Tips for Teaching This Week’s Session of The Gospel Project for Adults

Listen to this week’s leader training podcast with Y Bonesteele, team leader for The Gospel Project for Adults, for a summary and guidance in leading your group.

This week’s additional resources for study and preparation:

• Commentary: “The Path of the Just and the Way of the Wicked” by David Guzik
• Article: “What Proverbs Teaches about Being Teachable” by Kevin Halloran
• Sermon: “Guard Your Heart” by Josh Smith
• Sermon: “Called to Avoid” by Bartholomew Orr

Transcript of Leader Training Podcast:

Hi, this is Y Bonesteele, team leader of The Gospel Project for Adults. Welcome to another Leader Training Podcast. Today we are in Unit 12, Session 5, Learn God’s Wisdom, with the core passage of Proverbs 4:10-19 and the key concept of: Staying focused on God’s path keeps us from stumbling.

Last week, we saw the queen of Sheba learning from Solomon’s wisdom, ultimately God’s wisdom, and the week before that, we looked at Ecclesiastes, some of Solomon’s written wisdom. Today we will look at more of his written wisdom in Proverbs. Although the timeline on page 153 of the Leader Guide looks like we’re going backward, Solomon wrote proverbs throughout his reign, so we put this passage of Proverbs between the time Solomon asked and received wisdom and when he met the queen of Sheba.

So let’s dig into the passage. Now, Proverbs, chapters 1-9 all start with a plea from a father to his son to listen to and follow his instructions. It is implied that it is out of love that the father pleads with his son to keep on the right path. So chapter 4 is no different. If you circle the commands in the passage, you’ll find the core instructions: “Accept my words… Hold on to instruction; don’t let go. Guard it.” So the crux of the instructions is centered around following the father’s instructions, a godly father at that.  For what was the father’s motivation for asking his son to follow his instructions: so that he “will live many years, (v. 10), so he would know “the way of wisdom” and would be guided “on straight paths” (v.11), and he would “not stumble” (v. 12). He wanted his son to have “life” (v. 13).

Now we need to remember genre whenever we study Scripture, and you can scan the QR code on p. 154 to see a summary of the different genres in the Bible as a reminder for you or your group. But remembering that Proverbs is wisdom literature, we realize that these are general wisdom statements, like an apple a day keeps the doctor away, but not necessarily promises as you know that those who accept God’s words, don’t always live long lives, and vice versa. It’s just saying that in general, it would go better for you if you listened to wise, fatherly instruction, which is sound advice.

So how have you been taught and encouraged to follow the way of God’s wisdom? Maybe someone could share about a parent or mentor or leader who discipled them or helped them make good choices. Maybe just through someone’s personal study of Scripture or prayer that taught them.

The father’s plea to his son is loving yet urgent. Four short verses but the father is pleading for his son to listen, pay close attention, hold on and don’t let go. The assumption here is that it would be easy to not pay close attention and to let go of the instruction. So the father says, be intentional about following his words.

What are some ways you can actively “hold on to” and “guard” the instruction of God’s Word in your life? Intentionality and accountability are key. Holding on to and guarding God’s instructions takes consistency and discipline in God’s word and in prayer, in individual study and group study.

In the next section of the core passage, Solomon starts with more imperative verbs, command verbs, the instructions needed for the son. Remember also that this is wisdom poetry. Though our resources don’t show it because of space constraints, these verses are couplets like in poetry, usually with repetition or parallelism within the couplets.: “14 Keep off the path of the wicked; don’t proceed on the way of evil ones. 15 Avoid it; don’t travel on it. Turn away from it and pass it by” in verses 14 and 15. Solomon writes in six different ways, to avoid the path of the wicked, the path that is probably walked more often. He was using repetition as a literary device to let it sink in. The way of the wicked is usually the easier path. Many probably walk that path so it is easy to be tempted to follow in that direction. But the father, after pleading for the son to follow his instructions, told him what these instructions are: avoid the path of the wicked. Avoid it at all costs.

Then he follows these instructions with the reasons why, describing what it’s like to follow the ways of the wicked: “they can’t sleep unless they have done what is evil; they are robbed of sleep unless they make someone stumble. 17 They eat the bread of wickedness and drink the wine of violence.” Those that are wicked love it. They can’t sleep or live without it.

Why is it wise to avoid the path of wickedness? Well, because God says so and His Word says so. But also because following wickedness leads to hindered steps, stumbling, and ultimately death.

In contrast, the way of the righteous is bright but the way of the wicked is darkness: “18 The path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, shining brighter and brighter until midday. 19 But the way of the wicked is like the darkest gloom; they don’t know what makes them stumble.” Light reveals, and darkness deceives. They can’t even tell what makes them stumble.  The contrast of the two paths reminds the son and the reader that we have a choice to make. We can follow the path of the wicked or of the righteous. We’re not bound by one path; we have the option to choose so we better choose correctly in life. And it can be a life or death matter, physically and spiritually.

We are to avoid the path of the wicked but, in one sense, also have compassion on them. Verse 19 mentions, “they don’t know what makes them stumble.” They are ignorant of God’s commands and don’t know right from wrong sometimes. We are to follow the light but also be the light for others who are walking in darkness.

