Welcome friends!
I am so glad you have joined me at The Calm of His Presence. For those of you who are new here or haven’t stopped by in a while take a little bit to look around. I’ve made some changes that will hopefully help you find things a bit easier. As you scroll down you will notice graphics with snippets of posts. This gives you easier access to multiple posts without scrolling way down or searching the site. I have also adjusted the navigation tool bar to make it easier to find topics I focus on here at The Calm of His Presence.
Do you subscribe to The Calm of His Presence newsletter? If not, click on the green “sign up” button on the top right of your screen to start receiving the monthly newsletter Sitting in His Presence. I’m supper excited because this month we sent out the very first Sitting in His Presence. Each month will have a different theme of focus with a Prayer Prompt, Digging Deeper Scripture, and Tending my Pasture moment. This month we are focusing on the theme Back to School. I will center blog, Instagram, and Facebook posts around this monthly theme. I don’t want you to miss out on anything so if you aren’t already signed up for Sitting in His Presence, follow me on Instagram or Facebook go ahead and do that now.
Just to highlight this months theme in Sitting in His Presence…
- Prayer Prompt: Based from Hebrews 10:35
- Digging Deeper Scripture: Proverbs 13:20
- Tending my Pasture: Tips on helping children who struggle with back to school nerves.
Today we are going to look at our Digging Deeper Scripture passage. Some of you may have a lot of experience studying God’s Word on your own but for some the concept of sitting down and studying God’s Word without the direction of a written out Bible Study is very overwhelming. I want to help you learn how to breakdown and understand God’s Word. Each month we will have a different passage with a suggested way to study. You are welcome to use the method that works for you. This month our featured way of studying the passage is through Verse Mapping. Grab your Bible, journal and pen and join me as we dig deeper into Proverbs 13:20
- Step 1: Write out the verse:
He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion of fools will suffer harm. Proverbs 13:20
- Step 2: Look up the verse in other translations and make note of the differences.
He who walks with wise men will be wise, but the companion (associates with – NLT) of fools will suffer harm (shall be destroyed – KJV, get in trouble – NLT).
- Step 3: Cross Reference the verse or specific words in the passage.
“My son, if sinners entice you, do not give in to them.” Proverbs 1:10 NIV
“Wisdom will save you from the ways of wicked men, from men whose words are perverse.” Proverbs 2:12 NIV
“Do not set foot on the path of the wicked or walk in the way of evil men. Avoid it, do not travel on it; turn from it and go on your way. For they cannot sleep till they do evil; they are robbed of slumber till they make someone fall.” Proverbs 4:14-16 NIV
“A violent man entices his neighbor and leads him down a path that is not good.” Proverbs 16:29 NIV
“Do not make friends with a hot-tempered man, do not associate with one so easily angered, or you may learn his ways and get yourself ensnared.” Proverbs 22:24-25 NIV
- Step 4: Look key words up in concordance or dictionary to gain better understanding of the word.
walks – verb, literally and figuratively, walk, live, manner of life, to lead, bring, lead away
wise – adj, intelligent, skillful, artful, cunning, subtle, prudent
will be wise – in mind, word or act; teach wisdom, instruct, become wise
companion – verb, associates with, to graze, to feed
fool – noun, stupid, silly, dullard, arrogant
suffer harm – verb, spoil, make good for nothing, break down in pieces, be injurious
- Step 5: Rewrite verse in your own words and ask questions God brings to mind or write notes on what He has revealed during the process.
He who walks with (is led by or lives their lives with or associates with) wise (intelligent, skillful or prudent) men will be wise (in their minds, words and actions) but the companion (the one who associates with, hangs out with) fools (stupid, silly, arrogant, lacks judgement, makes bad decisions) will suffer harm (be good for nothing, spoil, be destroyed, get in trouble).
How can I help my children understand the importance of choosing good friends?
I need to pray for and encourage my kids to be the “wise” friend and lead rather than follow.
Encourage them to make good decisions and stand up for what is right.
- Step 6: Through rewriting the verse and asking the questions/writing the notes you now have a direction to pray over the week.
Dear Lord,
As the kids begin a new school year help them stay focused on you. Give them the strength and confidence to make the right choices and be a leader not a follower. I pray they will make good, Godly friends who will be a source of encouragement as they seek to follow you. Help them have hearts and minds that set goals and work hard to achieve them. But, more importantly, I pray they chase hard after you.
In Your Name I Pray, Amen!
