalms 33:12; 1 Peter 2:12
// Community Question
Share some of your favorite proverbs or other bits of wisdom you have heard in your life. (Ex: Fortune favors the Bold, the squeaky wheel gets the grease, etc.)
// Discussion Questions
- Read Matthew 7:24; Luke 7:35. Jesse stated, “Knowledge is what you know…wisdom is how what you know impacts what you do.” What is the relationship between wisdom and knowledge, considering these passages? Then if you're being completely honest with yourself, is your life only filled with knowledge, or can wisdom also be seen in your actions?
- Jesse relayed that “Proverbs are principles for a better life, not promises”. (i.e., Proverbs 22:6) Or it could be claimed that we misread God's word and attempt to use it as a formula to obtain what we want from God (God’s word + My obedience = I get what I want). Reflect on this as a group and share whatever comes to mind.
- Read Proverbs 1:7 In this passage, “Fear” is defined as living our life in combination with having an accurate view of who God is. How could this “fear” lead to knowledge and that knowledge to wisdom?
- Read 1 Kings 12:1-17 In this passage, Rehoboam splits the kingdom by unwise decision-making. A possible reason for his mistake (despite being the son of the wisest man in history) is that he witnessed his father not living out what he said was true. (i.e., hypocrisy) What role does our integrity play in setting our kids, friends, businesses, etc., up for long-term success and loving others?
- Read 1 Peter 2:12. Part of this passage could be summed up with the phrase, “Obedience is the proof of our belief” The second half reflects on why our deeds matching what we say matters, namely, it leads to others glorifying (knowing) God. How does knowing the tremendous effect that our words match our deeds affect the way we impact the world?
// Challenge: Was there ever a time in the past or present when our words and actions conflicted? What were the results? Did it cause any harm? Do we need to ask someone for forgiveness if it did? Is God asking us to acknowledge it so that we can live more in alignment with our words? Can we commit to considering how our lives align with the Proverbs over the course of the next four weeks and if they don't, make changes?
