Lesson16 PROVERBS part 3
TYPES & PROTOTYPES 1
1. Why do you think some relationships are to be emulated and others avoided? ______
2. Which type/s of persons you would like to emulate; which ones you don’t?
A contentious woman. A challenger. A conscientious servant. A compassionate man.
A covetous man. A conceited man. A callous rebel. A careful man.
3. A. Read Proverbs 27:15. Whichtype is this referring to? ______
Proverbs 27:15 (AMP) 15 a continual dripping on a day of violent showers and a contentious woman are alike.
B. How annoying is drip, drip, drip, drip, drip, drip…? ______
C. The word contentious madown = creator of discord and strife. What kind of activities would a wife enter into to become contentious? ______
D. Does this type of woman unite her family or drive them apart? ______
E. What is the sad truth about her in verse 16? ______
Proverbs 27:16 (AMP) 16 whoever attempts to restrain [a contentious woman] might as well try to stop the wind—his right-hand encounters oil [and she slips through his fingers].
F. How easy is it to hide the wind? ______
G. How easy is it to hang on to a greased hand? ______
HH H. What is the root cause of contention according to Proverbs 13:10? ______
Proverbs 13:10 (AMP) 10 by pride and insolence comes only contention, but with the well-advised is skillful and godly Wisdom.
I. Where does it come from? See James 3:14-16? ______
James 3:14-16 (AMP) 14 But if you have bitter jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry, selfish ambition) in your hearts, do not pride yourselves on it and thus be in defiance of and false to the Truth. 15 This [superficial] wisdom is not such as comes down from above, but is earthly, unspiritual (animal), even devilish (demoniacal). 16 For wherever there is jealousy (envy) and contention (rivalry and selfish ambition), there will also be confusion (unrest, disharmony, rebellion) and all sorts of evil and vile practices.
J. What is its opposite James 3:17? ______
James 3:17 (AMP) But the wisdom from above is first of all pure (undefiled); then it is peace-loving, courteous (considerate, gentle). [It is willing to] yield to reason, full of compassion and good fruits; it is wholehearted and straightforward, impartial and unfeigned (free from doubts, wavering, and insincerity).
4. A. Read Proverbs 27:17. What do you think this verse means? ______
Proverbs 27:17 (AMP) 17 Iron sharpens iron; so, a man sharpens the countenance of his friend [to show rage or worthy purpose].
B. What is the purpose of iron sharpening iron? ______
C. The word “sharpens” chadad (when used with the word countenance) = to show a worthy purpose (positive effect), or rage (negative effect). The challenger, the cheer- leader, the coach, the mentor, the friend. Is this a worthy relationship to try and emulate?
Y___ N ___ Personal Did you underline it?
5. A. Read Proverbs 27:18a. What is the principle set forth in this proverb? ______
Proverbs 27:18 (AMP) 18 whoever tends the fig tree shall eat its fruit; so, he who patiently and faithfully guards and heeds his master shall be honored.
B. Read 1 Corinthians 9:9-14. Does this principle apply to spiritual things? Y ___ N___
1 Corinthians 9:9-14 (AMP) 9 for in the Law of Moses it is written, you shall not muzzle an ox when it is treading out the corn. Is it [only] for oxen that God cares? 10 Or does He speak certainly and entirely for our sakes? [Assuredly] it is written for our sakes, because the plowman ought to plow in hope, and the thresher ought to thresh in expectation of partaking of the harvest. 11 If we have sown [the seed of] spiritual good among you, [is it too] much if we reap from your material benefits? 12 If others share in this rightful claim upon you, do not we [have a still better and greater claim]? However, we have never exercised this right, but we endure everything rather than put a hindrance in the way [of the spread] of the good news (the Gospel) of Christ. 13 Do you not know that those men who are employed in the services of the temple get their food from the temple? And that those who tend the altar share with the altar [in the offerings brought]? 14 [On the same principle] the Lord directed that those who publish the good news (the Gospel) should live (get their maintenance) by the Gospel.
C. What does Proverbs 27:18b say? ______
D. Waits shamar = “to guard the interest of someone”. Why would someone guarding the interests of another get honored/rewarded? ______
E. Is this a reflection of our paycheck? Y ___ N___
F. OR - Do you think there is a higher honor/reward? By Whom? ______
6. A. Read Proverbs 27:19. What is this verse saying? ______
Proverbs 27:19 (AMP) 19 as in water face answers to and reflects face, so the heart of man to man.
B. When you look into a clear stream what do you see? ______
C. When you look into the heart of another what are you to seek? ______
D. How can someone look into another’s heart and see a reflection of himself? ______
E. Are hearts of all men alike? Y___N ___ Explain. ______
F. What happens when you meet someone who shares your same likes and dislikes? _____
G. Are these the folks you hang around with? Y___ N ___ Why? ______
H. Are “Birds of a feather - flock together” a good thing or a bad thing and why? ______
I. When you look at the heart of a special friend and see a reflection of yourself, your love of the LORD, your hopes, your dreams, would you say this would be a good way to choose a mate? Y___N ___ Why? ______
J. A mirror reflects a man’s face, but do you think what he is really is like is shown by the friends he chooses? Y___N ___
K. Do you think others get an insight into you by the company you choose? Y___N ___
L. Is being known by the company you keep, going to change your choice of the company you do keep? Y ___ N___
M. As a Christian - when this friend (kindred spirit) rejoices do you rejoice, when he weeps do you weep? Y___ N ___
N. Would you say this is having a tender heart toward this friend? Y___ N ___
O. If you don’t rejoice and/or weep is this a reflection on you or on them? ______
P. If we do not rejoice and/or weep could it be we need to be more sensitive to The Holy Spirit, and/or more sensitive to the needs of men, or both? ______
“Oh, Dear Jesus, the heart I most want to look into and find as my reflection is yours. But my mirror is so dark and murky, and LORD a spritz of glass cleaner is just not cutting it. I need Your Holy Spirit to work His cleansing power in my life. Help me LORD to submit to His leading and be conformed to YOUR IMAGE. It is a scary thought LORD, there is much too much of me and like John the Baptist, I must decrease in order for you to increase. But, oh LORD what an increase that shall be!”
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