Kidz corner: Creation
19 February 2009
Prayer
Thank you for bringing us all together to learn from your word. Thank you for all you have created.
Songs
All things bright and beautiful
God made the world in seven days
Story
Creation. Told using appropriate pictures. Also used a puppet to help tell the story.
Activity
Hide and seek. The children's eyes were covered up and then 'boo'. The children were hidden under blankets and then 'found' .
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Mr Noah
Kidz corner: Mr Noah
29 January 2009
Prayer
Lord, help us to listen and learn.
Songs
Mr Noah built an ark
Jesus made me
The love of Jesus is so wonderful
Story
Mr Noah built an ark as told by Edward the bear.
When man began to increase on the earth, the Lord looked on the earth and saw how wicked man had become. The Lord was grieved that he had created man. The Lord declared, 'I will destroy mankind from the face of the earth.'
But there was a man named Noah who was a righteous man, blameless amongst the people and he walked with God.
So God said to Noah, ' I am going to destroy the people because they are wicked. So I want you to build an ark. you and your family will enter the ark. You will bring two of every animal onto the ark with you. You are to store food for the animals on the ark.'
So Noah and his sons began to build the ark(saw, chop). The people mocked and jeered 'Why are you building a boat? There's no water! Ha ha!'But Noah and his sons kept on building the ark (saw, chop).
When the ark was finished, God sent the animals to Noah and the animals climbed into the ark. There were ducks (quack,quack), cows(moo,moo), sheep(baa, baa) and dogs(woof, woof). There were so many animals and there was such a noise! When all the animals were on the ark, Noah and his wife, his sons and their wives climbed into the ark. The Lord shut the door(creak , clang).
It rained for forty days and forty nights. The rains came down (splish, splish) and the floods came up (splash, splash) and the waters covered the earth. The water covered the highest mountains(wow)! And every living thing on the earth was destroyed.
Then God sent a wind (whoosh, whoosh) to blow over the waters and the waters dried up. And the ark came to rest on a mountain (bang, creak).
Noah opened a window and sent out a raven (caw, caw) and the raven flew around for a while and came back. The next day he set out a dove (coo, coo), but the dove came back. He waited a few more days and then he sent out the dove(coo, coo) again. When the dove returned, it had an olive branch in its beak and the Noah knew the ground was dry. When Noah sent the dove (coo, coo) out the next day, the dove did not return.
Then God told Noah that he could leave the ark. God told Noah to bring out all the aniamls. So all the animals came out the ark. There were cats (meow, meow), goats (baa, baa), elephants (trump, trump) and lions (roar, roar). They were so excited to leave the ark.
When Noah left the ark, he built an altar to the Lord (heave, clump) and he sacrificed on it to the Lord. The Lord was pleased and he promised Noah that he would never destroy mankind by floods again. And he gave Noah a sign of his promise and he put a rainbow in the sky (Ooh, aah).
Bible story adapted by Antoinette Marlow.
Activity
Cut round holes, using a craft knife, the size of toilet rolls in a sturdy piece of cardboard. Give the child toilet rolls to push through the holes. Activity develops coordination and space orientation.
29 January 2009
Prayer
Lord, help us to listen and learn.
Songs
Mr Noah built an ark
Jesus made me
The love of Jesus is so wonderful
Story
Mr Noah built an ark as told by Edward the bear.
When man began to increase on the earth, the Lord looked on the earth and saw how wicked man had become. The Lord was grieved that he had created man. The Lord declared, 'I will destroy mankind from the face of the earth.'
But there was a man named Noah who was a righteous man, blameless amongst the people and he walked with God.
So God said to Noah, ' I am going to destroy the people because they are wicked. So I want you to build an ark. you and your family will enter the ark. You will bring two of every animal onto the ark with you. You are to store food for the animals on the ark.'
So Noah and his sons began to build the ark(saw, chop). The people mocked and jeered 'Why are you building a boat? There's no water! Ha ha!'But Noah and his sons kept on building the ark (saw, chop).
When the ark was finished, God sent the animals to Noah and the animals climbed into the ark. There were ducks (quack,quack), cows(moo,moo), sheep(baa, baa) and dogs(woof, woof). There were so many animals and there was such a noise! When all the animals were on the ark, Noah and his wife, his sons and their wives climbed into the ark. The Lord shut the door(creak , clang).
