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march 12 small group

March 12              One, Two, Three, Stretch   Proverbs 31: 20

GETTING INTO THE HEART OF VERSE 20      

-Write out Proverbs 31:20.

-What parts of her body are mentioned in this verse?

-The verbs or actions indicated are words like open, extend, stretch, and reach.  Beside each of these verbs, write the opposite action. What kind of person does this bring to your mind?

-How would you define ‘poor’ and ‘needy?’ 

-What other kinds of poverty or needs might someone have that go beyond the physical?

A GIVING SPIRIT

 

-What does God hope will be at the center of our hearts according to these verses?

              Deuteronomy 15: 7-8   

              Proverbs 11: 25                                                        

              Proverbs 19: 17                    
                                                  

              Proverbs 22: 9              

                                         

              Micah 6:8

             

-What specific blessings or rewards do the Proverbs Scriptures indicate for the giver?

-What is an additional way to help those in need (Romans 12:13)?  

-Define hospitality.  What is the difference between entertaining and hospitality?

-What specific ways could hospitality help someone in need?

MY HEART, GOD’S HEART

-In Acts 3: 1-6 we see Peter having no money or financial means to give.  What was he able to give in this verse?  

-What does this say to you about your own resources for giving?

-What are specific ways we can use our hands to help others?  

-What are the reasons we close our hands or withdraw?  What holds us back? 

-What do you have the most trouble being generous with?

-What were the words of Jesus in Acts 20:35?  

-How would ‘open and extending’ be good descriptors of the heart of God? 

What does this mean to you personally?

-Do you believe God is the Generous Provider of all your needs?  Why or why not?

-Can you write about a specific memory when the Lord clearly opened and extended His hand to provide for you?

-Write your name in the blanks in this verse and read it aloud several times. 

              Pray this verse.

_______ extends her hand to the poor, and _____ stretches out her hands to the needy. 

Pray and ask God to give you a generous, giving heart.

What do you need to do in response to this lesson? 

march 5 small group

MARCH 5                      TAKING CARE OF BUSINESS   31: 13-19

GETTING INTO THE HEART OF VERSES 13-19 

Slowly read verses 13-19. Underline the verbs or words that show the actions of this woman.  Circle word pictures or images that stand out to you.

HER WILLINGNESS

-What are the two materials she diligently seeks out and looks for? (vs. 13)

-Once the raw materials were found, what steps still remained to prepare them for usefulness? (vs. 19)

-What is her heart attitude toward her work? (vs. 13)

-How were her works put to use in her family and community? (Prov. 31: 21, 22, 24, 20)

-What do these Scriptures say about hard work?  (Proverbs 10:4 and 28:19)

-Describe your heart, energy, and motivational levels in the area of taking care of your family and doing the work of love for others: non-existent, low, so-so, sporadic, getting up there, or high?  Why?

HER ENTERPRISING SPIRIT

-What is the Proverbs 31 woman compared to? (vs. 14)

-In the book of Proverbs wisdom is pictured as an enterprising woman. What efforts do these verses picture?  (Proverbs 9: 1-2, Proverbs 14: 1, Proverbs 24: 3-4) 

-Both merchant ships and this woman brought items ‘from afar.’ What kinds of cargo did the woman seek? (vs. 13 and14) 

-What do you think is the implication of the term ‘from afar?’

-‘Enterprising’ is defined as showing initiative, innovative, inventive, creative, a willingness to undertake new, often risky projects.  Do you see yourself as an enterprising person when it comes to helping others?  How would this heart quality in you benefit them?

-Thinking about the image of a merchant ship, what do you think ‘puts the wind in her sails’ as she searches to provide the needs of her household?

HER DISCIPLINE

-What is the first thing we learn about her schedule? (vs. 15)

-As you read the rest of vs. 15 what were her reasons for getting up early?

-Look at some others in Scripture who rose early; note why they chose this habit.

              (Mark 1:35, Psalm 5:3)

-How did the Proverbs 31 woman serve her family or household at this early hour?

-Who else did she take care of and what did she do for them?

-Very early this woman was making plans for the day. What do these Scriptures teach us about the wisdom of planning and organizing?

              (Proverbs 16:3 and Proverbs 21:5)

-Thinking about the heart quality of self-discipline, how do you see your life in this area?

-What steps could you take toward increasing your own self-discipline?

HER VISION

-Before she makes a purchase or commitment, she goes through a mental habit.  What did she do first, and why is this important? (vs. 16)

-The fact that this Proverbs woman is buying, planting, and reinvesting, what does this tell you about her business sense and her financial savvy?

-When it comes to your own habits of purchasing or investing, do you tend to be tight- fisted, impulsive, over-committing, or seeking Godly-wisdom?

