Bible Study: April 8, 2026

Prayer  

As usual, we start with prayer. Is there anything from the last week that you want to voice over that we can pray for? Maybe a prayer was answered since last time? Or maybe something wonderful happened that you can praise God for by telling us? Later, let's also talk about prayer requests for challenges and for those whom we know and love.

Praise 

Thy Word is a Lamp 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet 

And a light unto my path 

Thy Word is a lamp unto my feet 

And a light unto my path 

When I feel afraid Think I've lost my way 

Still you're there right beside me 

Nothing will I fear As long as you are near 

Please be near me to the end 

I will not forget Your love for me and yet 

My heart forever is wandering 

Jesus, be my guide And hold me to your side 

And I will love you to the end 

Passage  

Proverb 8:1-11 

1 Does not wisdom call     

and understanding raise her voice? 

²On the heights, beside the way,    

 at the crossroads she takes her stand; 

³beside the gates in front of the town,    

 at the entrance of the portals she cries out: 

⁴“To you, O people, I call,    

 and my cry is to all who live. 

⁵O simple ones, learn prudence;    

 acquire intelligence, you who lack it.

 ⁶Hear, for I will speak noble things,     

and from my lips will come what is right,

 ⁷for my mouth will utter truth;   

  wickedness is an abomination to my lips.

 ⁸All the words of my mouth are righteous;    

 there is nothing twisted or crooked in them. 

⁹They are all straight to one who understands   

  and right to those who find knowledge. 

¹⁰Take my instruction instead of silver     

and knowledge rather than choice gold, 

¹¹for wisdom is better than jewels,    

 and all that you may desire cannot compare with her. 

Ponder 

1. What warms your heart from the long or proverb that we have this evening? Why?

2. It states here in verses one through three, just as it did last week in Proverbs 1, that 'Wisdom calls publicly.' So again, we ask: where do you see Wisdom calling publicly these das outside of pastors and churches? And what do you think Wisdom is saying? 

3. In verses four through seven, Wisdom cries out for 'the simple' to learn 'prudence.' How does this invitation feel personal to you: does it feel welcoming or challenging? 

4. Wisdom's words are are both "straight and right" to those who understand (v.8-9) but how often do we see 'wisdom' (small w) try to act like Wisdom (large W), and what's the difference?  

5. Wisdom is available to everyone, but we all know just how often Wisdom is ignored. Why do so many still choose folly over Wisdom's very, very clear call [let's try not to be reductive here]? What on earth is getting in the way...and how can that barrier (or barriers) be pointed out in a way that many can understand without the proclaimer being seen as Mr. Holy-Pants? 

6. This section of Proverbs sets up the theme that wisdom begins with "the fear of the Lord" that we looked at last week (1:7). How does this passage push you to fear [be drawn into God with holy awe] and pursue wisdom more intentionally? 

Purposeful Prayer 

Part