It rained for forty days and forty nights. The rains came down (splish, splish) and the floods came up (splash, splash) and the waters covered the earth. The water covered the highest mountains(wow)! And every living thing on the earth was destroyed.
Then God sent a wind (whoosh, whoosh) to blow over the waters and the waters dried up. And the ark came to rest on a mountain (bang, creak).
Noah opened a window and sent out a raven (caw, caw) and the raven flew around for a while and came back. The next day he set out a dove (coo, coo), but the dove came back. He waited a few more days and then he sent out the dove(coo, coo) again. When the dove returned, it had an olive branch in its beak and the Noah knew the ground was dry. When Noah sent the dove (coo, coo) out the next day, the dove did not return.
Then God told Noah that he could leave the ark. God told Noah to bring out all the aniamls. So all the animals came out the ark. There were cats (meow, meow), goats (baa, baa), elephants (trump, trump) and lions (roar, roar). They were so excited to leave the ark.
When Noah left the ark, he built an altar to the Lord (heave, clump) and he sacrificed on it to the Lord. The Lord was pleased and he promised Noah that he would never destroy mankind by floods again. And he gave Noah a sign of his promise and he put a rainbow in the sky (Ooh, aah).
Bible story adapted by Antoinette Marlow.
Activity
Cut round holes, using a craft knife, the size of toilet rolls in a sturdy piece of cardboard. Give the child toilet rolls to push through the holes. Activity develops coordination and space orientation.
Little Lambs
Little Lambs
Activities for children aged 1 to 3
Prayer
A simple prayer is said to introduce this session.
Song time
Two or three sunday school songs are sung.
Story time
What child does not love the joy of story time. A bible story is told with visual aids such as puppets and pictures. The story is also illustrated using suitable sounds for example, the lions(roar,roar) in the den.
Stimulating activity
A short activity to stimulate various aspects of the childs development is done.
Activities for children aged 1 to 3
Prayer
A simple prayer is said to introduce this session.
Song time
Two or three sunday school songs are sung.
Story time
What child does not love the joy of story time. A bible story is told with visual aids such as puppets and pictures. The story is also illustrated using suitable sounds for example, the lions(roar,roar) in the den.
Stimulating activity
A short activity to stimulate various aspects of the childs development is done.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
A Sparkling Jewel! - Proverbs 31:10(b)
“Her price is much higher than jewels.” Proverbs 31:10(b)
This week we are going to focus on the value of an excellent woman. Why is she so rare? What is priceless about her? How should we try to attain the same kind of stature in our lives?
Galatians 2:20-21
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law; then Christ died in vain.”
In the above Scripture quotation Paul is addressing those in the Galatians’ church who were trying to make the blood of Christ of no effect by returning to legalism and doing away with salvation by grace alone through faith alone. Notice how the Apostle confirms that he lives his life by faith in the Son of God and that it is Christ who loved him and gave Himself for him. Here is where we can rejoice in the amazing plan of salvation that God has foreordained. We who deserve nothing and who were not worthy of anything from God have now been given new life in Christ. This is where we find our ULTIMATE VALUE and our lives can now be lived ‘by faith in the Son of God....’
1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”.
Many of us said at the beginning of this study that we are at times overwhelmed and even tempted to despondency when considering the excellent woman of Proverbs 31 but we can rejoice because, if we are born again, then we have a Father who has given a priceless gift in the person of Christ and who now desires our sanctification as we partake of life’s joys, sorrows, trials, temptations and the like. May we continue to cry out to our Father that His Word would transform us as we ask the Holy Spirit to help us to apply what we learn in glorifying our Father.
Proverbs 31:10 focuses on the rarity of the excellent woman and that she is precious. We have seen from the above that we are not our own but belong now to God. How can we bless those around us and how do we obtain this kind of rarity?
