Christian Leaders’ Guide to The Art of Wisdom – Chapter 7
People watching is an age-old pastime. It would seem, from this portion of the Proverbs, that it is a good thing. Teach those in your charge how to watch people. What to look for. How to learn from consequences that are not your own.
This – is some very specific observational instruction. And how you handle it will vary depending on the age of your subjects.
It is worth noting that the methods of the foolish woman are often just perversions of those of the wise. Satan and his hordes create nothing new – they only pervert the good that God created.
Verses 1-5 – Luke 8:15, 11:28, John 14:21, 23, 15:14, 1 John 2:3-4, 5:1-3, Rev 1:3
Verses 6-9 – Rom 13:12-14, 16:18-19, Jud 1:22-23
Verses 10-12 – 1 Tim 2:9, Tit 2:3-6, Rev 18:3
Verses 13-20 – Luke 12:37-48, Rev 2:20-22
Verses 21-23 – Luke 14:2, Acts 16:15
Verses 24-27 – Matt 5:28, 1 Cor 4:14-15, 10:8, 2 Cor 12:21, 1 Pet 2:11, 1 Jn 2:1, 5:16-17
Words to clarify.
Sections/proverbs to discuss. (1-4 familiar pattern – why?)
This is one long story – discuss the flow of it.
What does the story tell us about being a fool or being wise?
“As an ox unto the slaughter…” For most of our country’s history cattle were driven into a slaughterhouse in single file. Long lines of them slowly worked their way up until they walked between the legs of a man, spread out on paired platforms, facing away from them. This man had a long handled sledge hammer which he swung with great force and smashed into the head of each cow. The back legs were already hooked to cables which then yanked skyward. Another man with a machete now slit the throat of the “ox”. “For many of the wounded she caused to fall.” How does this story of carnage change your thoughts about these warnings?
Discuss the last word – how is it literal? How is it figurative?
Copyright Rick Henderson, Th.M. 2026, SouthBeachHope@gmail.com