Free Subscribers can access their study directly below. Paid subscribers — scroll down the page to access the rest of this month’s studies. There are five studies this month.
September 2026 Study #1
THE FEAR OF THE LORD: THE BEGINNING OF WISDOM
INTRODUCTION:
Everyone wants to make good decisions, but the book of Proverbs teaches that true wisdom involves much more than intelligence, education, experience, or common sense. Biblical wisdom begins with our relationship with God.
Proverbs 1:7 declares, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge,” while Proverbs 9:10 says, “The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom.” This does not mean that believers should live in terror of God. To fear the Lord is to recognize who He is, reverence His holiness, submit to His authority, trust His Word, and desire to live in a way that pleases Him.
The world often defines wisdom as knowing how to get ahead, protect ourselves, achieve our goals, or obtain what we want. Proverbs presents something entirely different. A wise person begins by acknowledging that God knows what is right and that His ways are better than our own.
This means wisdom is fundamentally a matter of the heart. We can know many facts and still live foolishly. We can be successful in the eyes of the world and still make decisions that lead us away from God. The person who truly fears the Lord approaches every area of life with the question, “What does God say, and how can I honor Him?”
OPEN IT:
Who is someone you consider genuinely wise, and what qualities make you think of that person as wise?
DIG INTO IT:
According to Proverbs 1:7 and 9:10, why must true wisdom begin with the fear of the Lord?
What is the difference between being afraid of God and having a biblical fear or reverence for God?
Proverbs 3:5–7 warns us not to lean on our own understanding or be wise in our own eyes. Why is relying completely on our own judgment dangerous?
According to Proverbs 2:1–6, what attitudes and actions characterize a person who sincerely seeks wisdom?
How does Proverbs distinguish between a person who is intellectually knowledgeable and a person who is spiritually wise?
REFLECT ON IT:
In what situations are you most tempted to rely on your own understanding instead of seeking God’s wisdom?
What does the way you make decisions reveal about how seriously you take the authority of God?
Is there an area of your life in which you already know what Scripture teaches but find it difficult to obey?
What habits can help you grow in wisdom through Scripture, prayer, godly counsel, and obedience?
What decision or situation in your life right now particularly requires the wisdom of God?
PRAY ABOUT IT:
Dear Lord, You are the source of all true wisdom and understanding. Teach us to fear You with reverence, trust, and obedience. Forgive us for the times we have depended on our own understanding or assumed that we know better than You. Give us humble hearts that are willing to listen to Your Word, receive correction, and follow Your ways. Help us seek Your wisdom before making decisions and teach us to recognize the difference between the wisdom of the world and the wisdom that comes from You. May our choices, priorities, relationships, and actions demonstrate that You are Lord over every area of our lives. We ask this in the name of Jesus, Amen.
Note: If you are a Free subscriber, to access the rest of the February Studies You will need to become a paid subscriber. Free subscribers are given one free small group study each month. If you are a Paid subscriber, the rest of your studies are directly below.