Let us first consider where we cannot find it:
My husband, Joel and I were recently away on holiday and we had a copy of the “O” Magazine in our room. After reading a little of it my husband smiled and said I should look at the letters page. I proceeded to read some of the letters in the opening pages from women who had written to praise the publication. One woman had previously written in to say she was battling financially but that she so enjoyed her magazine she would not go without it. A reply from another reader came saying that this magazine was invaluable and whatever women do they must never forego buying even if its they are down to their last rand! The rest was of what I read was full of false assumptions about how wonderful we are at heart and how we all need to realise our true potential and that if we knew how strong we really were we could accomplish anything and of course always put yourself first above others. Is this how we become rare and precious in the sight of those around us? Certainly not! The above ideas may at times seem appealing but we need a biblical foundation for how to become better women. The Scriptures are clear as to who we are without Christ but once we belong to Christ, the Word is brimming with truths that will clear the path for us to start to become more like this woman.
'Man may talk of self-control, as if the reins were in his own hands. But he who has been “born of the Spirit”, and taught “to know the plague of his own heart”, is made to feel that effective self-control is divine grace, not his own native power ... Have not repeated defeats taught us the need of calling in better strength than our own?'[1]
This woman can also be called ‘The truly capable woman’ and it is this woman who wins the respect and honour of her husband and children and those of the wider community, not least because her own commitment to God underlies this productive life of hers (30).[2]
A wonderful example Scripture gives of a woman of rare and wonderful qualities is Ruth. Her story is found in the book of Ruth. Here are some similarities between her and the Proverbs 31 woman[3]:
RUTH: THE PROVERBS 31 WIFE
The “virtuous” wife of Proverbs 31:10 is personified by “virtuous” Ruth of whom the same Heb. Word is used (3:11). With amazing parallel, they share at least 8 character traits. One wonders (in concert with Jewish tradition) if King Lemuel’s mother might not have been Bathsheba, who orally passed the family heritage of Ruth’s spotless reputation along to David’s son Solomon. Lemuel, which means “devoted to God,” could have been a family name for Solomon (cf. Jedediah, 2 Sam, 12:25), who then could have penned Prov. 31:10-31 with Ruth in mind. Each woman was:
1. Devoted to her family (Ruth 1:15-18 // Prov. 31:10-12,23)
2. Delighting in her work (Ruth 2:2 // Prov. 31:13)
3. Dilligent in her labour (Ruth 2:7,17,23 // Prov. 31:14-18, 19-21,24,27)
4. Dedicated to godly speech (Ruth 2:10,13 // Prov. 31:26)
5. Dependent on God (Ruth 2:12 // Prov. 31:25b,30)
6. Dressed with care (Ruth 3:3 // Prov. 31:22,25a)
7. Discreet with men (Ruth 3:6-13 // Prov. 31:11,12,23)
8. Delivering blessings (Ruth 4:14,15 // Prov. 31:28, 29,31)
Ruth had a tenacity that was unswerving and which came in the face of great adversity and yet ultimately, she as a Moabite woman, features in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:5). Look how much we can learn from just the above brief comparison as gleaned from Scripture. Elizabeth George soon discovered, as she studied the woman in Proverbs 31, the value that she has is found in how she acts in her everyday life. Choices that we make will have consequences and Ephesians 5:16 informs us that we must be “redeeming the time”. We are to make the most of our time on this evil earth fulfilling God’s purposes, lining up every opportunity for useful worship and service.[4]
DEFINITIONS:
An army - In our previous study we considered how that the word “virtuous” or “excellent” is used some 200-plus times in the Bible to describe an army of men, men of war and men prepared for war.[5]
A woman – the root word for “virtuous” or “excellent” is used only four times in the Bible to describe a woman or women:
Read and write out - Ruth 3:11; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 31:10; Proverbs 31:29
Heart probing time[6]
1. A woman of excellence – How do you measure up in mental toughness and physical energy, and what improvements must be made? Which one of the references to the four “excellent” and “virtuous” women spoke most to your heart and why?
2. A priceless gem – After learning what “virtuous” and “excellent” mean, why do you think such a woman is so rare?
3. Have those who know you found a virtuous, noble, excellent woman? Please explain your answer.
In terms of Titus 2 we are to fulfil God’s commands for our lives that the word of God may not be reviled (v 5), so that an opponent may be put to shame having nothing to say about us (v 8) and so that everything may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour (v 10). Therefore our conduct will have a direct influence on how people think about the gospel. As mothers, wives, sisters and friends may our time be spent as the most precious commodity we have so that we may in turn be “valuable” to others for the Gospel’s sake. And may we do whatever God calls us to without grumbling but remembering the wonderful roles that God has bestowed upon us. Chapter 2 gives many practical examples of how to pursue improvement in areas of our lives that may be lacking.
