Where do you go to find wisdom?  You could look to fortune cookies, textbooks, magic 8-balls, Facebook quotations, or popular magazines, but how do you know this wisdom is true?  Does the “wisdom” we find in these places really point us in the correct direction?  Unfortunately, to find appropriate guidance, sometimes we look in the most inappropriate places.  Where do you go to find wisdom?  Proverbs 1:1–7 gives us three reminders about true wisdom.

True wisdom is reflected in how we live (vv. 2–3)
Wisdom should affect our behavior, for wisdom is not wisdom unless it is lived out.  We can memorize the entire book of Proverbs, but unless that message changes the way we live, then it would be a useless academic exercise (and a big waste of time)!  Wisdom should also affect our character.  Wisdom should change the way we live our lives and should impact the way we view the world and treat the people around us.

True wisdom is necessary for all (vv. 4–6)
Wisdom is necessary for the young, the immature, and those who lack discretion.  This is not a negative idea.  Instead, it is simply a reality that, if accepted, would help many of us grow.  Furthermore, wisdom is necessary for those who consider themselves wise.  We are never too old and we will never have enough wisdom to be able to say “I’ve learned all I need to know.”  (No one likes a “know it all.”)  We demonstrate wisdom by acknowledging that we still have more to learn.

True wisdom is based upon a proper understanding of God (v. 7)
The foundation, the beginning, and the “launching pad” for true wisdom is a proper understanding of God.  To “fear the Lord” is to have a proper attitude of God and a proper attitude of your relationship to him.  In 2 Samuel 6, God strikes a man dead because the man reached out and touched the ark (the place of God’s presence) when the oxen pulling the ark stumbled.  I believe this man’s intentions were pure: he wanted to ensure the ark didn’t fall.  However, God struck him dead anyway.  The text tells us that because of this, David feared the Lord.  David, and the nation of Israel, needed a reminder that God is not like us. David’s attitude was corrected as he was reminded that God is set apart; he is holy.  I like to refer to this as God’s “otherness.”  God forbid that he becomes too familiar to us that we forget about his “otherness.”  God forbid we lose our sense of awe and wonder at who he is.

Where is true wisdom found?  True wisdom is found in a proper understanding of God.  This week join me in praying, “God, you are not like me.  You are holy and I need your wisdom.”

Discussion Questions

• Does your behavior demonstrate you have found true wisdom?
• Does your attitude toward guidance demonstrate you have found true wisdom?
• How do you view God?  Is he still mysterious and “other” to you?
• How does a proper view of God help us to gain true wisdom?

High School Parents,

On Wednesday nights from 7:00–8:30 PM, we have our Senior High Youth gathering in the GYM.  This meeting includes plenty of “chill” time, corporate worship led by our student worship team and interns, and a large group teaching session.  This Fall our series is on the book of Proverbs.

As part of our efforts to partner with you in ministry to your children, I want to make available resources that will help you stay connected with what our Senior High ministry is doing.  Each week, we will be posting a short summary of the Wednesday evening session.  These posts will be titled “High School Connection.”  Each post will include a review of our lesson as well as suggested discussion questions to help you follow up with your high school students.  I hope this provides a helpful resource for your family.

Our student mission team has arrived safely in Jamaica, and their week of work at the Jamaica Deaf Village is underway.

You can follow along with their regular updates at the trip blog.

Thank you for praying  for our High School students and leaders.

You may view their blog at

http://gymmissiontrip.blogspot.com/

Be on the watch for the link to our pictures!

Curtis & Jennifer Lindsey are visiting Grace Church this Sunday, Jule 27. Curtis is coming as a candidate for the High School Pastor position. If you would like to meet Curtis and his wife, they will be available after the 2nd block Sunday in the G.Y.M. (11:45 AM).

Summer Nights @ Grace continue this Wednesday with TACO NIGHT! You might consider wearing clothes that can get wet.

The church offices will be closed next Monday, July 5 in recognition of Independence Day.

Our Women’s Ministry has a number of upcoming events and opportunities:

• a Salad Luncheon this Tuesday, June 29, from 11:30 AM-1:00 PM. Sign up TODAY in the Main Hall.
• Tuesday morning Women’s Study, July 6-27 from 10:00-11:30 AM, covering Linda Dillow’s book Calm My Anxious Heart. Childcare is provided, sign up in the Main Hall.

Pine Cove Women’s Conference, February 25-27, 2011. Shirley Bryan, wife of DTS chaplain Bill Bryan, will be leading the Pine Cove Women’s Conference next February. If you would like to attend this conference with other women from Grace Church, please contact Valerie at the church office.

PDF Bulletin: Download

Saturday, June 19, 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the Loving Christian Maternity Home
Lend a helping hand at the Maternity Home. We’ll paint, do some minor carpentry repairs, haul off debris, and do yard work. There’s something for everyone to do…all ages, all skill levels. Refreshments will be provided. The Maternity Home is located at 4011 Seymour Highway. Contact Leah Walker at leah@gracechurch.com for more information.

Believer’s Baptism will be offered this Sunday, April 25, at 3:00 PM at New Harvest Church, 1401 Red Fox Rd.

Attention Moms! Do you worry about your children? Come experience how you can replace your anxiety and fear with peace and hope. Moms In Touch International gathers moms together to pray specifically and scripturally for our children and school. Join us for an introductory “coffee” in the church dining room this Sunday, April 25, from 2:00-3:30 PM. Please contact Donna McCulloch at DonnaKMC@aol.com or 642-7660 for information about our local group.

The K-Group Picnic will be Sunday, May 2 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Weeks Park Pavillion. Childcare will be provided at Stone Lake.

The Pregnancy Help Center is holding their annual Walk for Life on May 8. If you would like additional information about this event, please pick up a brochure at the Welcome Center.

Infant Dedication will be Sunday May 9. Although infant dedication is not believer’s baptism and is not related to receiving eternal life, it necessitates that parents be interviewed prior to the service. If you would like to participate in the dedication, please contact one of the staff pastors to schedule an appointment by NOON on May 3 (692-4251).

There will be a potluck dinner and presentation from the group that recently visited Israel. This churchwide event will be held on Sunday, May 16 from 5:30-7:00 PM in the Gymnatorium. Sign ups begin next week.

Graduates of high school and college will be honored Sunday May 23 in both worship services. Please email your graduate’s photo by MONDAY May 10 with the following information: student’s name, name of school, future plans to ruth@gracechurch.com or jenni@gracechurch.com. Names will be printed in the bulletin and photos will be featured in a slide presentation.

The Grace In Action Workday is this Saturday, April 17th, from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m., at the Loving Christian Maternity Home. We’ll do yard work, clean up debris, and paint. Refreshments will be provided. The Maternity Home is located at 4011 Seymour Highway. Everyone is invited–all ages, skilled or unskilled. No need to sign up, just show up! Refreshments will be provided.