Some years back I decided to replace my usual New Year’s Resolutions and goals with a “life focus word” (my term). A “life focus word” is one which helps keep one mindful of some change in our day-to-day life we have committed to (my definition). The intent is to bring greater awareness to the things we do; the words we use, the decisions we make, the ways we relate to others. With a lot of thought and prayer, I chose the word “wisdom”.

Through the years I have learned that the old adage “older and wiser” is not necessarily true, at least not for me. Oh, maybe by the worlds standards it is, but those aren’t the standards I want to live by, do you?

According to Collins Dictionary “Wisdom is the ability to use your experience and knowledge in order to make sensible decisions or judgments.”

As you can see from Colllins’ definition, secular thinking considers wisdom to be based on experience and knowledge. At 70 plus+ years I definitely have some life experience and over those years I have acquired a good bit of knowledge. But wisdom?

With my “life focus word” decided, I realized that I needed to know what (Godly) wisdom means and so I turned to the most famous and accurate book of wisdom – The Bible; more specifically, the book of Proverbs. I began to study Proverbs as a key part of my daily devotion time. I am thankful to have learned a bit about wisdom, as God defines it, however I have just scratched the surface. There is so much more to learn.

In light of so much controversy these days concerning “what is truth?” I cannot imagine a better time for us to begin a study on Wisdom.

Before we start digging into the Proverbs, let’s fast forward a few thousand years and look at what a New Testament writer had to say about wisdom. His counsel will make a good launch pad for our study.

James writes: If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. (James 1:5)

We learn from this verse in James that:

Wisdom is a gift from God
Wisdom is ours for the asking
Wisdom is given liberally
There are no strings attached
God wants us to have Wisdom

Each week we will take a passage from the book of Proverbs to study using a five-step method.

Read it – Read the through passage – often.
Pray about it – Ask the Holy Spirit to give you insight and understanding.
Contemplate – on the passage allowing time for the Spirit of Truth to speak to your spirit. (John 14:16-17, 16:13)
Examine it – Use study resources: other trusted Bible translations, Biblical cross references, Bible dictionary, trusted commentary.
Apply it – Remember there is only ONE interpretation of scripture but there can be numerous applications. Make note of specific ways you can put what you have learned into practice then look for opportunities to “do it”.

This is intended to be an “interactive” study. So that we can all grow together, you will be asked to share your own experience.

As we begin studying God’s word together and I consider the responsibility of hosting, preparing and leading this study, I am overwhelmed and humbled by the task to which I am called; please keep me and this study in your prayers. Having said all that, please know that I am excited and look forward to our time together.

The foundation verse for my ministry is Isaiah 55:11: “So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, without accomplishing what I desire, and without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).