Make Level Paths!

So, you've been studying how to become wise enough to answer your wife's questions. Great! But,

1. Have you really begun in earnest--or have you only done so in a spotty manner?

2. Have you allocated time to do so? What are some good times?

3. Have you really been learning new truths? if not, what seems to be wrong?

Read Proverbs 4: 26—

Make level paths for your feet
and take only ways that are firm.

Do not swerve to the right or the left;
keep your foot from evil.

Making level paths requires some work, but it’s worth the effort. What do you need to do to “make level paths for your feet”?

a. Have sports and entertainment occupied too much time for such study?

b. What should/will you do about this problem--if it is one? Suppose your wife asks "Where did Cain get his wife?" What's your answer?

c. What about differences in the gospel accounts? Haley's Alleged Difficulties in the Bible is still in print and published by Baker. It is full of answers. Are you familiar with it?

d. There is a lot to help you--are you using these helps?

Digging Deeper

This week, in addition to a Bible dictionary or systematic theology text, what about obtaining a good commentary from the bookstore while studying (not merely reading) some book of the Bible? Or, you could buy a commentary that follows the passages the pastor is preaching about.

Discuss . . .

1. What a commentary is and what it does for you.

2. How to know if it can be trusted throughout.

3. Which ones it might be best to obtain first.

4. How you should use it.

Establishing habits—such as regular Bible study—takes a daily commitment. Don’t give up, and don’t forget to encourage one another. Remind yourself how important this is:

Proverbs 3:15 “[Wisdom] is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her.”

Psalm 119:72 The law from your mouth is more precious to me
than thousands of pieces of silver and gold.

Searching for Wisdom

Did you read the introduction to Proverbs last week, about how to gain wisdom (vv. 1 - 7)? Good. Now read Proverbs 2:1-10.

Now, consider again:

• How much time and effort will you need to devote to becoming knowledgeable in spiritual things?
• What can you expect to gain?

OK. So, last time you considered becoming knowledgeable enough in spiritual things to be able to answer your wife's questions. And, presumably--if your time was profitable and you determined to do something about any weaknesses in such ability--you have begun to take steps to increase that knowledge.

1. What have you done (determined to do)?

2. How's it going?

3. If nothing, what suggestions do the others in the group have to help you get underway?

Perhaps you bought a Bible dictionary and are systematically looking up subjects where your knowledge is insufficient. Great!

Or, maybe you bought the new paperback, revised edition of Charles Hodge's Theology, or Berkhof's Systematic theology and are reading it. Fine. You have got to know theology to answer questions. After all, your wife may wax theological and ask, "Where was God before He created the universe?' How would you answer? Or maybe she'll ask. "Can God make a square circle?" How about that one?

There are excellent books in our church bookstore to help you.

Welcome to 2008!

We have exciting news about the Redeemer Men’s blog. Jay Adams has agreed to do the first several blogs for this new year! Dr. Adams will challenge us with our responsibility to be leaders in our homes and to take spiritual care for our wives. The format is a little different than last fall’s but it still provides a spiritual challenge.

Brothers, how do we care for our wives? Listen to this scriptural challenge.

This week’s Scripture portion is I Corinthians 14:34, “The women are to keep silent in the churches; for they are not permitted to speak, but are to subject themselves, just as the Law also says.” Women are not permitted to speak in worship services — either to teach (I Tim. 2) or to ask questions. To do so is “disorderly” in God’s sight (v. 33). So, how are they to get answers?

You — their husbands — are to be able and prepared to answers their questions!

1. Are you able to do so?

2. If not, what do you intend to do about it?

3. How (specifically) will you do this?

4. When will you begin?

Why not read the first seven verses of Proverbs to gain wisdom to help you get under way in thinking about meeting the obligation you have to spiritually care for your wives.