Psalm 144:12 “May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for a structure of a palace.”
This verse pictures young women “both occupying a secure position in the building and at the same time giving stability to the building in which they are themselves secure – the position of the wife and mother in a well-ordered society.” [7] Or, more simply, as the supports and the ornaments of domestic life” (John Pye Smith).
A Heart in Pursuit of Excellence by Elizabeth George
I still remember the day I discovered the meaning of the word “virtuous” or “excellent”. It was a red-letter day that became a turning point in my growth as a Christian woman. As a result of the conviction of the Holy Spirit through what I was reading in the Bible and of a simmering desire for the priceless character and strength of this godly woman, I decided to pursue her excellence. And my first step was making some wilful changes in the Work Department. I began to apply my strength and energy to better things than lazing on the couch, than non-stop reading, than excessive television viewing. I wanted to be strong in character and in body. To be powerful in mind and body. To be efficient, capable ... Well, I wanted to be an asset to my family and to others. To be a woman of worth and excellence, a woman who is priceless. I’ve shared my heart’s desires. Now how about yours?[8]
[1] Bridges, C. Proverbs p. 323
[2] New Bible Commentary.
[3] The MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV), p.
[4] The MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV), p. 1812
[5] George E. Beautiful in God’s Eyes, p.15
[6] George E. Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman, p. 22-24
[7] New Bible Commentary
[8] George E. Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman, p. 26
Written by: Ruth Phillips
This week we are going to focus on the value of an excellent woman. Why is she so rare? What is priceless about her? How should we try to attain the same kind of stature in our lives?
Galatians 2:20-21
“I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. I do not set aside the grace of God; for if righteousness comes through the law; then Christ died in vain.”
In the above Scripture quotation Paul is addressing those in the Galatians’ church who were trying to make the blood of Christ of no effect by returning to legalism and doing away with salvation by grace alone through faith alone. Notice how the Apostle confirms that he lives his life by faith in the Son of God and that it is Christ who loved him and gave Himself for him. Here is where we can rejoice in the amazing plan of salvation that God has foreordained. We who deserve nothing and who were not worthy of anything from God have now been given new life in Christ. This is where we find our ULTIMATE VALUE and our lives can now be lived ‘by faith in the Son of God....’
1 Corinthians 6:20 “For you were bought with a price; therefore glorify God in your body and in your spirit, which are God’s”.
Many of us said at the beginning of this study that we are at times overwhelmed and even tempted to despondency when considering the excellent woman of Proverbs 31 but we can rejoice because, if we are born again, then we have a Father who has given a priceless gift in the person of Christ and who now desires our sanctification as we partake of life’s joys, sorrows, trials, temptations and the like. May we continue to cry out to our Father that His Word would transform us as we ask the Holy Spirit to help us to apply what we learn in glorifying our Father.
Proverbs 31:10 focuses on the rarity of the excellent woman and that she is precious. We have seen from the above that we are not our own but belong now to God. How can we bless those around us and how do we obtain this kind of rarity?
Let us first consider where we cannot find it:
My husband, Joel and I were recently away on holiday and we had a copy of the “O” Magazine in our room. After reading a little of it my husband smiled and said I should look at the letters page. I proceeded to read some of the letters in the opening pages from women who had written to praise the publication. One woman had previously written in to say she was battling financially but that she so enjoyed her magazine she would not go without it. A reply from another reader came saying that this magazine was invaluable and whatever women do they must never forego buying even if its they are down to their last rand! The rest was of what I read was full of false assumptions about how wonderful we are at heart and how we all need to realise our true potential and that if we knew how strong we really were we could accomplish anything and of course always put yourself first above others. Is this how we become rare and precious in the sight of those around us? Certainly not! The above ideas may at times seem appealing but we need a biblical foundation for how to become better women. The Scriptures are clear as to who we are without Christ but once we belong to Christ, the Word is brimming with truths that will clear the path for us to start to become more like this woman.
