The Kingdom of Worship, Part Three

Week thirty-three | august 18-24

We will continue reading poetry this week as we look into the book of Proverbs. Proverbs is considered wisdom literature. Other books of the Bible within this category are Job, Ecclesiastes, and the Song of Solomon. The book of Proverbs is written from a parent to a child, teaching them how to live as wise sons and daughters in God’s kingdom under his rule and blessing. All the wisdom found in the proverbs is rooted in God alone. His grace is poured out on those who walk in faith according to his wisdom. The key to the Proverbs begins with, “The Fear of the Lord”. The “Fear of the Lord” is an affectionate reverence where a child of God humbly obeys God’s law. Living in “The Fear of the Lord” is the first step to living as wise sons and daughters of the King. Wisdom found in God seeks to bring all of life’s activities into harmony with God’s created order, just as he designed it to be. 

Memory Verse

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 1:7

Worship

Day One

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about why it is important to read Proverbs:

Proverbs 1:7; 9:10; 8:13; 14:27

Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge; fools despise wisdom and instruction.

Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight.

Proverbs 8:13 The fear of the LORD is hatred of evil. Pride and arrogance and the way of evil and perverted speech I hate.

Proverbs 14:27 The fear of the LORD is a fountain of life, that one may turn away from the snares of death.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Father, we love you! You are the creator God who made all things. You are all wise and you teach your people through the power of your word. Help us learn from you and walk as wise sons and daughters. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Day Two

Read

Wisdom brings all of life’s activities into harmony with God’s created order. Wisdom believes that God made the world in his own wisdom. By wisdom we learn to live within God’s design for is own Glory. 

Proverbs 2:6-15

Proverbs 2:6 For the Lord gives wisdom;
from his mouth come knowledge and understanding;
7 he stores up sound wisdom for the upright;
he is a shield to those who walk in integrity,
8 guarding the paths of justice
and watching over the way of his saints.
9 Then you will understand righteousness and justice
and equity, every good path;
10 for wisdom will come into your heart,
and knowledge will be pleasant to your soul;
11 discretion will watch over you,
understanding will guard you,
12 delivering you from the way of evil,
from men of perverted speech,
13 who forsake the paths of uprightness
to walk in the ways of darkness,
14 who rejoice in doing evil
and delight in the perverseness of evil,
15 men whose paths are crooked,
and who are devious in their ways.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Heavenly Father, you are good and wise. We confess we do not always live our life according to your wisdom. We confess our need for you in all things! By the power of your Holy Spirit, we ask that you lead us into your wisdom and help us to trust in you as our shield and refuge. In Jesus’ name, amen. 

Day Three

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about the wisdom of trusting in the Lord: 

Proverbs 3:5-7; 28:25-26; 29:25

Proverbs 3:5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
and do not lean on your own understanding.
6 In all your ways acknowledge him,
and he will make straight your paths.
7 Be not wise in your own eyes;
fear the Lord, and turn away from evil. 

Proverbs 28:25 A greedy man stirs up strife,
but the one who trusts in the Lord will be enriched.
26 Whoever trusts in his own mind is a fool,
but he who walks in wisdom will be delivered.

Proverbs 29:25 The fear of man lays a snare,
but whoever trusts in the Lord is safe.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Lord, you are trustworthy and wise. Help us trust in you with all our heart and not in our own understanding. Enrich us as we trust in you. Thank you for being a safe place for us to turn and rescuing us from our own foolishness. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day Four

Read

Here are some verses for your family to read about how wise children of the King use speech:

Proverbs 10:19, 31-32; 15:28-31; 19:1; 29:20; James 1:19

Proverbs 10:19 When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.

 31 The mouth of the righteous brings forth wisdom,
but the perverse tongue will be cut off.
32 The lips of the righteous know what is acceptable,
but the mouth of the wicked, what is perverse.

 Proverbs 15:28 The heart of the righteous ponders how to answer, but the mouth of the wicked pours out evil things.
29 The Lord is far from the wicked,
but he hears the prayer of the righteous.
30 The light of the eyes rejoices the heart,
and good news refreshes[c] the bones.
31 The ear that listens to life-giving reproof
will dwell among the wise.

Proverbs 19:1 Better is a poor person who walks in his integrity
than one who is crooked in speech and is a fool.

 Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who is hasty in his words?
There is more hope for a fool than for him.

James 1:19 Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.

Pray

Lead your family in a time of prayer over what you read.

Consider the ACTS model:
A – Adoration/ praise God (remember that this is part of worshiping God)
C – Confession (confess sin and your need of God)
T – Thanksgiving (thank God)
S – Supplication (ask God to supply your needs) 

Lord, thank you for the wisdom found in the book of Proverbs. As we read it we understand more about what you are like, what you care about, and how life works under your rule and blessing. Help us to love your word and apply its wisdom to our life. We ask that through the power of the Holy Spirit, we will continue to be transformed by it. In Jesus’ name, amen.

Day Five: Family Sabbath

Be Present

Set aside distractions (electronics, work, chores, etc.) and spend time with God and each other. 

Pray

God, thank you for giving us rest. You created us with limitations and command us to rest to remember You and all You provide. Help us rest in You today. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Play

Choose a fun activity to do together as your family rests from work. Here are some ideas:

• Pick a new restaurant to try and get to know your waiter/waitress. Ask if you can pray for them before you leave and encourage the kids to share what you have been learning in your Family Devotional time.
• Have a coloring contest
• Choose a Proverb for your family to practice reciting. Take turns standing up in front of each other and recite the Proverb like a monologue of a play.

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