HER STRENGTH

-King Lemuel’s mother knew that for her future daughter-in-law to be able to ‘take care of business’ as a virtuous woman, she must possess energy.  How does she go about getting the needed strength and energy? (vs. 17)  Check this verse out in a few other translations if possible.

-What is God saying to you concerning your physical, emotional, and spiritual strength?

-What additional ways can a woman ‘gird herself in strength’ according to these Scriptures?  (Nehemiah 8:10, Philippians 4:13)

 

HER CONFIDENCE

-What do we find this woman doing? (vs. 18)

The Amplified Bible translates verse 18 as follows:

                  “She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp               goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].”

-How does this translation expand your thinking about her end of the day activities?

MY HEART, GOD’S HEART

Whew!  When I look closely at this woman’s ability to ‘take care of business,’ I admit I have to step back and take a deep breath.

-Look again prayerfully at vs. 13-19.  If you could ‘sum up’ her heart in one word or phrase, what would it be?

-What do you think is the source of her motivation and heart attitude?

-Would that describe your heart in the way you take care of business?

-Have you thought of God’s heart in this way?  Write your thoughts.

-What is God saying to you in this lesson?

february 26 small group

February 26                      All the Days of Her Life                             Proverbs 31: 12

                                           Or “Everyday?…You Can’t Be Serious!”

GETTING INTO THE HEART OF VERSE 12 

Read Proverbs 31: 12 slowly and prayerfully.    Write out verse 12.

What do you think this verse means?

What are some specific ways a wife can bring good to her husband?

What ways could a wife could bring harm or evil to her husband?

WIVES WHO BROUGHT HARM

The Proverbs 31 wife gives her husband the gift of goodness.  How do these wives bring their husbands harm or evil?

              -Eve (Genesis 2:18, 3:6)  

              -David’s wife, Michal (2 Samuel 6:16)  

              -Solomon’s wives (1 Kings 11:4) 

              -Jezebel (1 Kings 21:25) 

What feelings and thoughts do you have about these women’s choices?

A WIFE WHO BROUGHT GOOD

              -Read 1 Samuel 25, the story of a woman who brought good to her husband.

              -Describe Abigail (vs 3)  

              -Describe her husband, Nabal (vs 2-3)      

              -What foolish decision did Nabal make?  (vs 4-12)           

              -How did David respond?  (vs 13, 21-22)

              -How did Abigail save the day, her husband’s life, and his servant’s lives, thus                                working good on behalf of Nabal’s household?  (vs 18-19, 23-27)

              -What was the outcome of Abigail’s wise thinking and quick actions?  (vs 32-33)

What do you think of Abigail’s actions?  What might have been the result if she had chosen a different response to this situation?

HOW LONG DID YOU SAY?

According to Proverbs 31:12, how long should the wife bring good to her husband?

GOD’S HEART, MY HEART

-Acts 10:38- Describe the heart and actions of Jesus in this verse.

-List some specific ways God has brought good into your life.  Spend time in prayer  thanking Him for this.

-Galatians 5:22-23-These Scriptures list goodness as the fruit of the Spirit.  Circle the word ‘goodness’ in your Bible.   How can we have the same heart and actions as Jesus according to these verses?

-Prayerfully ask the Lord to show you specific ways you have been a bringer of good or harm in your relationships.

-Name those who are in your everyday world (husband, children, friends, co-workers, boss, roommates, neighbors).  Pray about each name you listed; and ask God to show you some specific ways you can bring good to each of them.

-What changes of heart and mind will it require of you to become a ‘bringer of good’ to others?

-What does this lesson mean to you ‘here and now?’ What must you do in response to this lesson?

february 19 small group

February19        He Trusts Me, He Trusts Me Not…  Proverbs 31:11

GETTING INTO THE HEART OF VERSE 11      

Read Proverbs 31: 10-31 again, slowly and prayerfully.    Write out verse 11.

Proverbs 31:11 God is not speaking here of a husband’s love for his wife, but his trust in her; his full confidence in her.

What is it like to live with a wife like the one described in these Scriptures?

Proverbs 12:4-             

Proverbs 19:13-          

Proverbs 21: 9- 

Proverbs 21:19-

Proverbs 27:15-   

TO TRUST OR NOT TO TRUST

The Bible teaches us not to trust in anyone or anything other than God.  What do these verses warn against?  Why do you think the Lord gave us these warnings?

Proverbs 3:5-            

Proverbs 11:28-   

Proverbs 28: 26- 

                                     

Now what do these Scriptures tell us to put our trust in instead and why?

