Wednesday, June 10, 2009

Proverbs Summer Study Starts Today

Alright, friends, we're really moving now! Today's the day we launch "Proverbs: Ancient Wisdom for a Postmodern World." If you already have a book, go ahead and get started. If you haven't gotten the book yet, go ahead and order it (here or here is probably your best bet) and then join in.

This week, please read "How to Use This Study Guide," "What You Need to Know About Proverbs" and do Lesson1: "Raising Up the Next Generation." Next Wednesday look for a follow-up post here. If you'd like to hear a teaching on this lesson, click here. The lecture is about 30 minutes, and I've listened to part of it, but I'm not sure if it's intended for the start of the lesson or to follow up on the homework. But the new me (the one who left perfectionism behind) isn't going to worry about that! If you prefer to download it, click here, scroll down to 2/10/04 "Pass It On" and click on "Download." Then you can put it on your ipod and take it with you, right?

In any event, let's start off this study as we usually do - with an icebreaker. This time it will be a virtual icebreaker, and it will serve the double duty of introducing yourself and practicing posting comments, which I hope to see a lot of throughout the next 9 weeks! :-) Now in the intro you will read that "a proverb is a pithy and wise saying" and that "proverbs are principles that are true in general terms" and which "show us the way the world works and how to live wisely in it." So let's each share a favorite proverb - doesn't have to be one from the Bible. And make sure you give your name.

Here are two to get you started, the first from the Bible:
"It is better to live on a corner of the roof than to share the house with a nagging wife."
Proverbs 21:9

and the second from Poor Richard's Almanac:
"Fish and Visitors stink in 3 days."
Ben Franklin, 1736

May the Lord fill us with His wisdom as we journey through this study together.

Blessings to you,
Eleanor
Romans 12:2

3 comments:

Unknown said...

I loved looking through sayings and proverbs to find out what I thought I liked the best at this point in my life. I think if you ask me in a week or so, that would probably change. Here is one (probably stuck out because it is the beginning of summer and the kids are around alot more:

"You can learn many things from children. How much patience you have, for instance." -Franklin Jones

Boy that one really hit me hard! I also love proverbs that have to do with silence, gossip, talking, the potential danger of words, etc. I have found that since moving to a small town, the gossip train runs pretty fast around here and can do some damage. So, my favorite Biblical Proverb right now is:

"When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise." -Pr. 10:19

It is a hard one to put into practice sometimes because I think our culture is one that is uncomfortable with silence. But, one that I think is very, very true.

I look forward to starting the study this week. I, like Eleanor, am a recovering (or maybe not recovering enough yet) perfectionist. I try to keep in mind that it is all a control issue, and I am not in control anyways, but I still seem to fall into the 'perfection' trap more often than not.

Can't wait to see what you all come up with for your favorite proverbs...it's going to be fun. Thanks, Eleanor, for heading this up. It is a great way to stay in the Word and stay with the kids this summer!

Janet Watson said...

I love the idea of joining together this way while summer schedules keep everyone in various locations. Here's hoping that my book gets here by next week. Of course, I didn't order my book until June 10 (UPS says it is on schedule for delivery the 15th!).

This is my favorite Proverb, although I expect the study will bring several new ones to light:

"When a man's ways are pleasing to the Lord, He makes even his enemies live at peace with him." - Proverbs 16:7

And here's a secular one that I keep at my office desk, because I wish that I had learned it a very long time ago!

"Patience in one moment of anger can save one hundred days of sorrrow." - Ancient Chinese Proverb

Looking forward to getting started next week (guess that's in a few days now) and getting to know everyone better.

Sharon said...

After reading the book Desperate Households and seeing a chapter of all the things that I actually do as I stay home with the kids, the proverb that comes to mind is "A woman's work is never done."

Actions speak louder than words - how many times a day do I hear
"I'm sorry mommy I won't do that again." Words are so easy to come out of your mouth, but actually putting those words into practice is the hard thing.

Look forward to this study, even if it is volume two that we are starting with!!