November 10: Walking Wisely

If Jesus Christ were standing here today, and He were to say to you, “I want to make you wise,” how would you respond? Would you enthusiastically embrace His offer or turn it down? We would all most likely say to Jesus, “Yes, help me to be wise.” But, for some reason, because Jesus isn’t physically standing before us, many don’t strive to know God’s wisdom. They desire to go their own way. This weeks study, Walking Wisely, focuses on helping maximize godly wisdom in our own lives so that we can become more like Christ.

The Downloadable teaching ideas break down the study in this way:

• Ephesians 5:15 - Defining Wisdom
• Ephesians 5:16-18 - Maximizing Godly Wisdom
• Ephesians 5:19-21 - Holy Spirit and Wisdom

In Ephesians 5:19-21, Paul emphasizes how wisdom is expressed because of the work of the Holy Spirit. The Spirit-filled believer’s heart will be full of praise for God. Praise will include psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs. You will be “making music with your heart to the Lord.”

There is one important phrase in verse 19 and verse 21 that describes how a Spirit-filled, wise person relates to the church. That phrase is “speaking to one another and submitting to one another.” A Spirit-filled believer is not a lone ranger. His praise is not only vertical but horizontal, thus encouraging other believers. Her willingness to serve alongside other believers is evidence of a Spirit-filled, wisdom-filled life.

Believers begin their new life in Christ with all the wisdom necessary to live for Christ because Christ dwells in them and they have the Holy Spirit guiding and teaching them.  As we continually conform ourselves to His image, we will grow more and more in His love, joy, peace, and every other fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) – We will grow in wisdom--His wisdom!

DOWNLOAD THE SUPPLEMENTAL TEACHING IDEAS

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