Session 1 1 Kings 3:4-15
looking for ways God’s response exceeded Solomon’s request.
10 Now it pleased the Lord that Solomon had requested this.
11 So God said to him,
“Because you have requested this and did not ask for long life or riches for yourself,
or the death of your enemies,
but you asked discernment for yourself to administer justice,
12 I will therefore do what you have asked.
I will give you a wise and understanding heart,
so that there has never been anyone like you before and never will be again.
13 In addition, I will give you what you did not ask for:
both riches and honor, so that no king will be your equal during your entire life.
14 If you walk in my ways and keep my statutes and commands just as your father David did,
I will give you a long life.”15 Then Solomon woke up and realized it had been a dream.
He went to Jerusalem, stood before the ark of the Lord’s covenant,
and offered burnt offerings and fellowship offerings.
Then he held a feast for all his servants.
Note that God was pleased because of the things Solomon did not request.
Guide the group to name those things.
Lead the group to identify the things God promised Solomon.
Use the Day 4 Daily Exploration (p. 18)
to help the group better understand what God offered Solomon.
Emphasize the statement:
God was the source of all the good things that would come in Solomon’s life—
wisdom, understanding, wealth, honor, and length of days.
God answered Solomon’s prayers in ways
that aligned with His purposes and His heart.
Solomon responded by turning to God again in worship and praise.
Invite a volunteer to read aloud the summary statements under Apply the Text (p. 16).
Encourage the group to consider living out these statements as believers:
Ask:
Read 1 Kings 3:9 aloud as a group.
Distribute copies of Pack Item 8 (Handout: Memory Verses Bookmark).
Encourage the group to memorize the verse as a reminder of our need for God’s wisdom.
Guide the group to the third question set under Apply the Text on page 16.
Discuss the first question in the set as a group.
What would you say is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
Encourage the group to write a private response to the second and third questions in the margin of their book.
Is there an area in your life in which you need God’s wisdom because of a challenge you face?
If so, this is something you are going to want to add to your personal prayer list.
Conclude with prayer,
acknowledging our need for God’s wisdom,
and thanking Him for the abundant wisdom He provides
if we will just ask.
Reinforce the session by contacting group members you haven’t seen in a while. Remind them that a new study is starting and encourage them to become involved from the beginning.