Wisdom from the Bible

The Wisdom of Humility Psalm 32:1-11

April 6, 2014 Prayer Requests

Dan Dvorak & Family – Encouragement Lucy McKinney -- Health Peggy & Danny – Health Ruth Gawith -- Health Ginnie Jellison – Health Donnie Meeks -- Health Keith McNew – Salvation James Alexander -- Salvation

SundayTeacher.comLesson Password: Truth

Illustrated Bible Life Password: Understanding

Sandra Great Britain

David Mexico

Saurabh Bangladesh, Angola, Namibia

Ruth India, Israel, Australia, New Zealand

Keith & Ruth Switzerland

Sarah Swaziland

Wayne Africa

http://globalmission.nazarene.org/

Rains cause extensive flooding in Solomon Islands

Thursday, April 3, 2014Solomon Islands, Asia-Pacific RegionSolomon Island news reports indicate at least eight people have perished in flooding, which is reported as the worst in recorded history for the islands.

Nazarene missionaries George and Nancy Miller reported the following after three consecutive days of rain:

"Prayer is requested, please pass the word. We are personally safe; however the entire Solomon Islands is under a flood… The radio had an announcement that the bridge going into town is closed. They are evacuating a lot of people. They advised everyone to stay home until further notice. Some of the wards at the hospital are being evacuated. They said this is the worst flooding ever." 

The Solomon Islands is an island nation of about 500,000 mainly Melanesian people, spread across hundreds of islands. The islands gained their independence from Great Britain in 1978. There are at least 16 Nazarene churches in the area.

Praying for the US & CanadaAlexanders: CA, OK, GA, QCVanderpool: NM (SE ABQ)Jellisons: UT, TX, AKShultzs: CA, DC, MA, BCMoores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QCAbby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QCAliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEIL. Kilgore: VA, MIT. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DCNielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RIGriffins: VT, OH, (Northeast)C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo NationAdams: NM, CA, MAB. Brown: GA, OR, ONB. Vito: NY,ID

http://usacanadaregion.org/usa-canada-region

THE NEED: Homelessness is a complicated issue in urban, suburban, and rural communities across the USA and Canada. Endless scenarios of men and women, veterans, domestic violence victims, runaway youth, and families with children find themselves without the means for a safe place to live and caught in an ongoing cycle of need. Children are said to make up nearly half of the homeless population over the course of a year (from NAEH). While there isn’t an easy answer to the problem of homelessness, our call to reach out and respond as Christians is clear.

Praying for the US & CanadaAlexanders: CA, OK, GA, QCVanderpool: NM (SE ABQ)Jellisons: UT, TX, AKShultzs: CA, DC, MA, BCMoores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QCAbby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QCAliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEIL. Kilgore: VA, MIT. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DCNielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RIGriffins: VT, OH, (Northeast)C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo NationAdams: NM, CA, MAB. Brown: GA, OR, ONB. Vito: NY,ID

http://usacanadaregion.org/usa-canada-region

SUCCESS STORY: At 21, Ruth McGee found herself homeless and pregnant in Washington, D.C. After five months in a large homeless shelter in the city, she was referred to Community of Hope, a Nazarene compassionate ministry center. Ruth shares, “After entering Community of Hope, we went over our case plan. I applied for jobs and entered a job program. Community of Hope helped with getting a daycare voucher so that I could work. I started working as a waitress. In May I applied to go to college and for financial aid. I got a second job in June. I have been working both jobs and going to school."

Thoughts for the Morning Sometimes people have trouble asking

for help. Describe a circumstance where it would be hard for you to ask for help.

Why do you think people hesitate to ask others to help them?

Do you think wise people are more or less likely to ask others to help them?

According to Psalm 32, humility holds the key to one of God’s greatest gifts—forgiveness.

Thoughts for the Morning

Psalm 32: 1-2 1, Blessed is the one whose

transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.

2, Blessed is the one whose sin the Lord does not count against them and in whose spirit is no deceit.

The Blessing of Forgiveness

Notice the four words used for sin: transgressions, sins, sin, and deceit. What do these words tell you about the nature of sin?

Notice the three actions God takes with sin: forgives, covers, and does not count against. What do each of these actions tell you about what God wants to do with our sin?

How Hard Is Forgiveness?

Do you find God’s forgiveness easy to accept? 

Is it hard for you to forget your past sins?

Psalm 32:3-4 3, When I kept silent, my bones wasted

away through my groaning all day long.

4,For day and night your hand was heavy on me; my strength was sapped as in the heat of summer.

The Pain of Pride How does the psalmist describe his life

before he acknowledged his sin?

What do these uncomfortable feelings describe?

According to the psalmist, God is responsible for him feeling terrible. Why would God do something like that?

The Misery of Sin

Why do you think people try to hide their sin and not confess it to God?

Psalm 32:5-7 5, Then I acknowledged my sin to you and

did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will confess my transgressions to the Lord.” And you forgave the guilt of my sin.

6, Therefore let all the faithful pray to you while you may be found; surely the rising of the mighty waters will not reach them.

7, You are my hiding place; you will protect me from trouble and surround me with songs of deliverance.

The Hope of Humility What did the psalmist need to do in order to

experience God’s forgiveness? Why do you think this was necessary?

Why does the psalmist turn to God when His heavy hand is identified as the source of pain?

What virtue must the psalmist exhibit in order to confess his sin?

What is the relationship between discipline and humility? 

A New Feeling What does it feels like to be forgiven?

Psalm 32:8-10 8, I will instruct you and teach you in

the way you should go; I will counsel you with my loving eye on you.

9, Do not be like the horse or the mule, which have no understanding but must

be controlled by bit and bridle or they will not come to you.

10, Many are the woes of the wicked, but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds the one who trusts in him.

Psalm 32:11

11, Rejoice in the Lord and be glad, you righteous; sing, all you who are upright in heart!

The Call to Humility Who will receive instruction in God’s

wisdom? Why is this the case? What does the psalmist mean when he

advises people not to be like a horse or mule? How do people act like these animals?

Why is wickedness a barrier to wisdom? What is the connection between the Lord’s

unfailing love and His teaching us wisdom? Explain the part wisdom plays in our

salvation.

Encouraging Others What are some ways we can go about

encouraging others to humble themselves and receive God’s forgiveness? 

Searching Thoughts

“Search me, God, and know my heart; test me and know my anxious thoughts.See if there is any offensive way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting” (Psalm 139:23-24).

Wisdom from the BibleNext lesson

The Wisdom of Submission

Psalm 2:1-12

WisdomWisdom is the ability to think and act

utilizing knowledge, experience,  understanding, common sense, and 

insight1 1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him

[God] that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God—that is, our righteousness, holiness and redemption.

1. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition.

HarperCollins Publishers. 28 Feb. 2014.