Open up a Bible and find out for yourself what it says. Let the adventure begin. Share what you are reading with someone one-to-one or in a group.
If you are interested in a more in depth study searching for wisdom, you may want to search Ask4Wisdom. Ask4Wisdom is an interrogative and inductive study of Proverbs, the Psalms and other selected Scriptures. This study can be done individually or as a group, hard copy or on line. Ask4Wisdom is a workbook with 13 chapters of questions intended to challenge your thinking and your behaviors daily. Most chapters are six pages in length with varied number of questions per day.
Proverbs is a challenging book in the Bible to read and study. Most people believe most of the Proverbs were written in the 10th century B.C. by King Solomon who ruled and reigned over the nation of Israel. (That’s about 3000 years ago.) According to a few verses in the Bible (I Kings 4:29-34), Solomon is acclaimed with unprecedented wisdom. Therefore, it seems only practical that if you want to learn about wisdom, you should go to someone who has the reputation for being wise.
Why the Bible? The Bible is a compilation of books written by different authors for various reasons that point to Jesus Christ. The Bible is the worlds most published book explaining who God is and what He has done. It contains historical writings, poetry, prophecy, biographies and various types of letters. The Bible contains numerous promises, too many to count. A few that relate to searching include:
- Deuteronomy 4:29ff – “But from there you will seek the LORD your God, and you will find Him if you search for Him with all your heart and all your soul…”
- II Chronicles 7:14 – and (If ) My people who are called by My name humble themselves and pray, and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
- Proverbs 8:17 – “I (wisdom) love those who love me; And those who diligently seek me will find me.”
- Matthew 7:7,8 – “Ask, and it shall be given to you; seek and you shall find; knock and it shall be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives, and he who seeks finds, and to him who knocks it shall be opened.
- James 1:5 – But if any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all men generously and without reproach, and it will be given to him.
What is meant by interrogative and inductive? This simply means to ask questions and become a learner. Be teachable and be honest with yourself. You might want to keep a journal or write in the margins of these pages. … those who look harder for what they seek often find more than they expect. (Tales of the Resistance, pg. 35)
Daily – This search is meant to be done daily. You will not succeed at first, but you must persevere. This must become a habit more than eating or drinking. Remember; be confident that He who began a good work in you will perfect it until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil.1:6). This study may not be the one for you at this season in your life. Pray about where the LORD wants you to be studying and growing in His Word.
Years ago I heard a speaker summarize a research study concerning life after life. In short, the participants said they were asked two important questions upon their death here on earth. 1) How did you grow in wisdom? and 2) How did you grow in your capacity to love? This Ask4Wisdom Workbook became my quest more determinedly.
Ask4Wisdom is a Search Engine
Searching Proverbs is an extremely practical instruction guide. The chapters in the workbook address overarching themes as numbered below. In addition, each chapter includes a character sketch from someone in the Bible whose life or moment in their life illustrates how they practiced wisdom.
Instructions Concerning: Search: Illustrated in the life of:
1. Living Wisely A Wisdom Search Solomon
2. Receiving guidance/direction Searching the Right Path-Way Abraham
3. Communication A Word Search the Apostle John
4. Better choices A Better Search Abel
5. Common Sense A Sensible Search Daniel
6. Helping Others Search & Rescue Moses
7. Timing A Timely Search Esther
8. Establishing Priorities A Net Worth Search Jesus
9. Competent Workers A Search for Workers Nehemiah
10. God’s part in our lives A Sovereign Search Job
11. Life or death considerations A Life and Death Search Elijah
12. When Life serves you lemons Searching Affliction Joseph
13. Happiness/Creativity A Scavenger Search (Hunt) Noah
i.e. An Abominable Search
A Blessed Search
A Delightful Search
Here are some sample fill in the blank questions, with a follow-up personal application question.
- Pr. 8:17 – “I (wisdom) love those who love me; And those who diligently ________ me will find me. What are you diligently seeking for? _____________________________________________
2. Pr. 20:27 – The spirit of man is the lamp of the LORD, ____________ all the innermost parts of his being. How are you attempting to let more light in?
______________________________________
3. Pr. 28:5 – Evil men do not understand justice, But those who __________ the LORD understand all things. Really?
There is so much I still don’t understand! Is there still too much evil in me? _________