How does she care for her family? Read Proverbs 31:15, 21, 22 and 27.

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1 Women in the Word Proverbs: Proverbs 31 Woman November 15, How would you define a woman of noble character? 2. Read Proverbs 31: This woman is an example of a woman living life skillfully. Reread Proverbs 31:11, 12, 21, 23 and 27. Also read Proverbs 12:4. How does this woman treat her husband? What is his response to her? Read Proverbs 31:11,28. How does she care for her family? Read Proverbs 31:15, 21, 22 and 27. Who else does she care about according to Proverbs 31:20? What qualities do we see in this woman in this verse? 3. Read Proverbs 31:26. What does this verse tell us about her words and speech? Have you made changes in your speech this semester as you studied the Book of Proverbs? Please share in what ways.

2 Women In the Word Proverbs: Proverbs 31 Woman Nov. 15, 2012 Page 2 4. List all the verses in Proverbs 31:10-31 that tell us about this woman s work. What do you think this tells us about God? What words or sentences describe her work? What do you learn about this woman with regard to work? Do you value diligent work? 5. What words or descriptions in Proverbs 31:16, 18, 20 and 24 give us insight into how she handles money? What lessons have you learned or been reminded of concerning money from these verses or others in the Book of Proverbs? 6. Read Proverbs 31:13,25. What words give us insight into her emotional health? From this, how would you describe her emotional health? What do you think it means to laugh at the future? Read Proverbs 6:6-8, 10:28 and 14:26. Have you learned anything this semester that has helped you deal with fear, anxiety or stress? Please explain. 7. Our world today talks a great deal about how we look as women. What are some things you have seen or heard in the last several days about this subject? Does it surprise you that Proverbs 31:10-31 does not talk about this woman s physical appearance? Yet, she seems attractive. What makes her so? Read Proverbs 31:25. For further insight, also read Colossians 3:12-14 and 1 Peter 3:3-5.

3 Women In the Word Proverbs: Proverbs 31 Woman Nov. 15, 2012 Page 3 8. Read Proverbs 31:30. This wise woman is summed up with the statement that she fears the Lord. Read Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 9:10, Proverbs 22:4, Matthew 6:33 and Matthew 22:37. What have you learned about fearing the Lord this semester? How has this made a difference in how you know God, worship Him, love Him or trust Him? 9. Which one or two qualities or descriptions of the Proverbs 31 woman do you admire most? Which quality of the Proverbs 31 woman do you most want to incorporate into your daily life? Give practical and concrete ways you might do this. Please list any proverbs you have learned or memorized that will help you with this. 10. The Book of Proverbs ends with the picture of this wise woman. She works hard, cares for her family and others, respects her husband, plans ahead, handles money carefully and generously, and speaks and teaches wisely. She is strong, dignified and creative. All of this is a result of her fearing the Lord. Her skillful living is a great review for all we have learned this semester. What is the most important thing you have learned this semester from the Book of Proverbs? 11. Is there one more verse from this week s study that you will memorize and incorporate into your daily life? 12. Do you have a personal prayer request to share with your small group?

4 Women in the Word November 15, 2012 Wise Up! Successful Living from Proverbs Encouragement from a Wised Up Woman Proverbs 31:10-31 Wisdom with Relationships 31:11,12,15,20,23 She is trustworthy, faithful, and committed. She is caring, organized, and. God created relationships and He values kindness. How have wise actions and attitudes enhanced your relationships? Wisdom with Work 31:13,14,15,17,19,21,22,27 She is willing, creative, diligent, industrious, and. God has work for us to do, and He values diligence. What wise choices have you made with regard to your work? Wisdom with Money 31:16,18,20,24 She is thoughtful and generous. She plans. All we have comes from God and He values generosity. What wisdom have you applied in managing your money and being generous? Wisdom with Words 31:26 Wise words are controlled, caring, and truthful. She teaches with. God gave us speech as a gift to communicate. Use your words to bring life. What words of encouragement or kind teaching have brought life to another? Wisdom with Emotions 31:13,21,25 She is happy and confident rather than worried and. God wants us to trust Him so that peace may fill our hearts. Be encouraged. The Outcome of Living Wisely Joy, Fulfillment, Security, Honor, and Praise Her Secret for Living Wisely: She Fears the Lord! 31:30 Turn wholeheartedly towards God. Love Him. Listen to Him. Hold fast to Him. Choose God! Choose Wisdom! Key: kind prepared ahead kindness stressed

5 Proverbs 31 Woman Women in the Word November 15, 2012 Colossians 3:12 14 clothe yourselves with compassion, kindness, humility, gentleness and patience. Bear with each other and forgive whatever grievances you may have against one another. Forgive as the Lord forgave you. And over all these virtues put on love. Proverbs 8:11 For wisdom is more precious than rubies, and nothing you desire can compare with her. Proverbs 12:4 A wife of noble character is her husband s crown, but a disgraceful wife is like decay in his bones. Proverbs 17:17 A friend loves at all times, and a brother is born for adversity. Proverbs 12:24 Diligent hands will rule, but laziness ends in slave labor. Proverbs 14:1 The wise woman builds her house, but with her own hands the foolish one tears hers down. Proverbs 14:31 He who oppresses the poor shows contempt for their Maker, but whoever is kind to the needy honors God. Colossians 3:23 Whatever you do, work at it with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men. Proverbs 13:4 The sluggard craves and gets nothing, but the desires of the diligent are fully satisfied. Proverbs 18:9 One who is slack in his work is brother to one who destroys. Proverbs 6:8 Go to the ant..it stores its provisions in summer and gather its food at harvest. Proverbs 14:15b A prudent man gives thoughts to his steps. Proverbs 21:5 The plans of the diligent lead to profit, as surely as haste leads to poverty. Proverbs 21:20 In the house of the wise are stores of choice food and oil, but a foolish man devours all he has. Proverbs 11:24 One man gives freely, yet gains even more: another withholds unduly, but comes to poverty. Proverbs 11:25 A generous man will prosper, he who refreshes others will himself be refreshed. Proverbs 10:11a The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life.

6 Proverbs 10:25 When the storm has swept by, the wicked are gone, but the righteous stand firm forever. Proverbs 14:26 He who fears the Lord has a secure fortress, and for his children it will be a refuge. Proverbs 10:28 The prospect of the righteous is joy, but the hopes of the wicked come to nothing. Proverbs 1:7 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs 9:10 The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is understanding. Proverbs 15:33 The fear of the Lord teaches a man wisdom, and humility comes before honor. Matthew 6:33 But seek first His kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Deuteronomy 30:19 This day I call heaven and earth as witnesses against you that I have set before you life and death, blessings and curses. Now choose life, so that you may love the Lord your God, listen to His voice, and hold fast to Him. For the Lord is your life.