'Man may talk of self-control, as if the reins were in his own hands. But he who has been “born of the Spirit”, and taught “to know the plague of his own heart”, is made to feel that effective self-control is divine grace, not his own native power ... Have not repeated defeats taught us the need of calling in better strength than our own?'[1]
This woman can also be called ‘The truly capable woman’ and it is this woman who wins the respect and honour of her husband and children and those of the wider community, not least because her own commitment to God underlies this productive life of hers (30).[2]
A wonderful example Scripture gives of a woman of rare and wonderful qualities is Ruth. Her story is found in the book of Ruth. Here are some similarities between her and the Proverbs 31 woman[3]:
RUTH: THE PROVERBS 31 WIFE
The “virtuous” wife of Proverbs 31:10 is personified by “virtuous” Ruth of whom the same Heb. Word is used (3:11). With amazing parallel, they share at least 8 character traits. One wonders (in concert with Jewish tradition) if King Lemuel’s mother might not have been Bathsheba, who orally passed the family heritage of Ruth’s spotless reputation along to David’s son Solomon. Lemuel, which means “devoted to God,” could have been a family name for Solomon (cf. Jedediah, 2 Sam, 12:25), who then could have penned Prov. 31:10-31 with Ruth in mind. Each woman was:
1. Devoted to her family (Ruth 1:15-18 // Prov. 31:10-12,23)
2. Delighting in her work (Ruth 2:2 // Prov. 31:13)
3. Dilligent in her labour (Ruth 2:7,17,23 // Prov. 31:14-18, 19-21,24,27)
4. Dedicated to godly speech (Ruth 2:10,13 // Prov. 31:26)
5. Dependent on God (Ruth 2:12 // Prov. 31:25b,30)
6. Dressed with care (Ruth 3:3 // Prov. 31:22,25a)
7. Discreet with men (Ruth 3:6-13 // Prov. 31:11,12,23)
8. Delivering blessings (Ruth 4:14,15 // Prov. 31:28, 29,31)
Ruth had a tenacity that was unswerving and which came in the face of great adversity and yet ultimately, she as a Moabite woman, features in the lineage of Jesus Christ (Matt. 1:5). Look how much we can learn from just the above brief comparison as gleaned from Scripture. Elizabeth George soon discovered, as she studied the woman in Proverbs 31, the value that she has is found in how she acts in her everyday life. Choices that we make will have consequences and Ephesians 5:16 informs us that we must be “redeeming the time”. We are to make the most of our time on this evil earth fulfilling God’s purposes, lining up every opportunity for useful worship and service.[4]
DEFINITIONS:
An army - In our previous study we considered how that the word “virtuous” or “excellent” is used some 200-plus times in the Bible to describe an army of men, men of war and men prepared for war.[5]
A woman – the root word for “virtuous” or “excellent” is used only four times in the Bible to describe a woman or women:
Read and write out - Ruth 3:11; Proverbs 12:4; Proverbs 31:10; Proverbs 31:29
Heart probing time[6]
1. A woman of excellence – How do you measure up in mental toughness and physical energy, and what improvements must be made? Which one of the references to the four “excellent” and “virtuous” women spoke most to your heart and why?
2. A priceless gem – After learning what “virtuous” and “excellent” mean, why do you think such a woman is so rare?
3. Have those who know you found a virtuous, noble, excellent woman? Please explain your answer.
In terms of Titus 2 we are to fulfil God’s commands for our lives that the word of God may not be reviled (v 5), so that an opponent may be put to shame having nothing to say about us (v 8) and so that everything may adorn the doctrine of God our Saviour (v 10). Therefore our conduct will have a direct influence on how people think about the gospel. As mothers, wives, sisters and friends may our time be spent as the most precious commodity we have so that we may in turn be “valuable” to others for the Gospel’s sake. And may we do whatever God calls us to without grumbling but remembering the wonderful roles that God has bestowed upon us. Chapter 2 gives many practical examples of how to pursue improvement in areas of our lives that may be lacking.
Psalm 144:12 “May our sons in their youth be like plants full grown, our daughters like corner pillars cut for a structure of a palace.”
