3 SQUARED Part 2 – Ps Luke de Jong
Key Verse – Proverbs 1:1-7
“These are the proverbs of Solomon, David’s son, king of Israel. 2 Their purpose is to teach people
wisdom and discipline, to help them understand the insights of the wise. 3 Their purpose is to teach
people to live disciplined and successful lives, to help them do what is right, just, and fair. 4 These
proverbs will give insight to the simple, knowledge and discernment to the young. 5 Let the wise
listen to these proverbs and become even wiser. Let those with understanding receive guidance. 6 by
exploring the meaning in these proverbs and parables, the words of the wise and their riddles. 7 Fear
of the Lord is the foundation of true knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and discipline.”
Three Squared – The fact that so much hinges on the partnership of three key elements:
Knowledge = Being aware.
Understanding = Grasping the significance.
Wisdom = Soundness of mind.
e.g. Car Breaks Down
Knowledge is knowing what is wrong
Understanding is knowing why it went wrong
Wisdom is knowing how to fix it
KNOWLEDGE – ‘The What’ that exists beyond what we currently know…
 The call to venture out beyond what we have grown comfortable with.
 We know what we know, but we don’t know what we don’t know.
Prov 8:10 “Choose my instruction rather than silver, and knowledge rather than pure gold.”
 Stuck in an area of life and living? Gain knowledge!
o Develop your knowledge pool.
Prov 14:18 “Simpletons are clothed with foolishness, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge”
o Prudent – Care and thought for the future.
 If we continue with what we have, we will continue to live our band width
o Why not begin with a Proverb a day as a Group
KEY: Knowledge is a catalyst to Vision. Gain knowledge, gain a target.
 What areas of your life do you have a lot of knowledge in? What areas of your life do you
have little knowledge in? – Maths, fashion, super heroes, computers, parenting, baking….?
 What is the pursuit of knowledge important in our lives?
 What area in your life would you like to gain greater knowledge in?
 How can we ‘develop our knowledge pool”?
 Why is being prudent important in regards to future thinking?
 What vision do you have for your life at the moment? What is the target you are going for?
Continued…
UNDERSTANDING – The why is what secures the reason…
Proverbs 2:10 - “For wisdom will enter your heart, and knowledge will fill you with joy. 11 Wise
choices will watch over you. Understanding will keep you safe.”
 Often we have a knowledge of what is right but fall short of attaching the why to it.
The ‘why to the what’ is arguably more important than the ‘what’.
 Without the discovery of the why we lose our ability to make informed decisions….
Society these days has moved away from the what is “right” and the reality is, they know the
“what” but don’t understand they why so boundaries keep shifting.
o Ps Paul last week – “Freedom is not the right to do what you want to do, but
strength to do what you ought to do.”
 God doesn’t limit us, He liberates us…. However, There are limitations to liberation
Key Verse - Proverbs 3:13-19
“Joyful is the person who finds wisdom, the one who gains understanding. 14 For wisdom is more
profitable than silver, and her wages are better than gold. 15 Wisdom is more precious than rubies;
nothing you desire can compare with her. 16 She offers you long life in her right hand, and riches and
honor in her left. 17 She will guide you down delightful paths; all her ways are satisfying. 18 Wisdom
is a tree of life to those who embrace her; happy are those who hold her tightly. 19 By wisdom the
Lord founded the earth; by understanding he created the heavens.”
 vs 18, Don’t let it all go, we have to hold on to it!
KEY: Understanding is the key to establishment
 Vision is one thing – Establishment is another thing.
 So often we begin with huge gusto, a moment of inspiration, possibility...
o Yet once the real cost begins, our inspiration fails to attach the associated
perspiration
If the ‘what’ fails to attach the ‘why’ it fails to produce long term.
 How do you think joy links with knowledge, understanding and wisdom?
 Do you are agree or disagree with the statement that “The ‘why to the what’ is arguably
more important than the ‘what’”. Why do you think that?
 What do you think about the shifting boundaries of society and why this is happening?
 Discuss Ps Pauls quote – limitations to liberation… What are your thoughts?
 In what ways does understanding bring establishment? How does understanding help in the
face of the cost of our targets/vision? What are examples of this in your life?
When our lives break down
Knowledge is accepting something is wrong
Understanding is recognizing why it is wrong
Wisdom is committing to what is needed to get it right
NEXT WEEK: Wisdom – The when / how we apply the truth…
2 Corinthians 4:1-6
God has called you and I to use WISDOM in bringing KNOWLEDGE and UNDERSTANDING to the
world we live in…