Savvy Sayings Day One Final
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Five Street-Savvy Sayings LIFEFAITHFUSION DEVOTIONAL DAY ONE SCRIPTURE STUDY Proverbs 3:1-12 Proverbs 10:1,27 Proverbs 3:1-2 Psalm 36:1 Psalm 40:8 Proverbs 4:21 Hosea 11:8 Luke 24:32 Psalm 143:4 Psalm 1 Deuteronomy 6:6-9 Psalms 15:4 Proverbs 24:4 DIGGING DEEPER Proverbs are stated truths that point out how to live a loving and faithful (reliable) life. The importance making loving and reliable choices cannot be underestimated. PRAYER FOCUS Father, I ask that you give me openness of heart to share all that I know about you. I also ask that you give me your truth to live as you desire. Give my children the desire to encompass those truths into the deepest part of their hearts. Amen
Proverbs 3:1-12 The Book of Proverbs has much to teach us about how God wants us to live our lives. The English Dictionary definition of a proverb is “a concise saying that illustrates a truth.” The Latin word, proverbium is the derivative word from which the English word proverb came. It means “ a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of mankind.” The English definition is more specific that the Latin description. The Hebrew word from which proverb is translated is considerably broader than either the Latin or the English word. Most proverbs in the Bible are short, compact statements that express truths about human behavior. Not only are they observations about human behavior, but they are also universal truths that, if obeyed, enhance our lives. These tenets, when followed, are often accompanied by a blessing. “A wise son brings joy to his father,” (10:1) is a prime example. This is a simple, direct truth. If your son is wise, you will be pleased. Notice that the father is blessed because of the son’s wisdom, and guess who imparted these values to his offspring? These terse statements can be misinterpreted as rules, laws or literal promises without exception. For example, Proverbs 10:27 states, “the years of the wicked are cut short, while the righteous live long and prosperous lives.” If that verse was interpreted literally, then all wicked people would live short lives and all who are righteous would not only live long lives, but would be prosperous. As a short, concise statement of truth, you can see that in general the wicked live lives of hate and despair, while the righteous have lives full of richness and love. The concept of longevity and blessing for the righteous is an over-arching truth, and must be a guide to inspire us to holy living.
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KEYS TO EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION Let’s examine one truth, Proverbs 3:1-2: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands upon your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” Chapter 3 of Proverbs focuses upon living a life of faith and commitment to God. In this verse, the truth is that we must not only know the commands of our fathers, but we must keep them in our hearts, ready to use when needed. We must not only know the truth, but understand it so deeply that we instinctively respond to any situation in a godly manner. The more intimately we know God and His character, the more we will live holy lives. Moses gives practical advice to parents upon how to impress divine truth upon the minds and hearts of our children in Deuteronomy 11:18-21: “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” NIV
Note the various teaching methods Moses describes in this insightful passage: memorization, instruction, discussion, writing. Every educator knows that the more ways a student interacts with a concept, the more clearly and deeply he understands it. Aural, visual, and kinesthetic learning are all part of training a child. Each verb colorfully depicts such purposeful instruction: fix, tie, bind, teach, talk, write. Note the frequency and repetition the parent is encouraged to usewhen sitting at home, when walking along the road, when resting and waking. This passage in the Pentateuch was probably the inspiration for the first nine chapters of Solomon’s book. One of every Christian parent’s paramount duties is to teach a child about life and faith. We do so directly and indirectly. We purposefully teach God’s Word, Christian values, relational family principles, and moral responsibility. Indirectly we model authentic faith and practice. The most powerful method of imparting life to our children is by our example. Proverbs 3:1-2 simply states a child should keep the commands taught by his or her parents. If they do keep those commands, they will prolong their lives (notice that it is not an unconditional guarantee of longer life, simply an observation that life is lengthened because destructive behaviors and habits are eliminated from daily living) and have prosperity (notice that it doesn’t guarantee earthly wealth, but abundant life).
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What evidence of godly behavior do you observe in your children (physical or spiritual)? Are their responses consistent? Do you observe that they have a clear understanding of God’s principles in their lives? What qualities are most in evidence? What challenges do they face?
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How have you imprinted God’s truths upon your own heart? Did your parents or godly influencers intentionally teach you Christian values? How did they do so?
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Examine your life--can you think of at least two times when you instinctively responded in a godly way to a crisis or temptation? What were the circumstances you faced? What was your reaction? How did it make you feel to know you experienced spiritual victory? What impact did that have on your future actions?
