lesson loop 12.18.14

Middle and High School - Proverbs (Our Speech)

The middle school students joined us as we continue our study in Proverbs. Having made it through the first 9 chapters, we will be spending about 6 weeks looking at specific topics that come up in Proverbs - topics that are heavily emphasized in the book. So on Tuesday we started by looking at our speech. We focused on chapter 10 but we also jumped around to a whole bunch of verses in Proverbs that address speech.

Big Idea: Skillful, Christ-like speech is guarded and intentional. 

We need to guard against...

1. Deceit
   
   • conceal violence and hatred - v. 6,11,18
   • perverse - v. 31,32 (word means dishonest, deceit, fraud, crookedness)
   • 14:25 - breathing out lies
   • 16:28 - “whisperer”
   • 26:28 - lying produces victims and ruin
   • 27:6 - “kisses”
2. Babble
   
   • many words = sin - v. 8,10, 19;  (“babble” - bank of a river)
   • 13:3 - “opens wide”
   • 15:2,28 - “pours out” evil things
   • 18:13 - answering before listening
   • 27:14 - loud, annoying speech
   • 29:20 - “hasty in words” The average young person uses 16,000 words a day. That is 16,000 opportunities for sin or 16,000 opportunities to glorify God.
3. Malice
   
   • hatred and slander - v. 18
   • 11:12 - belittling
   • 15:1 - harsh word stirs up anger
   • 30:11 - curse fathers and mothers 30:14 - “devour”
   
   Word Pictures that illustrate harmful speech:
   

   • 12:18 - sword thrusts (rash words)
   • 16:27 - scorching fire
   • 18:4 - deep waters
   • 25:14 - boasting about a gift you did not give - clouds and wind with no rain
   • 29:5 - flattery spreads a net for someone’s feet

   
   

We need to be intentional about...

1. When not to speak
   
   • 11:12 - remaining silent (we don’t have to fill the silence)
   • 17:28 (appearance of wisdom)
   • 27:2 - refrain from praising yourself (no one likes this)
   • 11:13, 17:9 - keeps things covered
2. When to speak
   
   • 15:23 - a word in season    (swimming at beach)
   • 16:23 - judicious and persuasive
   • 27:6 - wounding a friend
   • 28:23 - rebuke
3. How to speak
   
   • full of understanding and wisdom, knowledge - v. 13,31,32
   • 12:17 - speak truth
   • 14:25 - truth saves lives
   • 15:1 - soft answer diffuses anger
   • 25:15 - soft answer can break a bone
   
   Word Pictures that illustrate good speech:
   

   • fountain of life - v. 11
   • choice silver - v. 20 (apples of gold in setting of silver - Prov. 25)
   • food that feeds many - v. 21
   • 15:4 - tree of life
   • 18:4 - bubbling brook
   • 24:26 - honest answer is like a kiss on the lips (I don’t really need to elaborate on this right?) 
   • 25:13 - refreshing snow

   
   

We closed by thinking of Christ and the speech that He used. He is Wisdom, and there were times He did not speak when He could have, and He always spoke without sin and just what was needed at the right time.

lesson loop 12.11.14

Middle School - "Relationships with our enemies"
One of the most difficult relationships to navigate is our relationship with an enemy. We talked about how God calls us as Christians to do what seems to be impossible - love our enemies. This requires the supernatural power of the Holy Spirit.

Big Idea: Don't be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.

We are commanded not to:

1. Repay evil for evil
2. Avenge ourselves

Result: If we do these things, we will be overcome by evil!

We are commanded to:

1. Give thought to do what is honorable in the sight of all
2. Live peaceably with all (so far as it depends on us)
3. Leave vengeance to God
4. Love our enemies in practical ways

Result: If we do these things, we will overcome evil with good!

God is passionate about us loving our enemies, because He loved us when we were His enemies. That is the heart of the gospel!

High School - Proverbs 9

The "Tale of 2 feasts"

Big Idea: The skillful, Christ-like individual will choose the nourishment of wisdom instead of the initial burst of sin.

The Nourishment of Wisdom v. 1-6

Rich - meat and wine

*spiritual enjoyment stands head and shoulders above the physical enjoyment of sin

Psalm 16:11

Authentic - God built and designed wisdom, Lady folly simply stole her food.

Difficult --> Enjoyment

*Living a wise life requires difficult sacrifice, but the future holds enjoyment. 

Wisdom Interlude vs. 7-12

*Effects of wisdom

*Heart of wisdom - fear and knowledge of the Lord

The Initial Burst of Sin v. 13-18

Chintzy - sinful folly is cheap imitation, yet Satan masquerades it as sumptuous fare

Tantalizing - It is undeniable that sin is attractive, just like fast food ads. But the food in those pictures is actually fake and inedible. Sin is likewise rotten, yet appears attractive.

Fraudulent - Sinful pleasure is hijacked happiness, it is a robbery of something good God created.

Enjoyable --> Difficult

Sin is enjoyable at first, but not only leads to difficulty but death. This is the exact opposite of wisdom.

We must follow v. 10 -

Fear God!

Know God!