Do you want a good devotional that gives you insight into the heart of God as well as equips you with spiritual discernment?
Reading one Proverb a day allows you to have as deep of a Bible study as you want, while focusing on godly principles essential to your walk with Christ.
Here’s how it works. There are 31 chapters in the Book of Proverbs, so you would read one chapter of Proverbs each day during the month.
While you read, highlight or underline a key passage to return to once you finish the chapter. This may be a particular verse that jumped out at you when you read it or one that the Holy Spirit impressed on you. You may want to have a notebook handy to take notes. When you concentrate on the verses, ask yourself these three questions:
1. What does this scripture teach me about God?
2. How should I apply this teaching in my own personal life?
3. What does this scripture teach me about my relationship with others?
Try memorizing the scripture each day. To understand the verse better, look up other scriptures on the same subject. We recommend having a good concordance to help you in your study.
Here are examples for the first 2 days to get you started!
Day 1 | Proverbs 1
Focus Verse | Proverbs 1:7
“The fear of the LORD is the beginning of knowledge, but fools despise wisdom and instruction.”
What does this scripture teach me about God?
God is an awesome being. To fear him means to reverence him as the ONLY true God. God is sovereign and we should never put anything above him.
Ezekiel 30:13 “This is what the Sovereign LORD says: ‘I will destroy the idols and put an end to the images in Memphis. No longer will there be a prince in Egypt, and I will spread fear throughout the land.”
To fear God means to be obedient to him. In Genesis 22, Abraham waited for hundreds of years for a son. After waiting so long, God gave him a son, his only son. Isaac was dearly loved by Abraham and he grew to be strong and faithful. However, one day God spoke to Abraham and told him to offer Isaac as a sacrifice. So Abraham surrendered to God’s will and took Isaac to a private place, laid him on the altar. He was about to sacrifice his only son when God stopped him. Look what God said to Abraham:
Genesis 22:12 “Do not lay a hand on the boy,” he said. “Do not do anything to him. Now I know that you fear God, because you have not withheld from me your son, your only son.”
To fear God means to show Him reverence by being obedient to Him.
How should I apply this teaching to my personal life?
As we begin our walk in Christ we should give Him the glory and honor He deserves by being obedient to Him in attending church, reading and studying His word and spending time each day in prayer.
Matthew 6:6 “But when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.“
John 17:17 “Sanctify them by the truth; your word is truth.”
Hebrews 10:24-25 “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another —and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
What does this scripture teach me about my relationships with others?
When we revere and obey God, he will give us the wisdom and knowledge needed to have a meaningful relationship with Him and others.
Mark 12:30-31 “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.’ The second is this: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’ There is no commandment greater than these.”
Day 2 | Proverbs 2
Focus Verse | Proverbs 2:6
“For the LORD gives wisdom; from his mouth come knowledge and understanding.”
What does this scripture teach me about God?
God gives us everything we need for our intellect. Those qualities will not come from any other source but God. He gives us wisdom for discernment; knowledge to increase our need for learning; and understanding to increase our comprehension.
2 Chronicles 9:23 “All the kings of the earth sought audience with Solomon to hear the wisdom God had put in his heart.”
Daniel 1:17 “To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and learning. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds.”
How should I apply this teaching to my personal life?
As we grow in Christian maturity, we should seek wisdom, knowledge and understanding from God, knowing that they come from God. The best place to seek wisdom is by reading and obeying His Word.
Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes that I may see wonderful things in your law.
Psalm 119:33-34 Teach me, LORD, the way of your decrees, that I may follow it to the end. Give me understanding, so that I may keep your law and obey it with all my heart.
What does this scripture teach me about my relationships with others?
In Mark 3 we have the instance where Jesus’ mother and half brothers come to see Him while He is teaching. Someone from the crowd tells Him his family is there to see Him. Look how Jesus responds to them.
Mark 3:33-35 “‘Who are my mother and my brothers?’ he asked. Then he looked at those seated in a circle around him and said, ‘Here are my mother and my brothers! Whoever does God’s will is my brother and sister and mother.’”
When we seek wisdom from God through His Word we are seeking God’s will in our lives. Anyone who seeks God’s will in their lives are our brothers and sisters. This makes our relationships with other Christians both special and unique.
Now that you’ve jumpstarted your daily devotional, here are 5 suggested focus verses from the next 5 chapters of Proverbs.
Proverbs 3
Focus Verses | Proverbs 3:3-4
“Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart. Then you will win favor and a good name in the sight of God and man.”
Proverbs 4
Focus Verse | Proverbs 4:23
“Above all else, guard your heart, for everything you do flows from it.”
Proverbs 5
Focus Verse | Proverbs 5:21
“For your ways are in full view of the LORD, and he examines all your paths.”
Proverbs 6
Focus Verses | Proverbs 6:16-19
“There are six things the LORD hates, seven that are detestable to him: haughty eyes, a lying tongue, hands that shed innocent blood, a heart that devises wicked schemes, feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who pours out lies and a person who stirs up conflict in the community.”
Proverbs 7
Focus Verses | Proverbs 7:2
“Keep my commands and you will live; guard my teachings as the apple of your eye.”
Low-cost resources to help you in your daily Bible study:
Where to Find It in the Bible by Ken Anderson
Matthew Henry’s Commentary on the Whole Bible
Easton’s Bible Dictionary