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LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS
Proverbs 3:3-4 states “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Examine this verse. God is telling us that there are two characteristics that we should never reject: love and faithfulness. The original word in Hebrew for love is the deep form of love-passion for God that results in obedience. Faithfulness implies reliability. This verse further implores us to bind God’s principles around your neck and to engrave them on the tablet of your heart. This portrait is a beautiful picture of whole-hearted devotion and lifetime commitment. The promise is also clear. Besides enjoying a long and abundant life, the faithful God-follower wins favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. David, Solomon’s father gives a beautiful description of a godly man or woman who follows God’s Word faithfully: “...his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” NIV
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What are your passions? Have you devoted your life to the God who loves you and made you? What brings you joy? What hindrances do you face in seeking to put God first in your life?
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Think deeply about what you have learned about Jesus. Did he exemplify this proverb in how he lived his life on earth? What did His love and faithfulness look like?
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Do you practice the art of meditation-spending concentrated time visualizing and memorizing the Word of God? How could you delight in God’s law day and night? Would it change how you spend your time? Can you quiet your mind enough to really focus on God? Set aside some time on your calendar this week to turn of your phone, ipod, television and computer to listen for God’s voice.
One Man’s Testimony Wow, this study really made me wiggle. As I was writing I kept wondering how others perceived the character of Norm Bishop. Then I remembered that the largest part of my life I had lived to project an image of a good man. For the most part, I believe people perceived me as a good, loving and reliable man. However, the part that made me uncomfortable was the binding of God’s truth upon my neck (placing outside my body, visible to the entire world), and writing upon the tablet of my heart. I hadn’t written or bound, I had projected an image. Now, as I have spent the past eight years healing and opening my closed heart that was concerned only with image, I can say that I am binding and writing. I am not doing the Lord’s work for the world to see. I serve God because I love Him and He has called me. Anybody can project an image, but someone will always spot hypocrisy. I think of Adam, trying to hide from God. I want to live for God vulnerably and faithfully. For Additional Study: Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalms 15:4; 24:4; Proverbs 3
Five Street-Savvy Sayings LIFEFAITHFUSION DEVOTIONAL DAY ONE SCRIPTURE STUDY Proverbs 3:1-12 Proverbs 10:1,27 Proverbs 3:1-2 Psalm 36:1 Psalm 40:8 Proverbs 4:21 Hosea 11:8 Luke 24:32 Psalm 143:4 Psalm 1 Deuteronomy 6:6-9 Psalms 15:4 Proverbs 24:4 DIGGING DEEPER Proverbs are stated truths that point out how to live a loving and faithful (reliable) life. The importance making loving and reliable choices cannot be underestimated. PRAYER FOCUS Father, I ask that you give me openness of heart to share all that I know about you. I also ask that you give me your truth to live as you desire. Give my children the desire to encompass those truths into the deepest part of their hearts. Amen
Proverbs 3:1-12 The Book of Proverbs has much to teach us about how God wants us to live our lives. The English Dictionary definition of a proverb is “a concise saying that illustrates a truth.” The Latin word, proverbium is the derivative word from which the English word proverb came. It means “ a simple and concrete saying popularly known and repeated, which expresses a truth based on common sense or the practical experience of mankind.” The English definition is more specific that the Latin description. The Hebrew word from which proverb is translated is considerably broader than either the Latin or the English word. Most proverbs in the Bible are short, compact statements that express truths about human behavior. Not only are they observations about human behavior, but they are also universal truths that, if obeyed, enhance our lives. These tenets, when followed, are often accompanied by a blessing. “A wise son brings joy to his father,” (10:1) is a prime example. This is a simple, direct truth. If your son is wise, you will be pleased. Notice that the father is blessed because of the son’s wisdom, and guess who imparted these values to his offspring? These terse statements can be misinterpreted as rules, laws or literal promises without exception. For example, Proverbs 10:27 states, “the years of the wicked are cut short, while the righteous live long and prosperous lives.” If that verse was interpreted literally, then all wicked people would live short lives and all who are righteous would not only live long lives, but would be prosperous. As a short, concise statement of truth, you can see that in general the wicked live lives of hate and despair, while the righteous have lives full of richness and love. The concept of longevity and blessing for the righteous is an over-arching truth, and must be a guide to inspire us to holy living.
