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Study 17: Proverbs 17:1–22 ................................................... 107
Study 18: Proverbs 18:10–24 ................................................. 113
Study 19: Proverbs 20:1–3, 15–30 ........................................ 119
Study 20: Proverbs 21:2–20, 31 ............................................. 125
Study 21: Proverbs 22:1–16 ................................................... 131
Study 22: Proverbs 22:17–29 ................................................. 137
Study 23: Proverbs 23:17–18, 22–25, 29–35 ..................... 143
Study 24: Proverbs 24:3–4, 13–22, 30–34 .......................... 149
Study 25: Proverbs 25:1–11, 15, 18–19, 21–22 ................. 155
Study 26: Proverbs 27:1–4, 7–10, 17–18, 23–27 .............. 161
Study 27: Proverbs 28:1–2, 8–18, 23–25 ............................ 167
Study 28: Proverbs 29:9–27 ................................................... 173
Study 29: Proverbs 30:1, 3–9, 20–32 ................................... 179
Study 30: Proverbs 31:1, 10–31 ............................................. 185
THE BIBLE STUDY COLLECTIVE
Welcome to Proverbs: An All-in-One Study on Living Wisely —a collection of thirty select proverbs, plus guidance and encouragement for digging into them yourself.
Proverbs is all about wisdom. On one level, wisdom describes skill in living, or practical knowledge. Wise people behave in a way that maximizes blessing for themselves and others in the world that God created.
But on a deeper level, wisdom refers to a proper attitude toward God. It is characterized by “fear.” This is not a fright that makes us want to escape something negative. Rather, this fear, a type of awe, is what we should feel when in the presence of the Creator of the universe!
Each study in this guide includes an introduction to the verses from a chapter in Proverbs, followed by the selected verses on the next page. The third through the fifth pages of each study highlight the three steps in what is called the “inductive method” of Bible study: observation, interpretation, and application. Here’s how it works:
• Observation answers the question “What does it say?” In other words, what is the actual content in the text?
• Interpretation answers the question “What does it mean?” In this step, you’ll consider the author’s original intent and meaning.
• Finally, application answers the questions “What does it mean to you—and how can you apply it to your life?”
Each study in this guide ends with a select verse (or verses) from the chapter you’ve just studied, as well as related scriptures, for memorization and meditation.
Our prayer is that Proverbs: An All-in-One Study on Living Wisely will help you to better understand God’s Word and to apply its timeless truth to your own life of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.
B ArBoUr P UBLISHING
Study 1 Proverbs 1:1–19
The first nine chapters of the book of Proverbs introduce foundational themes relating to wisdom. The opening verses of Proverbs 1 establish the book’s credibility by identifying the author as Solomon, the wisest man ever (1 Kings 3:12) apart from Jesus Christ. These initial verses of Proverbs emphasize how reverence (or fear ) of the Lord is the beginning of true knowledge. Wisdom is contrasted with the foolishness of rejecting instruction. Rather than flirting with sin, wise people avoid it entirely. A Christian’s goal should never be to see how close she can get to sinning while holding on to her faith. The goal should be to stay off the sinful path altogether.
Proverbs 1:1–19 Outline
(VERSE 1) Introduction of author, Solomon (VERSES 2–4) Young people should learn wisdom, instruction, knowledge (VERSES 5–6) Wise people seek God-centered learning to understand
(VERSE 7) Fear or awe of the Lord is the beginning of true knowledge
(VERSES 8–9) Wisdom starts when children heed godly parents
(VERSES 10–14 Avoid any temptation to violence and greed (VERSES 15–16) Avoid the sinners’ violent pathway (VERSES 17–19) Illegal and immoral profit leads to death
Instruction and Exhortation to Sons
1The proverbs of Solomon, the son of David, king of Israel:
2To know wisdom and instruction; to perceive the words of understanding;
3to receive the instruction of wisdom, justice, and judgment, and equity;
4to give good judgment to the simple, to the young man knowledge and discretion.
