Week 2: Proverbs 7:1-5
April 28- May 4
Overview: This week’s study focuses on overcoming the old self and putting on the new. We will take a look at how a person should truly be transformed by the renewing of their mind. What do you spend more time doing—work or pleasure? Think about what is most important to you and how much time you spend thinking about it. You may not realize how much these thoughts capture or take over your core being (your heart) and shape your attitude toward God and others. This, in turn, defines the heart of a person. The condition of the heart is what truly defiles a person. Jesus emphasized this point in Matthew 15:11, teaching that we are defiled from the inside out rather than from the outside in. The heart is the source of a person’s true character and, therefore, their purity or impurity. It is not merely the seat of emotion but the essence of who they truly are—not just how they appear outwardly. This is why Scripture calls us to meditate on God’s Word, storing it in our hearts so that it shapes our thoughts and actions. As we allow God’s truth to renew our minds, we overcome the old self and walk in the new life He has given us.
Day 1: Proverbs 7:1-5
Read Proverbs 7:1-5
What do we learn about God?
What do we learn about people?
What is the key/main point?
Reflect: Why is it important to treasure and follow God’s wisdom in our daily lives?
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from page 6 to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 2: Proverbs 7:1-5
Note that not every text will have each of these. Please don’t force the text to make it fit. Simply look for what is there.
What sins are we called to avoid?
What commands/principles are we given to obey?
What promises can we claim?
What examples are there to follow?
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from page 6 to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 3: Proverbs 7:1-5
What does it mean to hide God’s Word in our hearts?
Why is what comes out of us more important than what goes into us?
Read Proverbs 4:23. What does it mean to guard your heart?
What does Proverbs 7:4 reveal about wisdom when it says, “You are my sister,” and to insight, “You are my relative”?
Be honest with yourself and ask, “What kind of fruit do I bear, and what kind of character do I project onto others?”
Romans 12:1-2 talks about being a living sacrifice. What must I do to have a transformed heart for God?
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from page 6 to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 4: Proverbs 7:1-5
S.O.A.P.
S- Scripture - Write out, word for word, a verse or verses that spoke to you in this passage.
O- Observation – What specifically stands out in this verse? What caught your attention and made you think?
A- Application – Note how you can specifically apply this to your life right now.
P- Prayer – Journal a prayer about the truth you are clinging to and how you will apply it in your life.
Optional Going Deeper: Choose a Bible study method/activity from page 6 to deepen your knowledge/understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
Day 5: Proverbs 7:1-5
Re-read this week’s passage.
Pick a verse from the passage to memorize. Spend time memorizing it and write it down.
What barriers do you see in your life that may prevent you from obeying your application from Day 4?
Who is one person who can hold you accountable to obey?
Who in your life is far from Jesus? Take time to pray for them.
Going Deeper:
Because God created us all with different personalities and spiritual temperaments, we each have our own unique ways to worship, grow, and connect with Him. Choose a Bible study method/activity from the list below that helps you connect with God and deepens your knowledge and understanding of how God is speaking to you today.
• Meditate on Scripture in nature
• Write a poem related to this text
• Sing the Scripture
• Do a word study on some words in the text
• Listen to a worship song related to this text
• Draw a picture related to this text
• Look up parallel verses
• Reach out to a friend and talk about what you are learning this week
• Listen to this text of Scripture (audio Bible)
• Paint related to this text
• Memorize your favorite verse in the text
• Journal
• Pray the Scripture
• Write a letter of encouragement to someone sharing what God is teaching you
• Do a prayer walk as you pray through this Scripture or something God spoke to you about in this text
• Read Scripture out loud
• Choose a main idea/repeated word or phrase from the text and look at how it is carried out throughout the verses this week
Sermon Notes:
Disclaimer: “Unless otherwise noted, the overviews and questions were taken in part from smallgroup.com, a curriculum writing division of LifeWay Christian Resources.”