Solomon begins with a strong warning regarding envying those who don’t seem to get hurt by “playing with snakes.” He warns his son in Proverbs 23:17-18: Don’t let your heart envy sinners; instead, always fear the Lord. For then you will have a future, and your hope will not be dashed. (CSB)

This is the first step we all should take when considering the dangers of any practice that is questionable. The practice might look appealing and you might envy the visible outcomes of others who have participated. In an effort to scratch the itch of your envy, you may choose to take steps toward experiencing what they seem to enjoy. Such a temptation will wreak havoc on your life both physically and spiritually. We should place our hope in the Lord. As Solomon states in verse 18, Hope in Him will never be dashed!

On the heels of this instruction, Solomon transitions to the destruction that comes through two apparent practices that were prevalent then and are obviously prevalent today as well – drunkenness and gluttony. Proverbs 23:19-21 and Proverbs 23:29-35 will deal with these two practices.

The downloadable teaching helps and video Bible study provide an overview of how to avoid being controlled by these two practices.

DOWNLOADABLE TEACHING IDEAS
The ideas give you a "script" for teaching online or sharing via email. This week's helps include a suggested humorous video you can send to your group in advance.

• Humility - Proverbs 15:33
• Words - Proverbs 16:1
• Motives - Proverbs 16:2
• Plans - Proverbs 16:3
• Hearts - Proverbs 16:5
• Loyalty and Faithfulness - Proverbs 16:6
• Lifestyle - Proverbs 16:7
• Treasures - Proverbs 16:8
• Steps - Proverbs 16:9

DOWNLOADABLE TEACHING IDEAS
The ideas give you a "script" for teaching online or sharing via email. This week's helps include a suggested humorous video you can send to your group in advance.

Have you heard the term, “recipe for disaster”?  It is used in a variety of contexts. Many are saying that our current social unrest is a “recipe for disaster.” In reality, any situation, without the voice of sound, godly wisdom, can be a recipe for disaster. This is the focus of the Explore the Bible Study, Living Wisely.

The session will focus on Proverbs 14:8-15. The passages will be examined in a unique way because of the way Solomon arranged this section. It is arranged using an ancient Hebrew poetic formation called chiasmus (chi·as·mus/kīˈazməs or kee·az·muhs). The Bible study session will examine verses 8 and 15 together, 9 and 14 together, 10 and 13 together, and 11 and 12 together.

The passages will provide you an opportunity to examine our current issues through the lens of Solomon's wisdom as you discover what creates a recipe of disaster:

1. Not acting sensibly is a recipe for disaster - Proverbs 14:8 and Proverbs 14:15.
2. Unwillingness to correct a wrong or to forgive a wrong is a recipe for disaster - Proverbs 14:9 and Proverbs 14:14.  This passage is especially important as you contrast social justice with biblical justice.
3. A bitter heart is a recipe for disaster - Proverbs 14:10 and Proverbs 14:13.

It is only when wise men and women step up and help everyone respond differently, that disaster can be avoided. This is why the passage for this session is so timely. Christians need to become wiser today than ever before. It’s not enough to profess Christ, but you must grow in His wisdom so that you can be a voice of reason, wisdom, and logic in a world that has been thrown into chaos.

DOWNLOADABLE TEACHING IDEAS
The ideas give you a "script" for teaching online or sharing via email. This week's helps include a suggested humorous video you can send to your group in advance.

Do you desire to possess wisdom that will enable you to navigate the world in which we live? We must all acknowledge that we need to pursue wisdom today. Proverbs 8:1-21 describes for us the kind of wisdom that we can trust. Pursuing wisdom from God is the only wisdom that will enable us to live a fruitful life. This is the focus of this week's Explore the Bible study from LifeWay.

In Proverbs chapter 8, Solomon introduces us to a symbolic personification to which I refer as “Lady Wisdom.” As you read about Lady Wisdom in Proverbs 8:1-21, consider the importance of gaining wisdom by digging deep into God’s Word so that your life in Christ will exemplify the wisdom that comes from knowing Him.

In the final passages of the study of Proverbs 8, Lady Wisdom tells us the secret to and results of growing in godly wisdom. Proverbs 8:17-21 states, I love those who love me, and those who search for me find me. With me are riches and honor, lasting wealth and righteousness. My fruit is better than solid gold, and my harvest than pure silver.  I walk in the ways of righteousness, along the paths of justice, giving wealth as an inheritance to those who love me, and filling their treasuries. (CSB)

We must conclude from this personification of wisdom in Proverbs 8 that a love for godly wisdom comes from a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Gaining godly wisdom is rooted in love. God loves us and does not desire to hide Himself or His wisdom from us. If we search for Jesus, we will find Him. When we find Him, we should continue to diligently search God’s Word so that we can grow in our knowledge of Him. This diligent, ongoing search makes us rich in wisdom that is only available to those who have “found Him.” The fruit of that godly wisdom is better than any possession, will sustain us during any situation we face, and gives a rich, eternal inheritance with Jesus for eternity.

Do you desire to possess wisdom that will enable you to navigate the world in which we live? The Bible says in Jeremiah 29:13,  "you will seek Me and find Me when you search for Me with all your heart." Godly wisdom is only attainable through a growing relationship with Jesus Christ. Have you begun your search for Jesus Christ? Have you found Him? He is not hiding from you and He desires for you to grow in the wisdom that comes from a personal relationship with Him. As a believer, are you continuing to search for Him? Are you striving to learn and understand more fully the relationship you now have with Jesus Christ? If you continue to search you will grow richer and richer in His wisdom.

DOWNLOADABLE TEACHING IDEAS
The ideas give you a "script" for teaching online or sharing via email. This week's helps include a suggested humorous video you can send to your group in advance.