THE AUDITORIUM SUNDAY
SCHOOL CLASS
NOVEMBER 5TH, 2006
YOUNG PEOPLE AND WISDOM
Introduction: The sixth
purpose of Proverbs focuses on young people.
(4)
- “To give....to the young man knowledge and
discretion.”
I. Young people need knowledge and
discretion. (4)
A. This knowledge is a knowledge about God,
God’s Word, and God’s Will.
1.
Ignorance of God’s Word leads to an ignorance of God’s Will.
2.
Young people have no experience to fall back on, but Proverbs makes up
for their lack of experience.
B.
Discretion is the protection of innocence for young people.
1.
A young woman who lives loosely is an example of a person without
discretion. (11:22)
2.
The Book of Proverbs gives to young people a knowledge
of God that is practical.
3.
Godly discretion is a mixture of self-discipline and morality.
- I will act according to my fear of God,
love of right, and respect of innocence.
II. A wise man will hear, and increase
learning.....” (5)
A. The word “hear” is referring to Godly or
profitable lectures, sermons, lessons, or speeches.
1.
A wise man will attend functions in which godly words, sermons,
lectures, or teachings can be heard.
2.
The purpose of hearing these public addresses is to learn attributes of
godliness and wisdom from those who are delivering them.
B.
“A wise man ....will increase learning....” (5)
1.
Godly wisdom always desires to be more godly,
and more wise.
2.
Much time, and much effort, should be invested in profitable learning
about God, morality, and God’s hand in history.
3. It is the height of arrogance for a man to
say that learning more about God and His Word is unprofitable.
III. “...and a man of understanding shall
attain unto wise counsels. (5)
A.
All counsel is not verbal.
1.
Your Bible is a counselor. (Acts
20:26-28)
2.
There are many wise men who have lived before us, whose books are still
available, who had much wisdom from God.
B.
Some counsel is verbal.
1.
The counsel of godly fathers. (1:8)
2.
The counsel of godly mothers. (1:8)
3.
The counsel of godly older people.
(Titus
2:4)
C.
Wise Christians are people who purposely seek out words of wisdom as a
practice of life.
- books, speeches,
and practical experiences of life.
IV. The seventh, and final,
purpose of Proverbs is “To understand a proverb, and the interpretation.” (6)
A.
Solomon spoke in proverbs. (6)
1.
It’s evident that Solomon used proverbial
sayings in his conversations and judgments.
2.
Solomon wanted his hearers and readers to understand his words of
wisdom.
3.
Solomon wanted to be surrounded by wise people.
B.
Proverbs are sayings that need interpretation. (6)
1.
The interpretation of a proverbs is how it can
be applied to life.
2.
Solomon’s goal is to enlighten the reader to the deeper truths of God
and life.
Conclusion: “Wise men
profit more from fools than fools from wise men; for the wise men shun the
mistakes of fools, but fools do not imitate the successes of the wise.”
( Cato the Elder, 234-149 BC)