A Journey with Lady Wisdom Week 1
Series: A Journey with Lady Wisdom
Week of October 26th
View the full sermon here
Day 1: The Foundation of Reverence
Reading: Proverbs 1:1-7; Psalm 111:10
Devotional: The fear of the Lord is not terror but awe—a profound reverence that positions us rightly before our Creator. This yara, this reverence, acknowledges that God is in charge and we are not. It's the humble recognition that perfect love casts out fear, yet invites us into wonder. Like a child who respects a loving parent, we approach God with confidence and reverence simultaneously. Today, consider: Is your relationship with God rooted in fear of punishment or in awe of His magnificent love? True wisdom begins when we stop trying to control our lives and surrender to the One who designed us. This isn't about religious duty; it's about recognizing who holds you securely in His hands.
Reflection: What triggers cause you to respond from fear rather than trust? How can reverent awe transform those moments?
Day 2: From Head to Heart
Reading: Proverbs 3:1-6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Devotional: Wisdom isn't merely information downloaded into our minds—it's transformation written on our hearts. The 18-inch journey from head to heart represents the difference between knowing about God and knowing God intimately. Like the ancient practice of binding phylacteries (small leather boxes) as reminders, we need tangible touchpoints that call us back to our identity in Christ. What symbols or practices remind you of who God has called you to be? Formation happens when obedience flows not from rules but from relationship, not from duty but from identity. When you trust the Lord with all your heart and refuse to lean on trauma-formed responses, you allow God to straighten your paths through relationship rather than reaction.
Reflection: What "phylactery" could you adopt to remind yourself of God's wisdom in your daily life?
Day 3: Building on Solid Pillars
Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6; Matthew 7:24-27
Devotional: Lady Wisdom has built her house on seven pillars: reverence, knowledge, understanding, discipline, integrity, humility, and compassionate justice. Like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a life built without proper foundation will eventually threaten everything around it. Beauty without stability is dangerous. God invites us to examine our foundation—not to condemn us, but to rebuild where necessary. Are your habits forming Christ-like character or reinforcing old patterns? Spiritual disciplines aren't religious rituals; they're relationship-building practices. When you change your habits, you change your life. The question isn't whether you'll face storms, but whether your foundation can withstand them. Wisdom offers not just survival but a palace of protection, beauty, and strength for generations.
Reflection: Which of the seven pillars needs strengthening in your life right now?
Day 4: The Invitation to the Simple
Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6; Luke 14:15-24
Devotional: Lady Wisdom doesn't invite the already-wise to her feast—they're already living in her palace. She calls to the simple, the immature, those still learning, those who know they need something better. This is the scandal of grace: God's best wine, His choicest feast, is prepared for those who recognize their need. You don't have to arrive perfect; you just have to arrive willing. The table is set with home-raised cattle and fine wine mixed with care—nothing second-rate for those who respond to the invitation. God's compassion meets you wherever you are in your 60-story journey. The crossroads where wisdom calls isn't a place of judgment but of opportunity. Will you turn aside from your path and enter her house today?
Reflection: What keeps you from accepting God's invitation to feast at His table? Pride? Shame? Busyness?
Day 5: Christ, the Embodiment of Wisdom
Reading: Colossians 2:1-3; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Devotional: Lady Wisdom was never just a literary device—she pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, present at creation, fully God and fully human. He didn't judge from Mount Olympus; He walked dusty roads, experienced temptation, wept at gravesides, and celebrated at weddings. In Christ, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. He is the divine wisdom who invites you not just to learn about Him but to live in relationship with Him. To say yes to Jesus is to say yes to transformation, to rest, to a new path. Where two or three gather, He is present—not distant, but near. The question isn't whether the invitation stands, but whether you're ready to be made new, to be shaped into His image, to walk daily in the wisdom that leads to life abundant.
Reflection: How does knowing Jesus experienced your struggles change how you approach Him for wisdom today?
Group Discussion
Begin your time together by inviting God's wisdom into your discussion and asking the Holy Spirit to guide your conversation.
