A Wise Man Once Said...

Week 32: Discovering the Character of God through Proverbs

32.1 Pose the group the question of what they think it means to be 'wise'. Let it generate discussion as we share our answers.

32.2 Recap some of what we learned about Solomon from Series 1. Read 1 Kings 3:4-15 to help the group remember how Solomon had gone 'all out' for God in seeking the right kind of wisdom for ruling the kingdom. Follow this up by reading 1 Kings 4:29-34 and hone in on verse 32.

Talk about "wise sayings" referred to in this passage and perhaps share some we're familiar with; who says them? what do they mean? do we live by them?

32.3 Discuss the differences and similarities between these and the types of proverbs/sayings that Solomon might have written. Introduce Proverbs, explaining the authorship and purpose.

Read Proverbs 1:1-7 and highlight how this underlines the purpose of this book straight away. It's all about the right kind of wisdom. Read Proverbs 2:1-11 and see how, again, Solomon is setting the scene for what he is going to say with his proverbs: seek wisdom.

32.4 Return to this idea of the right kind of wisdom - what is the 'right/wrong' kind (check out James 3:13-18).

Why is all of this so important? It teaches us about God's character. Read Prov 3:5-6 (NIV). Here, it made really plain: God wants us to rely on Him (compare Jesus to His disciples in JOhn 15:5).

32.5 So, is that it, then? Is it all about wisdom? No. Think of it like a teacher handing out a textbook: the students won't learn just by reading the introduction; they need to get to grips with the actual text/facts that the introduction simply introduces. Let's apply this theory by looking at the first chapter of 'sayings'.

Split into small groups and assign each several verses to pore over. As they read, see if they can see the lesson in the proverb and what this might teach them about God (eg: v4 - God wants us to do well, etc). If time allows, change groups and look at a different chapter and feed back to the wider group. See how much we can learn of God!

Finally, invite each person to choose a proverb to action in their lives this week.


Week 32: Summary
Proverbs is another rich book and viewing it through this 'establishing shot' is a great way to introduce characteristics of God that you may not see directly elsewhere. The best way of studying, 'though, having seen this broader view is to then view it in detail. Zoom in on chapters and verses and before long you'll be finding characteristics of God, one after another...

• He wants us to trust in, and rely on Him
• If we only count on our own wisdom, everything will soon fall apart
• He guides and directs us

Finally, the proverbs aren't just for reading or even memorising. They're for living!

Where You Are

Week 26: Discovering the Character of God through Mary Magdalene

26.1 As a group, read Luke 8:1-3; Mark 15:40; John 20:1-2 and 10-18. Invite the group to discuss these scriptures; do they see anything holding them together? Reflect on the previous two weeks' teachings and the core message of them; does this help them to see the connection?

As we reassess the passages, we can see one main thing connecting them: where Jesus was, Mary was (ministry, cross, tomb, resurrection).

Again we see Jesus asking us, 'Do you love me?' and in Mary we see the response He seeks in a sincere heart: If we should say 'Yes,' then that should bear fruit: us wanting - longing - to be always near Him. (compare Psalm 84:1-2,10)

26.2 Re-read Luke 8:1-3 and hone in on the description of Mary. Usually when we read of people with demons they have one or two at most, and whenever a relation took the possessed person to Jesus, the demon would resist and drive the person to fit. Now, imagine that x7.

We know nothing of Mary; whether she was brought to Jesus or ran to Him of her own accord, but we do know it would have been painful.

Coming to Jesus is never easy; there will always be resistance between the flesh and the Spirit. There will always be things we need to lay down and be delivered from... and even after we have met with Jesus, we need to continually surrender. Perhaps this is another reason why Mary was always found with Jesus; she knew that left to her own devices, she would struggle to stand. And perhaps Jesus knew this, too.

26.3 One final, but perhaps the most remarkable, thing about Mary is not just her faithfulness, but rather Christ's faithfulness to her. He could have healed her and sent her on her way but, instead, her stuck with her. He invited her 'into His world'; into His kingdom and never sent her away. In fact, He so wanted her to know He included her that He appeared to her first after He rose.


Week 26: Summary

At New Year, it's surprising to find that Mary Magdalene is the ideal person to study in reflecting upon God's character. At this time of year, when so many are busy making resolutions and dreaming for the future Jesus asks us significant questions that challenge the way we view the days ahead:

• Do we love Him? If we dare say 'yes', then be prepared to get where He is and stay there. as Mark Hall puts it, 'Is your walk with Jesus Christ characterized by personal faith, personal prayer, personal study, and personal disciplines? Or do you get by with the overflow from mature Christians?'
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• If we choose to follow Him, we ought not to be so naive that we think it will be easy. It will mean daily surrender and a willingness to be delivered from our own demons. It will be a fight and it could get messy and painful... but, the good news is that
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• We don't go it alone. Christ is with us, He is in us and He will stick with us.

