July 24 Sermon: Work (Laziness & Diligence)

§  Share with the group: What got you out of bed this morning and/or most mornings?

§  Describe the symptoms of laziness that you see in Proverbs 6:9, 19:24, 26:13 & 14. Ryan summarized the symptoms as inactivity and irresponsibility. Why are these appropriate categories—or, what would you add to them? How do these verses expand on the theme of irresponsibility as a symptom of laziness?

§  What are the “lions in the street” that you find yourself and/or others  going back to?

§  How is poverty a symptom of laziness? Does this hold true for all cases of poverty, and all cases of laziness? Why or why not?

§  What is the promise of laziness and why is it alluring? How does laziness fail to live up to its promise? Where do you see this promise’s allure and continual failings, besides those places Ryan mentioned? Any examples from culture?

§  How is diligence an antidote to laziness and how does one cultivate it? (see Prov. 6:6 and elsewhere.) What did Ryan point to as a common false antidote to laziness? Do you agree? How does that idea challenge your presumptions about laziness?

§  Ryan explained that the original view of sloth as one of the deadly sins is that it is essentially an abiding apathy, or a complete spiritual indifference to everything. What is the connection between this notion of “sloth” and laziness?

§  Recall what gets you out of bed in the morning. Is it functioning in your life as a motivating passion? Why is the gospel, then, the best reason for a passionate life?

July 17 Sermon: Why We Need Friends

Please read the following Proverbs on friendship: 13:20, 16:28, 18:24, 27:5-6, 9, 17.

Reflect on friendships you’ve had: which were the most enjoyable? The most fun? The most enriching? Which demanded the most of you? Do you have a personal barometer of what makes a successful or worthwhile friendship? Try to keep these experiences in mind as you reflect on the wisdom of Proverbs on friendship.

What is the ideal friend like, according to 27:9? Now read 27:5-6. Why do these verses feel contradictory? How is it possible to be both the friend of v. 9 and of vv. 5-6? What do these verses, taken together, suggest about Biblical friendship, its basis and its purpose?

Why is it important to consider 16:28 in a consideration of friendship—what does this verse add to the conversation? Why is gossip such a deeply felt personal offense?

Vv. 27:17 and 13:20 tell us the benefit of friendship. What are those benefits? How are they produced?

How does 18:24 “sit” with you? As unrealistic or virtually impossible in this world? As possible for others but not for you? Does it offend, as it seems to give friendship priority over family? As idealized figure of speech? Whatever your response, explore why you would say this is so? Why does such a friendship seem rare if not impossible? What is the remedy of the impediments to this kind of friendship?

If you are so inclined, you may want to listen to this song. As you listen, reflect on the wisdom from Proverbs: What can you affirm about what the song says? What would you challenge? What would you tell the songwriter if he were present with you?

http://grooveshark.com/s/The+Perfect+Space/2DjIYe?src=5

July 10 Sermon: Wisdom for Marriage and Family, II

Pastor: Ryan Laughlin
Series: Proverbs

What were the two non-biblical approaches to parenting that Ryan cited as being particularly prevalent in our culture? How are they different regarding strategies and goals? What are their desired outcomes? What overlap do you see between them?

What is wisdom? (It may be helpful to review prior sermons as well.) Why is wisdom the best goal for parenting?

Proper biblical discipline appeals to both the _______ and the _______. Explain what this means, giving reference to Prov. 3:1-14.

When is/isn’t spanking wise? How is it used best? How is it used wrongly?

How do our children become our idols? How do you see this in the two non-biblical approaches we cited above?

What is the remedy of this idolatry? That is, how do we get rid of our children as idols? How does vv.11-12 aid us in answering this question?

June 30 - July 14

Readings can be accessed in full by clicking on the links below:   

Jun 30: 2Chron 19-23
Jul 1: Oba; Ps 82-83
Jul 2: 2King 1-4
Jul 3: 2King 5-8
Jul 4: 2King 9-11
Jul 5: 2King 12-13; 2Chron 24
Jul 6: 2King 14; 2Chron 25
Jul 7: Jonah
Jul 8: 2King 15; 2Chron 26
Jul 9: Is 1-4
Jul 10: Is 5-8
Jul 11: Amos 1-5
Jul 12: Amos 6-9
Jul 13: 2Chron 27; Is 9-12
Jul 14: Micah
Jul 15: 2Chron 28; 2King 16-17

To view the full schedule: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/niv1984/c.htm

July 3 Sermon: Wisdom for Marriage & Family

Pastor: Ryan Laughlin
Series: Proverbs 



Reflecting on our own wisdom: What brings longevity, happiness, and meaning to marriage? Consider
what our culture says, especially movies, TV, and pop music. If you are married, what about your
expectations going into marriage—what did these suggest about longevity, happiness and meaning in
marriage and where it is found?