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
Understanding the Message
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: Daily Proverbs Reading
Close your time by praying for one another in these areas:
Week of October 26th
View the full sermon here
Day 1: The Foundation of Reverence
Reading: Proverbs 1:1-7; Psalm 111:10
Devotional: The fear of the Lord is not terror but awe—a profound reverence that positions us rightly before our Creator. This yara, this reverence, acknowledges that God is in charge and we are not. It's the humble recognition that perfect love casts out fear, yet invites us into wonder. Like a child who respects a loving parent, we approach God with confidence and reverence simultaneously. Today, consider: Is your relationship with God rooted in fear of punishment or in awe of His magnificent love? True wisdom begins when we stop trying to control our lives and surrender to the One who designed us. This isn't about religious duty; it's about recognizing who holds you securely in His hands.
Reflection: What triggers cause you to respond from fear rather than trust? How can reverent awe transform those moments?
Day 2: From Head to Heart
Reading: Proverbs 3:1-6; Deuteronomy 6:4-9
Devotional: Wisdom isn't merely information downloaded into our minds—it's transformation written on our hearts. The 18-inch journey from head to heart represents the difference between knowing about God and knowing God intimately. Like the ancient practice of binding phylacteries (small leather boxes) as reminders, we need tangible touchpoints that call us back to our identity in Christ. What symbols or practices remind you of who God has called you to be? Formation happens when obedience flows not from rules but from relationship, not from duty but from identity. When you trust the Lord with all your heart and refuse to lean on trauma-formed responses, you allow God to straighten your paths through relationship rather than reaction.
Reflection: What "phylactery" could you adopt to remind yourself of God's wisdom in your daily life?
Day 3: Building on Solid Pillars
Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6; Matthew 7:24-27
Devotional: Lady Wisdom has built her house on seven pillars: reverence, knowledge, understanding, discipline, integrity, humility, and compassionate justice. Like the Leaning Tower of Pisa, a life built without proper foundation will eventually threaten everything around it. Beauty without stability is dangerous. God invites us to examine our foundation—not to condemn us, but to rebuild where necessary. Are your habits forming Christ-like character or reinforcing old patterns? Spiritual disciplines aren't religious rituals; they're relationship-building practices. When you change your habits, you change your life. The question isn't whether you'll face storms, but whether your foundation can withstand them. Wisdom offers not just survival but a palace of protection, beauty, and strength for generations.
Reflection: Which of the seven pillars needs strengthening in your life right now?
Day 4: The Invitation to the Simple
Reading: Proverbs 9:1-6; Luke 14:15-24
Devotional: Lady Wisdom doesn't invite the already-wise to her feast—they're already living in her palace. She calls to the simple, the immature, those still learning, those who know they need something better. This is the scandal of grace: God's best wine, His choicest feast, is prepared for those who recognize their need. You don't have to arrive perfect; you just have to arrive willing. The table is set with home-raised cattle and fine wine mixed with care—nothing second-rate for those who respond to the invitation. God's compassion meets you wherever you are in your 60-story journey. The crossroads where wisdom calls isn't a place of judgment but of opportunity. Will you turn aside from your path and enter her house today?
Reflection: What keeps you from accepting God's invitation to feast at His table? Pride? Shame? Busyness?
Day 5: Christ, the Embodiment of Wisdom
Reading: Colossians 2:1-3; 1 Corinthians 1:22-25
Devotional: Lady Wisdom was never just a literary device—she pointed forward to Jesus Christ, the Word made flesh, present at creation, fully God and fully human. He didn't judge from Mount Olympus; He walked dusty roads, experienced temptation, wept at gravesides, and celebrated at weddings. In Christ, all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge are hidden. He is the divine wisdom who invites you not just to learn about Him but to live in relationship with Him. To say yes to Jesus is to say yes to transformation, to rest, to a new path. Where two or three gather, He is present—not distant, but near. The question isn't whether the invitation stands, but whether you're ready to be made new, to be shaped into His image, to walk daily in the wisdom that leads to life abundant.
