Wisdom from the Bible
The Wisdom of Humility
Psalm 32:1-11
April 6, 2014 Prayer Requests








Dan Dvorak & Family – Encouragement
Lucy McKinney -- Health
Peggy & Danny – Health
Ruth Gawith -- Health
Ginnie Jellison – Health
Donnie Meeks -- Health
Keith McNew – Salvation
James Alexander -- Salvation
SundayTeacher.com
Lesson Password: Truth
Illustrated Bible Life Password:
Understanding
http://globalmission.nazarene.org/
Sandra
Great Britain
David
Mexico
Saurabh
Bangladesh, Angola, Namibia
Ruth
India, Israel, Australia, New Zealand
Keith & Ruth Switzerland
Sarah
Swaziland
Wayne
Africa
Rains cause extensive flooding in Solomon Islands
Thursday, April 3, 2014
Solomon Islands, Asia-Pacific Region
Solomon Island news reports indicate at least eight people have perished in flooding, which is reported as
the worst in recorded history for the islands.
Nazarene missionaries George and Nancy Miller reported the following after three consecutive days of
rain:
"Prayer is requested, please pass the word. We are personally safe; however the entire Solomon Islands
is under a flood… The radio had an announcement that the bridge going into town is closed. They are
evacuating a lot of people. They advised everyone to stay home until further notice. Some of the wards at
the hospital are being evacuated. They said this is the worst flooding ever."
The Solomon Islands is an island nation of about 500,000 mainly Melanesian people, spread across
hundreds of islands. The islands gained their independence from Great Britain in 1978. There are at least
16 Nazarene churches in the area.
Praying for the US & Canada
Alexanders: CA, OK, GA, QC
Vanderpool: NM (SE ABQ)
Jellisons: UT, TX, AK
Shultzs: CA, DC, MA, BC
Moores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QC
Abby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QC
Aliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEI
L. Kilgore: VA, MI
T. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DC
Nielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RI
Griffins: VT, OH, (Northeast)
C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo Nation
Adams: NM, CA, MA
B. Brown: GA, OR, ON
B. Vito: NY,ID
THE NEED:
Homelessness is a complicated issue in urban,
suburban, and rural communities across the USA and
Canada. Endless scenarios of men and women,
veterans, domestic violence victims, runaway youth, and
families with children find themselves without the means
for a safe place to live and caught in an ongoing cycle of
need. Children are said to make up nearly half of the
homeless population over the course of a year (from
NAEH). While there isn’t an easy answer to the problem
of homelessness, our call to reach out and respond as
Christians is clear.
http://usacanadaregion.org/usa-canada-region
Praying for the US & Canada
Alexanders: CA, OK, GA, QC
Vanderpool: NM (SE ABQ)
Jellisons: UT, TX, AK
Shultzs: CA, DC, MA, BC
Moores: AZ, NM, DC, CA, YT, QC
Abby Nielson: MA, OH, VT, QC
Aliece Nielson: NM, VT, PEI
L. Kilgore: VA, MI
T. & P. Brown: IL, HW, PA, DC
Nielsons: OH, PEI, VT, MA, RI
Griffins: VT, OH, (Northeast)
C. Yazzie: NM, AZ, & Navajo Nation
Adams: NM, CA, MA
B. Brown: GA, OR, ON
B. Vito: NY,ID
SUCCESS STORY:
At 21, Ruth McGee found herself homeless
and pregnant in Washington, D.C. After
five months in a large homeless shelter in
the city, she was referred to Community of
Hope, a Nazarene compassionate ministry
center. Ruth shares, “After entering
Community of Hope, we went over our
case plan. I applied for jobs and entered a
job program. Community of Hope helped
with getting a daycare voucher so that I
could work. I started working as a
waitress. In May I applied to go to college
and for financial aid. I got a second job in
June. I have been working both jobs and
going to school."
http://usacanadaregion.org/usa-canada-region
Thoughts for the Morning



Sometimes people have trouble asking
for help. Describe a circumstance where
it would be hard for you to ask for help.
Why do you think people hesitate to ask
others to help them?
Do you think wise people are more or
less likely to ask others to help them?
Thoughts for the Morning
According to Psalm 32,
humility holds the key to
one of God’s greatest
gifts—forgiveness.
Psalm 32: 1-2


1, Blessed is the one whose
transgressions are forgiven,
whose sins are covered.
2, Blessed is the one whose sin
the Lord does not count against
them and in whose spirit is no
deceit.
The Blessing of Forgiveness


Notice the four words used for sin:
transgressions, sins, sin, and deceit.
What do these words tell you about the
nature of sin?
Notice the three actions God takes with
sin: forgives, covers, and does not
count against. What do each of these
actions tell you about what God wants
to do with our sin?
How Hard Is Forgiveness?


Do you find God’s forgiveness easy
to accept?
Is it hard for you to forget your past
sins?
Psalm 32:3-4


3, When I kept silent, my bones wasted
away through my groaning all day long.
4,For day and night your hand was heavy
on me; my strength was sapped as in the
heat of summer.
The Pain of Pride



How does the psalmist describe his life
before he acknowledged his sin?
What do these uncomfortable feelings
describe?
According to the psalmist, God is
responsible for him feeling terrible. Why
would God do something like that?
The Misery of Sin

Why do you think people try to hide
their sin and not confess it to God?
Psalm 32:5-7



5, Then I acknowledged my sin to you and
did not cover up my iniquity. I said, “I will
confess my transgressions to the Lord.”
And you forgave the guilt of my sin.
6, Therefore let all the faithful pray to you
while you may be found; surely the rising
of the mighty waters will not reach them.
7, You are my hiding place; you will
protect me from trouble and surround me
with songs of deliverance.
The Hope of Humility




What did the psalmist need to do in order to
experience God’s forgiveness? Why do you
think this was necessary?
Why does the psalmist turn to God when His
heavy hand is identified as the source of pain?
What virtue must the psalmist exhibit in order
to confess his sin?
What is the relationship between discipline and
humility?
A New Feeling

What does it feels like to be forgiven?
Psalm 32:8-10



8, I will instruct you and teach you in
the way you should go; I will counsel
you with my loving eye on you.
9, Do not be like the horse or the mule,
which have no understanding but must
be controlled by bit and bridle or they
will not come to you.
10, Many are the woes of the wicked,
but the Lord’s unfailing love surrounds
the one who trusts in him.
Psalm 32:11

11, Rejoice in the Lord and
be glad, you righteous; sing,
all you who are upright in
heart!
The Call to Humility





Who will receive instruction in God’s
wisdom? Why is this the case?
What does the psalmist mean when he
advises people not to be like a horse or
mule? How do people act like these
animals?
Why is wickedness a barrier to wisdom?
What is the connection between the Lord’s
unfailing love and His teaching us
wisdom?
Explain the part wisdom plays in our
salvation.
Encouraging Others

What are some ways we can go about
encouraging others to humble
themselves and receive God’s
forgiveness?
Searching Thoughts

“Search me, God, and know
my heart; test me and know
my anxious thoughts.
See if there is any offensive
way in me, and lead me in
the way everlasting” (Psalm
139:23-24).
Wisdom from the Bible
Next lesson
The Wisdom of
Submission
Psalm 2:1-12
Wisdom
Wisdom is the ability to think and act
utilizing knowledge, experience,
understanding, common sense,
and insight1
1 Corinthians 1:30 It is because of him
[God] that you are in Christ Jesus,
who has become for us wisdom from
God—that is, our righteousness,
holiness and redemption.
1. Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition.
HarperCollins Publishers. 28 Feb. 2014.