South Beach Hope Ministries, Inc.

Guiding a New Generation in a World Gone Mad

Samuel D, a new college student - "This book changed my life."

Heather K - A young woman in her thirties, and a new Christian - "This book saved my life."

The National Director of Teen Bible Quiz - Bernie Elliot - "Every teen in America needs to read this book!"

(More testimonials below.)

The Why

From the beginning the author's driving question was "How could one present this ancient wisdom in a way that will capture the imagination of the world today?" How do we change lives? Present the ancient words of Solomon and company in a way that people today already understand is the form of Wisdom!

See the web site to get more info but, basically, it's Yoda! Seriously. Turns out George Lucas was regularly brought to the Synagogue when he was a boy, where they used a translation of the text that was very close to the Hebrew language flow. This is what Dr. Robert Young did with his Young's Literal Translation of the Bible back when Lincoln was president.

It took way longer than expected (three years!) to update all the thee's and thou's, etc, and nearly 5 more to write all the supporting and explanatory text, and then get it into print. But it is now available in the (vegan) leather version shown here, as well as in a Study Journal (which worked great for our men's bible study group).

There's a lot more to know about this work - The free Christian Leaders' Guide for The Art of Wisdom will help. But essentially it's this - you can give this to any teen, believer or not, and trust that "all scripture is profitable" - even if they don't know it IS scripture! Order it with their name laser embossed on the back: When does someone through away a book with their name on it?!

Don't be a fool! Support our mission by giving this book to someone you know - and by reading it yourself!

www.TheArtOfWisdom.org or direct to the order page.

Pastor Bernie made The Art of Wisdom required reading for that program's advanced students. Here are what some of those teens wrote about The Art of Wisdom:

Jessica, Atlanta

Wisdom comes up a lot in this book, and most of it comes from a while ago. However, it does not seem old or out of place. Instead, it makes sense and can be connected to the present day. It does not simply list proverbs to be memorized but also explains them in a manner that makes sense for the present day, especially if someone is going to church and facing many issues in their life. One of the major ideas discussed in this book is the concept of living, not simply the

knowledge one possesses. It talks a lot about humility, compassion and self-control, often through stories to make it easier to understand. Life today might be faster and more stressful, but people face the same problems, such as pride, worries, and frustrations, which is why the book talks so much about God’s word and the lessons learned from the past.

The book also points out that humility is a sign of strength and that true strength is not boastful, but is based on trust in God and a lack of need for control and recognition. It also points out that being kind and gentle is a sign of courage, and that doing small things, such as listening to others and helping them, can make a big difference. Another point that is brought out in this book is that having wisdom is only important if you actually do something with it, and that, rather than giving easy answers, the book is pushing for growth and patience, and reminding readers that faith is a process that takes time. Overall, *The Art of Wisdom* is a book that shows readers that even though they may live in a busy and confusing world, they can still make a difference and make meaningful choices.

Jayden N

In the book The Art of Wisdom: Ancient Words for a New World, the author, Pastor Rick Henderson, dives deep into every chapter of the book of Proverbs to help people in today’s generation extract meaning out of ancient text. Through Proverbs, Solomon shared all the wisdom God gave him with the intention of guiding others to live lives that honor God. Rick Henderson directs this book mainly to young men by focusing on the most important aspects of a man’s life to teach them how to live wisely.

Henderson breaks down Proverbs in a way that allows modern-day people to understand the complex teachings found and find ways to apply these teachings in our lives today. He does this by including many explanatory notes in between verses that are hard to understand, and he also defines many words and phrases that are not in common use today. One example is found in Proverbs chapter 20 verse 25, Henderson notes under this verse: “To make rash promises (in this instance to or by Yahweh) without thinking about it could trap you into doing what you don’t want to do.” Without this note, I would have struggled to understand the meaning of this verse and I probably would have just kept on reading the rest of the chapter instead of pausing and thinking about what Solomon is trying to say. Notes like these throughout the entire book let the readers easily grasp the true knowledge packed behind the words Solomon wrote.

After reading this book and gaining insights on the book of Proverbs, I feel better equipped to live according to the will of God and according to what God has called us as believers to do. The lessons in this book reminded me that wisdom is not just knowing what is right, but wisdom is taking time to understand God’s Word and applying it thoughtfully in daily life. Now, I feel ready to change my life by applying the key concepts I have learned from this book. Solomon’s deep understanding of the Bible will continue to inspire me to be like him and try my best to analyze and use the Word of God in every situation of my life.

(Our thanks to Doug Black for sending many of these comments to us.)

Chance M., PA

Have you ever read a three-thousand-year-old book?

At first, you might say, I never have, but if you have ever cracked open your Bible and paged through to the middle of it, you will find Proverbs. Then, congratulations, you have read a three-thousand-year-old text! Believe it or not, it is that old. Even though it is very old, it is still relevant and useful to us today. We can gain significant wisdom from the book of Proverbs. Proverbs was written by King Solomon about a thousand years before Christ walked on the earth and died on the cross for us. Solomon wrote Proverbs to his son as well as to the people of Israel. He wanted to pass on the wisdom given to him by God.