Considering God’s wisdom: Read Prov. 5:15-19. There is a warning against adultery here; as well, there
is an affirmation about romantic love. What does the passage suggest? What is the significance of the
water imagery?


Does it surprise you to read this sensual imagery in the book of Proverbs? Why?


Where do you see this sensual approach to viewing marriage overemphasized? Underempasized?


Read the following passages: Prov 2:17, 21:9, 21:19, 25:24, 27:15, 6:20-21, 31:25-31

        How does a marriage relationship endure?

        What are the ideals and pitfalls of communication in marriage? Whose responsibility is good   

              communication? Who is to blame when it goes wrong?

        How does a family function well?


Practicing and sharing God’s wisdom: Does Proverbs offer a happy medium or balance between the
models of “friends” and “lovers”? Or another option?


Was this just a sermon for married people? Why?


Think of an unmarried/widowed/divorced non-believer friend of yours who is very frustrated at being
single. Let’s say they ask you tomorrow what you talked about this week at your Bible study. Knowing
they are struggling with their singlehood, what would you share with them?


What is one practice from God’s wisdom on marriage that you will begin this week?

June 26 Sermon: Sandmasters (Proverbs 23:4)

Pastor: Ryan Laughlin

Series: Proverbs

§  Opening reflection: Is our culture one that is generally wise regarding wealth, or generally foolish? Consider the following: Is it good to be rich? Is working a good thing? What causes wealth and poverty? What makes work good or worthwhile? Take a few minutes to brainstorm wisdom from our culture regarding work and accumulating wealth. Now, consider the foolishness espoused in our culture on the same subjects. Bear these reflections in mind as you approach the teaching from Proverbs on these subjects.

§  How we pursue wealth. Please read and consider the following verses from Proverbs: 10:4, 28:6, 20:17. Use them as a starting point to reflect on the following:

o   What is/are the purpose(s) of work according to Proverbs?

o   Is working hard a matter of time or a matter of value (in other words, quantity or quality)? How/why?

o   Why does our work matter to God? (Consider, as much as possible, an understanding from the whole Bible story and counsel on the subject.)

o   How do we glorify God in our work?

§  How we use wealth. Please read and consider the following verses from Proverbs: 3:9-10, 21:17, 27:23-27, 13:22, 14:31, 29:7, 28:27

o   Consider Ryan’s term “visionary investing.” Why is this term, as he said, somewhat redundant? In what senses is investing always “future-oriented”? (Whose future? What is being invested? For whose benefit?)

o   Is compassionate giving optional? Why not? What are some theological bases for properly understanding why we should give charitably and lovingly?

o   How does compassionate giving affect the giver?

o   What causes poverty, as suggested in 29:7 and elsewhere? Contrast this with our culture’s teaching on what causes poverty (from left to right to center to off-the-spectrum).

§  Consider your reflection on the culture’s wisdom and foolishness regarding work and wealth. When does our culture say we have enough wealth? When should the Christian say he or she has enough? Why?

§  View this video about the Sand Masters [insert link here]. How do the Sand Masters, and the enthusiasm with which they go about their very temporary work, give us an analogy for an overall picture of the wisdom regarding wealth found in the book of Proverbs?

§  Church is “a community of people working together to make something beautiful although temporary.” Explain in your own words what this means, and what this has to do with our wise use of wealth.

June 23-30

Readings can be accessed in full by clicking on the links below:   

Jun 23: 1King 12-14
Jun 24: 2Chron 10-12
Jun 25: 1King 15:1-24; 2Chron 13-16
Jun 26: 1King 15:25-16:34; 2Chron 17
Jun 27: 1King 17-19
Jun 28: 1King 20-21
Jun 29: 1King 22; 2Chron 18
Jun 30: 2Chron 19-23

To view the full schedule: http://www.ewordtoday.com/year/niv1984/c.htm