What great promises and challenges to start the year with!

The Final Signpost

Week 23: Discovering the Character of God through John The Baptist

23.1 Pose two questions to the group for their thoughts and discussion:

• How do they think they'll be remembered? What might people say about them?
• How do they want to be remembered? What do they want people to say about them?

This week, we're studying God's character through John the Baptist and what better way to begin than by looking at what Jesus had to say about him? As a group, read Matt 11:7-11. Discuss the implications of verse 11a: John is greater than Moses, Jacob, Abraham... everyone the Jews had ever held in high esteem and considered their route to God, Jesus was now saying John surpassed them all. In a moment, we'll see what it is that sets him apart but for now let the thought linger in the background!

23.2 As a group, read John 1:19-37. Part of what made John unique lies not only in what Jesus said about him, but in what he said of himself. Invite the group to share and discuss John's replies when questioned about who he was; notice what he's more interested in drawing people's attention to (Jesus). So, on the one hand, we have Jesus saying: 'John the Baptist is greater than any other person ever born,' while, on the other, John says: 'Who I am doesn't matter - it's insignificant in light of who I point to. I'm just a signpost.' Invite the group to share their thoughts on the juxtaposition of these two statements: can they complement each other, or do they completely contradict each other?

The truth is that the smaller we make ourselves in our own eyes, the more God increases our worth in His eyes. Check out Matt 23:12; God requires - and blesses the humble.

23.3 John wasn't just humble; he was also honest and direct. This was as much (in fact, probably more so), the Holy Spirit within him as it was his nature. Read Luke 3:3-14 and discuss, as a group, these essence of John's message in this passage (faith accompanied by action).

Stress to the group that John is not saying 'Your acts are going to save you.' Ephesians 2:8-10 make it clear that we cannot earn salvation.

Drew McClure tells the story of a husband coming home to his wife one day with a bouquet of flowers. As he gives them to her, her face lights up, and she gets so excited: "What made you do this? I mean, it’s not my birthday, it’s not Christmas; it’s not Valentine’s Day. Why’d you bring these to me?" "Well, I heard that there's a manual somewhere that says that this is what husbands are supposed to do, so… here it is." Imagine how quickly those flowers would fall drop from her hands. How quickly would all the joy be taken from her? By contrast, imagine the same scene, with the husband, the flowers and all the questions only this time, the husband's reply is, "I just wanted to do something nice for you,'cause I love you."

The actions in our lives should be a response to God's love, grace and mercy... not an effort to earn them and this is John's point. John is saying (quite bluntly): our actions should be an outward indication of the change that has gone on inside of us. The fact that the Jews weren't living fruitful lives gave John reason to challenge their motives: were they willing to change their lives out of changed hearts, or were they simply there because they were worried that they were missing out?

23.4 Our last glimpse into John's life teach the consequences of being obedient and living that transformed life. Read Luke 3:19-20 and Mark 6:17-29. John's fearlessness in speaking the truths of God's Law offended people. But it didn't silence him; he was unafraid of man (compare Psalm 56:3-4). he was full of the Holy Spirit and willing to endure whatever price he must for the Gospel.

His ministry had a cost. All ministry has a cost. Jesus told his followers to 'take up their crosses' and later stated that 'the world would hate' them. God calls us to put the things - the fears and desires - of the flesh to death in following Him.

Can the group think of anything God has asked/may be asking them to sacrifice?

23.5 We end this week by returning to the question of what set John apart. Was it his fearlessness? His honesty and bluntness? His humility? No, it was something more.

All of the Old Testament prophets - in fact every person who had gone before - only knew God from a distance. He was a God who 'lived in a box'*, behind a curtain, that only priests could access. Now, God had become a man and John could literally point people to Him. Re-read John 1:36-37. John had the very first privilege of introducing people to intimate relationship with the Messiah. He was not just a signpost; he was the final signpost.
*Andrew Wilson (Mission:Worship '09)


Week 23: Summary
This week's study has been a deeply challenging one; moreso than any of our previous sessions and it is perhaps fitting. No longer can we look at God through the telescope of the Old Testament men and women; no, Jesus has come and, just like John: we are encouraged to get serious about knowing him. Some of these challenging characteristics of God include:

• God requires - and blesses - humility
• God wants our hearts, not our actions
• He calls us to a costly ministry