Likewise, Rick Henderson wanted to pass on his wisdom, which he gained from carefully studying Proverbs. His work began, and in 2025, he published the Art of Wisdom. The Art of Wisdom is a commentary from Henderson placed throughout the book of Proverbs. This gives us a deeper explanation of what Solomon was writing about. I also gained wisdom from reading Proverbs and from Henderson’s Art of Wisdom.

One chapter that stuck out to me was Chapter 3, as the beginning talks about being kind and keeping kindness with you around your neck (close to your heart). This is sometimes hard to do. It says to trust in God and not in yourself, and that God will lead you to the right path when we trust in him and let him take control. Verse 7 talks about not taking your own wisdom, but that of the Lord’s. I feel like I need to work on these things. Those first few verses of Chapter 3 really stuck out to me the most. Solomon carefully created Proverbs filled with wisdom from the Lord. He wanted the people of Israel to become wise and be filled with what comes from the Lord. Now, three thousand years later, we can still gain wisdom from it today.

Jenisha, Atlanta

Hi, my name is Jenisha from the contenter division-spiritual fighters Atlanta Tamil Church.

Rick Henderson’s The Art of Wisdom: Ancient Words for a New World is a Christian book that explains how biblical teachings can help people in today’s changing world. The author draws verses from the wisdom books of the Bible, especially Proverbs. This is to show that the ancient principles of the bible can still be helpful advice for decisions. Henderson teaches that true wisdom comes from a relationship with God and not from worldly things.

Throughout the book, readers are encouraged to build strong character by practicing patience, honesty, kindness, and self-control. The author says that words and choices have lasting consequences, shaping people in success and their relationships with others. By applying wisdom from the bible, people can avoid common mistakes, respond to challenges, and develop a peaceful and meaningful life.

One of the book’s strengths is that it is clear and relatable. Henderson presents difficult spiritual ideas in simple terms, making the lessons easy for all readers to understand. The message is consistent: wisdom is not just knowledge but action guided by faith. Overall, the book motivates readers to live, trust God’s guidance, and follow a life defined by purpose, integrity, and compassion in everyday life experiences today.

Johan Y, Georgia

Hi my name is Johan Y and I am in the Bible Quiz Georgia Championship division. Thank you for reading my report.

"The Art of Wisdom: Ancient Words for a New World" by Rick Henderson talks about how wisdom from the Bible can still help people today. The book mainly focuses on the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs and explains how these ancient teachings can guide people in their everyday lives. The author explains that wisdom is not just about being smart or knowing a lot of information. Real wisdom is about making good choices and learning how to live the right way. Henderson says that wisdom begins with respecting and trusting God. When people understand this, it becomes easier for them to make better decisions and avoid mistakes. The book also talks about important life topics like friendship, honesty, humility, and self-control. Henderson explains that having these qualities can help people build stronger relationships and live happier lives. Another big idea in the book is that words are very powerful. The things people say can either encourage others or hurt them, so it is important to think before speaking. This book also teaches that hard work and discipline usually lead to success, while laziness and pride often cause problems. Overall, this book helps to live life differently in a good perspective and encourages us.

Katelyn T, NC:

The Art of Wisdom by Rick Henderson is a tremendous book on becoming wise. It includes all 31 chapters of Proverbs, along with the author's own add-ins. The book explains that the wise do not allow their desires to control them. This is illustrated with lust, primarily for women or sex, but also for food, sleep, riches, and other material things. The book also explains the importance of morals, illustrated by Solomon as the fear of Yahweh (God). It also teaches the reader how to differentiate fools from wise people by recognizing whether these traits are evident in their lives, and to end friendships with fools (or any other relationship).

Solomon and the author both agree that fools desire to be foolish and refuse to have wisdom, even when it is given to them, and the importance of us not being those fools. At the end of the book, Rick Henderson tells the reader to reread it and other books of wisdom, emphasizing the need for continuous nourishment from wisdom. After reading The Art of Wisdom, I feel more confident and prepared to make wise choices in my life, especially because I have memorized many verses of wisdom and can now apply them through this book.

Joel C:

I learned from The Art of Wisdom: Ancient Words for a New World by Rick Henderson that true wisdom comes from God and is shown through humility, obedience, and living a Christ-centered life. The book connects ancient wisdom with biblical truth, reminding readers that God’s Word is timeless and still guides believers today. It taught me that wisdom is not just about having knowledge, but about living in a way that honors God and reflects His character.

One of the most powerful lessons I took from this book is that following God’s wisdom requires humility and self-discipline. Henderson explains that wisdom is shown through the way someone lives, not just what they know. The ancient teachings shared in the book connect strongly with Scripture, especially verses that teach patience, self-control, and love for others. The book helped me understand that wisdom begins with fearing the Lord and submitting our lives to Him. It also showed me that worldly success does not always mean spiritual wisdom, and that a truly wise life is one that follows God’s guidance instead of personal desires.

The author’s purpose is to show how God’s wisdom, revealed through Scripture and Christian teachings, still applies to the modern world. The book encourages believers to seek God daily, reflect on His Word, and live intentionally as followers of Christ. This book impacted me because it strengthened my faith and challenged me to grow spiritually. After reading The Art of Wisdom: Ancient Words for a New World, I feel encouraged to seek God’s wisdom more deeply, apply biblical principles in my daily life, and live in a way that brings glory to Him.