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Christian Education at St. Luke's

EXPLORING FAITH -- class meets Sundays at 9:15 a.m. . The class is intended for those wishing more information about Christian Faith and the Anglican Way, including those who are considering affiliating more formally with St. Luke's. All, however, are welcomed. This week's topic will be: The Sacraments of the Gospel. The Rector will be the facilitator.

WSL_BIBLE

Bible Study

Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven by Dr. David Jeremiah

Women of St. Lukes invite you to join us for an interesting and informational biblical study. Revealing the Mysteries of Heaven by Dr. David Jeremiah is the topic of this year's WSL Fall  Bible Study. 

The study will begin on Wednesday, September 25th and conclude on Wednesday, October 30th.  We will meet each week in the Yellow Room.  Start time is 10:00 a.m.

In addition to weekly DVD presentations by Dr Jeremiah, the study material includes a book and a separate workbook.  The cost of the book is $20, and the workbook is $10. 

Please contact Teresa Wankel if you are interested in attending at mswink95@gmail.com.

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Autumn ‘Teaching Tuesday’ Bible Study Outline -Classes at 10 AM

Proverbs

Session # 1, 9/10/24      -                D.J. Fulton        Introduction

Session # 2, 9/17/24      -         Judy Brooten         Fear of the Lord is the beginning of  wisdom

  • 14 References in Proverbs, 8 References elsewhere

  • Reading and Discussion

Session # 3, 9/24/24      -         Bill Baio                 Pride

  • Multiple References

  • Discussion

 Session #4, 10/01/24   -         Judy Brooten         Anger

  • Multiple References

  • Discussion

Session # 5, 10/08/24 -           D.J.  Fulton             Fools

  • Multiple References

  • Discussion

Session # 6, 10/15/24   -        Teresa   Wankel     Women

  • Chapter 31

  • Discussion

PROVERBS SESSION OUTLINE FOR 9/10/24

 

The book of Proverbs provides:

  • Wisdom - what it is

  • Wisdom - Why we need it

  • Wisdom – where to find it

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This collection of Wisdom sayings teaches us how to live good and successful lives

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Note that the poetic approach of parallelism is used consistently.  The common form used is a two line saying.  Note that the second line does not rhyme with the first, rather, the second line advances, emphasizes and clarifies the idea initiated in the first line.  See the example of Chapter 3, verse 5:

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                  “Trust the Lord with all your heart,

                  And lean not on your own understanding”

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Proverbs are:

  • General truths of things deemed by most societies at most times to be standard

  • Wisdom interpreted and applied

  • And they generally have context and should be considered along with the verses in front of and in back of them.  Additionally they should be considered along with the book as a whole

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The book of Proverbs has several authors and even some editors:

  • Author                   Soloman

  • Author                   Agur

  • Author                   Lemuel

  • Editors (see Chapter 25, verse 1

  • The book of Proverbs advocated general human standards which are not necessarily totally original with it. Among others there are Egyptian and Mesopotamian writings which are will within the Wisdom tradition.  However Proverbs emphasizes and brings all these thought and standards into the biblical world view which recognizes Jaweh and the one God and creator of all things. **

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**   See here a resemblance to C.S. Lewis’ book “The Abolition of Man” where he identifies a significant number of areas in which many different societies have identified several rules of general societal behavior which are similar each other (he calls it the TAO) – such as that which follows:

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  • Thou shalt not steal (Ancient Jewish)

  • To wrong, to rob, to cause to be robbed (Ancient Babylonian)

  • I have not stolen (Ancient Egyptian)

  • Choose loss rather than shameful gain (Ancient Greek)

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Lewis holds, in that book, that a society in which those general rules do not hold, will fall apart.  And he argues that (in the mid 1940’s) formal education in England was destroying adherence to those general standards.

The arrangement of the Book of Proverbs is as follows:

Preamble                                                                               (1:1thru 1:7)

Prologue                                                                                (1:8) thru (9:18)

Proverbs of Soloman, Part 1                                              (10:1) thru (22:16)

Thirty Sayings of the Wise                                                  (22:17 thru 24:22)

Further Sayings of the Wise                                               (24:23 thru 24:34)

Proverbs of Soloman, Part 2                                              (25:1  thru 29:27)

Sayings of AGUR                                                                   (30:1 thru 30:33)

Sayings of LEMUEL                                                               (31:1 thru 31:31)

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What can we then say about Wisdom?  It is

  • A skill

  • A skill for living a successful life, can this be done by being shrewd?

  • Does this involve being able to be shrewd?  No because there is a significant moral component to Wisdom brought to us by the Proverbs.  And that component is that the foundation of Wisdom is in and of the Lord.

