03-12-23 Honey for the Soul: The Anatomy of Wisdom

ICEBREAKER
What's a great decision you've made in your life?

We're discussing a teaching series from church called "Honey for the Soul: The Sweet Hope of Wisdom." This is based on Proverbs 24:14 which says, "Wisdom is like honey for you: if you find it, there is a future hope for you." This week, our discussion will be around how we make decisions and will be reference Colossians 1, Proverbs 1, and what psychologists have learned about the decision-making process.

1. Are you participating in the church's reading plan through Proverbs?
   1. How is that going?
   2. Have any particular proverbs really stood to you in your readings?​

REVIEW & DISCUSS

1. Have you ever pushed an elevator button multiple times expecting it to come to you faster?
   
   1. Did it change the outcome?
   2. Why do you think you did that?
   3. What are some other silly things we do that don't make sense? Why do you think we do those things?
      
2. There are three general levels of wisdom. While this isn't clear and evident from a face-value reading of the text, it is more evident in a broader understanding of how the bible refers to wisdom. The foundational level is sophia which is Intellectual, Theoretical, or Philosophical Wisdom and has to do with our knowledge—our "knowing". The middle level is sunesis which is Synthesizing or Analytical Wisdom and has to do with our understanding—our "thinking." It's within this level that all our mental and emotional processing happens. It's a very complicated level of wisdom with lots of "filters" and "gates." The third level is phronimos which is Pragmatic or Practical Wisdom demonstrated in our choices and decisions—our "doing".  Solomon refers to all three levels in Proverbs 1:2-3 and the Apostle Paul refers to all three levels in Colossians 1:9-10.
   1. On Sunday, Pastor Jim highlighted how complicated making wise decisions can be. This is especially because of the filters knowledge has to go through in the middle. Can you recall what some of the internal filters are that complicate our decisions and how have you seen them complicate decision in your own life?
      
   2. How can knowledge and understanding of your personality help you make wiser decisions?
      
   3. How can knowledge of your family of origin help you make wiser decisions?
   4. How can knowledge of your emotional and mental biases help you make wiser decisions?
   5. How can knowledge of mental distortions or lies help you make wiser decisions?
3. Is there any area in your life in which you'd like to grow in more wisdom, now?

PRAYER
First, take some time to identify ways you can pray about what you just discussed. Second, take some time to ask for additional prayer requests. Then close your time together in praise and prayer.