A Journey with Lady Wisdom Week 2

A Journey with Lady Wisdom
Week of November 2, 2025
See the full sermon here.

Day 1: The Gift of a Trusted Companion
Reading: Proverbs 3:5-6; Proverbs 1:8-9
Devotional: Like loving parents introducing their child to a trusted friend, God offers us the gift of wisdom—not as a rulebook, but as a relationship. Lady Wisdom isn't about memorizing instructions; she's about transformation through companionship. When we trust the Lord with all our heart and lean not on our own understanding, we acknowledge that our instincts—shaped by trauma, fear, and past survival mechanisms—aren't always leading us toward thriving. Today, ask yourself: Am I merely surviving on old instincts, or am I willing to walk with wisdom toward a thriving life? Wisdom always leads us back to trusting God completely—exclusively, entirely, and extensively.
Reflection: What survival instincts am I clinging to that might be preventing me from truly thriving in God's plan?

Day 2: The Simple Heart—Teachable and Transformed
Reading: Proverbs 7:6-23; Proverbs 1:4
Devotional: The "simple" person isn't evil or stupid—they're unanchored and uninformed. They need a coach, a mentor who will show them the way with patience and affirmation. John Newton was once a wretch involved in slave trading, yet through storms and Scripture, he became the author of "Amazing Grace." His transformation reminds us that being simple is not a permanent state. We all need people to come alongside us, and we need to be willing to come alongside others. Perhaps you're the simple one needing guidance, or perhaps God is calling you to mentor someone who lacks direction. Either way, wisdom begins when we're teachable.
Reflection: Who has God placed in your life to mentor you? Who might need your patient guidance today?

Day 3: The Fool's Mirror—Humility Over Arrogance
Reading: Proverbs 12:15-17; Proverbs 14:6
Devotional: The fool's tragedy isn't lack of intelligence—it's lack of humility. Arrogance always rises as a defense against insecurity, blinding us to our own blindness. The wisest leaders accept responsibility without defensiveness because wisdom begins where defensiveness ends. Our biblical heroes—David, Abraham, Solomon—weren't perfect. They were teachable people who lived long enough to let God transform their character flaws. When we refuse correction, we become like the scoffer who wounds others with sarcasm (literally "to tear the flesh"). Today, ask God to reveal where pride has made you unteachable. The mirror wisdom holds isn't for shaming but for healing.
Reflection: Where am I being defensive instead of teachable? What insecurity is my arrogance trying to protect?

Day 4: Beyond the Sluggard—Purpose Over Passivity
Reading: Proverbs 24:30-34; Proverbs 26:13-16
Devotional: The sluggard's problem isn't just laziness—it's letting life happen to them instead of stewarding the gifts God has given. Solomon paints a humorous picture: a person too tired to lift food from plate to mouth, making excuses about lions in the street. But beneath the humor lies tragedy—a field with potential now overgrown with thorns, walls broken down, poverty creeping in like an unnoticed thief. God doesn't call us to "hammock theology" where we passively wait. He calls us to actively participate in His kingdom work. Your life is a field. What are you cultivating? What opportunities are you letting go to waste?
Reflection: What "field" has God given me that needs tending? What excuses am I making to avoid purposeful action?

Day 5: Standing Against Wickedness with Righteous Love
Reading: Proverbs 21:4, 10; Proverbs 17:15; Ecclesiastes 9:11
Devotional: Unlike the simple, fool, or sluggard, the wicked don't just experience evil—they desire it. They lack compassion, pervert justice, and delight in leading others astray. Dr. King reminded us that "he who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it." As the church, we're called to resist injustice with righteousness—not through arrogance or political manipulation, but through Christlike character and service. Our "Love Thy Neighbor" response to community crisis reflects this calling. We may not always see the wicked face consequences now, but we trust God's ultimate justice while actively loving our neighbors in practical ways.
Reflection: Where is God calling me to stand against injustice? How can I reflect Jesus' character in serving my community this week?

Small Group Guide: The Legend of Lady Wisdom

Opening Prayer
Question: Share about a time when someone gave you wise advice that you initially didn't want to hear. What happened?

Sermon Review 
This week, Pastor Jason introduced us to five character types from Proverbs that Lady Wisdom warns us about:

• The Simple - Naive and gullible, but teachable
• The Fool - Arrogant and refuses to listen
• The Scoffer - Always right in their own eyes
• The Sluggard - Lets life happen to them
• The Wicked - Desires evil and leads others astray

The key message: These characters serve as mirrors for self-reflection, not just warnings about others.

