Proverbs

Proverbs 1: God calls fools to wisdom

Begin in prayer

Before we hear wisdom calling in the streets, let us ask God for ears that listen. Ask Him to uncover our pride and teach our family to fear Him.

You shall teach them the statutes and the laws, and shall show them the way in which they must walk, and the work that they must do.

Exodus 18:20

Father in heaven, please open our eyes as we read Your Word. Teach us to fear You and receive Your correction. Show us Jesus, Your wisdom, and turn us from foolish pride. Make us more like Jesus. And please bless our family as we worship You together. In Jesus' name, Amen.

See where we're going

Solomon, the son of David and king of Israel, gives instruction that teaches young people how to live wisely. He begins with the fear of the LORD, then calls his son to hear both parents. A gang offers wealth through violence, yet their greed takes away their own lives. Against their secret invitation, wisdom calls aloud in public places where everyone can hear. Those who refuse her correction will face disaster and find that their cries come too late. The chapter closes with safety for the one who listens.

As you read Proverbs 1, look for the answers:

Reflect together

Key truth

God calls us to fear Him and hear His wisdom before judgment comes.

A proverb puts wisdom into a short saying that asks us to stop and think. The fear of the LORD means receiving God as the One whose words rule our lives. A fool despises correction, even when he knows many facts. That refusal makes the gang attractive, because its promise of shared wealth hides the lives it destroys. Wisdom is pictured as a woman calling in the busiest places, so ignorance cannot excuse those who turn away. Her laughter at disaster shows the terrible end of despising her warnings. We must hear while she calls, rather than expect another opportunity whenever we choose.

How does Proverbs 1 show us that God calls us to fear Him and hear His wisdom before judgment comes?

God teaches children through their parents.

The father asks his son to hear his instruction and keep his mother’s teaching. Their counsel is like an ornament worth wearing with honor. Jesus honored His earthly parents, as Luke 2 verse 51 tells us. Obedience never requires a child to sin or remain silent about harm.

Greed leads people into a trap.

The gang promises one purse filled by attacking the innocent. Its members think they will catch others, yet they lie in wait for their own lives. Sin promises gain while taking away the life of its owner.

Wisdom calls people to turn while they can.

Wisdom offers correction before calamity arrives. Those who reject her will eat the fruit of their own schemes. Their unanswered cries when judgment comes make the present call urgent.

Memorise

The fear of Yahweh is the beginning of knowledge; but the foolish despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

Looking to Jesus in my life

Ask yourself in your heart, what correction am I refusing that shows my need for Jesus?

Wisdom cries, “Turn at my reproof.” People who love their own schemes hear a warning before their ruin. We also need correction, because pride makes our own ideas sound wiser than God’s Word.

At the cross, Jesus carried the sin of His people and suffered God’s judgment for them. Human pride rejected Him, yet God accomplished salvation through His death. Jesus rose victorious over death. His completed sacrifice is enough to rescue guilty fools and bring them to God.

Turn from your sin and put your trust in Jesus. Do not wait for a more convenient day to hear Him. In Christ there is forgiveness for all who repent and believe. Receive the Savior who gives the wisdom that pride refuses.

Parent's note

Tell your children that knowing Bible facts cannot replace fearing God and hearing His correction. Please do not tell them they are saved just because they grew up in a Christian home. Call each child to turn from sin and trust Jesus, and pray that God would give them a new heart.

Pray together

Now please close your time together in prayer. Thank God for speaking before judgment comes. Bring the heart question to Him. Every child can pray, so let each one say a short prayer if they want to.

but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ is the power of God and the wisdom of God.

1 Corinthians 1:24

Lord God, thank You for calling people away from foolishness. Please expose the pride that shuts our ears to Your Word. Lead every one of us to repent and trust Jesus. Give our family willing hearts when correction comes this week. Amen.