Proverbs 1-7: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, but fools despise Wisdom and instruction”

Proverbs 1-10: “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding”

 

PREAMBLE

This is Wisdom’s Beginning

v. 1 – ‘The proverbs of Soloman the son of David, King of Israel:’

These are the Purposes of the Book of Proverbs 

V. 2 – ‘To perceive words of Understanding, to receive the Instruction of Wisdom.’

V. 3 – ‘To receive the instruction of Wisdom, Justice, Judgment and Equity.’

V. 4 – ‘To give Prudence to the simple - To the young man Knowledge and Discretion.’

V. 5 – ‘A wise man will hear and increase learning. And a man of understanding will attain wise counsel.’

V. 6 – ‘To understand a Proverb and an enigma.  The words of the wise and their riddles.’

This is the Foundation of all Wisdom

v.7 – ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of Knowledge.  But fools despise Wisdom and Instruction.’

PROVERBS SESSION 2 OUTLINE FOR 9/17/24

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The Fear of the Lord

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Questions to consider and suggested reading/lectures

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1. What does the fear of the Lord mean to you?

 

2. Read the following scriptures:  Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 2:5-8; 2:9-12 and James 1:5-6a

 

3. Paul speaks about “developing the mind of Christ” Read Philippians 1:27-2:12

 

4. For additional insight listen to Rev. John W. Howe’s lecture on Proverbs at The Teachings of Dr. John W. Howe (Bible Banquet) – Part VII- The Writings of the Old Testament- Proverbs Lecture #2424 (you can use the search tool on his website to find this lecture.)

PROVERBS SESSION 3 OUTLINE FOR 9/24/24

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Pride Considered In Proverbs

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Definition of Pride

 

Oxford Languages (which is used by Google)

noun

noun: pride

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  1. 1.

          a feeling of deep pleasure or satisfaction derived from one's own achievements, the                      achievements of those with whom one is closely associated, or from qualities or

          possessions that are widely admired.

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          "The team was bursting with pride after recording a sensational victory."

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        2. consciousness of one's own dignity.

 

            "He swallowed his pride and asked for help."

 

There is no precise definition for pride in the Bible.

 

According to https://www.christianwebsite.com/what-is-pride-according-to-the-bible/

 

“At its core, pride refers to an inflated sense of self and a focus on self-glorification rather than glorifying God. If you’re short on time, here’s a quick answer to your question: According to the Bible, pride is sinful and displeasing to God because it represents self-idolatry and self-sufficiency apart from God.”

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Proverbs 8:13

“To fear the Lord is to hate evil; I hate pride and arrogance, evil behavior and perverse speech.” (BSB)

 

Fear of the Lord refers to a deep respect and awe of the Lord.  It does not refer to being afraid of God.

To hate evil relates to truly fearing the Lord one must reject and detest evil in all it’s forms, e.g., all forms of wickedness and sin. Pride and arrogance are particularly despicable in the eyes of the Lord. They are contrary to what the Lord expects from His people- humility, meekness, discretion etc. Evil behavior plainly stated means to sin against the Lord. Perverse speech means corrupt, harmful, and / or deceptive speech.

 

Proverbs 11:2

“When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom.”

 

The eventuality of pride is to fall and suffer the humiliation of disgrace. This is the antithesis of pride’s opposite, humility which opens the way to wisdom. Pride will lead to disgrace.  The arrogance and lack of acknowledgment of man’s utter and complete reliance on the Lord will lead to the shame and sense of loss when the prideful come to terms with reality. Humility is the entry point to wisdom. Once one realizes what one does not know, then he can begin to appreciate and learn.

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Proverbs 13:10

“Where there is strife, there is pride, but wisdom is found in those who take advice.”

 

This the classic “It’s my way or the highway.” which leads to the key element of wisdom which is indeed the ability to take and consider the advice of others.

 

Proverbs 14:3

“A fool’s mouth lashes out with pride, but the lips of the wise protect them.”

 

In Gill’s Exposition of the Bible, the foolish person’s discourse proves to be injurious not only to others but also to himself. A wise person, however, does not let hurtful words pass his lips, thereby not offering injury to others but also preserving himself. To put it terms of the vernacular, “Don’t write a check with your mouth that your keister can’t

cover.”

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Proverbs 16:5

“The Lord detests all the proud of heart. Be sure of this: They will not go unpunished.”

 

The Lord can see the sin of pride no matter how well it is camouflaged by the offender (of heart) even in collusion with others of the same ilk.  They all will answer to the Lord.

 

Proverbs 16:18

“Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall.”

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The rider of the high horse proceeds arrogantly before his inevitable fall from that lofty steed.  We see this proverb frequently expressed as “Pride goes before the fall.”

 

Proverbs 16:19

“Better to be lowly in spirit along with the oppressed than to share plunder with the proud.”

