Study Questions for July 26, 2026

A Wise Child Develops by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Proverbs 4:1-7, 10-11, 14-17, 20-25; Deuteronomy 6:6-7; John 8:12; and Philippians 4:6-9.

1. Pastor Dale teaches that wisdom is inherited before it is developed, noting that Solomon was first his "father's son" and "tenderly loved" before he was a king. How does the realization that wisdom is often a "gift" passed down from others change the way you view the mentors or parents in your life?
2. Read Deuteronomy 6:6–7. This passage commands believers to repeat God’s words "again and again" to their children in every setting—at home, on the road, at bedtime, and in the morning. Why is repetition and consistency so vital for developing a "wise child" in a world of constant distractions?
3. Read Proverbs 4:1-2. We are told to "listen when your father corrects you" and to not "turn away from instructions". Why is our natural reaction often to resist correction, and how can viewing it as "good guidance" help us grow in good judgment?
4. Solomon declares in Proverbs 4:7 that "getting wisdom is the wisest thing you can do". If you were to audit your current schedule and priorities, would they reflect that seeking wisdom is your top priority, or has it been pushed aside by more urgent, external demands?
5. Read Proverbs 4:14-17. The sermon emphasizes that the path you walk is forming you, warning that evildoers actually "eat the food of wickedness and drink the wine of violence". How have you seen the "environment" of your daily habits or social circles gradually shape your character, for better or for worse?
6. Read John 8:12. Jesus identifies Himself as the "light of the world" and promises that those who follow Him "won't have to walk in darkness". How does the light of Christ provide a clear direction when the "straight paths" of wisdom feel obscured by the culture around us?
7. Read Proverbs 4:20-22. We are instructed to let God's words "penetrate deep into your heart" because they bring "healing to their whole body". Can you share a time when a specific truth from Scripture provided spiritual or emotional healing during a difficult season?
8. Read Proverbs 4:23. The "heart" (lev) is described as the center of our inner lives, determining the entire course of our life. What are some practical ways you can "guard" your heart this week against influences that might pull you off course?
9. The sermon notes connect guarding the heart with corrupt speech and distraction. Read Proverbs 4:24-25. How does "avoiding perverse talk" and "fixing your eyes on what lies before you" serve as a practical defense mechanism for your spiritual health?.
10. Read Philippians 4:6-9. Paul encourages believers to replace worry with prayer and to fix their thoughts on things that are true, honorable, and right. Which of the qualities listed in verse 8 (true, honorable, right, pure, lovely, admirable) do you find most difficult to focus on in your current circumstances?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for the "good guidance" He provides through His Word. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you guard your heart and stay on the "straight paths" of wisdom, trusting that He is the light that leads to a long and satisfying life.

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Analogy for Understanding: Developing wisdom is like maintaining a reservoir. Your heart is the basin that determines the "course of your life," and everything you allow into your mind—the words you hear, the paths you walk, and the things you look at—acts as the inflow pipes. If you allow the "food of wickedness" or "corrupt speech" to flow in, the water becomes polluted and the output of your life will eventually turn bitter. However, when you guard the reservoir by fixing your eyes on Christ and filling your mind with what is true and pure, the outflow becomes a source of "life and healing" for everyone around you.