This verse pictures young women “both occupying a secure position in the building and at the same time giving stability to the building in which they are themselves secure – the position of the wife and mother in a well-ordered society.” [7] Or, more simply, as the supports and the ornaments of domestic life” (John Pye Smith).
A Heart in Pursuit of Excellence by Elizabeth George
I still remember the day I discovered the meaning of the word “virtuous” or “excellent”. It was a red-letter day that became a turning point in my growth as a Christian woman. As a result of the conviction of the Holy Spirit through what I was reading in the Bible and of a simmering desire for the priceless character and strength of this godly woman, I decided to pursue her excellence. And my first step was making some wilful changes in the Work Department. I began to apply my strength and energy to better things than lazing on the couch, than non-stop reading, than excessive television viewing. I wanted to be strong in character and in body. To be powerful in mind and body. To be efficient, capable ... Well, I wanted to be an asset to my family and to others. To be a woman of worth and excellence, a woman who is priceless. I’ve shared my heart’s desires. Now how about yours?[8]
[1] Bridges, C. Proverbs p. 323
[2] New Bible Commentary.
[3] The MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV), p.
[4] The MacArthur Study Bible (NKJV), p. 1812
[5] George E. Beautiful in God’s Eyes, p.15
[6] George E. Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman, p. 22-24
[7] New Bible Commentary
[8] George E. Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman, p. 26
Written by: Ruth Phillips
Beauty in Gods Eyes - Proverbs 31:10a (Bible study #2
"Who can find a virtuous woman?
For her price is far above rubies" Proverbs 31:10 KJV
Beautiful? Virtuous? Excellent? Who are these woman, where do they come from and where are they hiding?
Out of interest I turned to google to see what they had to say and this is what I found:
"(CBS) Who is the most beautiful woman in the world? Half a century ago, Hollywood would have presented her to us. Grace Kelly, Ingrid Bergman or perhaps Elizabeth Taylor. But today? Correspondent Bob Simon reports the woman who currently holds the title, at least according to thousands of Web sites, Internet polls and even Julia Roberts, is someone you've probably never heard of. Her name is Aishwarya Rai, and she is an actress living and working in Bombay, India. "
Angelina Jolie, Elizabeth Taylor, Maria Carey were more names mentioned and the list goes on. For each poll that is conducted there is a different woman that is voted in as more beautiful. Why is there always a different woman? The answer is simple. Every one has their own 'standard' of beauty and nobodies 'standard' can be the 'correct' and defining standard as taste in beauty differ.
The world judges beauty first by physical beauty and sometimes personality is taken into account. The problem with this is that physical beauty will fade. Lets face it, we do not look like we did when we were in our early teens, our bodies change after child bearing and we will most certainly look a lot different in 20 years time.
Ultimately, we need to decide in who's eyes we need to look beautiful in and find out what we can do to attain to it.
We are studying Proverbs 31 and the author of the scriptures is God, so our logical conclusion is to discover what God would see as beautiful and pleasing.
Lets go right back to the first people on earth and then to our individual beginnings. Gods Word shows in Genesis 3:3-8 that both Adam and Eve sinned against God. (Sin is the transgression of the law of God.) The curse of death was passed onto Adam and Eve. The covenant being made with Adam and with all mankind descending from him. This brought the whole of mankind into an estate of sin and misery.
Read and write out:
* 1 John 3:4
* Romans 5:12
* 1 Corinthians 15:21-22
Then came the day when you were born. What does the bible say about our state before God at our birth?
"Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and in sin did my mother conceive me." Psalms 51:5
BUT we say that God is a forgiving God.... it is true, BUT God is also JUST. He can not contradict who he is and so must be just in punishing the wicked who sin against Him. The wages of sin is death, so the punishment is eternal death, experiencing Gods wrath for all eternity in the lake of fire.
So my question to you. Does God find a sinner beautiful. From studying ever so briefly how serious God views sin, how much He hates sin and those who sin against Him, we have to conclude that a sinner in Gods eyes is not beautiful!
Where does that place you and I since we were born sinners and have sinned against God in our thoughts and actions? This is where the good news comes in.
