WHAT IS A WISE WOMAN?

As we begin this study, I would suggest that you get a spiral notebook to write down your responses, or if you'd like the workbook, you may order it by contacting me through my web site at www.goldenkeyesparsons.com. Let's get started.

The theme verse for this study is one of the few verses in Proverbs addressed to women:  Proverbs 14:1 - The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. 

 From that observation, we can assume that it must be important for us as women to heed the admonition.

·        Read Proverbs 14:1 in several different translations and note that the verse is very similar in almost every version. What kind of woman builds her house?

·        What kind of woman tears down her own house?

·        Would you say, then, that the opposite of a wise person is a foolish person? 

How do we learn to be wise rather than foolish? The Scripture is full of principles and

counsel to show us the path to wisdom. Let’s begin by looking at a familiar Psalm.

·        Read Psalm 1:1-2 and, in your own words, list what a wise person does not do and what a wise person does. 

·        What does Psalm 1:3 tell us are the results of acting wisely?

·        Take those results we gleaned from Psalm 1:3 and apply them to the marriage relationship.  What might they be?

Before we continue, perhaps we should take a look at the word “wisdom.” Later we will be talking about worldly wisdom vs. godly wisdom, so let’s get a handle on what we mean. In the secular sphere, wisdom might be viewed as the expertise of knowing how to live successfully, or a philosophy of life. In the Christian sense, a precise definition of the word “wisdom” is not simple, due, in part, to the poetic language found in the wisdom literature of Job, Psalms, Proverbs, the Song of Solomon, Ecclesiastes and Lamentations.

For the purposes of this study, we will adopt the definition of “wisdom” as found in the Amplified Bible’s translation of Proverbs 4:11:  I have taught you in the way of skillful and godly Wisdom (which is comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God); I have led you in paths of uprightness. 

“Comprehensive insight into the ways and purposes of God”—seeing the circumstances of life with God’s perspective. This will serve as our operative definition of “wisdom” and is the goal of this study. 

Next week we will define "What Is A Foolish Woman?" I'm afraid I have been a "foolish woman" at times during my journey, as have we all. I always enjoy your input. Leave a comment if you have a thought or question. Blessings!