lesson loop 9.4.14

Red Carpet Night - MS & HS - Proverbs 3:1-12
Tuesday night we had the MS students join us in our study through the book of Proverbs, and we looked at 3:1-12.

We began by considering that there are 3 sets of eyes that view us in Proverbs 3 -

• The way that others view us (v. 4)
• The way that God views us (v. 4)
• The way that we view ourself (v. 7)

The way that God views us is the accurate view of us - and because He knows everything about us and the entire universe, we should live with a fear for God.

Big Idea: Skillful, Christ-like living comes through fearing the Lord.

We have learned in Proverbs that fearing the Lord is important. Proverbs 1:7 says that “the fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom…”

Fearing the Lord means that we...

KEEP His commands (v.1-4)

• There is a connection between obeying our parents and obeying God.
• We learn to obey God by obeying our parents.
• Obeying God means keeping His commands "around our neck" and "written on our heart".

With each of these aspects of fearing the Lord, there are promises.

Promise (when we keep God's commands): long life, peace (shalom), favor with God and man!

There is not only a connection between our relationship with our parents and our relationship with God, there is a connection between our relationship with God and our relationship with others - "favor with God and man".

TRUST His direction (v. 5-8)

• “trust in the Lord” - points to trust in Jesus Christ! (Rom. 10:9)
• “with all your heart” - more than intellectual, deep reliance
• “do not be wise” - while Proverbs calls for wisdom, it is God's and not ours.

“acknowledge Him” - more than simply a courteous nod; idea of knowing (intimately) God.

Promise: straight paths, healing, refreshment

HONOR His name (v. 9-10)

• God demands our all, because He is King.
• Giving Him our money flows naturally out of giving Him our heart, soul ("Trust in the Lord with ALL your heart")

Promise: prosperity (this is a general rule, and sometimes we are not physically prosperous, but always spiritually)

ACCEPT His discipline

• God disciplines us because He loves us
• God disciplines us so that we will fear Him, and so then He will bless us.

Promise: the love of our Heavenly Father