Proverbs Bible Study 6 – To live in Wisdomville, we must not be lazy.
MEMORY VERSE (Proverbs 6:6) “Go to the ____________, thou _________________________; consider her ________________________, and be _______________________________:”
Laziness is a heinous sin. Lazy people are dangerous and can pollute entire groups with their schemes. Lazy people believe they are entitled to all the benefits the world has to offer yet they contribute nothing. If you coddle lazy people, they can manipulate you into believing you are the bad guy if you don’t give them a handout. No one has the right to sit around and pick the pockets of hard-working people. Work is not a dirty four-letter word. The Bible has much to say about laziness.
(Proverbs 6:9-11) How long wilt thou ________________, O ____________________? when wilt thou arise out of thy _________________? Yet a little _______________, a little slumber, a little folding of the hands to _________________________: So shall thy _________________ come as one that travelleth, and thy want as an armed man.
Sleep can be a dangerous thing, if you get too much of it, or if you like it too much. It is especially hazardous for young men, whom Solomon emphasized in writing Proverbs. Great men get a head start on the day. They attack every day as an opportunity, rather than dreading it as a punishment. Love of your bed in the morning is one that will squander your potential.
(Proverbs 13:4) The soul of the sluggard _________________________, and hath ___________________: but the soul of the ___________________________shall be made fat.
Hard work works! But the sluggard will not do it! Lazy people want stuff. They envy and resent the things of workers. They have many excuses why others have more than they have: cold, circumstances, conceit. They will not put in the work to get things. Instead, they whine about discrimination, luck, favoritism, etc.!
(Proverbs 22:13) The ______________________ man saith, There is a ___________________ without, I shall be _________________________ in the streets.
Lazy men always have a reason why they do not get jobs done on time, but their reasons are as foolish as blaming a lion for holding them back. So, to hide his laziness and justify himself, he deflects attention away from the truth (laziness) to an illusion (lions).
(Proverbs 6:6-9) “Go to the ___________________, thou ____________________________; consider her ways, and be ___________________: Which having no guide, overseer, or ruler, Provideth her meat in the summer, and gathereth her food in the harvest.”
Sluggards are too arrogant to be taught, so Solomon mocked them with ants. If they were to watch ants for a few minutes, these haughty bums could learn success, for ants are much wiser than sluggards. A doctorate degree is not as useful as what is taught in your yard every day. But sluggards are too proud to learn from the small teacher.
(Proverbs 6:6) “Go to the ____________, thou _________________________; consider her ________________________, and be _______________________________:”
WHAT WISDOM CAN WE LEARN FROM THE ANTS?
1) MOTIVATION
It doesn’t need another ant watching to be sure it gets its work done. Can you do a job without someone checking on you to be sure it is being done?
2) PLAN AHEAD
The ants always plan ahead. They gather the food preparing for the winter. They work hard during the summer when food supplies are abundant and enjoy them during the winter season, when food supplies are scarce. How about you?
3) INITIATIVE
It knows its job and does it, working quietly and without show until the work is done.
Do you work without complaining, without whining? Do you do your job quietly?
4) TEAMWORK
It is cooperative, working with others to get big jobs done. Do you work happily together with your co-workers, friends, brothers, sisters, or classmates?
5) FOCUS
Focusing on the goal is very important! The ants focus on one thing: to prepare and gather the food for the winter season. Don’t look at others (the ants don’t look at other ants when they work) and certainly don’t compare yourself with others!
6) PERSISTENCE
The ant is persistent, sticking to a job, whether building a nest or gathering food.
They just never gave up! Do you always stick to a job until it is done and done right?
WHAT WISDOM CAN WE LEARN FROM THE ANTS & NOT BE LAZY?
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