Study Questions for July 19, 2026

A Wise Child Remembers by Pastor Dale Beaver
Read Proverbs 3:1-7, 11-18 and Deuteronomy 8:11-18.

1. Pastor Dale describes the progression of this series as a journey for the "wise child": first listening (shama) to the Father, then actively seeking wisdom as a treasure, and finally reaching the point where they do not forget what they have learned. Why is "remembering" a critical final step in the growth of a believer's character?
2. The sermon notes that memories can be powerful tools for either wisdom or foolishness. Pastor Dale mentions that his wife, Andree, wants him to remember their first kiss together, but certainly not his first kiss with anyone else. How do you discern which memories are "wise" to turn over in your mind and which ones you should "take captive" to prevent them from leading you toward folly?
3. Pastor Dale teaches that as followers of Jesus, we must prioritize "the word before the world," processing every narrative we hear through the lens of Scripture. In a culture saturated with 24/7 news and social media, how can you practically ensure that God’s Word is the primary "regulator" of your inner life?
4. The sermon uses the analogy of a person sitting in a boat who becomes so focused on their own thoughts that they look up to find they have drifted miles from the shore. In what area of your life—marriage, work, or spiritual habits—do you feel the most "prone to drift" away from the safety of God's wisdom?
5. Read Deuteronomy 8:11-18. Moses warned the Israelites that the most dangerous time for their faith would be when they were full, prosperous, and successful. Why is it often harder to remember the Lord when life is going well than when we are in the "terrifying wilderness" of a crisis?
6. Read Proverbs 3:5-7. Pastor Dale shares a personal story about his niece’s sudden stroke and the overwhelming medical information that followed. While medical "understanding" is a blessing, how can it become a stumbling block that prevents us from putting our full weight (batak) on the Lord?
7. Read Proverbs 3:13-18. Wisdom is personified here as more precious than rubies and is described as a "tree of life" to those who embrace her. How does viewing wisdom as a "person" (the person of Christ) rather than just "being smart" change the way you value your relationship with God?
8. Pastor Dale notes that the "tree of life" lost in the Garden of Eden was "mercifully" guarded by God so humans wouldn't live forever in a fallen state. How does the resurrection of Jesus reclaim that "tree of life" for those who trust in the "wisdom of the cross"?
9. Read Proverbs 3:11-12. Discipline is described as a tool used by a loving father to prevent the drift in a child’s life. Can you share a time when a "correction" from God—though painful at the moment—actually dragged you back to the safety of the shoreline?
10. The sermon concludes with communion, focusing on Jesus' command to "do this to remember me". What makes us "worthy" to sit at the Lord’s table: is it our own perfect record, or is it our humble acknowledgment of the "high cost" Jesus paid for our rescue?
11. Close in Prayer: Thank the Father for being the "biggest daddy in the room" whose voice we can trust even in a crisis. Ask the Holy Spirit to help you anchor your heart in the truth of the Gospel this week, so that you do not drift from the grace in which you stand.

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Analogy for Understanding: Living with wisdom is like staying anchored to the shoreline. The world, the "wicked crowd," and even our own internal thoughts act like a subtle current that constantly tries to pull our boat out to sea. We often don't realize we are drifting until we look up and realize we can no longer see the coast. Remembering the Lord is the act of dropping the anchor of his Word and trust (batak) into the depths of our hearts. It isn't just about knowing the "rules" of the shore; it's about staying constantly connected to the One who stands on the beach and calls us back to safety every time we begin to wander.