Insights for Practical Living: 40 Bible Studies from Proverbs

For many years, I had felt somewhat overwhelmed in reading and studying the Old Testament book of Proverbs, chapter by chapter. Why? Because there was so many topics. I wanted to learn all of the pearls of wisdom, but it was so dense with practical knowledge, and seemed to jump around quite a lot and not follow any pattern of teaching.

While reading Proverbs, one sees instantly that the topics from verse to verse and chapter to chapter vary significantly. From friendship to boldness to laziness to what God hates to adultery to evangelism to sin; as an example, all can be discussed within a few verses.

Many believers like to read a chapter of Proverbs a day. Therefore, in one month, they can cover the entire book. As you can see with a casual eye within one chapter of Proverbs there may be over fifty topics can be discussed. That's simply a lot to “take in” for our brains to comprehend at one sitting. That is the first reason why I wrote this book; to add structure to studying it. The second reason is this: Bible Study books are difficult to find on Proverbs for personal or group reference and discussion.

Why not have a more practical approach to this incredible “wisdom-filled” book of Proverbs in the middle of the Bible?

This book helps to solve the problem of organization of the teaching principles in Proverbs. With over 900 topics, alphabetized from A to Z, “Practical Bible Studies from the Book of Proverbs” is a hands-on book for those that want to study Proverbs. It will help you navigate Proverbs in a way that you have never been able before. The topical Bible Studies is a special aspect of this book that helps you in preparation for many meaningful Bible Studies. There are 40 Devotional Studies in this book for you to discover. Don't forget to teach Proverbs to your children or grandchildren! You will enjoy examining the book of Proverbs in a new and refreshing way.

The majority of the biblical Proverbs were written by Solomon. Solomon, one of King David's sons, was one of the wisest, if not the wisest man who ever lived. Look what it says in 1 Kings 4:29–31. “Now God gave Solomon wisdom and very great discernment and breadth of mind, like the sand that is on the seashore. Solomon's wisdom surpassed the wisdom of all the sons of the east and all the wisdom of Egypt. For he was wiser than all men, than Ethan the Ezrahite, Heman, Calcol and Darda, the sons of Mahol; and his fame was known in all the surrounding nations.”

If you accept the Bible as the inerrant word of God representing absolute truth and your final authority in all matters, then you will believe that Solomon was a really bright guy. You should listen to him and study Proverbs!

In spite of his wisdom, Solomon made mistakes in his life and gave into the temptations of this sinful world on many occasions. This should be an encouragement to us that though we can attain wisdom, nobody is perfect.

Solomon also penned the Book of Ecclesiastes. There, Solomon gives a summation of his life. In looking back over his life, having had all that anyone who lives in this world could ever want, the word that Solomon used over and over was “meaningless.” It is actually a pretty sobering book until you get to the next to last verse. As only the wisest man who ever lived could, in six words Solomon summed up what this life is all about, “FEAR GOD AND KEEP HIS COMMANDMENTS.”

That should always be our attitude towards God; one of awe and reverence.

Keeping his commandments refers to obeying the Word of God. My friend, if we can focus on this throughout our life, to fear God and keep His commandments, we have found the key to what this life is really all about since this is the whole duty of mankind. May the Holy Spirit help you “stay the course.”

You see, this world honors those who lead great armies into war, rule empires and nations, those who have amassed tremendous wealth, people who are responsible for accomplishing incredible feats during their life. But a