I. Genres in the Bible
Old Testament
Law: Genesis – Deuteronomy
History: Joshua – Esther
Poetry: Job – Song of Solomon
Prophets: Isaiah – MalachiNew Testament
Gospels: Matthew – John
Church History: Acts
Epistles: Romans – Jude
Prophecy: Revelation
II. The parents’ heart of Proverbs
Proverbs 1:8 - My son, hear the instruction of your father, and do not forsake the law of your mother;
Proverbs 1:10 - My son, if sinners entice you, do not consent.
Proverbs 1:15 - My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path;
Proverbs 2:1 - My son, if you receive my words, and treasure my commands within you,
Proverbs 3:1 - My son, do not forget my law, but let your heart keep my commands;
III. Examples of a parental heart to share wisdom
A. Eunice (Timothy’s mother)
2 Timothy 1:5 - when I call to remembrance the genuine faith that is in you, which dwelt first in your grandmother Lois and your mother Eunice, and I am persuaded is in you also.
2 Timothy 3:14-15 - But you must continue in the things which you have learned and been assured of, knowing from whom you have learned them, 15 and that from childhood you have known the Holy Scriptures, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.
B. David (Solomon’s father)
1 Chronicles 22:6, 11-14 - Then he called for his son Solomon, and charged him to build a house for the Lord God of Israel… Now, my son, may the Lord be with you; and may you prosper, and build the house of the Lord your God, as He has said to you. 12 Only may the Lord give you wisdom and understanding, and give you charge concerning Israel, that you may keep the law of the Lord your God. 13 Then you will prosper, if you take care to fulfill the statutes and judgments with which the Lord charged Moses concerning Israel. Be strong and of good courage; do not fear nor be dismayed. 14 Indeed I have taken much trouble to prepare for the house of the Lord one hundred thousand talents of gold and one million talents of silver, and bronze and iron beyond measure, for it is so abundant. I have prepared timber and stone also, and you may add to them.
1 Kings 2:1-5 - Now the days of David drew near that he should die, and he charged Solomon his son, saying: 2 “I go the way of all the earth; be strong, therefore, and prove yourself a man. 3 And keep the charge of the Lord your God: to walk in His ways, to keep His statutes, His commandments, His judgments, and His testimonies, as it is written in the Law of Moses, that you may prosper in all that you do and wherever you turn; 4 that the Lord may fulfill His word which He spoke concerning me, saying, ‘If your sons take heed to their way, to walk before Me in truth with all their heart and with all their soul,’ He said, ‘you shall not lack a man on the throne of Israel.’
1 Chronicles 29:19 - And give my son Solomon a loyal heart to keep Your commandments and Your testimonies and Your statutes, to do all these things, and to build the temple for which I have made provision.
C. Rehoboam (Solomon’s son)
2 Chronicles 10:6-8 - Then King Rehoboam consulted the elders who stood before his father Solomon while he still lived, saying, “How do you advise me to answer these people?” 7 And they spoke to him, saying, “If you are kind to these people, and please them, and speak good words to them, they will be your servants forever.” 8 But he rejected the advice which the elders had given him, and consulted the young men who had grown up with him, who stood before him.
IV. Practical examples of wisdom
A. Avoid foolish friends
Proverbs 1:15 - My son, do not walk in the way with them, keep your foot from their path;
Proverbs 24:21-22 - My son, fear the Lord and the king; do not associate with those given to change; 22 For their calamity will rise suddenly, and who knows the ruin those two can bring?
B. Avoid debt
Proverbs 6:1-5 - My son, if you become surety for your friend, if you have shaken hands in pledge for a stranger, 2 You are snared by the words of your mouth; you are taken by the words of your mouth. 3 So do this, my son, and deliver yourself; for you have come into the hand of your friend: go and humble yourself; Plead with your friend. 4 Give no sleep to your eyes, nor slumber to your eyelids. 5 Deliver yourself like a gazelle from the hand of the hunter, and like a bird from the hand of the fowler.
C. Pursue understanding
Proverbs 4:1 - Hear, my children, the instruction of a father, and give attention to know understanding;
Proverbs 4:20 - My son, give attention to my words; incline your ear to my sayings.
D. Pass on heavenly wisdom
James 3:13-18 - Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace.