4-24-2016
"The Quickest Way Down"
Proverbs 16. 18

The QUICKEST WAY DOWN- PRIDE Proverbs 16. 18 I.  _______ is the QUICKEST WAY DOWN. II.  THE PROBLEM WITH PRIDE A.  It is based on __________  information  B.  It is ugly and offensive to others C.  It is irreverent and __________ D.  It is _________ by God- “God detests the proud of heart” 16.5 E.  It leads to pain, loss, destruction, and death III.  THE SOLUTION TO PRIDE- 2 options A.  Crash and _______ B.  ______ up- Humbly Trust God IV.  THE BLESSINGS OF HUMILITY A.  With humility comes.       i.  ______ of the lord & thus wisdom       ii.  __________  in what God is doing in us            and His Kingdom       iii.  Gladness in what we see God doing in            _________ B.  God’s ____________ C.  Security & ____________ V.  WHAT DO I WANT YOU TO DO?  A.  Look in the _________- and discover the truth B.  Look ________- and realize what others are doing, and how they have blessed your life C.  Look Up- and _________who is truly in control

4-17-2016
"How to Nourish Others"
Proverbs 10: 20-21; 16:1; 13:3

“HOW TO NOURISH OTHERS (Ten Ways to Use Your Words to Honor God and Make a Positive Difference in Others)  Proverbs 10. 20-21; 16. 1; 13. 3 INTRO- “The lips of the righteous nourish many…fools die for lack of judgment.” 1.  A ________  ____: *To answer before listening— that is folly and shame. (Prov. 18:13) *We show disrespect, or lack of caring or empathy because we don’t take the time to listen. 2. A GENTLE ___________:                  *A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up                      anger.                 *Kindness…love…compassion are communicated by gentleness                      and patience 3.  SPEAK WORDS OF HEALING- Prov. 15. 4 *The soothing ______ is a tree of life, but a perverse tongue crushes the spirit. *This includes sense ability to show compassion & empathy, not just gentleness.  4. SHARING WORDS OF _____________ (COMMUNICATION)  -Prov 15.7                 *The lips of the wise spread knowledge, but the hearts of fools                      are not upright.                 *The way you communicate, and spread knowledge makes a differ                     ence. 5. ___________ WORDS NOURISH OTHERS:                 *…the prayer of the upright pleases him. (Prov. 15.8)                 *Not only do these prayers please God, they benefit others 6. PATIENT WORDS ___________OTHERS:                 *…but the one who is patient calms a quarrel. Prov. 15. 18        *Sometimes it means “we encourage others to calm down, wait for                      the Lord to work, don’t fly off-the handle” 7.   AN _____ REPLY NOURISHES OTHERS – The right words at the right time… *A person finds joy in giving an apt reply—and how good is a timely word! (Prov 15.23) *Ask the Lord to help you nourish others with the “right words at the right time.” 8. THINKING BEFORE YOU ______…CAN HELP TO NOURISH OTHERS (Prov. 15l.28)                 *The heart of the righteous weighs its answers…                 *Think before you speak.  “Once those words are said they cannot                      be un-said” 9. HONEST WORDS CAN NOURISH OTHERS:                 *An honest answer is like a _____ on the lips. Prov. 24. 26        *Learning how to speak “honest words” may be tough.  Gently,                              patiently, caringly. 10. SPEAK UP FOR THOSE WHO _______:                 *Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the                      rights of all who are destitute.  Prov. 31.8                 *Who is there who needs a voice to speak for them?

4-10-2016
"Where is God Taking Me?"
Proverbs 3. 5-8

Where Is God Taking Me?” Proverbs 3.5-8 I.  _________  IN THE LORD WITH ALL YOUR HEART A.  Trust = reliance B.  “______ your heart…” II.  DO NOT ____________ ON YOUR OWN UNDERSTANDING A.  It’s easier to rely on my understanding B.  Some _________ are amazingly intelligent, and creative, and resourceful   C.  God is the source of wisdom and power III.  SEEK HIS WILL IN ALL YOU DO…HE WILL SHOW YOU THE WAY TO _____ A.  In ALL YOUR WAYS acknowledge Him  B.  How can he direct your paths if not ______ over all your ways?  C.  God needs to be “Taken into account” in all things of life.  IV.  DON’T BE IMPRESSED WITH YOUR OWN ___________-INSTEAD FEAR THE LORD AND TURN AWAY FROM EVIL  (V. 7- Do not be wise in your own eyes…”) A.  We are often guilty of being “wise in our own eyes.” B.  “Wise in our own eyes” means we fail to recognize that there is ________ whose thoughts and wisdom are higher than ours. V.   THE RESULTS OF TRUSTING, AND ACKNOWLEDGING GOD’S WISDOM: A.  ___________ & Nourishment to body & bones B.  God will direct our ___________ C.  Does this mean I will never have trials, or hardships, or illnesses? VI.  WHEN SHOULD YOU TRUST THE LORD? A.  When __________ are hard and things are uncertain B.  When it is ________ and you can’t see any light or hope

4-3-2016
"The Beginning of Wisdom"
Proverbs 1. 1-9

“The Beginning of Wisdom” Scripture Lesson:  Proverbs 1. 1-9 I.  PROVERBS: WHAT ARE THEY? A.  Wise sayings B.  By nature- proverbs are “_____________”.   They state what is generally true, not absolutely & always true.   II.  WHY IS WISDOM SO __________________? A.  Information _______________ B.  Advice overload C.  Wisdom-  it involves “how we _____ the information.” III.  Proverbs 1. 7- ONE OF MAIN THEMES OF THE BOOK:          A.  “_________ of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom.” B.  Terror-  Overwhelming sense of anxiety or dread. C.  AWE/Respect-  There is a knowledge and sense of God’s power, but there is a relationship there too.  IV.  HOW DOES GODLY _______AND RESPECT BENEFIT US? A.  It leads us to ____________ (Heb 10:31, Mt 10:28, II Cor 5:10, Jonah ch 1) B.  It leads us to wiser & better choices C.  It leads to learning _____________ , and seeing the whole picture-  D.  It leads us to establish healthy boundaries & disciplines E.  It leads to a Life of Assurance (of Not Being Afraid) V.  FEAR OF THE LORD IS THE BEGINNING OF ____________ !  A.  Do you have that Godly fear? B.  Do you need wisdom for your life?