The things of God will last forever !? c\ Lesson Scripture: proverbs 3:13-18; 4:1-9 ? ! Lesson Aims: to recog nize that wisdom and under I ^landing come from God. to jealize their importance in daily life, and to seek God aLall times. ? ? Background: The emaining lessons for this juarter come from the wis iom book of Proverbs. Solomon is considered the jrimary author, among oth ers. The second son of ?)avid and Bathsheba (the t>ne died, remember), he was the fourth in line for the fhrone. !J Having lived through the jontinuous rivalry and con jlict in his family, he tamed many things before Jecoming king. As a young uler, God allowed him to jhoose whatever he wanted, lie asked for a discerning ieart (wisdom) to govern he people. God granted it and his wisdom became leg endary. Wisdom is a gift from God; if it is abused, it pan be lost. Solomon even tually lost it and made fool ish decisions that brought ciecay to the chosen people. According to "UMI Direction Teacher." wisdom is characterized by honesty. ' sobriety, chastity, concern u>r a gooa reputation, prop er conduct toward God and others, making the most of spiritual opportunities, and finally applying facts to life. Understanding is hav ing insight into a situation and applying reason as to the best course of action. Proverbs is didactic (it teaches) and "regarded as a manual of conduct" ("New Jerome Biblical Commen tary"). Wisdom is portrayed as a woman who is to be courted. She mediates between God and the world. Proverbs' tone is a father (parent) teaching aochild (children) the secrets of life. ?Lesson: Verses 13-18 are a hymn of praise that opens with a beatitude (be happy). Wisdom is a gift that Joesn't appear overnight. Solomon under stands thi* and appeals to the young to actively st?k her. If they do so, their lives will be blessed. He further explains why this is so. The standard for success is based on wealth, power and/or fame. Solomon teaches that wisdom far outweighs any earthly standards, including silver and gold. If attained, longevity, prosperity, peace, and pleasantness will. be evident in their?lives. This simply means that the wise will recognize the real qual ities of a successful life. When godly treasures are held close, then earthly things are put in the right place. All of earth's riches will pass away but the things of God will last for ever! < Proverbs 4 centers on being obedient to the lesson taught by the Father through Solomon the parent. Speak ing from experience, Solomon wants the youths to heed his teachings. His desire here is to offer advice to the generations behind him. David taught him, so his responsibility is to pass it down. Application: Situations may vary. The way people live is different but human nature is the same. In our youth most of us wanted to have a good time. We didn't think about consequences. Our efforts were on making a lot of money, buying the right car and living in a bet ter neighborhood. Asking for wisdom was the furthest thing from our minds. Experience taught us some things and the prayers of the wise helped us too. Now we know that seek ing wisdom from God is so important. We can't go back but we can instill in our children and grandchildren the importance of wisdom and understanding. Gray hair is not an indic tor but your relationship with God is. Life is special nand can be full if the things that matter are given priori ty. Those things are from God alone. Pray for wisdom and understanding; it is never too late! , Take someone with you to Sunday school. Mildred Peppers Sunday 0 School Lesson Community Outreach Tent Revival extended to Aug. 17 ?TCLIAL IU Ihtl HKUMtLt I 1 Evangelist Melvin "Rip" Wilkins Sr., director, and attor ney Renita 0. Thompkins. assis tant director of the Soul Win ning Revival, receive3 a lot of Support from the community of JJurke Village Apartments and the surrounding areas. Eight hundred people came to the tent last Wednesday through Sun day. i The songs were rendered by )he New World Cappadocia Mass Choir, Joy Rivers. Evan gelist Vanessa Jeter, Denise Oglesby, Paulette Jefferson. Demetris Young, the Communi ty Praise Team and the dance ||eam of N.W.C.O.C. , , People came off the streets, bdt of apartments, in cars, on Jtikes and in wheelchairs. They were fed free hot dogs and ham burgers Wednesday and Thurs day, free fish Friday and free Chicken Saturday. I Wednesday night. Thomp Jcins spoke about "The Best Is Yet To Come." She spoke from Matthew 9:20. Evang. Wilkins spoke Thursday on "It's in the ICItiy. Jeremiah 18: Friday he spoke from Luke 16. "Living Smptuously": Saturday, from ) I. "Your Mess Is in the Mes jfce - I Came to Tell My SJory": and Sunday the message flps "Help Me. Holy Ghost" ;