Do you want your life to really count for eternity? Do you want to use your life to the fullest?
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Transcript of Do you want your life to really count for eternity? Do you want to use your life to the fullest?
Do you want your life to really count for eternity?
Do you want to use your life to the fullest?
Do you want your work to have permanent,
intergenerational fruit?
Last fall I did a series entitled Artisanship and the Lifelong Pursuit of
Wisdom.
I left you with a 9-month challenge, at the end of
the series.
Project Over the Next 9 Months
Over the next 9 months, develop two habits:
• the 7th Priority habit
• the 4th Generation habit
We are going to provide several opportunities:
1. Sunday morning training
2. Planned midweek opportunities (monthly events, retreats, etc.)
3. Natural small groups encouraged (coordinate with midweek leaders)
4. SIMA and Your LifeWork Program
After much reflection, we decided to return to the
9-month challenge and work on it as a whole
church.
Several of you suggested it: (Wells), Leading Women’s Group, Doug, Steve Kemp’s message of your reflections on last year’s experience.
ORC 9-Month Focus
1. Sunday morning Skillful Life Series (Preaching the 65 categories)
2. Wednesday evening Midweeks—Artisan course (Practicing the skillful life categories)
3. Launching SIMA and Your LifeWork (3-year program)
4. Providing opportunities for 2 other lifework courses:a. Lifen: Life Stewardship in Community
b. Seek the Welfare of the City
5. As leadership, we will sit down with anyone in the summer months and review your lifework plans.
Let’s begin by returning to where
we left off at the end of November.
Artisanship and the Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom
Part I Artisanship: Mastering Your Craft (3 messages)Part II The Skillful Life (6 messages)Part III The Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom (2 messages)
Artisanship and the Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom
Part I Artisanship: Mastering Your Craft (3 messages)
We each have need of wisdomSkill in our professionSkill in our LifeWork
Wisdom (hokmah) = skill in living
Artisanship and the Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom
Part II The Skillful Life (6 messages)
There is a wisdom corpus (body of literature) in the O.T.It gives us a taxonomy (disciplined framework) by which to live life, which is illustrated in the following 2 charts.
We must master this wisdom body of literature!
The Wisdom Corpus
Proverbs Skill in Life
Mental Acumen
(discipline)
(understanding)
(insight)
(knowledge)
(discernment)
(prudence)
(wisdom)
Fear of the Lord
Prov 1:7
Song of Solomon Marriage
Eccl. Meaning
Job Crises
Core Life Skills 65 Categories Tool
One leading a skillful life
…living harmoniously in community
…respect for authority and administration
…kinds of generations
…justice
…a habit of lifelong learning
…character development
• character types• character traits• mental acumen
…disciplined in work…honest and fair
practices…good use of
money
…well ordered home…an excellent wife…discipline of
children
…dealing wisely and fairly with people
…control of emotions and words
...handling conflict
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Artisanship and the Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom
Basics of a Skillful Life (A Perfect Taxonomy)B. Character and Mental AcumenC. Money, Honesty, and Disciplined Work HabitsD. Marriage, Children, and an Ordered HomeE. Emotions, Words, and Skill in ConflictF. Authority, Respect, and Generational Harmony
Pursuing wisdom, in this series, means mastering
this wisdom corpus.
Artisanship and the Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom
Part III The Lifelong Pursuit of Wisdom
10. Permanence to the Work of Your Hands11. Mastering the 65 Categories
At the heart of the lifelong pursuit of wisdom is Proverbs. We have observed 5 major groupings with 65 subcategories. Let’s return again to our chart.
Core Life Skills 65 Categories Tool
One leading a skillful life
…living harmoniously in community
…respect for authority and administration
…kinds of generations
…justice
…a habit of lifelong learning
…character development
• character types• character traits• mental acumen
…disciplined in work…honest and fair
practices…good use of
money
…well ordered home…an excellent wife…discipline of
children
…dealing wisely and fairly with people
…control of emotions and words
...handling conflict
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Let’s review these 65 categories, which we
listed at the end of each of the 5 studies in the heart of this series.