God demands that the wages of sin in death. All sin must be punished. God can not just waver somebody's sin and just forgive them. No, someone MUST pay the price. This person is the Son of God, Jesus Christ. He is the one who has paid the price / wage of sin of those who will repent. This is the most amazing truth. Jesus Christ has paid the price for sin on the cross. It was there, that God poured out His eternal wrath on Jesus for sin committed by those who will repent.
What does all of this mean? It means that you and I have sinned against God. If we repent, turn away from our sin, trust and believe in Jesus Christ as our Saviour and live each day, until our dying day, fighting sin with the desire to please and Glorify God. Then God will have mercy on you and I. He will forgive us on the basis that Jesus Christ has paid for our sin, not on how good we are in this life or how pretty we can believe ourselves to be and certainly not based on works.
At the moment of realization of your desperate need of a saviour, Jesus Christ, due to your life of sin against God and His heaped wrath upon your head, you cry out to Him to save you and forgive you. When forgiveness is granted and God has mercy on you, you are made a new creature, adopted by God, born again (your spirit made alive). You are from that moment beautiful in Gods eyes because of Jesus Christ and His complete work done on the cross.
BUT this does not mean that we can now live life as we please! We are now to grow in the Grace and the Knowledge of God. This is part of our prescribed journey here on earth. As we learn more of Proverbs 31 woman, be encouraged to cry out for Grace in the throne room of God to grow and to be virtuous and excellent woman. As you grow in your knowledge of God's Word and in His grace, you WILL grow in your love for the Lord.
"The Hebrew word for virtuous is used 200 plus times in the Bible to describe an army. This Old Testament word refers to a force and is used to mean able, capable, mighty, strong, valiant, powerful, efficient, wealthy and worthy. The word is also used in reference to a man of war, men of war, and men prepared for war. Change this definition to the feminine case and you begin to grasp the power at the core of this woman! Just as mental toughness and physical energy are the primary traits of an army, they also mark God's beautiful woman." Beautiful in God's Eyes, pg 15
God has found us, He has redeemed us, through the work on the cross by Jesus Christ which was perfect. We need not be discouraged but encouraged that God has also equipped us with all that we need, we must learn to walk correctly in his ways, be obedient to God's Word and in submission to Him. He will change us according to His will as we live on this earth for His Glory. It is not by our own works that we can attain and become virtuous woman but by God working in us!
"The bible is the best mirror by which most accurately to know what you are, and to become what you should be; before which you may adjust all the moral habiliments of the soul, and from which you may go forth adorned with all the beauties of holiness, clothed with the garment of purity, and decorated with the ornament of a meek and quiet spirit." John Angell James
Heart Probing Time (question 1&2 from Elizabeth George study book)
*1. As we begin our study of Proverbs 31, we meet what many believe to be the woman behind the picture of this ideal woman, the mother of King Lemuel. She must have exhibited many of the qualities she is about to describe. How else could she teach so intelligently about them? And now turning from her to you, are there any areas of your life that you need to work on before you can instruct others in those same areas?
2. What also stands out about the mother of King Lemuel is that she saw the teaching of her son about life, leadership, and marriage as a mandate, as one of her responsibilities. Do you see yourself as a teacher of good things (Titus 2:3)? Whom has God brought into your life that you can and should teach? Are you faithfully teaching your own precious children (Proverbs 1:8 and 6:20) Why or why not?
3. Do you have full assurance of your personal salvation before God? Why?
A heart in the pursuit of Excellence by Elizabeth George
Life is a cycle of being taught bad ten teaching, of being mentored and then modeling. Don't fail to take every opportunity to pursue godliness and to learn from older, wiser women. And don't fail to take every opportunity to teach others, beginning with your own children, about God's standards for life and godly living.
And, my fellow student of God's Word, don't fail to allow the woman of Proverbs 31 to teach you the excellent qualities God desires in His women! Let her godliness model for you and mold your heart and life into one of virtue, strength, and beauty.
Wont you bow your head now and offer thanksgiving to God for His godly woman? She is indeed one of His beautiful gifts to you, a treasure! She is here in Proverbs 31 to inspire, instruct, and encourage you when you fail, when you find your vision dimming, or when you sense your priorities shifting. A fresh visit with the woman who is beautiful in God's eyes will renew your vision, restore your strength, and rekindle your love for God and your commitment to His magnificent plan for your life!
