Let's Be Wise Like Jesus: Wisdom Starts With God

Hey, carpool crew. Maybe you're sitting on the couch right now wrapped in a blanket, or maybe you're riding in the car, looking out the window, enjoying the view. Either way, I'm really glad you're here. I'm Pastor Justin, and I'm so thankful you're listening to Carpooling with Jesus today. Let's jump in together. Our verse today is from Proverbs chapter one, verse seven. It says, the fear of the Lord is the beginning of knowledge. Fools despise wisdom and discipline. Proverbs was written mostly by King Solomon, the wisest man to ever live, and it was meant to train young people to live well. Solomon opens the whole book with this big idea. You don't even start getting wise until you respect God. Back in Jesus' time, Jewish boys would go to a school called synagogue and they would memorize verses just like this. So when we read this today, we're literally reading what Jesus would've studied as a kid. How cool is that? So let's be real. School is full of people who think they know everything. I know when I was a kid, I was absolutely like that, but Solomon says you're not wise because you know a bunch. You're wise because you know who to trust, and that fear of the Lord, that's not being scared of God. It's actually a deep respect. It is taking God seriously, listening to what he says, even when you don't feel like it. The second part says this, fools despise wisdom and discipline. A fool hears the truth and rolls their eyes. They ignore correction. They think they've got it all figured out. Don't be that guy. Don't be that girl. If Jesus were sitting right next to you, he might say something like, wisdom starts with me. Don't try to figure out life without me. When Jesus was a boy, he respected his father's word, and when he grew up, people were amazed at his wisdom, not because he had perfect grades, not because he never went to the principal's office, but because he lived connected to God. So let's say your teacher gives you clear instructions on a project. Maybe it's just a coloring sheet. Maybe it's a book report. One kid in the class follows it step by step. Another kid doesn't even listen and just guesses their way through the entire thing. Who's gonna do better? It's obvious, right? The kid who listened, who took it step by step. Life's kind of like that. God gives us wisdom through his word, but if we don't respect it, listen to it, or apply it, we're just guessing our way through. The smartest move we can always make is to start with God. So what are some ways we can apply this today? Start your day by praying, God help me live wisely today. You can also respect God more than your own opinion. Don't treat praying to God or reading the Bible like background noise. It's really important. And when someone gives you correction, maybe a teacher or a parent, listen. It's not punishment. It's training you, preparing yourself to be wise. Remember, no matter where you are or how you're listening, God loves you. And parents, if this episode encouraged you, share it with another parent. We love when other people discover Carpooling with Jesus. Now, before you go, answer this question together. What's one way you can show respect for God in how you act at school this week? I hope you enjoyed this episode of Carpooling with Jesus. Be sure to check out our other episodes and you can follow us on Instagram at carpooling with Jesus. Thanks for being part of the Carpool Crew. We'll see you next time.