Discussion Questions 
Section 1: The Mirror, Not the Magnifying Glass

1. Pastor Jason said, "It's not instructions, folks. It's a mirror." How does this change the way you read Proverbs? Why is it easier to see these character flaws in others rather than ourselves?
2. The "fun house mirror" illustration showed how we can see distorted versions of ourselves until we face the truth. What are some "fun house mirrors" in our culture that keep us from seeing ourselves honestly?

Section 2: The Simple & The Teachable Spirit

3. The Simple are described as "uninformed, not stupid." How does this distinction change how we should approach young people or those who seem to lack wisdom? Can you think of someone who invested in teaching you when you were "simple"?
4. John Newton's story demonstrates radical transformation from slave trader to abolitionist and hymn writer. What does his journey teach us about the power of being teachable? What storms in your life have made you more open to wisdom?

Section 3: Pride & Humility

5. "Wisdom begins where defensiveness ends." Why is it so hard to accept correction without becoming defensive? Share an example of when you've struggled with this.
6. The Scoffer "always believes he's the one who has the answer." Pastor Jason mentioned that sometimes Christians can be scoffers in their own faith. How can religious people fall into this trap? What's the antidote?
7. Sarcasm means "to tear the flesh." How have you seen sarcasm used as a weapon rather than humor? What's the difference between healthy humor and destructive sarcasm?

Section 4: Action & Accountability

8. The Sluggard isn't just lazy—they let life happen to them. In what areas of your life are you tempted to be passive rather than proactive? (Consider spiritual disciplines, relationships, health, finances, etc.)
9. The Wicked actively desires evil and leads others astray. Pastor Jason said, "He who passively accepts evil is as much involved in it as he who helps to perpetrate it." What does it look like practically to resist wickedness in our world today?

Section 5: Personal Application

10. Which of these five characters do you most relate to in this season of life? Be honest. Remember, this is about self-reflection, not judgment.
11. What specific step can you take this week to move toward wisdom in that area? (Examples: seeking a mentor, practicing humility, taking action on something you've been avoiding, etc.)

Key Takeaways
✓ Wisdom literature is relational, not just informational - We need trusted companions who walk with us, not just rules to follow
✓ The simple are teachable - We need coaches and mentors who will show us, not just tell us
✓ Defensiveness blocks wisdom - Humility opens the door to growth and transformation
✓ Passivity is dangerous - The sluggard's greatest loss isn't their messy property but their missed opportunity to thrive
✓ We must resist evil, not just avoid it - Righteousness requires action, not just good intentions

Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following:

1. Identify your "fun house mirror" - What lie have you believed about yourself that keeps you from seeing the truth? Write it down and share it with a trusted friend or mentor.
2. Practice receiving correction - The next time someone offers you advice or correction, resist the urge to defend yourself. Instead, say "Thank you for caring enough to tell me that. I'll think about it."
3. Be a coach, not just a critic - Identify someone younger or less experienced than you who needs guidance. Invest time this week to show them, not just tell them.
4. Take action on something you've been avoiding - What have you been putting off? Make a concrete plan to address it this week.
5. Stand against injustice - Participate in the church's Love Thy Neighbor campaign or identify one way you can actively resist wickedness in your community.

Prayer Focus

• The Mumford family - For comfort, peace, and God's presence during this difficult season
• Teachable hearts - That we would be humble enough to receive wisdom
• Our community - For the Love Thy Neighbor campaign and those facing food insecurity
• Each other - For the courage to face our own character flaws honestly and grow

Closing Prayer:
"Lord, help us to see ourselves clearly in the mirror of Your Word. Give us the humility to be taught, the courage to change, and the wisdom to walk in Your ways. May we not just avoid certain people, but avoid being certain people in the lives of others. Transform us from the inside out. In Jesus' name, Amen."

Announcements & Next Steps

• Wednesday Bible Study - 6 PM, studying the Armor of God
• 316 Paint Night - Friday (register by tomorrow)
• Women's Breakfast - November 8th
• Skate Party - November 16th, 2 PM ($10 cash at door)
• Love Thy Neighbor Food Drive - November 15th, 8 AM-Noon
  • Donate via GoFundMe (link on church website)
  • Volunteer opportunities available

Sign up for Kids' Ministry volunteers - Our children are worth it!

For Further Study

• Read Proverbs 1-9 this week, paying attention to Lady Wisdom's invitations
• Journal about which character you most identify with and why
• Memorize Proverbs 3:5-6