WEEK 9- The Wisdom of His Word
MONDAY — Read the passage with your team.
7 Whoever corrects a mocker invites insult; whoever rebukes a wicked man incurs abuse. 8 Do not rebuke a mocker or he will hate you; rebuke a wise man and he will love you. 9 Instruct a wise man and he will be wiser still; teach a righteous man and he will add to his learning. 10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. 11 For through me your days will be many, and years will be added to your life. 12 If you are wise, your wisdom will reward you; if you are a mocker, you alone will suffer.
Proverbs 9:7-12
12 I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. 13 To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech. 14 Counsel and sound judgment are mine; I have understanding and power. 15 By me kings reign and rulers make laws that are just;16 by me princes govern, and all nobles who rule on earth. 17 I love those who love me, and those who seek me find me.
Proverbs 8:12-17
25 I am laid low in the dust; preserve my life according to your word. 26 I recounted my ways and you answered me; teach me your decrees. 27 Let me understand the teaching of your precepts; then I will meditate on your wonders. 28 My soul is weary with sorrow; strengthen me according to your word. 29 Keep me from deceitful ways; be gracious to me through your law. 30 I have chosen the way of truth; I have set my heart on your laws. 31 I hold fast to your statutes, O Lord; do not let me be put to shame. 32 I run in the path of your commands, for you have set my heart free.
67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now I obey your word. 68 You are good, and what you do is good; teach me your decrees. 69 Though the arrogant have smeared me with lies, I keep your precepts with all my heart. 70 Their hearts are callous and unfeeling, but I delight in your law. 71 It was good for me to be afflicted so that I might learn your decrees.
124 Deal with your servant according to your love and teach me your decrees. 125 I am your servant; give me discernment that I may understand your statutes.
131 I open my mouth and pant, longing for your commands. 132 Turn to me and have mercy on me, as you always do to those who love your name. 133 Direct my footsteps according to your word; let no sin rule over me.
176 I have strayed like a lost sheep. Seek your servant, for I have not forgotten your commands.
Psalm 119:25-32, 67-71, 124-125, 131-133, 176
What does this passage have to say about accountability?
Why is that important?
TUESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
1) What major difference exists between a mocker (a person who rejects God) and a wise man (Proverbs 9:7-9)? What is the destiny of a mocker (v. 12)? What, then, is the relationship between wisdom and accountability (relationship with God)?
2) Proverbs 9:10 tells you that you must have what in order to have wisdom? According to Proverbs 8:13, what exactly does fearing the Lord mean?
3) Hating evil is an attitude of the heart. Can you change the attitudes of your heart? What does the lost and straying servant (Psalm 119:176) ask God to do? Why is it necessary for God to seek him?
WEDNESDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
We pick up the story of the lost and straying servant in Psalm 119:25, where he is “laid low in the dust.” (It’s interesting to note that this is the accountability posture recommended in the passage we read in Lamentations last week.
4) He recognizes that he cannot change the attitudes of his own heart, so he has given himself to what pursuit (v. 27-32)? (What is mentioned in every verse?) What is the result of his meditation upon Scripture (esp. v. 32)?
5) If we believe the truths that “the Word of God...judges the thoughts and attitudes of the heart” (Hebrews 4:12) and that God’s Word “will not return to [Him] empty, but will...achieve the purpose for which [He] sent it,” why do so many of us spend so little time reading Scripture? What obstacles keep you from spending time in God’s Word?
6) What is the servant’s attitude toward the affliction he faced (Psalm 119:71)? Can you recall other examples in Scripture when God used affliction to draw His people back to Him? [I think of His banishing them to the wilderness for 40 years, allowing them to be exiled from their homeland into captivity, and suffer under the rule of godless kings.] Can you remember times in your own life when God used trial and suffering to bring you back to Him?
7) When you sense frustration and discouragement in your teammates and coaches, what do you do? Based on what we’ve discussed today, what might be the best form of encouragement?
THURSDAY — Discuss the passage with your team.
8) How elusive is wisdom (Proverbs 8:17)? If wisdom is found by anyone who seeks it, why do so many of us struggle to find it? What are you tempted to seek instead? (One of the most common vices is identified in Proverbs 8:13. What is your focus when you are prideful or arrogant, and how is that focus contrary to the goal of wisdom?)
9) If the fear of the Lord is only the beginning of wisdom (Proverbs 9:10), what is the remainder of wisdom? You may not have an answer to that, which is OK. It’s just important to understand that once you’ve gained some wisdom, you’re called to act on it. We’ll pick that up again next week.
FRIDAY — Discuss sport applications of accountability, and pray together.
· Ask your athletes to briefly reflect on what they’ve learned about accountability this week, and to repeat some of those things. (Remind them of some of the Biblical truths about accountability you’ve discussed, if necessary.)
· Ask your team, “Based on what we learned about accountability this week...What does an accountable athlete do?” Do not settle for vague answers; challenge your athletes to go beyond general qualities of accountability, and to determine what those qualities look like in action.
· Add the results to your team’s list of descriptions of the “accountable athlete”, and be sure the list is displayed somewhere that is constantly visible, as a reminder to the team.
· Pray together as a team. Encourage your athletes to pray for your team’s growth in regard to the discipline of accountability — especially in relation to some of the issues and challenges that you discussed together this week. Challenge them to also ask for forgiveness, when applicable. Give time for athletes to request prayer (regarding accountability or anything else), and pray together.
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