FALL QUARTER SUNDAY SCHOOL 2011 THEME: TRADITION AND WISDOM UNIT ONE: TEACHING AND LEARNING LESSONS IN PROVERBS “THE BENEFITS OF PASSING THE BATON OF WISDOM, PART 4” (Wisdom Provides Preventative Maintenance)

Sunday School Lesson No. V October 2, 2011 Presented by Rev. Frank Davis, III, Pastor-Teacher Lesson Text: Proverbs 29:15-27 Required Reading: Proverbs 29:1-27 Memory Text: Proverbs 29:25, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be safe.” Reliable Resources: Powerful Principles from Proverbs by Dr. David Jeremiah; Precepts for Living by UMI; Union Gospel Press Expositor and Illuminator; Standard Lesson Commentary; Libronix Electronic Library; Commentary on Proverbs by H. A. Ironside. INTRODUCTION Most mechanical things such as cars, boats, trucks, chainsaws, etc. come with a warranty. This is the manufacturer’s guarantee that the product is worthy of our purchase. But with a warranty also comes information on preventative maintenance in which the manufacturer gives instructions on how to best care for the product. For instance, an automobile needs to have regular oil changes at proper intervals. It needs tire rotations and other acts of preventative maintenance. If these things are not properly done, this could literally void the warranty of the product. Well, Solomon’s teaching in chapter 29 of the Proverbs is what I call wisdom that provides preventative maintenance for our lives. Like the engine in our vehicles that needs oil and air filters changed because of the pollutants that they receive from gasoline and other environmental elements, so is the believer bombarded by the pollutants in our environment that we receive through the eye, ear and heart, etc. The believer needs the preventative maintenance of daily Bible devotions, worship, prayer, fellowship, etc. that will cause us to be more than able to overcome the adversary. Hence I present the Sunday School lesson from the perspective of wisdom providing preventative maintenance. Anticipated Power Points: Wisdom’s Preventative Maintenance…  In Child Rearing. Proverbs 29:15-17  In Correct Responses. Proverbs 29:18-19  In Community Relations. Proverbs 29:20-27

LESSON OUTLINE Wisdom Provides Preventative Maintenance… I. In Child Rearing. Proverbs 29:15-17 The father of Solomon asked a serious question in Psalm 119:9a, “Wherewithal shall a young man cleanse his way?” He then continued to answer the question in part (b) of the text, “by taking heed thereto according to thy word.” But how does a child receive that word? Solomon in Proverbs 22:6 declares that the child must be trained! So a child must be reared with wisdom’s preventative maintenance in mind. A. When done correctly, it saves the child. vss. 15, 17 The rod refers to discipline or training. A child is not going to become what he or she needs to become without hands on guidance and direction. When raising tomatoes, we use a little rod to tie the vines up so that they will grow straight. When children are properly taught by parents’ personal life actions and verbal instructions, they usually will follow and grow. After proper instruction and example are given to the child and there lies a strain of rebellion, Solomon gives other instructions of hope for the child’s future. (Read Proverbs 13:24, 15:27). Note: No chastening is done in anger or rage, but in quiet instruction for the ultimate good of the child, and it brings relief to the parent to know the child, when becoming an adult, will practice the good things taught in their youth. B. When done correctly, it saves the community. vs.16 “High crime speaks of a high rate of undisciplined children who become adults.” The wicked are short-lived and soon are overcome by the just. Let us labor to raise a generation of disciplined children to lead righteously. Wisdom Provides Preventative Maintenance… II. In Correct Responses. Proverbs 29:18-19 A. In verse 18, “vision” refers to “prophetic revelation” or clear revealing of God’s Word or truth. Wisdom teaches that the revealing of God’s Word should bring forth a correct response from its hearer. Note one author’s state- ment here, “The thought is that when God’s Word is not known and honored, the people run wild. The ones who obey the law, that is, the Word of God, are the truly blessed ones.” When the Word of God is disregarded, God may send a famine among those who fail to receive or literally hear the Word. (Read Amos 8:11-12.) Remember the book of Judges and review 17:6, “In those days there was no king in Israel, but every man did that which was right in his own eyes.” B. Verse 19 helps us to respond correctly and not be obstinate to God’s Word or simply ignore it. Jesus declared to the hearers of His day in Luke 6:46, “And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?” It is very dangerous for one to hear and not do what God says! Wisdom Provides Preventative Maintenance… III. In Community Relations. Proverbs 29:20-27 This series of sayings simply exemplify the importance of being vigilant in all our actions with others in the community of life. A. Avoid the loose tongued, quick-tempered individual, for they will get you in trouble and they are almost without hope. vss. 20, 22 B. Avoid pampering an employee when you are the boss, because they will expect unacceptable things from you. (They won’t respect your position.) vs. 21 C. Avoid the proud person who lacks humility. vs. 23 They are destined for embarrassment. (Read Luke 14:7-11) D. Avoid the company of a thug or criminal because it will make you just as guilty of their crime. Romans 1:32 E. Avoid people who think more of what their fellow man thinks, than what God says and expects. vss. 25-26 (Read Psalm 118:8-9; II Corinthians 5:10-11) F. Avoid any thoughts of compromising with the ungodly when you are the righteous. Why? Because “Good people and criminals can’t stand each other.” vs. 27 (CEV). Also it is said “Just as a straight stick shows up a crooked one, so the contract between a clean life and a wicked one is glaring.” CLOSING Beloved, we have examined several areas of God’s Wisdom’s Preventative Maintenance. When is the last time you’ve been to God’s Garage for a check-up? I suggest that we will follow the maintenance manual called the Bible and allow God’s Word to do a diagnostic check on our lives that we may live lives guided by God’s wisdom. Psalm119:11, “Thy word have I hid in mine heart, that I might not sin against thee.” Proverbs 4:5-7 closes this lesson, “Get wisdom, get understanding: forget it not; neither decline from the words of my mouth. Forsake her not, and she shall preserve thee: love her, and she shall keep thee. Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding.” Bibleway Missionary Baptist Church, New Orleans, LA & Little Bethel Baptist Church, Amite, LA Mailing Address: Post Office Box 19768, New Orleans, LA 70179 Phone: (504) 486-7876 Email: [email protected] Website: www.thestudyhour.com TV Broadcasts: WHNO TV 20, Sunday, 6:30 a.m. – Channel 14 (Hammond-Amite area), 6:30 a.m. Radio Broadcasts: WLNO AM 1060, Saturday 8:30 a.m.; Sunday 5:30 a.m. AM 1570 (Hammond-Amite area) Saturday 1:00 p.m.

LOOKING AHEAD: October 9, 2011 Ecclesiastes 9:13-18