5A wise man will hear and will increase learning, and a man of understanding shall attain wise counsels,
6to understand a proverb and the interpretation, the words of the wise and their riddles.
7The fear of the L ord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
8My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not abandon the law of your mother,
9for they shall be an ornament of grace to your head and chains about your neck.
10My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
11If they say, “Come with us; let us lie in wait for blood; let us lurk secretly for the innocent without cause;
12let us swallow them up alive like the grave and whole like those who go down to the pit;
13we shall find all precious possessions; we shall fill our houses with plunder;
14cast in your lot among us; let us all have one purse”—
15my son, do not walk in the way with them; refrain your foot from their path,
16for their feet run to evil and hurry to shed blood.
17Surely the net is spread in vain in the sight of any bird.
18And they lie in wait for their own blood; they lurk secretly for their own lives.
19 So are the ways of everyone who is greedy for gain, which takes away the life of its owners.
Observe
According to verses 2–4, what is the main purpose of these proverbial sayings?
How does this passage define the relationship between the fear of the Lord and knowledge?
What kind of people will godly wisdom protect you from?
Proverbs 1:1–19
Interpret
What does it mean to “know wisdom and instruction” (verse 2)?
How would you define “the fear the L ord ” (verse 7)?
Why does the writer encourage his readers to “hear the instruction” of their fathers and mothers?
Apply
How can you show wisdom and understanding in your everyday decision-making?
How would you handle a situation in which friends encouraged you to do something wrong? What would you say to them?
What is one time you avoided a bad choice? What did you learn from it?
Proverbs 1:1–19
Proverbs 1:1–19 Scripture for Memorization/Meditation
The fear of the L ord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.
VErSE 7
Verses for Further Memorization/Meditation
• And the speech pleased the Lord, that Solomon had asked for this thing. And God said to him, “Because you have asked for this thing, and have not asked for yourself long life, nor have asked for riches for yourself, nor have asked for the life of your enemies, but have asked for yourself understanding to discern judgment, behold, I have done according to your words. Behold, I have given you a wise and understanding heart so that there has been none like you before you, nor shall any arise like you after you” (1 Kings 3:10–12).
• “As the thief is ashamed when he is found, so the house of Israel is ashamed—they, their kings, their princes, and their priests, and their prophets” (Jeremiah 2:26).
• I have restrained my feet from every evil way, that I might keep Your word (Psalm 119:101).
• For the love of money is the root of all evil, which while some coveted after, they have gone astray from the faith and pierced themselves through with many sorrows (1Timothy 6:10).
Study 2
Proverbs 1:20–33
Verse 20 poetically personifies wisdom as a woman. She calls out to the simple, scorners, and fools, urging them to embrace understanding and correction. Despite their resistance, wisdom extends a generous message of mercy to all—if we seek, we will find. The rejection of wisdom is not the result of ignorance. Because of sin, we human beings make a deliberate choice to follow our own way instead of God’s. But that path away from God leads to pain and destruction. Choosing wisdom, though, means security and freedom from fear, the ability to enjoy life as God meant it to be. By heeding Wisdom’s call, we can avoid the consequences of foolish disobedience. We can walk in God’s protection and peace. It’s up to each and every human being to choose: Will we live life with God or not? There are no excuses for making the wrong decision.
Proverbs 1:20–33 Outline
(VERSES 20–21): Wisdom cries out to all
(VERSE 22): Wisdom wonders why people disregard her
(VERSE 23): Wisdom offers mercy to those who listen (VERSES 24–25): Godly wisdom and counsel is ignored (VERSES 26–28): Wisdom will mock unbelievers in their distress
(VERSES 29–32): Fools reject God, choosing their own way to destruction
(VERSE 33): Wisdom promises peace and security to those who heed her words
Instruction and Exhortation to Sons
20Wisdom cries outside; she utters her voice in the streets.
21She cries in the chief place of gathering, in the openings of the gates; she utters her words in the city, saying,
22 “How long, you simple ones, will you love simplicity, and the scorners delight in their scorning, and fools hate knowledge?