Why should we resist the urge to look down on the wicked? All of us are sinful and at one point in time, walked in the ways of the wicked in the way we did not have faith in Jesus. But by God’s grace, He called us to Himself and showed us the right path through others, parents, friends, coworkers. In the same way the father is pleading for the son to avoid the path of the wicked, we too have the responsibility to warn others and encourage them onto the right path, the way of Jesus.

Onto the Group Experience, go through the Arrival icebreaker question and continue into the Context. Pass out Pack Item 12: Solomon’s Wisdom to review the different books Solomon wrote all or parts of and how Solomon was given wisdom above all others. Transition to having someone read the various answers to the icebreaker that you’ve written on a board. Remind the group after that that true spiritual wisdom comes from God’s Word.

Then in the Recap, draw 6 stones leading on a straight path and 6 stones on a winding path where the paths eventually intersect between the 4^th and 5^th steps. Have your group recap and fill in the stones for a straight path and one for a winding one. For example, on the straight path stones, write: Accept God’s words = Live many years; Walk = Steps not hindered; Run = not stumble; Hold on to instruction; Don’t let go; Guard it = life. On the winding path, write: Keep off; Don’t proceed; Avoid it; Don’t travel on it; Turn away; Pass it by. Your group’s answer may vary slightly. After filling in the stones, note that the paths intersect and so in our lives, we have opportunities to choose our path. We can choose God’s straight paths or the path of evil.

Point to the chart The Road Map on page 128 of your group’s Personal Study Guide. Have someone read Proverbs 4:10-13. Note the different paths that can be taken. Ask, “How should this passage impact our reading and study of the rest of Scripture?” It reminds us to listen to Scripture, God’s Word, and helps us to not only read and study but live out the Word as we continue our steps. “How might this passage connect us to the significance of Christ in Scripture?” Walking in God’s ways is walking in the way of Jesus. Learning Scripture and God’s Word, we are to live like Christ, be His ambassadors, spreading the good news of salvation through Jesus. “What are some guardrails we could set up to defend or preserve the wisdom of God that we have been taught?” Some answer may include having someone to keep you accountable; making sure you’re in a small group of community of believers who could lift you up; staying consistent in Scripture and prayer.

Then have someone read Proverbs 4:14-19. Ask: “Based on your personal experience or understanding of human nature, is it difficult or easy to heed Solomon’s warning against the depravities and dangers of the wicked path? Why?” Your group will have varying answers.

In the Interact section, make pairs and have people share a real-life scenario of an experience with wickedness, whether big or small.

Then in Analyze, I would break up into 5 smaller groups and assign each group a passage in the chart and have them identify its connection to the Proverbs passage. Give your group the freedom to doodle as well. Matthew 5:14-16 reminds us that we are light not meant to be hidden. People need to see our good works in the light. This reinforces Proverbs 4:18, from our core passage. Matthew 7:13-14 speaks of entering through the narrow gate, which is the way of righteousness. The wide gate is the one that’s easier but is the one of wickedness. The narrow gate might be harder, but it leads to life. Proverbs 4:13 talks about the way to life, holding on to God’s instructions. John 14:6 is where Jesus stated He is the way, the truth, and the life. The path of the righteous as seen in Proverbs 4:18 is the way of Jesus. Ephesians 6:1-3 reinforces the idea of Proverbs 4:10 of obeying your parents and how it leads to long life. And last, 2 Corinthians 6:14–7:1 speak of not being yoked to unbelievers, cleansing ourselves from impurities so we can be holy. (Of course, this does not mean we can’t be friends with those who don’t know Jesus, but we shouldn’t be so close that they’re guiding our steps and influencing us to where we should go.) Verse 19 of Proverbs 4 is a connection point, reminding us that the wicked don’t know what makes them stumble, so probably not the best person to be in cahoots with.

Then Debrief with: What are the obvious, less obvious, and hidden rewards of taking the narrow way of wisdom? It glorifies God, it keeps us in the light and on the right path, and it doesn’t make us stumble. It sometimes is the harder path, but with God comes goodness and His presence. How can the promise of a long life be something more than just an earthly reward? Eternal life through salvation given by Christ is the spiritual meaning here. What are some of the paths today that we should avoid as roads leading to destruction? Any path of pride or religiosity. Any path that degrades others for one’s own selfish gain. Christ sacrificed it all for humanity. Walking in His steps means we do the same for others out of love.

Summarize and ask the Head question if time is limited. What are some ways you would distinguish between the wisdom of God and the wisdom of this world? Sometimes the world will try to make us believe that their wisdom is godly wisdom. But being attune to God’s Word, coming to a decision in humility, and seeing where love and sacrifice is needed are questions to ask ourselves when deciding between worldly wisdom and godly wisdom.

Continue through Next Steps as additional application points and end with prayer in the Psalms if time permits. Focus on verses 1-3, reminding your group that happy are those who do not walk in the path of the wicked but delights in the Lord’s instructions.

Hey, thanks again for joining me on another Leader Training podcast. Reach out at [email protected], and hope you have a great group time!