The Path of the Just 

Scripture Reading: Proverbs 1:10-19.

Memory Verse: "But the path of the just is as the shining light, that shineth more and more unto the perfect day." Proverbs 4:18.

Weekly Reading: Proverbs 12:1-14:14.

Introduction: Possibly the biggest reason Solomon didn't ask the Lord for riches or fame, but rather requested wisdom was that someone in his life had already laid the foundation stones of seeking after wisdom and desiring it above all else. Solomon himself tells us in Proverbs 4:3 that his father had begun his training even while Solomon was still "tender," and before any other children had come into the home. In other words, King David wasted no time in beginning his son's training. David didn't trust Solomon's training to anyone else! He taught his son. He realized his responsibility. He didn't throw Solomon's training off on Bathsheba either. David clearly knew his place as spiritual head of the house, and he took the time to be personally involved in teaching and guiding his son. Imagine this great king coming down off his throne and down on the floor on baby Solomon's level. He could have appointed the greatest teachers in Israel to teach Solomon. He could have sent Solomon to the great palaces of instruction then present in Egypt. Instead, David taught his own son. He realized that no one could impress upon Solomon the ways of truth better than his own father. Just as David pleaded with his son to follow wisdom, Solomon pleads with the young men of Israel, (even calls them sons), to listen to a father's instruction. And what does he tell us? He recites exactly what his father said to him, over and over and over again. He remembers it well. Now Solomon is the father and we, the children, are hearing the words of King David.

Questions For Study:

1. What is the most important thing to want and what will we also get? Proverbs 4:7.

2. Where was Solomon to keep his father's instruction on wisdom? Proverbs 4:4.

3. If we submit ourselves to wisdom, what will wisdom do for us? Proverbs 4:8,9.

4. What benefits will we receive from finding wisdom? Proverbs 4:22.

5. What famine is prevalent in this age? Amos 8:11.

6. Proverbs instructs us to not only hear these teachings, but also what? Proverbs 4:10.

7. What will our path be like if we use wisdom? Proverbs 4:10-12.

8. What path should we avoid? Proverbs 4:14-17.

9. What path should we follow? Proverbs 4:18; Psalm 23:3.

10. Who is responsible for deciding which path to follow and who will guide our path? Proverbs 4:27; Isaiah 48:17.