(in)courage - Create in Me a Heart of Wisdom

We all want and need wisdom, but how do we get it?

When were in a relationship with a toxic person and need boundaries, when our churches are divided by theological differences, when we dont know how to navigate unexpected difficulties, knowing what the right, good, or wise thing to do is difficult. It would be easier if wisdom were formulaic and we could follow a set of rules to fix every tricky situation.

But the wisdom we need is the kind that can guide us when there is no right answer, when choosing the best thing goes against our loved ones advice, and when it seems impossible to find a way through complicated feelings, relationships, and circumstances. We need wisdom to live life fully, and that wisdom comes from God. He understands our realities, sees beyond what we can see, and is the ultimate source of knowledge and understanding. In Christ, we have access to Gods wisdom through the Holy Spirit, who directs our steps and dwells within us.

Create in Me a Heart of Wisdom teaches that wisdom is learned by understanding knowledge, listening to the Holy Spirit, experiencing struggle, being in community, and practicing what we learn over a lifetime. It wont offer solutions to specific problems, but it will offer spiritual insight and practical guided questions throughout the study to help you seek God and gain the wisdom you need.

Over the next six weeks, discover the wisdom that is available to you when you ask God for it, and learn to walk wisely by the help of the Holy Spirit.

How to Use This Study

Create in Me a Heart of Wisdom is designed to be used by individuals or small groups. For groups doing this study, we recommend allowing at least forty-five minutes for discussion (or more for larger groups).

As you work through this study, take your time. Sit with the truths of Gods Word and wrestle through what youre not sure about. If you feel challenged or you dont understand something, ask God to reveal His insight to you through the Holy Spirit.

This study is a guide to help you along your journey to becoming wise. Its not a prescribed path, so work at your own pace. If you dont get to every question or you want to linger longer in one week than another, thats okay! God can and will meet you, whether you spend thirty intentional minutes each day or you find moments here and there throughout the day.

Enhance your community study experience with our leader guide. Go to www.incourage.me/leaderguides to download your free small group resources.

Each week of this study will begin with a personal story from an (in)courage writer about how she learned wisdom through difficult life circumstances, through her community, or through faithful practice. Each week will also provide a memory verse (or verses) to work on throughout the study, to ground yourself in Gods Word, and to come back to even after you finish this book. Make sure to have a Bible or Bible app on hand for reading Scripture, and if it helps to write things down, use a journal or index cards to write each weeks memory verses.

The first day of each week will focus on the personal story and introduce the memory verse, and the following four days will explore how wisdom is learned, how to apply it, and the difference it can make in your life and the lives of those around you.

Are you ready? God wants to create in you a heart of wisdom, and we, your sisters at (in)courage, are right there with you in learning to become wise. Lets take a deep breath together and start the journey.