Proverbs 3:5-            

Proverbs 16:20-     

Proverbs 28: 25-                                       

Proverbs 29:25-  

But in an uncommon exception to the rule, God instructs man to put his trust in another Proverbs 31:11-

What does this say to you about God’s desire for this relationship?                           

THE REWARD

Proverbs 31: 11 states there will be a reward or blessing for being in relationship with a trustworthy wife.  I’ve listed the reward from several translations:

              …And he will have no lack of gain (NAS)

              …He lacks nothing of value (NIV)

              …She will greatly enrich his life (NLT)

              …He has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil (Amp)

What are your thoughts about what these rewards or blessings might look like in a practical, daily-life relationship?  Be specific.  There are many possibilities.

How could an untrustworthy heart in a wife affect the relationship?

MY HEART, GOD’S HEART

Dependable. Steadfast. Trustworthy. Wise.

Are these words that you would use to describe yourself most days?

If you are married are there areas of your life or behavior that would cause your husband not to trust you?

If you are not married, remember the quality is trustworthiness.  How do you measure up on the trustworthiness scale?  How would those who know you best, work with you, live with you, rate you?

As a woman, married or not, would you say you’re a valuable asset to those at home, school, work etc?  Are others’ lives increased or decreased by you?  Why or why not?

How would trustworthiness be a good descriptor of the heart of God? 

What does this mean to you personally?

Do you believe God is trustworthy with the details your life?  Why or why not?

Write your name in the blanks in this verse and read it aloud several times. 

Pray this verse.

              The heart of __________________ trusts in the Lord,

              And __________________ will have no lack of gain.

Ask God to show you the seriousness of trustworthiness.  Ask Him to speak to your heart.

What do you need to do in response to this lesson? 

 

february 12 small group

         

February 12 SMALL GROUP                    The Perfect Woman…No Pressure!  Prov. 31:10

                                                                      Or “Does this Verse Make Me Look Fat?”

GETTING THE BIG PICTURE

Begin by reading Proverbs 31:10-31.  Pray and ask God to give you understanding, to reveal to your heart the depth of this woman.

 

1.  List 10 of her character qualities.  Note the verse# beside each one you list.

2.  Go back through your list and choose one that may be lacking in your life, perhaps one that needs a little extra attention.  Circle it.

3. What have been your thoughts and feelings when reading these verses?

4.  Is there a woman you know who has been an example to you of being a godly woman?  What is it about her that led you to think this?

GETTING INTO THE HEART OF VERSE 10      

Let’s focus in on the Proverbs Woman’s first quality: Write out write verse 10

VIRTUOUS, CAPABLE, EXCELLENT, NOBLE

The term “virtuous” or excellent is used 200 plus times in the Bible to describe an army of men, men of war, men prepared for war.  The Old Testament Hebrew word literally means “a force” and is used to mean “able, capable, mighty, strong, valiant, powerful, and efficient, worthy.”  The primary meaning involves military strength.

 

Is this meaning of “virtuous” different from what you thought? If so, how?

What kind of man was considered virtuous according to these verses?

Notice the descriptor words.

Exodus 18:25-  

Joshua 1:14- 

Ruth 2:1- 

1 Chronicles 12:25- 

THE WOMEN

The term “virtuous” or excellent is only used 4 times in the Bible to describe a woman.

1. Ruth 3:11- What did the man Boaz say about Ruth?

    Ruth 1:16-18, 2:11- What do you learn about Ruth’s character?

    Ruth 2:2; 2:17; 2:23- And about her physical condition? 

2. Proverbs 12:4- How is this woman described, and what does this imply about her?

    How is the other kind of woman described? What does this imply about her?

3. Proverbs 31:10- How is this woman described and what does this imply about her?

4. Proverbs 31:2- What accolade does the husband of this woman have for his wife?

5. Now go back to Proverbs 31: 10 what is the question regarding this woman?

6. What is said about this woman that indicates her value?  What words strike you most       and why?

SHE’S A RARITY

What does God say about the man who goes to the trouble of finding this woman?

1. Proverbs 12:4-

2. Proverbs 18:22-

3. Proverbs 19:14-

4. After learning what virtuous and excellent mean, why do you think such a woman is so rare?

GOD’S HEART, MY HEART

Think back about everything you just learned about “virtue,”  “excellence,” and “worth far above jewels”….

              How would these terms be good descriptors of the heart of God? 

              What does this mean to you personally?

              Would these terms be good descriptors of your heart?

              What do you need to do in response to this lesson? 

Remember:               These Scriptures are “not prods, but promises.”

                            ~ Portrait of a Fulfilled Woman by Virginia Kirley Leih

Some question ideas were taken from Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman by Elizabeth George