PROVERBS
READING PLAN + STUDY QUESTIONS
READING PLAN
WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, + UNDERSTANDING
THE VALUE OF GOD’S WORD
SEEKING WISE COUNSEL
THE POWER OF WISE WORDS
WISDOM + FOOLISHNESS
WISDOM + THE FEAR OF THE LORD
HOW TO USE
READ THE CHAPTERS IN THE BIBLE FOR EACH SESSION
ANSWER THE QUESTIONS + REFLECT ON THE READING
This study encourages going at your own pace, allowing each session to be a day, a week, or however long you need. Each session contains questions to be used for individual reflection or small group discussion.
This study was made to be used alongside Bible reading. Although we have created chapter summaries, there is no substitute for reading God's Word.
SESSION ONE: PROVERBS 1-4
WISDOM, KNOWLEDGE, + UNDERSTANDING
Read 1 Kings 3:4-14. What did Solomon choose as his request from God? What did God give him in addition to his request?
Throughout the Proverbs, the wise are compared to the foolish and the simple. How is foolishness different than simple-mindedness?
Read Proverbs 1:7. What does the author say is the beginning of knowledge? Why would this be a prerequisite for gaining wisdom?
Read Proverbs 1:32-33. How does wisdom often lead to experiencing less dread and more peace?
Proverbs 2:6 states that God is the source of wisdom, knowledge, and understanding. How do these three terms differ from one another?
How does Proverbs 2:20-22 relate to the Israelites and the inhabitants of the Promised Land?
Read Proverbs 3:1-4. What does it mean to “bind [love and faithfulness] around your neck” and “write them on the tablet of your heart”?
Why do you think wisdom is personified as a woman? How does this honor women in a culture that highly favored men?
Proverbs 4:23 says to “keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life.” What does this mean? How can you practice this regularly?
SESSION TWO: PROVERBS 5-9
THE VALUE OF GOD’S WORD
Proverbs 5 serves as a warning against adultery. How could Solomon and David both have benefitted from following this advice (see 1 Kings 11:1-6 and 2 Samuel 11:2-4)?
Throughout Proverbs 6, what practical warnings does the father offer his son? How is this advice still relevant today?
According to Proverbs 6:16-19, what does God hate? How does knowing what God hates reveal what He loves?
How do Proverbs 6:23 and Psalm 119:105 similarly describe the wisdom of God’s Word?
Proverbs 7 contains similar warnings to Proverbs 5-6 that urge against adultery. Why do you think sexual sin is emphasized so heavily in this book of wisdom literature?
Read Proverbs 8:10-11. In your own life, can you think of a time when wisdom proved to be more valuable than silver or gold?
Read Proverbs 8:32–36. How is wisdom connected to life and ignorance to death? Does this seem like a fair or harsh comparison?
According to Proverbs 9:7-12, how do wise people respond to correction?
SESSION THREE: PROVERBS 10-15
SEEKING WISE COUNSEL
How do the books of Old Testament poetry differ from the books of law? Do these proverbs serve as wisdom from God or promises from God?
Proverbs 10:12 says that love covers all offenses. How does this verse relate to the love of Jesus?
Read Proverbs 10:28. How would you define having hope as opposed to having expectations?
How does Proverbs 11:8 describe intentional sin? Can you think of a time when you have “walked towards” trouble?
Read Proverbs 11:22 and Matthew 7:6. How are these two passages similar?
How does Proverbs 11:24-25 encourage generosity and contentment?
Read Proverbs 12:15. What does it mean to be “right in your own eyes”? Can you think of a time when you were thankful for someone's advice?
Proverbs 13:12 teaches that “hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a desire fulfilled is a tree of life.” How does this verse encourage delayed gratification?
How does Proverbs 13:20 contrast wise company and foolish company?
Read Proverbs 14:13. How have you seen joy and grief coexist?
Read Proverbs 11:14 and 15:22. What do these verses advise regarding wise counsel?
SESSION FOUR: PROVERBS 16-21
THE POWER OF WISE WORDS
How have your own plans differed from God’s plans for your life? Which plans ultimately prevail (see Proverbs 16:9 and 19:21)?
Read Proverbs 17:5 and Matthew 25:37-40. What do these two verses reveal about how we treat those in need?
Proverbs 17:22 says, “a joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.” How can your attitudes, positive or negative, affect your physical well-being?
How does Proverbs 18:2 highlight the value of listening over speaking? In Proverbs 18:21, what does it mean that the tongue holds the power of life and death?
What do Proverbs 19:2 and 21:5 say about haste? Why is eliminating hurry an important aspect of wisdom?
Throughout Proverbs, how are sluggards and lazy people described? How does God value both rest and hard work?
According to Proverbs 20:22, what do the wise do instead of seeking revenge?
Read Proverbs 21:3 and Hosea 6:6. According to these verses, what does God desire more than sacrifices?
Read Proverbs 21:23. Can you think of a time when you were glad that you held your tongue? Can you think of a time when your words got you in trouble?
SESSION FIVE: PROVERBS 22-26
WISDOM + FOOLISHNESS
Read Proverbs 22:3. Can you think of a time when wisdom allowed you to see danger before it arrived? Can you think of a time you willingly walked into trouble?
What do you think Proverbs 22:7 means when it says, “the borrower is slave to the lender”?
Proverbs 23:4 says, “Do not toil to acquire wealth.” How does this verse challenge culture’s emphasis on chasing wealth and success? What does it look like to balance ambition with contentment?
How does Proverbs 23 address overindulgence and drunkenness? What warnings does this chapter provide?
What does Proverbs 24:17 say regarding the failure of your enemies? What does Jesus say about your enemies in Matthew 5:44?
Proverbs 25:28 describes a person without self-control as “a city broken into and left without walls.” What does this metaphor suggest about the importance of caution and restraint?
How does Proverbs 25:20 relate to Romans 12:15? What are these two verses advising?
What does Proverbs 26:4–5 reveal about when to respond to foolishness and when to remain silent?
How does Proverbs 26:11 describe someone who continually makes the same mistakes?
SESSION SIX: PROVERBS 27-31
WISDOM + THE FEAR OF THE LORD
What does Proverbs 27:1-2 advise about boasting? Why is the praise of others more meaningful than self-praise?
How does Proverbs 27:5-6 describe the rebuke of a friend? How can correction and confrontation be done lovingly?
Proverbs 27:17 says that “iron sharpens iron.” How have you experienced growth and refinement due to the influence of wise people in your life?
Proverbs 28:5 says, “Evil men do not understand justice, but those who seek the Lord understand it completely.” How has faith influenced your understanding of justice?
Read Proverbs 28:14. What does it mean to have a hardened heart?
Proverbs 28:19 says that “those who follow worthless pursuits will have plenty of poverty.” What are some common examples of “worthless pursuits”?
What do Proverbs 29:23 and Luke 14:11 say about the prideful and the humble?
Read Proverbs 29:25. How would you contrast “the fear of man” and “the fear of God”?
Proverbs 30:6 warns against adding to God’s Word. What does this mean? Have you ever seen or experienced this?
What qualities of the woman in Proverbs 31 stand out to you? What makes these traits admirable? How does Proverbs 31:30 describe beauty and charm?
Way to go! You finished the book of Proverbs!
Thank you for reading through the Bible
with Everyday Scripture.
Keep going — the next book of Old Testament Poetry is Ecclesiastes!