Study Questions for July 12, 2026

A Wise Child Asks by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Proverbs 2:1-22; Matthew 7:7-8; James 1:5; and 1 Corinthians 1:18-25.

1. Pastor Dale defines wisdom simply as the ability to see things from God’s perspective. He suggests a "daily dose" of wisdom by reading one chapter of Proverbs each day to match the day of the month. Have you ever tried a consistent spiritual discipline like this? How does viewing the world through God's "lens" change your reaction to daily frustrations?
2. Read Proverbs 2:1-4. The sermon points out a "staircase" of intensity in these verses: crying out for insight, asking for understanding, searching as if for silver, and seeking like hidden treasure. Why do you think God requires this level of active pursuit rather than just giving us wisdom automatically?
3. Pastor Dale uses the analogy of a man with a metal detector on a beach (the "Redneck Riviera") to illustrate that God has hardwired us for adventure and discovery. How can the "Easter egg hunt" of discovering God's truth in your daily work or relationships make your faith feel more like a joy and less like a duty?.
4. Read Matthew 7:7-8. Jesus commands us to "Keep on asking... seeking... knocking." Pastor Dale notes that in our immaturity, we often don't know what to ask for, and we must learn that God is not manipulated by our selfishness. Can you share a time you asked God for something, were told "no," and later realized that what you asked for wasn't actually for your benefit?.
5. There is a distinct difference between having a "hunger" and having an "appetite". Just as someone might develop a taste for coffee over time, Pastor Dale shares that at 61, he is finally developing a true appetite for holiness—something that didn't seem "cool" to him at 13. What is a spiritual "taste" or discipline you are currently trying to develop an appetite for?
6. Read Proverbs 2:5-7. Wisdom is described as a "treasure of common sense" granted to the honest. Pastor Dale clarifies that "common sense" (tushaya) is the practical application of God's perspective to life. How does having "God's common sense" help you navigate difficult decisions at your workplace or in your family?
7. Proverbs 2:10 says wisdom will enter your heart (lev), which is described as the center of our inner lives where our will meets our emotions. When your emotions want one thing but your will knows another is right, how does the "sugar withdrawal" of choosing wisdom eventually lead to a total life change and joy?.
8. Read Proverbs 2:12-22. The sermon warns that while we aren't "insulated" from evil, Christ is our foundation and our direction. How does the contrast between the "joy" of the wise and the "pleasure in doing wrong" seen in the wicked help you identify the true source of lasting satisfaction?.
9. Pastor Dale notes that the "immoral woman" in Proverbs is a "covenant breaker". In a broader sense, how does our own tendency toward "covenant breaking" or rebellion against God lead us away from the "paths of life" He has planned for us?.
10. Read 1 Corinthians 1:18-25. Solomon tells us to "follow the steps of the good," but Scripture also says "no one is righteous". How does knowing that Christ is the wisdom of God resolve the problem of our own imperfection while we are "being saved"?.
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for being a generous God who does not rebuke us for asking for wisdom. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you move from a "starting block" faith to a "pavement" faith, where the fear of the Lord supports every step of your journey this week.

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Analogy for Understanding: Seeking wisdom is like metal detecting on a vast beach. The treasures are there, washed up on the shore by the Creator, but they are often hidden just beneath the surface. To find them, we must be like the dedicated seeker—willing to put in the time, use the right tools (Scripture), and listen for the "beep" of the Spirit's conviction. We don't find the treasure to become owners of the beach; we find it to better understand the wealth and character of the One who owns the shore and invited us there for an adventure.