Core Life Skills A Lifelong Habit of Learning, Character
Development 43 Subcategories
Importance of Character
Character Traits (16)
Character Types (10)
Plans/Decision-Making
Role of Discipline and Reproof
Mental Acumen (12)
Core Life Skills A Lifelong Habit of Learning, Character
Development 43 Subcategories
Character Traits (16)
Ambitious, confident, dependable, diligent, disciplined, fair, generous, gentle, honest, humble, patient, pure, self-controlled, teachable, merciful, pleasant
Character Types (10)
Naïve, fool (1), fool (2), scoffer, proud, sluggard, seductress, angry man, flatterer/gossip/schemer, wicked
Core Life Skills A Lifelong Habit of Learning, Character
Development 43 Subcategories
Mental Acumen (12)
Wisdom, instruction, wise behavior, righteousness, justice, equity, understanding, prudence, knowledge, discretion, learning, wise counsel
Core Life Skills Money, Honesty, and Disciplined Work Habits
6 subcategories
Work Habits (see also the category: The Sluggard)
Use of Money, Business Ethics
Investments and Inheritance
Success, Prosperity, Security
Generosity, Gifts
Rich, Poor
Core Life Skills Marriage, Children, and an Ordered Home
6 subcategories
Building a House
Importance of an Excellent Wife
Nagging Wives
Instructing/Disciplining Children
Honoring Parents
Grandchildren/Old Age
Core Life Skills Emotions, Words, and Skill in Conflict
4 subcategories
The Careful Use of Words
Conflict and Strife
Counsel and Reproof
Understanding and Controlling Emotions
Core Life Skills Emotions, Words, and Skill in Conflict
4 subcategories
Understanding and Controlling Emotions
Unpleasant Emotions: anger
discouragement /sorrow fear/anxiety envy/jealousy bitterness /envy/revenge
Core Life Skills Emotions, Words, and Skill in Conflict
4 subcategories
Understanding and Controlling Emotions
Pleasant Emotions: happiness/joy/laughter
love security/peace satisfaction/delight/prosperous/healthy respected
Core Life Skills Authority, Respect, and Generational Harmony
6 subcategories
Leaders (Kings, Courtiers)
Honor, humility, and power in high places
Corruption and injustice
Rights of the poor and oppression
Citizenry, living harmoniously in community (friends and neighbors; enemies; master, slave, employer and employee; response to leaders)
Kinds of generations
How do I go about mastering them? It
seems like we just skimmed over the top. It would take a long time
to master them.
My thesis is that its takes more than a long time to master them. It takes a
lifetime.
We must cycle back through the wisdom
literature several times during our lifetime.
Let me explain the basic idea.
The Idea: Cycle Through the Wisdom Literature 4 Times in a Lifetime
Child Youth (Naïve) Wise Wiser0 12 25 40 70/80
Guide for life direction
as an emerging adult
• gain common sense• shrewd, world-wise
behavior• a clear head and
focus
Proverbs 1–9, 31EcclesiastesSong of Solomon
Guide for establishing in community
young adults study together in community
• ability to manage life skillfully
• ability to deal wisely with people
Proverbs 10:1–22:16
Guide for counseling & leading
mature adults study together in community & as leaders
Proverbs 22:17–24:34Proverbs 25:1–29:27Proverbs 30:1–33EcclesiastesJob
• ability to see below the surface to real underlying issues
• acquire and assimilate complex counsel
• solve complex problems
Guide for basic training taught by parents
• fear of the Lord• train up• discipline
Appropriate Proverbs
Study Process
1. Cycle through books as you progress through life
• young adult• young family• later transitions
2. Create own categories3. Use guide during difficult
times and study deeper
Skillful Life Cycle Guides
Cycle 1: ChildhoodMemorize and concentrate on sections on “the fear of the Lord” and the most basic proverbs in 10:1–22:17.
Cycle 2: YouthMemorize and concentrate on sections in Proverbs 1–9 and foundations in Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, and Job.
Skillful Life Cycle Guides
Cycle 3: Early/Middle AdulthoodMaster Proverbs 10:1–22:17 and first major study of the Proverbs clusters from 22:17 on; master the Song of Solomon.