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Sources:
Westminster Shorter Catechism (1647)
Beautiful in God's Eyes by Elizabeth George, pg 15 (Quote)
Female Piety, A young woman's friend and guide by John Angell James, pg 49
Discovering the Treasures of a Godly Woman, Proverbs 31, by Elizabeth George pg 18 -20
Written by:
Natalie Rogers
Introduction to Proverbs 31 - Bible Study #1
Before actually starting our study of Proverbs 31, I thought it would be good to have a brief look at the intent and structure of the book of Proverbs.
About the book of Proverbs
Proverbs is a book classically known as a collection of wise sayings which are associated with King Solomon. The book brings out in the opening verses:
Proverbs 1:2-4 "To know wisdom and instruction, to understand words of insight, To receive the instruction in wise dealing, in righteousness, justice, and equity; To give prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the youth."
This book is so important to grasp, as is every other book in the bible! Proverbs gives clear instruction and application of Gods wisdom for our lives. It is important for us to be renewing our minds with Gods word so that our thinking is biblical and so our actions should follow in a biblical pattern.
Not only does Proverbs provide us with all things that we need to know to be wise, it also stresses to the reader to actually seek out wisdom and to become wise.
Read Proverbs chapter 2
Proverbs is not a fairy tale and is not just a book of wise sayings from a rich man who had many wives. Let us remember, it is a book inspired by God. It instructs us to know wisdom and instruction, to have understanding, to be able to conduct ourselves wisely, righteously and justly. Please read the following verses and write them out.
*Proverbs 2:4
*Proverbs 3:13-14
*Proverbs 8:10-11
The style of the proverbs by Elisabeth George
"The book of Proverbs is a form of poetry in the Hebrew language. But unlike English poetry with its rhyme and meter, Hebrew poetry uses what is called parallelism. As you'll soon see, each proverb, or saying, usually has two lines, each with a parallel relationship to the other."
To communicate wisdom through poetry, the book of Proverbs generally uses three types of parallelism, or line structure to create a poetic effect. As you learn about parallelism, look in your bible at the verses indicated and make notes regarding the wisdom found there.
SYNONYMOUS PARALLELISM - Here the meaning in the first line is paralleled by a similar meaning in the second line.
*Proverbs 1:2
*Proverbs 31:20
ANTITHETICAL PARALLELISM - Here the first line is the opposite of or contrasted with the second line, which usually begins with the word "but".
*Proverbs 10:1
*Proverbs 31:30
SYNTHETIC PARALLELISM - Here the second line simply continues the thought of the first line with the second line usually starting with "and"."
*Proverbs 3:6
*Proverbs 31:13
Heart Probing Time
It is going to be a challenging study ahead of us. This passage can be the most daunting passage of scripture to most woman in this world in our day and age. The standards of the roles of a woman have been so corrupted by worldly wisdom, as we know it today, that this Proverbs 31 woman may even sound impossible, ridiculous and in complete contradiction to your own personal dreams and ambitions. However, we want to keep Gods Word central and let His Word renew our minds so that we can please our Lord.
I am constantly reminded that Gods ways are higher than our ways. When I try to attain to Gods ways in my own strength, I fail miserably and want to give up. I constantly seem to have to learn the lesson to depend on God for everything I say and I do. I am always reminded that it is only when we are humble before God, depending entirely on Him, that we can bring glory to him as He equips us to run the race before us with Grace from Him.
So lets humble ourselves before God, submit to His word and cry out to Him that He will change our hearts so that we can Glorify Him as true biblical woman.
Homework:
1. Read Proverbs 31.
2. Have you read Proverbs 31 before?
3. How do you honestly feel when you read it and when you compare the passage to your own life?
4. Write down your prayer to the Lord as to how you want the Lord to work with you during our study. Please include some points that you mentioned in the previous question.
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SOURCES:
Discovering the Treasures of a Godly woman, Lesson 1 by Elizabeth George
Apologetics Study Bible, Introduction to Proverbs
Verses quoted are from the ESV version
WRITTEN BY:
Natalie Rogers
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