Sermon & Small Group ResourcesThis is the second sermon in our three-part Winter Warmers series on Proverbs. This sermon is “Words”. Preacher: The Rev’d Michael Calder. Bible Reading: Proverbs 10:11-32DOWNLOAD the Small Group Questions, Going Deeper, and Sermon Transcript (PDF).










Next Steps this Week


BIBLE READING: Proverbs 10:11-32



The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life,but the mouth of the wicked conceals violence.Hatred stirs up conflict,but love covers over all wrongs.Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning,but a rod is for the back of one who has no sense.The wise store up knowledge,but the mouth of a fool invites ruin.The wealth of the rich is their fortified city,but poverty is the ruin of the poor.The wages of the righteous is life,but the earnings of the wicked are sin and death.Whoever heeds discipline shows the way to life,but whoever ignores correction leads others astray.Whoever conceals hatred with lying lipsand spreads slander is a fool.Sin is not ended by multiplying words,but the prudent hold their tongues.The tongue of the righteous is choice silver,but the heart of the wicked is of little value.The lips of the righteous nourish many,but fools die for lack of sense.The blessing of the Lord brings wealth,without painful toil for it.A fool finds pleasure in wicked schemes,but a person of understanding delights in wisdom.What the wicked dread will overtake them;what the righteous desire will be granted. When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone,but the righteous stand firm forever.As vinegar to the teeth and smoke to the eyes,so are sluggards to those who send them. The fear of the Lord adds length to life,but the years of the wicked are cut short.The prospect of the righteous is joy,but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing.The way of the Lord is a refuge for the blameless, but it is the ruin of those who do evil.The righteous will never be uprooted,but the wicked will not remain in the land.From the mouth of the righteous comes the fruit of wisdom,but a perverse tongue will be silenced.The lips of the righteous know what finds favor,but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse.


SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS



Download in PDF format.CONNECT: How could you grow in your appreciation and living out of God’s wisdom this week?WARM-UP In the public sphere, how have you seen words build up or bring people down?Have you ever been built up by someone else's words?Read Proverbs 10:11-14What is the mouth of the righteous likened to? What images spring to mind when you think of this? How does one become righteous?What things could we say or do (or even sing!) to provide life for others and build them up? Who could you encourage and build up this week?In contrast, what do the words of the wicked do? Have you ever been on the receiving end of things such as these? Have you ever said such things as these?What is our hope if we have sinned against others by speaking words that tore them down?Read Proverbs 10:8; 18-24What do these verses tell us about how a wise person uses their words? How about the fool?Can you think of times on your frontlines where it is better to not say anything at all or wait to speak? What could help you in this?How does restraint in words make them all the more valuable?Read Proverbs 10:27-32What can give us the great reassurance that we are righteous?What is in store for those who are righteous and speak words of wisdom? What about the wicked?How can we ensure that we aren’t just paying lip service to Jesus but have turned and are turning to him with our whole heart and lives? What things are a sign of this?APPLY: How could you speak words of wisdom on your frontlines this week?


PRAYER



Heavenly Father, thank you that you have made us righteous by Jesus’ death and resurrection. We are sorry for the times when our lives haven’t matched this and we have been foolish in our words and actions. Help us to be wise in how we use our words to build up and to point to you. In Jesus’ name, Amen.


GOING DEEPER



On Your Frontline This Week: Have you ever asked a friend or colleague - do you think Jesus is a game changer? Maybe try it this week and invite them to the Public Lecture.Listen, Watch, and Read: Listen: “Wisdom and City Culture: Relationships” by David JackmanListen: “Bad Company Ruins Good Morals” by Christopher AshListen: “Jesus the Wisdom of God” by Christopher AshJournal Article: “The Pastoral Implications of Wise and Foolish Speech” by Eric OrtlandSERIES Resources:Series Overview Booklet (and Audiobook)BOOK: “Proverbs, Ecclesiastes and the Song of Songs For Everyone” by John GoldingayVIDEO: Bible Project Overview of ProverbsWEBSITE: The Gospel Coalition resources on ProverbsGrow as Families Each week St Bart’s Kids and CHARGE Youth provides resources for you to use at home. Join the livestream and then spend 30 minutes to work through these together.Families: Read, Chat, Do, and PrayHigh School:

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