Innovative Ways to Encourage Learning
Proverbs: Living Wisely, Loving Well (Annual Bible Study 2010)
Make your annual Bible study an exciting church-wide event. This illustrated study in Proverbs involves children, youth, and adults. Plus, outlines are included to help worship connect with the study.
Leading the Study
Offering an annual Bible study emphasis at your church is a terrific way to deepen the Bible knowledge of your congregation. Because the emphasis includes a meaningful experience for children, youth, and adults, it is an ideal family-oriented study.
About the Study
Every culture and time has its wise ones, those to whom others look for guidance and advice. Throughout the centuries, leaders have chosen, either formally or informally, advisers to offer sound counsel and assist with decision-making. In the ancient days, the king's court served this purpose; in modern times, the president's cabinet does so. Even in the microcosm of an isolated village or an extended family, certain people are routinely sought for their wisdom and sound advice.
The book of Proverbs celebrates all who live toward wisdom, who are willing to learn from life, regardless of education. Proverbs upholds the pursuit of wisdom as a high calling, perhaps our highest, but never for personal gain or recognition. The pursuit and living out of wisdom is always for the blessing of the community and the proper honor of God. The book of Proverbs aims to help all believers live lives that bless others and honor God. The study of Proverbs, the book itself tells us, will help us on this journey toward wisdom and will root our lives in what matters (1:1-7).
Sessions included in the teaching guide, by age group:
Proverbs for Adults
1. The Pursuit of Wisdom
2. The Personification of Wisdom
3. Living Wisely in Community, Loving Our Neighbors
4. Living Wisely with Money, Loving People in Need
Proverbs for Youth
1. The Pursuit of Wisdom
2. The Personification of Wisdom
3. Living Wisely in Community, Loving Our Neighbors
4. Living Wisely with Money, Loving People in Need
Proverbs for Children
1. Growing in Wisdom
2. Rich in Wisdom
3. Relating in Wisdom
4. Living in Wisdom
Materials available:
Teaching Guide —$14.00
Study Guide —$6.00
Bundle options available!
Smyth & Helwys Bible Commentary: Proverbs-Ecclesiastes (with CD-ROM) by Milton P. Horne
The Testimony of Poets and Sages: The Psalms and Wisdom Literature by W. H. Bellinger, Jr.
The Cecil Sherman Formations Commentary: Psalms-Malachi by Cecil Sherman
Proverbs for Living by Mark McElroy
Find print copies of these books through this web site, or call 800-747-3016. Bundle discounts are available. Helpful Tips:
- Successfully implementing this emphasis will require coordination and cooperation from worship leadership and educational leadership in your church. Plan a meeting with these leaders to build commitment and excitement for the emphasis.
- Begin promoting the emphasis in December. Help build anticipation from your congregation about a special church-wide emphasis coming for the new year.
- Of course, if January seems too soon for a Bible study emphasis in your church, schedule yours for February or March.
- Take advantage of the visuals available in the study guide as a part of teaching. Better yet, if you have access to a computer with a CD-ROM drive and a video projector, use the CD-ROM included with the Proverbs Commentary to display and interpret pertinent paintings and photos.
- Today’s adults and youth are visual learners, and respond well to images that illustrate or create dialogue within a study.
- Integrating Sunday morning worship into your emphasis can create an added dimension to your study of Proverbs. Of course, feel free to adapt and adjust the included worship outlines and resources to better fit your church’s style of worship.
- An Annual Bible Study is a terrific time to invite a guest leader. Of course, it’s also an opportunity for your church staff to enjoy a new setting for leadership and teaching.
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