Chapter Eight

Sometimes Being Smart
Just Isn't Enough

God, Give Me Wisdom

Starting Off:	To Memorize: If anyone lacks in wisdom, let him ask God, who is always ready to give a bountiful supply to all without faultfinding . (James 1:5) We face lots of challenges in our world today; just turn on the television and there they are: war, an unstable economy, spiraling fuel prices, new pandemic diseases. Not to mention the daily pressure cooker of jobs and family. Being smart isn't enough to handle all this; we need wisdom. We need direction from someone who sees our whole life at a glance, the big picture and the intricate details; someone who knows what's coming down the road. We need God's wisdom. We need to “see with His eyes.” But instead of trying to do this, we march right along with a home-made map and our own inborn intelligence, until we realize we're totally lost. How did this happen? Well, somehow we've chosen the wrong road, or missed a turnoff. Now, if you're a male, you probably kept right on going, but wisdom would tell us that we need to stop and ask for directions! We need to ask God. But wisdom isn't just knowing what God has to say; wisdom is obeying Him. (James 1:22) With that as our focus, we avoid pitfalls that bring us to the end of our lives realizing we've lived the whole thing “the wrong way!” God's Word shows us the “right way”— the way of unselfishness that will save us and those we love a lifetime of hurt. Anthony says: Do you really want to study at the school of hard knocks? You don't have to make a million mistakes or live to be a hundred to learn life's great lessons…Wisdom is available to everyone, free of charge.…All you have to do is ask….And when you ask God for wisdom, you are essentially asking Him to give you the gift of Himself and that's something He's always eager to do. That brings us back to being “right with God”—to confession, availability for service and self-sacrifice. They all bring us answered prayer. And wisdom.
Reconnecting:	Think over your time since the seventh session. Have you needed to ask God for special courage since then? How has He responded? What happened? Share this with the Group. Or maybe He has used you to en- courage somebody else. Talk about that. Have you read Chapter Eight, God Give Me Wisdom, made some notes and answered the questions in the Study Guide? Then it's time to…
Talk About This:	•  Do you think it's possible that, sometimes, we don't ask God for wisdom because we're afraid of what He'll say? Has that ever happened to you? Talk about it (if you can…) •  What are the main things in your own life for which you need wisdom? Are you really willing to let God advise you about these things? What do you think he might change? •  James 3:13-17 tells us the difference between devilish wisdom and heavenly wisdom. How would you use this to “rate” the wisdom of your own actions and attitudes? •  As you look objectively at your problems, do you think you may already have some practical, down-to-earth wisdom about how to solve them? Things such as not overspending, for instance? What would be hardest for you to change? Will you ask God for courage to give these things a try? Talk about it. Anthony says that wisdom from God will provide you with a most “amazing shortcut.” •  What does he mean by that? Have you asked God for this shortcut? Have you ever experienced it? Talk about it. (Page 139). •  Why is Jesus called the Word of God? What has God “summed up in the person of Christ?” (Page 134).
Action:	Pray the prayer together. Out loud. Then pray for those in the Group who have a special need for wisdom right now. Believe with them that they are going to receive clear guidance from God. Pray for wisdom from God for our national leaders; who has more need of it than they? Name as many as you can think of by name. Pray for the spiritual leaders in your nation, too; they need constant wisdom and courage from God as they try to speak the truth with clarity and compassion. Ask God to give wisdom to those in your family who have decisions to make, or who may have already made harmful decisions and need to see their way more clearly.
Closing Prayer:	Lord, we need Your wisdom, Your mind and Your heart. You said that if we ask, You would give it to us. Forgive us where we have been foolish, self-willed or disobedient and found ourselves lost and on the wrong road. Reach out to us in our darkness and confusion and say, “This is the way; walk in it.” As we read the words of Jesus in the gospels, etch them into our hearts. They are the way of wisdom; the mind and heart of God. Give us the courage to obey and to become effective instruments of your grace and love. In Jesus' name. Amen.
Assignment:	Read Chapter 9. Memorize the Scripture. Be ready to share your notes and your answers to the Talk About This section. Don't forget to share any questions you have with the Group. Tell them about your answered prayers! Don't forget to keep praying them all.