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This term you've explored some of the most practical wisdom in the Bible. Here it is in seven lines:
| Lesson | The big idea |
|---|---|
| The fear of the Lord | Wisdom starts with honouring God. |
| Two paths | Small steps add up to a direction. |
| Choosing friends | You become like those you walk with. |
| The power of words | Words bring life or death, online too. |
| Guarding your heart | What you scroll shapes who you become. |
| Work, money and a good name | Be the ant; a good name beats riches. |
| Anger and forgiveness | Answer gently; forgive as you've been forgiven. |
Now an honest question. If you gave yourself a mark out of 5 for each one, would you get 5 out of 5 for everything? Nobody would. If Christianity were just good advice, that would be bad news. We all know the wise path and still walk off it. But the Bible doesn't end with Proverbs. It ends with a person.
What you'll learn
- Why the wisdom of Proverbs on its own isn't enough
- Why the cross looked foolish, and why Paul calls it God's wisdom
- How Jesus is "wisdom from God" for us
Greater than Solomon
Solomon was the wisest king Israel ever had, and much of Proverbs comes from him. But he finished badly. His many wives turned his heart away from God (1 Kings 11). Even the wisest man couldn't live by his own proverbs. Knowing what's wise isn't the same as being able to do it.
Then Jesus said this about himself:
"The Queen of the South will rise at the judgment with this generation and condemn it; for she came from the ends of the earth to hear the wisdom of Solomon, and now One greater than Solomon is here." (Matthew 12:42)
As a boy, Jesus grew in wisdom, and people were amazed at what he taught. Unlike Solomon, Jesus walked the path of wisdom perfectly, every step.
There's another connection too. Proverbs 8 is a poem that pictures wisdom as a person who was with God when he made the world. The New Testament says that everything was made through Jesus. Christians have long seen a link here. They differ on how directly the poem describes Jesus, but all agree that the New Testament shows Jesus as the fullness of God's wisdom.
The foolishness of the cross
Corinth was a proud Greek city that loved clever speakers and big ideas. Paul wrote to the Christians there:
"But we preach Christ crucified, a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles, but to those who are called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God. For the foolishness of God is wiser than man’s wisdom, and the weakness of God is stronger than man’s strength." (1 Corinthians 1:23–25)
Why would a crucified Messiah sound ridiculous? Crucifixion was the most shameful death in the Roman world. To Jewish listeners, a crucified Messiah sounded like a contradiction. To Greek listeners, it sounded like nonsense. Yet Paul says the cross is God's wisdom. It's how God rescues people who could never make themselves wise or good enough.
Paul also reminds the Corinthians that not many of them were impressive by the world's standards. God chose ordinary, weak and overlooked people on purpose, so that no one could boast. If you don't feel especially clever, popular or important, that's good news.
Then comes the key verse of this lesson:
"It is because of Him that you are in Christ Jesus, who has become for us wisdom from God: our righteousness, holiness, and redemption." (1 Corinthians 1:30)
Paul doesn't just say Jesus is wise. He says Jesus has become wisdom for us. He gives us what we could never earn:
- Righteousness: being right with God. Jesus' perfect record is counted as ours.
- Holiness: being set apart for God and made more like him, as his Spirit changes us over time.
- Redemption: being bought back and set free, at the cost of his death.
All the treasures
"That they may be encouraged in heart, knit together in love, and filled with the full riches of complete understanding, so that they may know the mystery of God, namely Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge." (Colossians 2:2–3)
If all the treasures of wisdom are hidden in Christ, then wisdom isn't just a list of tips. It's found in a person. Look back over the term and you'll see him everywhere. Proverbs showed two paths; Jesus says, "I am the way." Proverbs described a friend who stays close; Jesus laid down his life for his friends. Proverbs told us to forgive; Jesus forgave from the cross. Proverbs warned us that our hearts matter; God promises a new heart.
Key words
- Crucified: put to death on a cross, the most shameful Roman punishment.
- Righteousness: being right with God.
- Holiness: being set apart for God and becoming more like him.
- Redemption: being bought back and set free.
How this points to Jesus
The whole book of Proverbs has been a signpost. It shows what a wise life looks like, and in doing so it shows that none of us can live it perfectly. Jesus is where the signpost points: the wise King who lived the life we couldn't, died for fools like us, and gives us his wisdom as a gift.
Think about it
What's the difference between saying Jesus is wise and saying Jesus has become wisdom for us?Show answer
Saying he's wise just describes him. Saying he has become wisdom for us means he gives us what we lack: being right with God, a changed life and freedom.
Why did the cross look foolish, and why does Paul call it God's wisdom?Show answer
A crucified Messiah looked like a failure. But through the cross God rescues people who could never rescue themselves, which is far wiser than any human plan.
How does the cross change your wisdom "report card"?Show answer
You don't have to earn a perfect score. Jesus lived the wise life perfectly and offers his record to anyone who trusts him, so the point is grace, not guilt.
Take it further
Jesus finished his most famous sermon with a picture of a wise man who built his house on the rock (Matthew 7:24–27). The wisest thing you can do isn't to memorise Proverbs. It's to come to Jesus, trust him and build your life on what he says. What would that look like for you this week? Your worksheet helps you link each lesson this term to Jesus.
If you'd like to, you could pray:
Lord Jesus, you are the wisdom of God. Thank you that you lived the wise life I couldn't, and died for me on the cross. Be my righteousness, holiness and redemption. Help me to build my life on you. Amen.