INTERNATIONAL CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE ( STUDY THREE)
ATTITUDES
SUB TOPIC: A SECRET STRATEGY
SCRIPTURE READING: PROVERBS 14:30, 15:15, 17:22
MEMORY VERSE: WHEN A MAN IS GLOOMY, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO GO WRONG; WHEN HE IS CHEERFUL, EVERYTHING SEEMS RIGHT (PROV 15:15 NLT)
Our attitudes color our whole personality. We cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. The secret to a good attitude is to fill our minds with what is good. Dwelling on the positives in life gives us proper perspective during hard times. This was Paul’s strategy as he faced imprisonment, and it can be ours as we face the struggles of daily living. Look at your attitudes, and then examine what you choose to focus and dwell on.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
• Tell about a recent day when everything seemed to go wrong. What helped you through that day?
• How does the attitude you adopt first thing in the morning affect the rest of your day?
• How do the books you read, the music you listen to, and the films you watch affect your attitude throughout each day?
• How can a negative attitude be contagious? When has a person’s cheerful attitude rubbed off on you?
• What prevents you from dwelling on positive thoughts throughout the day?
PROVERBS
Collection of moral and philosophical maxims of a wide range of subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth the "philosophy of practical life. It is the sign to us that the Bible does not despise common sense and discretion. It impresses upon us in the most forcible manner the value of intelligence and prudence and of a good education. The whole strength of the Hebrew language and of the sacred authority of the book is thrown upon these homely truths. It deals, too, in that refined, discriminating, careful view of the finer shades of human character so often overlooked by theologians, but so necessary to any true estimate of human life" (Stanley's Jewish Church).
As to the origin of this book, "it is probable that Solomon gathered and recast many proverbs which sprang from human experience in preceding ages and were floating past him on the tide of time, and that he also elaborated many new ones from the material of his own experience. Towards the close of the book, indeed, are preserved some of Solomon's own sayings that seem to have fallen from his lips in later life and been gathered by other hands' (Arnot's Laws from Heaven, etc.)
This book is usually divided into three parts:
(1.) Consisting of ch. 1-9, which contain an exhibition of wisdom as the highest good.
(2.) Consisting of ch. 10-24.
(3.) Containing proverbs of Solomon "which the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, collected" (ch. 25-29).
These are followed by two supplements, (1) "The words of Agur" (ch. 30); and (2) "The words of king Lemuel" (ch. 31).
Solomon is said to have written three thousand proverbs, and those contained in this book may be a selection from these (1 Kings 4:32). In the New Testament there are thirty-five direct quotations from this book or allusions to it.
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
The foregoing verse showed how much our reputation, this how much our health, depends on the good government of our passions and the preserving of the temper of the mind. 1. A healing spirit, made up of love and meekness, a hearty, friendly, cheerful disposition, is the life of the flesh; it contributes to a good constitution of body; people grow fat with good humor. 2. A fretful, envious, discontented spirit, is its own punishment; it consumes the flesh, preys upon the animal spirits, makes the countenance pale, and is the rottenness of the bones. Those that see the prosperity of others and are grieved, let them gnash with their teeth and melt away, Ps. 112:10.
Rumpatur, quisquis rumpitur invidia.
Whoever bursts for envy, let him burst
Proverbs 15:15
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
See here what a great difference there is between the condition and temper of some and others of the children of men:
1. Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit, and all their days are evil days, like those of old age, and days of which they say they have no pleasure in them
2. Others enjoy great prosperity and are of a cheerful spirit; and they have not only good days, but have a continual feast; and if in the abundance of all things they serve God with gladness of heart, and it is oil to the wheels of their obedience (all this, and heaven too), then they serve a good Master
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
The effect of the mind on the body is well known. It is healthful to be cheerful. The best medicine is a merry heart, a heart rejoicing in God, and serving him with gladness.
SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE ( STUDY THREE)
ATTITUDES
SUB TOPIC: A SECRET STRATEGY
SCRIPTURE READING: PROVERBS 14:30, 15:15, 17:22
MEMORY VERSE: WHEN A MAN IS GLOOMY, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO GO WRONG; WHEN HE IS CHEERFUL, EVERYTHING SEEMS RIGHT (PROV 15:15 NLT)
Our attitudes color our whole personality. We cannot always choose what happens to us, but we can choose our attitude toward each situation. The secret to a good attitude is to fill our minds with what is good. Dwelling on the positives in life gives us proper perspective during hard times. This was Paul’s strategy as he faced imprisonment, and it can be ours as we face the struggles of daily living. Look at your attitudes, and then examine what you choose to focus and dwell on.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
• Tell about a recent day when everything seemed to go wrong. What helped you through that day?
• How does the attitude you adopt first thing in the morning affect the rest of your day?
• How do the books you read, the music you listen to, and the films you watch affect your attitude throughout each day?
• How can a negative attitude be contagious? When has a person’s cheerful attitude rubbed off on you?
• What prevents you from dwelling on positive thoughts throughout the day?
PROVERBS
Collection of moral and philosophical maxims of a wide range of subjects presented in a poetic form. This book sets forth the "philosophy of practical life. It is the sign to us that the Bible does not despise common sense and discretion. It impresses upon us in the most forcible manner the value of intelligence and prudence and of a good education. The whole strength of the Hebrew language and of the sacred authority of the book is thrown upon these homely truths. It deals, too, in that refined, discriminating, careful view of the finer shades of human character so often overlooked by theologians, but so necessary to any true estimate of human life" (Stanley's Jewish Church).
As to the origin of this book, "it is probable that Solomon gathered and recast many proverbs which sprang from human experience in preceding ages and were floating past him on the tide of time, and that he also elaborated many new ones from the material of his own experience. Towards the close of the book, indeed, are preserved some of Solomon's own sayings that seem to have fallen from his lips in later life and been gathered by other hands' (Arnot's Laws from Heaven, etc.)
This book is usually divided into three parts:
(1.) Consisting of ch. 1-9, which contain an exhibition of wisdom as the highest good.
(2.) Consisting of ch. 10-24.
(3.) Containing proverbs of Solomon "which the men of Hezekiah, the king of Judah, collected" (ch. 25-29).
These are followed by two supplements, (1) "The words of Agur" (ch. 30); and (2) "The words of king Lemuel" (ch. 31).
Solomon is said to have written three thousand proverbs, and those contained in this book may be a selection from these (1 Kings 4:32). In the New Testament there are thirty-five direct quotations from this book or allusions to it.
Proverbs 14:30 (NIV)
A heart at peace gives life to the body, but envy rots the bones.
The foregoing verse showed how much our reputation, this how much our health, depends on the good government of our passions and the preserving of the temper of the mind. 1. A healing spirit, made up of love and meekness, a hearty, friendly, cheerful disposition, is the life of the flesh; it contributes to a good constitution of body; people grow fat with good humor. 2. A fretful, envious, discontented spirit, is its own punishment; it consumes the flesh, preys upon the animal spirits, makes the countenance pale, and is the rottenness of the bones. Those that see the prosperity of others and are grieved, let them gnash with their teeth and melt away, Ps. 112:10.
Rumpatur, quisquis rumpitur invidia.
Whoever bursts for envy, let him burst
Proverbs 15:15
All the days of the oppressed are wretched, but the cheerful heart has a continual feast.
All the days of the afflicted are evil: but he that is of a merry heart hath a continual feast.
See here what a great difference there is between the condition and temper of some and others of the children of men:
1. Some are much in affliction, and of a sorrowful spirit, and all their days are evil days, like those of old age, and days of which they say they have no pleasure in them
2. Others enjoy great prosperity and are of a cheerful spirit; and they have not only good days, but have a continual feast; and if in the abundance of all things they serve God with gladness of heart, and it is oil to the wheels of their obedience (all this, and heaven too), then they serve a good Master
Proverbs 17:22
A cheerful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones.
The effect of the mind on the body is well known. It is healthful to be cheerful. The best medicine is a merry heart, a heart rejoicing in God, and serving him with gladness.
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