2
KEYS TO EFFECTIVE INSTRUCTION Let’s examine one truth, Proverbs 3:1-2: “My son, do not forget my teaching, but keep my commands upon your heart, for they will prolong your life many years and bring you prosperity.” Chapter 3 of Proverbs focuses upon living a life of faith and commitment to God. In this verse, the truth is that we must not only know the commands of our fathers, but we must keep them in our hearts, ready to use when needed. We must not only know the truth, but understand it so deeply that we instinctively respond to any situation in a godly manner. The more intimately we know God and His character, the more we will live holy lives. Moses gives practical advice to parents upon how to impress divine truth upon the minds and hearts of our children in Deuteronomy 11:18-21: “Fix these words of mine in your hearts and minds; tie them as symbols on your hands and bind them on your foreheads. Teach them to your children, talking about them when you sit at home and when you walk along the road, when you lie down and when you get up. Write them on the doorframes of your houses and on your gates, so that your days and the days of your children may be many in the land that the LORD swore to give your forefathers, as many as the days that the heavens are above the earth.” NIV
Note the various teaching methods Moses describes in this insightful passage: memorization, instruction, discussion, writing. Every educator knows that the more ways a student interacts with a concept, the more clearly and deeply he understands it. Aural, visual, and kinesthetic learning are all part of training a child. Each verb colorfully depicts such purposeful instruction: fix, tie, bind, teach, talk, write. Note the frequency and repetition the parent is encouraged to usewhen sitting at home, when walking along the road, when resting and waking. This passage in the Pentateuch was probably the inspiration for the first nine chapters of Solomon’s book. One of every Christian parent’s paramount duties is to teach a child about life and faith. We do so directly and indirectly. We purposefully teach God’s Word, Christian values, relational family principles, and moral responsibility. Indirectly we model authentic faith and practice. The most powerful method of imparting life to our children is by our example. Proverbs 3:1-2 simply states a child should keep the commands taught by his or her parents. If they do keep those commands, they will prolong their lives (notice that it is not an unconditional guarantee of longer life, simply an observation that life is lengthened because destructive behaviors and habits are eliminated from daily living) and have prosperity (notice that it doesn’t guarantee earthly wealth, but abundant life).
•
What evidence of godly behavior do you observe in your children (physical or spiritual)? Are their responses consistent? Do you observe that they have a clear understanding of God’s principles in their lives? What qualities are most in evidence? What challenges do they face?
•
How have you imprinted God’s truths upon your own heart? Did your parents or godly influencers intentionally teach you Christian values? How did they do so?
•
Examine your life--can you think of at least two times when you instinctively responded in a godly way to a crisis or temptation? What were the circumstances you faced? What was your reaction? How did it make you feel to know you experienced spiritual victory? What impact did that have on your future actions?
3
LOVE AND FAITHFULNESS
Proverbs 3:3-4 states “Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.” Examine this verse. God is telling us that there are two characteristics that we should never reject: love and faithfulness. The original word in Hebrew for love is the deep form of love-passion for God that results in obedience. Faithfulness implies reliability. This verse further implores us to bind God’s principles around your neck and to engrave them on the tablet of your heart. This portrait is a beautiful picture of whole-hearted devotion and lifetime commitment. The promise is also clear. Besides enjoying a long and abundant life, the faithful God-follower wins favor and a good name in the sight of God and man. David, Solomon’s father gives a beautiful description of a godly man or woman who follows God’s Word faithfully: “...his delight is in the law of the LORD, and on His law he meditates day and night. He is like a tree planted by streams of water, which yields its fruit in season and whose leaf does not wither. Whatever he does prospers.” NIV
•
What are your passions? Have you devoted your life to the God who loves you and made you? What brings you joy? What hindrances do you face in seeking to put God first in your life?
•
Think deeply about what you have learned about Jesus. Did he exemplify this proverb in how he lived his life on earth? What did His love and faithfulness look like?
•
Do you practice the art of meditation-spending concentrated time visualizing and memorizing the Word of God? How could you delight in God’s law day and night? Would it change how you spend your time? Can you quiet your mind enough to really focus on God? Set aside some time on your calendar this week to turn of your phone, ipod, television and computer to listen for God’s voice.
One Man’s Testimony Wow, this study really made me wiggle. As I was writing I kept wondering how others perceived the character of Norm Bishop. Then I remembered that the largest part of my life I had lived to project an image of a good man. For the most part, I believe people perceived me as a good, loving and reliable man. However, the part that made me uncomfortable was the binding of God’s truth upon my neck (placing outside my body, visible to the entire world), and writing upon the tablet of my heart. I hadn’t written or bound, I had projected an image. Now, as I have spent the past eight years healing and opening my closed heart that was concerned only with image, I can say that I am binding and writing. I am not doing the Lord’s work for the world to see. I serve God because I love Him and He has called me. Anybody can project an image, but someone will always spot hypocrisy. I think of Adam, trying to hide from God. I want to live for God vulnerably and faithfully. For Additional Study: Deuteronomy 6:6-9; Psalms 15:4; 24:4; Proverbs 3
