“The Way to Wisdom” | Steve DeFrain

“THE WAY TO WISDOM”

1 Kings 4… ²⁹ God gave Solomon wisdom and very great insight, and a breadth of understanding as measureless as the sand on the seashore. ³⁰ Solomon’s wisdom was greater than the wisdom of all the people of the East, and greater than all the wisdom of Egypt. ³¹ He was wiser than anyone else, including Ethan the Ezrahite—wiser than Heman, Kalkol and Darda, the sons of Mahol. And his fame spread to all the surrounding nations.³² He spoke three thousand proverbs and his songs numbered a thousand and five.

Proverbs…

Godly PRINCIPLES given to us to guide decision making, character, and behavior that will lead to success in our everyday life!

Proverbs 1… ¹ The proverbs of Solomon son of David, king of Israel: ² for gaining wisdom and instruction; for understanding words of insight;
³ for receiving instruction in prudent behavior, doing what is right and just and fair; ⁴ for giving prudence to those who are simple, knowledge and discretion to the young— ⁵ let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance— ⁶ for understanding proverbs and parables, the sayings and riddles of the wise. ⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Are you a FOOL?

FOOLS THINK THEY KNOW IT ALL

FOOLS THINK THEY CAN DO IT ALL

FOOLS THINK THEY’RE THE EXCEPTION TO THE RULE

FOOLS ARE REALLY JUST AFRAID TO BE HONEST

How do I get WISDOM?

1 Kings 3… ⁷ “Now, Lord my God, you have made your servant king in place of my father David. But I am only a little child and do not know how to carry out my duties. ⁸ Your servant is here among the people you have chosen, a great people, too numerous to count or number. ⁹ So give your servant a discerning heart to govern your people and to distinguish between right and wrong. For who is able to govern this great people of yours?”

HOW TO BE WISE…

(POINT ONE) FEAR GOD

Proverbs 1…⁷ The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge…

Matthew 23… ¹² For those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.

(POINT TWO) ASK GOD

Proverbs 16… ¹⁸ Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. ¹⁹ Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud. ²⁰ Whoever gives heed to instruction prospers, and blessed is the one who trusts in the Lord.

James 1… ⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 

(POINT THREE) ANSWER GOD

James 1… ²² Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. ²³ Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror ²⁴ and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. ²⁵ But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.

Matthew 7… ²⁴ “Therefore everyone who hears these words of mine and puts them into practice is like a wise man who built his house on the rock. 

Group Discussion Guide

1. Welcome & Purpose

• Start by warmly welcoming everyone.
  
• Briefly set the tone: “We’re here to reflect, grow, and encourage one another as we live out our faith.”

2. Sermon Recap

• Share 2–3 main points or themes from the sermon.
  
• Mention any memorable quotes or moments that stood out.

3. Scripture Focus

• Read the scripture passages together.
  
• Talk about the context and why this scripture matters in the message.

4. Personal Reflection

• What resonated with you personally?
  
• Did anything bring clarity, conviction, or inspiration?

5. Discussion Questions

Use a few of these to guide your time:

1. What was the big idea or takeaway from the sermon?
   
2. How does the scripture relate to what you are learning from the sermon?
   
3. Was there a practical application that stood out?
   
4. Did anything challenge your thinking or stretch your faith?
   
5. How can we live this out this week?

6. Group Sharing

• Create space for open sharing—thoughts, questions, personal stories.
  
• Encourage participation, but keep it safe and respectful.

7. Next Steps & Resources

• Mention any related resources or ways to dive deeper. (i.e. Bible Plans, sermons, anything that you feel relates).
  
• Share upcoming events or opportunities to engage further (i.e. Group outing, plan the next meeting, any serve opportunities you are open to inviting others into)

8. Wrap-Up

• Summarize a few key insights from the Group.
  
• Encourage everyone to take one step in response to the message. (i.e. Pray for someone, reahc out to someone, forgive something, dive deeper into a topic…)

9. Prayer

• Ask for prayer requests.
  
• Close with a simple prayer asking for wisdom, strength, and purpose as you live out the message.