Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and James

by Smith, Christopher R.

• ISBN13: 9780830858040
• ISBN10: 0830858040
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2011-01-21
• Publisher: Ivp Connect

Summary

"How can I find the right path to take in life?"" What things matter most, and how can I make sure I don't miss them?"People in every place and time have asked these crucial questions, and they've collected wise sayings to help guide them to the answers. In his inspired word, God has given us three books of wisdom sayings: Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, and James. They provide his answers to these questions from three different but complementary perspectives. This study guide will introduce groups to the rich treasures of wisdom in these books and enable members to apply the truths they discover to their own lives.TheUnderstanding the Books of the Bibleseries enables groups to take a new approach to studying the Bible together. Instead of following artificial chapter and verse divisions, these Bible study guides lead groups through whole books following their natural outlines and flow. They pose engaging questions for discussion with personal applications all along the way, leading to a community Bible experience.

Author Biography

The Rev.Dr.Christopher R.Smith is a freelance writer and independent scholar who lives in East Lansing, Michigan. He served local churches for nearly twenty years and is now a volunteer staff member with Graduate intervarsity Christian Fellowship at Michigan State University. He was a consulting editor to the International Bible Society(now Biblica) for the Books of Bible, an edition of the Bible that presents the biblical books according to their natural literary outlines, without chapter and verses. He is author of After Chapter and Verses, Read the bible smarter, not Harder, and the other volumes in the Understanding the Books the Bible Series.

Table of Contents

For Leaders: How These Study Guides Are Different	p. l
Proverbs
The Wise and Foolish Ways of Life	p. 13
Everything You Do Flows from Your "Heart"	p. 16
The "Heart" Expressed by How We Use Money and How We Speak	p. 21
The "Heart" Expressed in Relationships and Reputation	p. 26
What Brings die Content of the Heart out into Key Areas of Life	p. 30
Receiving and Giving Correction	p. 34
Character Qualities: The Fear of die Lord	p. 38
Character Qualities: Humility	p. 42
Character Qualities: Self-control	p. 45
Character Qualities: Diligence (Hard Work)	p. 49
Character Qualities: Dependability	p. 53
Character Qualities: Caution (Prudence)	p. 57
Character Qualities: Justice	p. 61
Warnings Against Drunkenness and Sexual Immorality	p. 66
Warnings Against Gangs and Putting Up Security	p. 70
Ecclesiastes
Experiencing the Book of Ecclesiastes as a Whole	p. 77
Insights from Experience	p. 83
Insights from Observation	p. 89
The Practical Response to These Insights	p. 94
Concluding Thoughts and Observations: "Remember Your Creator"	p. 98
James
Experiencing the Book of James as a Whole	p. 107
The Value of Trials	p. 111
The Rich and die Poor from God's Perspective	p. 116
Keeping a Tight Rein on die Tongue	p. 120
The Life that Flows from a New Heart	p. 124
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