23Turn at my rebuke. Behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.
24Because I have called and you refused, I have stretched out my hand, and no man paid attention.
25But you have neglected all my counsel and would have none of my rebuke.
26I will also laugh at your calamity; I will mock when your fear comes,
27when your fear comes like desolation and your destruction comes like a whirlwind, when distress and anguish come upon you.
28Then they shall call on me, but I will not answer; they shall earnestly seek me, but they shall not find me, 29because they hated knowledge and did not choose the fear of the L ord .
30They would have none of my counsel; they despised all my rebuke.
31Therefore, they shall eat of the fruit of their own way and be filled with their own devices.
32For the turning away of the simple shall slay them, and the prosperity of fools shall destroy them.
33But whoever listens to me shall dwell safely and shall be at peace without fear of evil.”
Observe
How is wisdom portrayed in this passage?
What direct quotes are attributed to wisdom? To whom are they addressed?
What promise is made to the people who listen to wisdom?
Interpret
Why would God instruct Solomon to identify wisdom as a woman?
What does the statement, “Behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you” (verse 23) mean?
What emotions do verses 23 and 33 evoke? Why?
How can you be ready to hear Wisdom’s rebuke?
What specific choices can you make in order to “dwell safely and. . .be at peace” (verse 33)?
How can you best respond when others around you are ignoring God and His wisdom?
Proverbs 1:20–33 Scripture for Memorization/Meditation
“Turn at my rebuke. Behold, I will pour out my spirit to you; I will make my words known to you.”
VErSE 23
Verses for Further Memorization/Meditation
• “And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh, and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” (Joel 2:28).
• But My people would not listen to My voice, and Israel would have none of Me (Psalm 81:11).
• On the last day, that great day of the feast, Jesus stood and cried, saying, “If any man thirsts, let him come to Me and drink” (John 7:37).
• But to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God (1 Corinthians 1:24).
• But of Him you are in Christ Jesus, who from God was made for us wisdom, and righteousness and sanctification and redemption (1 Corinthians 1:30).
• That their hearts might be comforted, being knit together in love, and to all riches of the full assurance of understanding, to the acknowledgment of the mystery of God, and of the Father, and of Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge (Colossians 2:2–3).
Study 3
Proverbs 2:1–22
According to Proverbs 2, godly wisdom is one of life’s greatest treasures, offering guidance and protection to those who seek it. It keeps us from falling in with the wrong crowd. Wisdom also protects against sexual immorality. But this is not an avoidance of all sexual activity; rather, Proverbs warns of illicit behavior. Proverbs 5 celebrates the physical pleasures of marriage. Most of all, pursuing God’s wisdom leads to a life that pleases Him—and isn’t that what life is all about? Blessings, regardless of our circumstances, will follow.
Proverbs 2:1–22 Outline
(VERSES 1–4) Choices for upright living
(VERSE 5) The reward of seeking godly wisdom
(VERSE 6) Wisdom, knowledge, and understanding come from God
(VERSES 7– 9) God grants wisdom, protection, and guidance
(VERSE 10) Wisdom is pleasant to the soul
(VERSE 11) Understanding protects a person
(VERSES 12–15) Wisdom protects from bad company
(VERSES 16–19) Wisdom protects from sexual immorality
(VERSES 20–21) The wise please God
(VERSE 22) The unwise will be separated from God and suffer
To Sons, Continued
1My son, if you will receive my words and hide my commandments with you,
2so that you incline your ear to wisdom and apply your heart to understanding—
3yes, if you cry after knowledge and lift up your voice for understanding,
4if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures—
5then you shall understand the fear of the L ord and find the knowledge of God.
6For the L ord gives wisdom; out of His mouth comes knowledge and understanding.
7He lays up sound wisdom for the righteous; He is a shield to those who walk uprightly.
8He keeps the paths of judgment and preserves the way of His saints.
9Then you shall understand righteousness and judgment and equity—yes, every good path.
10When wisdom enters into your heart and knowledge is pleasant to your soul,