 

This proverb is a forerunner of Matthew 5:5 “Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth.”  The instant gratification sharing plunder with the proud does not take into account the certain accountability of the sin of pride and all it’s tentacles which lead to further perdition.

 

Proverbs 21:24

“The proud and arrogant person—‘Mocker’ is his name—behaves with insolent fury.”

“Proud and haughty scorner is his name, who dealeth in proud wrath.” (KJV)

 

The proud and arrogant person is identified as a “mocker” or a “scorner”. So the mocker would berate another with wrath fueled by his pride.

 

Proverbs 29:23

“Pride brings a person low, but the lowly in spirit gain honor.”

 

“Honour shall uphold the lowly in spirit.—Rather, the lowly in spirit shall lay hold upon honour.” Ellicot’s Commentary for English Readers.

PROVERBS SESSION 4 OUTLINE FOR 10/01/24

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Anger

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If you can work it into your schedule listen to Dr David Jeremiah's sermon on YouTube entitled: 

 

"Slaying the Giant of Anger" 

 

1. Read: Genesis 4:1-7   The account of Cain becoming Angry

 

Why was Cain angry?

 

2. There are 2 types of Anger - What are they ?

 

3. Read Proverbs: 14:17a; Proverbs 15:18; Proverbs 29:11 and Proverbs 12:18; Proverbs 15:1 and Proverbs 17:28.

 

4. Read Proverbs 14:29

 

5. Read James 1:19

 

6. Read Romans 12: 9-21 

PROVERBS SESSION 5 OUTLINE FOR 10/08/24

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FOOLS

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FOOL – NOUN

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‘A person who acts unwisely or imprudently ‘

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‘A person lacking in judgement or prudence’

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‘A person lacking intelligence or judgement’

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‘A person who lack good judgement’

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Now – to start at the beginning

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Proverbs 1:7 – ‘The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge; but fool despise wisdom and instruction’

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Which leads to

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Proverbs 14:1 – ‘The fool says in his heart; there is no God’

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Therefore, the fool must defend himself, and without God he is likely to be immoderate.  He will cause conflict

Proverbs 12:16 – ‘A fool’s wrath is known at once; but a prudent man covers shame’

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Proverbs 29:11 – ‘A fool vents all his feelings; but a wise man holds them back’

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Proverbs 17:12 – ‘Let a man meet a bear robbed of her cubs; rather than a fool in his folly’

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Proverbs 20:3  - ‘It is honorable for a man to stay strong; since any fool can start a quarrel’

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Proverbs 12:15 – ‘The way of a fool is right in his own eyes; but he who seeks counsel is wise’

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Proverbs 29:9 – ‘If a wise man contends with a foolish man; whether the foo rages or laughs,

there is no peace’

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Proverbs 18:2 – ‘A fool has no delight in understanding; but only in expressing his own heart’

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Fools are self-defeating

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Proverbs 14:7 – ‘A quick tempered man acts foolishly; and a man of wicked intentions is hated’

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Proverbs 15:20 – ‘A wise man makes a glad father; but a foolish son I the grief of his mother’

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Proverbs 14:24 – ‘The crown of the wise is their riches; but the foolishness of fools is their folly’

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Proverbs 27:22 – ‘Tho you grind a fool in a mortar with a pestle along crushed grain; yet his foolishness will not depart from him’

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Fools have no redeeming value

Proverbs 26:1 – ‘Like snow in summer or rain in harvest; honor is not fitting for a fool’

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Proverbs 26:2 – ‘Like a fluttering sparrow or a darting swallow; and undeserved curse does not come to rest’

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Proverbs 26:3 – ‘A whip for the horse, a halter for the donkey: and a rod for the back of fools’

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Proverbs 26:4 – ‘Do not answer a fool according to his folly; or you will be like him yourself’

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Proverbs 26:5 – ‘Answer a fool according to his folly; or he will be wise in his own eyes’

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Proverbs 26:6 – ‘like cutting off one’s feet, or drinking violence; is the sending of a message by the hand of a fool’

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Proverbs 26:7 – ‘Like a lame man’s legs that hang limp; is a proverb in the mouth of a fool’

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Proverbs 26:8 – ‘Like tying a stone in a sling; is the giving of honor to a fool’

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Proverbs 26:9 – ‘Like a Thornbush in a drunkard’s hand; is a proverb in the mouth of a fool’

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Proverbs 26:10 – ‘Like an archer who wounds at random; is he who hires a fool or any random passer-by’

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Proverbs 26:11 – ‘as a dog returns to its vomit, so a fool repeats his folly’

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And yet, there is always redemption available to the truly repentant

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Proverbs 26:12 – ‘Do you see a man wise in his own eyes? There is more hope for a fool than him’

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