Sermon Application Questions

Discuss the significance of Proverbs 31 in contemporary pictures of biblical womanhood. What expectations is the passage typically used to support for women and for men? What do we think about these expectations? How well do they cohere with the gospel message taught elsewhere in the Bible?

Read Prov 1.20-33; 3.11-26; 4.1-9; 8.1-11, noticing the parallels to Prov 31.10-31. What is the author of these proverbs seeking to accomplish by picturing wisdom as a woman?

How should the realization that the wife of noble character in Prov 31 is the same ‘Lady Wisdom’ we met in Prov 1-8 affect our response to the passage? How does it change the application of the text to think less about being the wife of noble character ourselves and more about what it’s like being married to her?

How does the application change/develop when we realize that Jesus himself is presented in scripture as ‘the wisdom of God’ (1 Cor 1.20-25, Prov 8.22-31).

Discuss the difference it might make in your life this week to know that, as part of Christ’s church – his bride, you are married to the one who perfectly fulfills the portrait of wisdom provided in Prov 31.10-31.