Skillful Life Cycle Guides
Cycle 4: Later AdulthoodReview Proverbs 10:1–22:17; master the clusters; master Ecclesiastes and Job.
Skillful Life Cycle Guides
Now let me introduce you to The Skillful Life: 65 Categories in Proverbs.
It is taken from The 4th Generation Life Cycle System.
Part 1: The 65 Categories
Part 2: The Life Cycle Guides
A. Instructions on using the life cycle guides
B. Quarterly Planning Guide
C. Annual Planning Template
D. Examples of 4 Types of Life Cycle Guides
It contains the following material:
Front of Life Cycle Guide— Proverbs Worksheet
Cycle 3: Young & Middle AdulthoodProverbs Worksheet
Proverb _______________Date __________________
Explanation of Proverb:
Issue & Questions:
Issue: ______________________________
Questions:
1. ________________________2. ________________________3. ________________________4. ________________________
List the proverb and the date you began to study it.
Format the proverb in a way that reflects its parallelism.
Then write out the meaning of the proverb in your own words.
State the main issue of the proverb in a phrase and then a set of questions to explore the implications of the issue.
Life Situation
Projects
Memory Verse
Illustrations—Find an illustration of the truth of the proverb from Scripture, or great literature/stories, biographies, current events, (magazines, newspapers), movies, TV, etc.
Projects—Think of projects such as books to read, movies to watch, family ministry projects, places to visit, etc.
Record the proverb—In your favorite translation, choose a category for it, and memorize it.
Category Proverb
Long term prayer request /
answers
Note: Develop a 3 x 5 card system, beginning with the 65 categories in this system; then gradually create your own categories system.
Front of 3 x 5 Memory Card
Back of 3 x 5 Memory Card
Back of Life Cycle Guide—Proverbs Worksheet
Quarterly Planning Guide
The Skillful Life (65 Categories)Quarterly Planning Guide
Peruse the 65 Categories
Select Individual Proverbs------------- ------------ --------------
------------- ------------ --------------
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etc.
Record any particular categories of interest for the coming quarter—drawn from life questions, challenges or problems surfacing; areas of your personal development or interest; and areas of need or interest of your children or grandchildren.
Use this space to either plan proverbs for the quarter or to keep track of the proverbs you study week by week.
Annual Planning Template
4th Generation Life Cycle Annual Planning Template
Childhood Youth Young/Middle Later Adulthood
List categories (from the 65) that you would like to address with your children over the entire year.
List the categories (from the 65) that you would like to address with your teens over the coming year. If you plan on studying Proverbs 1–9, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, or Job this year, record that as well.
List categories (from the 65) that you want to study in the coming year as you build your family, ministry, and lifework. Also note if you want to begin mastering any of the wisdom books in preparation for marriage, in early marriage, during times of crises, or in preparation for the teen years.
List any wisdom areas you have studied but would like to study more in depth, as well as at least one of the proverbs clusters from Proverbs 22:17–30:33 per year. Also focus on proverbs dealing with heritage issues.
Let me tell you a little of my own story here. I have worked on this stuff my
whole life.
It began in my apprenticeship— exposure
to Waltke.
My personal notebook, 1972–74.
It continued through a cycle a “series of series”
1978 Proverbs 1–9
1985 Extensive 2-year Wisdom Lit. Series
1991 SIMA and Art Miller
1995 7th Priority
1996 4th Generation
2003 Lifen Series (replaces 7th)
2005 Seek the Welfare Series
2006 Artisanship Series (replaces 4th)
Lifen replaces the 7th Priority
Artisanship course replaces the 4th Generation
My 34-Year Mentor: Dr.
Bruce WaltkeA Theology of Proverbs notes, lectures (1972–85)
Dallas SeminaryLater Regent in Vancouver
The Book of Proverbs: (NICOT) 1,278 pages
I am on my 3rd cycle through.
Will you begin your life cycles now by taking midweek seriously the next 6 months?
As emerging adults
As parents
As maturing adults
As older men and women