® LEADER GUIDE EXPLORE THE BIBLE: ADULTS Proverbs; SongProverbs; Songs of Proverbs; SUMMER 2020 2020 SUMMER Song of Songs Summer 2020 > CSB > CSB © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources A LIFE WELL LIVED Wisdom is a Person with whom we can have a relationship. People want to succeed in life. In the Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and workplace, relationships, finances—in every the life. No one comes to the Father except area of life—they crave success. This drive to through me” (John 14:6). He is waiting for thrive inevitably draws them to quick fixes you now. and easy steps. They seek advice from TV talk shows, books, or the Internet to help them • A dmit to God that you are a sinner. live life well. Repent, turning away from your sin. What we know from the Bible, however, is • By faith receive Jesus Christ as God’s Son that the wisdom needed for living life well and accept Jesus’ gift of forgiveness from comes not from quick tips and easy steps; sin. He took the penalty for your sin by true wisdom is a Person with whom we can dying on the cross. have a relationship. • Co nfess your faith in Jesus Christ as The Book of Proverbs is about becoming wise Savior and Lord. You may pray a prayer in everyday life. It reveals God’s principles similar to this as you call on God to save for successful living. The theme of the book you: “Dear God, I know that You love me. is stated in this way: “The fear of the Lord I confess my sin and need of salvation. is the beginning of knowledge” (Prov. 1:7). I turn away from my sin and place my faith This means wisdom has a starting point. It in Jesus as my Savior and Lord. In Jesus’ begins with a personal relationship with God. name I pray, amen.” The Bible speaks of Jesus as “the wisdom of After you have received Jesus Christ into God” (1 Cor. 1:24). Thus, coming to a saving your life, tell a pastor or another Christian knowledge of God through the person of Jesus about your decision. Show others your faith Christ is the beginning of a life well lived. in Christ by asking for baptism by immersion in your local church as a public expression of your faith. © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources CONTENTS FEATURES Word Wise ............................................... 6 Bible Reading Plan .................................... 7 Introduction to Proverbs; Song of Songs ..... 10 Leader Pack Ideas .................................. 143 The Heart: A Hebrew Understanding ....... 146 The Fear of the LORD: The Meaning .......... 149 I Ask a Question, But Nobody Talks .......... 151 SESSIONS SUGGESTED FOR Title Page THE WEEK OF June 7 Session 1: Charted Waters* (Prov. 1:7-19) ............................................. 13 June 14 Session 2: Direction Offered (Prov. 3:1-12) ............................................ 23 June 21 Session 3: Compassion Demonstrated (Prov. 3:21-35) .......................... 33 June 28 Session 4: The Choice (Prov. 4:11-27) ..................................................... 43 July 5 Session 5: Following God’s Design (Prov. 5:3-11,15-18) ......................... 53 July 12 Session 6: Pursuing Wisdom (Prov. 8:6-21) ........................................... 63 July 19 Session 7: Living Wisely (Prov. 14:8-15) ................................................. 73 July 26 Session 8: Pleasing God (Prov. 15:33–16:11) .......................................... 83 August 2 Session 9: Staying Sober (Prov. 23:17-21,29-35) . 93 August 9 Session 10: Accepting Discipline (Prov. 29:1-3,12-20) ............................. 103 August 16 Session 11: Finding Honor (Prov. 31:10-16,23-31) .................................... 113 August 23 Session 12: Relational Foundations (Song of Sg. 2:15–3:5) .................... 123 August 30 Session 13: Relational Investment (Song of Sg. 5:6-16) .......................... 133 *Evangelistic Emphasis Explore the Bible 3 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources MEET THE WRITERS Argile Smith wrote the Bible commentary for this study of Proverbs and Song of Songs. Dr. Smith is ADULT LEADER GUIDE Senior Pastor at Parkway Baptist Church in Biloxi, SUMMER 2020 Mississippi. He graduated from William Carey College VOLUME 6 • NUMBER 4 (B.A.) and New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary (M.Div., Ph.D.). MIKE LIVINGSTONE CONTENT EDITOR Liz Sherrer wrote the group Bible study plans for this study. Liz is a retired teacher and educational DWAYNE MCCRARY consultant. She has degrees from Oklahoma State TEAM LEADER University and the University of Central Oklahoma. KEN BRADDY Liz is married to Dr. Joe Sherrer, a professor at New MANAGER, ADULT ONGOING Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary. BIBLE STUDIES BRANDON HILTIBIDAL DIRECTOR, GROUPS MINISTRY SEND QUESTIONS/COMMENTS TO Team Leader by email: [email protected]; or by mail to Team Leader, Explore the Bible: Adult Personal Study Guide, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234; or make comments on the Web at