Book of Proverbs Part I

 

Community Group Study Guides - English

Basic Format of a Meeting

Crossroads Community Group Guide: 

A. Welcome: Welcome everyone especially new persons and read out loud the purpose of your group

B. Purpose:

Our purpose is to spread the Kingdom of God. We do this by multiplying groups of people who care for each as God's family. We begin by inviting new people to our group and building them to be followers of Jesus. Each person here has the potential to be empowered to start and be the leader of a new group and spread God's kingdom.

C. Worship Time: Spend a few minutes singing a worship song. Pick your own on YouTube make sure it has the lyrics on the screen

D. Announcements

1. Weekly Resources on Crossroads Facebook Page    

        Monday: Listening Room Resources for the week

        Wednesday: Building Your Faith Video Series with Pastor Willie  

2. Daily Devotional Video: The Encouraging Word with Pastor Willie

3. Announcements and Events:  Crossroads Web Site

4. Watch Crossroads Service  Sunday 11:45am

E. Review

  1. How did you do with what you wanted to apply from last week  

  2. Who did you invite to the group for this week?

F. Opening Question (a simple question to introduce the main theme - called an icebreaker): 

G. Find Background Information in a Study Bible if needed

H. Word: Read Scripture Read it in portions aloud together several times. (Goal is that everyone understand the Bible story or verses by retelling them in their own words - keep at it until everyone knows the story or verses)

1. What key (important) words do you see in these verses?
2. Tell in your own words what happens in these verses.

3. What are the details?

4. What details can you add to what others in the group have said? .

I. Discuss the following general questions together (Goal is to use these general questions to guide a discussion - the leader should not speak more than 30% of the time - let the group discover what God is saying to them).

1. What key ideas do you see in these verses?

2. What new thing did you discover in the story or verses that you did not know before?

3. What did you learn about God (Father, Jesus or Holy Spirit) from the story? 

4. What do you learn about people from the story?

5. What important lessons for us do you see in this story?

   

J. Commitment - Obedience - Application  (This is the key - have everyone answer this question): 

1. What in specific will you commit to apply in your life from this study?  

K. Prayer Time: 

                 1. Pray for an empty chair representing new people who you want to join your group. Name names of people specifically.

                 2. pray for your group to multiply

                 2. Pray for the needs of the members of the group. It is best to divide into 2 groups one of male and the other female.

L. For Next time:

                 1. Assign group members that are ready to do different parts of the next meeting as you prepare  them. (Opening Question; Prayer Time; Read Background info; lead group)

                 2. Ask each person the name of a person they will invite to the group for next week.

Bible Study: The Book of Proverbs Part I 

Wisdom for Daily Life 

The book of Proverbs is known as a wisdom book in the Bible. It is a collection of wisdom sayings. The book of Proverbs is different than any other book. Although it is divided into chapters and verses, many times each chapter has several different topics in it. In fact a single proverb can be just one verse and then the next verse is a different topic.

A proverb is designed to give someone wisdom for life. Please note that proverbs are not promises. They are statements that are generally true. For example, "the diligent will prosper financially", is a proverb however it is not a guaranteed promise from God rather it is a general statement.

This study is divided by chapters. Break each chapter down into those proverbs that go together - discuss them and develop life lessons for today. Always remember as you go through this study that without a relationship with God through Jesus Christ a person will never find true wisdom.

 Lessons

1. Proverbs chapter 1 

    Opening Question: What is your definition of wisdom?

2.  Proverbs chapter 2

    Opening Question: What are your first and second desires in your life now and why?

3.  Proverbs chapter 3

    Opening Question: What does it mean to trust in the lord? Was there a time in your life                                          you did that?

4.  Proverbs chapter 4

    Opening Question: What wisdom for life have you learned from your parents? 

5.  Proverbs chapter 5

    Opening Question: Why is adultery wrong even if no-one finds out?

6.  Proverbs chapter 6

    Opening Question: What are some words that were said to you in your life that impacted                                      you negatively?

7.  Proverbs chapter 7

    Opening Question: How can you recognize temptation when it comes?

8.  Proverbs chapter 8

    Opening Question: Why is wisdom more important in life than material possessions?

9.  Proverbs chapter 9

    Opening Question: What is the most foolish advice you have ever heard?

10.  Proverbs chapter 10

    Opening Question: If you had a child what one piece of wisdom would you give him or                                       her?

11.  Proverbs chapter  11

    Opening Question: Why is integrity in the workplace or business hard to maintain?

12.  Proverbs chapter 12

    Opening Question: Why is discipline important in life?