The Winning Life: Purpose; Proverbs 1

As we proceed with this study, you may be asking: What can I expect to get out of reading, studying, and meditating on the book of Proverbs for several weeks?

Good question!   The reason we study the Bible is not just to add to our abstract knowledge.  Just having pure knowledge puffs us up and makes us arrogant: 1 Corinthians 8:1.

There is an overall purpose in Scripture: 2 Timothy 3:16.

Anytime we study the Bible the final test is what difference does it make in our life.  Bible study is not just about information but about transformation!  It's all about the path, where we got off the path, how to get back on the path, and how to stay on the path.

Solomon speaks to these questions right here in the first chapter of Proverbs.

THE PURPOSE: Proverbs 1:2-6

There are five infinitives that tell what you can expect from all this.  Let's name them together.  There are two in verse 2; one each in verses 3, 4, and 6...

1.      To know

2.      To discern

3.      To receive

4.      To give

5.      To understand

THE PROCESS: Proverbs 1:2-6

How does this infusion of knowledge and wisdom and discernment and prudence and understanding take place?  It is not just an academic exercise, it is the result of meditating and hearing the word of the Lord.

As we are intimate with the Lord, His voice speaks to us.  He reveals things to us.  As with any act of intimacy conception takes ace no we give birth to vision an dreams, words do wisdom and knowledge rise up in our spirit.  We learn to listen and discern truth from error.  We begin to understand how God works and how men can fulfill God's purpose for them.

THE PRINCIPAL: Proverbs 1:7

What is the fear of the Lord?  We will deal with that in detail in the next couple of weeks, but it is defined in Proverbs 8:13.

THE PATTERN: Proverbs 1:8-9

THE PLOY: Proverbs 1:10-19

THE PLEA: Proverbs 1:20-23

THE PROMISE: Proverbs 1:24-33