Reflection: How does knowing Jesus experienced your struggles change how you approach Him for wisdom today?
Group Discussion
Begin your time together by inviting God's wisdom into your discussion and asking the Holy Spirit to guide your conversation.
Key Takeaways from the Sermon
- Proverbs is a Story, Not Just an Instruction Manual
- The Bible, and particularly Proverbs, tells the story of God's pursuit of relationship with us
- Lady Wisdom is a personification inviting us into relationship, not just compliance
- The Fear of the Lord is Reverence, Not Terror
- Fear means awe and humility—knowing God is in charge and we are not
- God's love is perfect, and perfect love casts out fear
- Our relationship with God should be based on love, not terror
- Transformation Requires Moving from Head to Heart
- Information alone doesn't change us; formation does
- The 18-inch journey from brain to heart is where real transformation happens
- Spiritual disciplines help internalize truth until it shapes our character
- Trust Involves Entirely, Exclusively, and Extensively
- Trust God with complete confidence, without backup plans
- Put God's wisdom before everything else
- Apply His wisdom to every area of life
- The Seven Pillars of Wisdom's House
- Reverence, Knowledge, Understanding, Discipline, Integrity, Humility, and Compassionate Justice
- A life built on these pillars is unshakable
Understanding the Message
- The pastor challenged us to read Proverbs as a story rather than an instruction manual. How does this shift in perspective change the way you approach Scripture?
- What does "the fear of the Lord" mean to you personally? Have you ever struggled with seeing God as loving versus seeing Him as someone to be afraid of?
- Lady Wisdom is described as actively calling out in the streets, inviting the simple to her feast. Why do you think she invites those who are still learning rather than those who are already wise?
- The pastor shared about "phylacteries"—physical reminders of spiritual truths (his necklace and ring). What physical reminders or spiritual disciplines help you remember your identity in Christ?
- Discuss the concept of "trigger responses" versus "wisdom responses." Can you identify a situation where you defaulted to an old pattern instead of responding with godly wisdom? What would a wisdom response look like?
- The pastor shared his personal story about quitting his job after seeking wisdom from his wife, pastor, and friend. Who are the trusted voices in your life that speak godly wisdom to you? Are you vulnerable enough with them to receive correction?
- Of the seven pillars of wisdom (Reverence, Knowledge, Understanding, Discipline, Integrity, Humility, Compassionate Justice), which one do you feel is weakest in your life right now? What's one practical step you could take this week to strengthen that pillar?
- The sermon emphasized that "if you want to change your life, change your habits." What is one spiritual discipline you could commit to this month as we walk through Proverbs together?
- Proverbs 3:5-6 says to "trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Is there a situation in your life right now where you're being called to trust God entirely, exclusively, and extensively? What's holding you back?
Practical Applications
This Week's Challenge:
Choose ONE of the following to practice this week:
Option 1: Daily Proverbs Reading
- Read one chapter of Proverbs each day (corresponding to the date)
- Journal about one verse that stands out to you
- Ask: "What is Lady Wisdom teaching me today?"
- Pay attention to moments when you react rather than respond
- Pause before reacting and pray: "Lord, what does wisdom say in this moment?"
- Share your progress with an accountability partner
- Identify 2-3 people who speak godly wisdom into your life
- Reach out to one of them this week and ask them to pray for a specific area where you need wisdom
- Practice being vulnerable about where you're struggling
- Choose a verse from Proverbs 1-9 that speaks to you
- Create a physical reminder (bracelet, note card, phone wallpaper, etc.)
- Each time you see it, pray the verse and ask God to write it on your heart
Close your time by praying for one another in these areas:
- Wisdom for specific decisions group members are facing
- Transformation from head knowledge to heart formation
- Trusted relationships where vulnerability and godly counsel can flourish
- Breaking old patterns and trigger responses that don't honor God
- Humility to receive correction as a gift rather than a threat
- Compassion to see others' stories and meet them where they are
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