lifeway.com. PRINTED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA COVER PHOTO ©UNSPLASH.COM Explore the Bible: Adult Leader Guide CSB (ISSN 1930-5877; Item 005075122) INTERIOR PHOTOS is published quarterly by LifeWay, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234, Ben Mandrell, President. © 2020 LifeWay. ©ISTOCKPHOTO.COM, For ordering or inquiries, visit lifeway.com, or write LifeWay Church Resources ©LIGHTSTOCK.COM, Customer Service, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234. For subscriptions or ©SHUTTERSTOCK.COM, subscription address changes, email [email protected], fax (615) 251-5818, or write to the above address. For bulk shipments mailed quarterly to one address, ©UNSPLASH.COM email [email protected], fax (615) 251-5933, or write to the above address. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture quotations are taken from the Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers®. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible® and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers. The suggestions in this resource for pronouncing Bible names are from That’s Easy for You to Say: Your Quick Guide to Pronouncing Bible Names by W. Murray Severance, © 1997 by Broadman & Holman Publishers. Used by permission. 4 Explore the Bible © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources A WORD FROM THE TEAM LEADER The decision was made to serve donuts on the shuttle vans. The church used off-campus parking and needed to encourage people to park there, so donuts seemed to be a simple solution. The only problem was that parents began dropping their kids off in the remote parking lot so the kids could grab a donut, but the parents proceeded to follow the van in their cars and park in the crowded church parking lot. Someone observed what was happening and offered some wisdom—serve coffee on the shuttle van instead. Parents began dropping their kids off at the church and then enjoyed a few moments of peace and some coffee while riding the shuttle from the remote lot. We live in a world that may seem simple at times, but the simple is often what makes it so complex. This is true in part because we live in a system where everything is connected. One decision impacts others, having a ripple effect. Systems theory refers to this as simplexity, and this simplexity points to our need for wisdom. Some people seek out professional analysts to help them navigate this world while others turn to their trusted friends and mentors. Solomon discovered that the only place to go when trying to figure out this simplex world was to the One who created it in the first place. Solomon recorded the wisdom God revealed to him in Proverbs and Song of Songs. Learning from these Bible books helps us fulfill Paul’s directive to live as wise people (Eph. 5:15). As we study Proverbs and Song of Songs, we will discover the wisdom of God for living in ways that please our Creator. Not everything we discover will be easy nor will it be simple, but it will be right. May God grant us a glimpse of His wisdom and give us courage to act on what we discover. Dwayne McCrary Team Leader, Adult Explore the Bible Explore the Bible 5 © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources WORD WISE Terms listed here are identified in the Bible commentary with a dot (•). Beryl—a light-green precious stone closely related to emeralds and aquamarines Discipline—moral training and instruction that warns of the consequences of sinful actions or corrects those who have sinned Fear of the LORD—includes awe, reverence, trust, submission, and obedience; for enemies of God rather than followers of God, the fear of God involves terror Fool—the antithesis of a wise person; the Hebrew word suggests stubbornness. The term denotes moral perversion. The fool thinks of himself as without error; he rejects godly wisdom because it contradicts his own view of knowledge. He detests discipline because discipline involves correction and correction implies he made an error. Iniquity—one of several biblical words for sin; a legal term that emphasizes the guilt of the sinner and the consequences of sin Pit—The Hebrew word means a hole in the earth. The most common use of the word is to refer to a “well” or “cistern”; it can also mean an open grave. Righteous/righteousness—”Righteous” denotes that which God determines to be right; righteousness involves being right with God and living in a way that reflects it. Sheol [SHEE ohl]—In Old Testament thought, Sheol refers to the grave or the realm of the dead. Stiff-necked—obstinate, stubborn Myrrh—an aromatic resin used in anointing oil, perfume Wisdom—Biblical wisdom is a gift from God; it includes the knowledge of God, discipline, morality, and the ability to apply knowledge to overcome the problems of life. Wormwood—a bitter plant common to the Middle East; often used in the Old Testament to speak of bitterness or sorrow 6 Explore the Bible | Leader Guide © 2020 LifeWay Christian Resources BIBLE READING PLAN JUNE JULY AUGUST ❏ 1.