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Asking God for the Wisdom I Need

The fool says in his heart, “There is no God.”… PSALM 14:1 ESV

TO GAIN WISDOM, I MUST LEARN TO:

ASK GOD TO HELP ME TRUST HIM AS MY HEAVENLY FATHER

“You parents—if your children ask for a loaf of bread, do you give them a stone instead? Or if they ask for a fish, do you give them a snake? Of course not! So if you sinful people know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your heavenly Father give good gifts to those who ask him. MATTHEW 7:9-11 NLT

Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ has become a child of God. And everyone who loves the Father loves his children, too. 1 JOHN 5:1 NLT

And because we are his children, God has sent the Spirit of his Son into our hearts, prompting us to call out, “Abba, Father.” GALATIANS 4:6 NLT

TRUST GOD EVEN WHEN I AM DISCIPLINED BY HIM

As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever? HEBREWS 12:7-9 NLT

MAINTAIN A HEALTHY FEAR AND RESPECT FOR GOD

And remember that the heavenly Father to whom you pray has no favorites. He will judge or reward you according to what you do. So you must live in reverent fear of him during your time here as “temporary residents.” 1 PETER 1:17 NLT

The fear of the LORD is the beginning of wisdom, and the knowledge of the Holy One is insight. PROVERBS 9:10 ESV

ASK GOD TO SHARE HIS WISDOM WITH ME

If you need wisdom, ask our generous God, and he will give it to you. He will not rebuke you for asking. JAMES 1:5 NLT

“Keep on asking, and you will receive what you ask for. Keep on seeking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And to everyone who knocks, the door will be opened. MATTHEW 7:7-8 NLT

I MUST ASK GOD FOR WISDOM:

FOR WHAT I DON’T KNOW ABOUT MYSELF

But you desire honesty from the womb, teaching me wisdom even there. PSALM 51:6 NLT

WHEN DEALING WITH DIFFICULT RELATIONSHIPS

But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. JAMES 3:17 NLT

“Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you. This is the essence of all that is taught in the law and the prophets. MATTHEW 7:12 NLT

WHEN FACING A TOUGH DECISION

And we are instructed to turn from godless living and sinful pleasures. We should live in this evil world with wisdom, righteousness, and devotion to God,… TITUS 2:12 NLT

WHEN I DON’T UNDERSTAND SOMETHING ABOUT GOD

…asking God, the glorious Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, to give you spiritual wisdom and insight so that you might grow in your knowledge of God. EPHESIANS 1:17 NLT

WHEN HELPING SOMEONE ELSE WITH A TOUGH DECISION

Let the message about Christ, in all its richness, fill your lives. Teach and counsel each other with all the wisdom he gives. COLOSSIANS 3:16 NLT

My Notes

Personal Reflection Guide

Find a quiet place to reflect on this message and invite God to guide your time together. “Keep on asking and you will receive what you ask for.” Matthew 7:7-12 reminds us that God is not distant or indifferent – He is our loving Father, who listens, gives and guides. Reflect on the truth that you’re a child of your Heavenly Father. What do you believe about God’s desire to give you good gifts, even when that includes discipline? How does knowing you are God’s child shape the way you approach Him in prayer? One of the greatest gifts we can receive from God is wisdom. Where in your life do you need God’s wisdom today? Is there a relationship, decision, or area of needed growth within you that could benefit from God’s wisdom and discernment? Ask God now, boldly and specifically, trusting He responds to you as a loving Father. Matthew 7:12 shifts our focus outward: “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you.” This simple command reflects the heart of God – to love. How has your relationship with God changed the way you see or treat others, specifically those who are difficult to love? Have you grown in patience, generosity, or forgiveness, sharing the grace and mercy you’ve received from God? Take time to honestly reflect. Ask your Father in Heaven how you could grow in loving others the same way He loves you.

Discussion Questions

For our Matthew series, we’re offering two options for discussing the sermon and Scripture. Choose option A or B to guide your group’s discussion time.

(A) The R.E.A.L. Bible Study Method:

1. Read the Passage. Start by reading Matthew 7:7-12 (NLT) out loud.

2. Explore the Theme. What are the main points or theme of the passage? What does this passage reveal about God and/or humanity? Consider the other passages referenced in the sermon notes in your discussion.

3. Apply the Lesson. How do we apply these passages to our lives today? What stands out from the passage—that God might be encouraging or challenging you in?

4. Live It Out. What prayerful and specific action will you take based on what you learned?

(B) Choose a couple of questions from each section below to discuss as a group:

  1. START HERE: What’s one decision you made when you were younger that you wish you’d had more wisdom for?
  2. START HERE: Think of a time when someone’s wisdom helped you. Who shared that wisdom, and how did it impact you?
  3. START HERE: What qualities or characteristics make someone trustworthy in your eyes?
  4. START HERE: How different do you think the world would be if everyone had a loving, protective and faithful father in their life?
  5. KEEP GOING: Read 1 John 5:1 (NLT). How does the truth that you’re God’s child shape the way you approach Him in prayer?
  6. KEEP GOING: Read Matthew 7:7-12 (NLT). Share a time you asked for and received wisdom from God. How did that wisdom help you trust Him more?
  7. KEEP GOING: Read James 3:17 (NLT). In your experience, what’s different about God’s wisdom vs. the wisdom in the world around you?
  8. KEEP GOING: Read Hebrews 12:7-9 (NLT). How does discipline, both the divine and earthly, help us grow?
  9. LIVE IT OUT: Read James 1:5 (NLT). When you consider difficult relationships, tough decisions or needed growth in your life, in which do you need to ask for God’s wisdom today?
  10. LIVE IT OUT: Read Colossians 3:16 (NLT). How could you grow in first sharing God’s wisdom, before your own advice, with others?