Series: Vital Connections Pt3
Title: Everyone Needs A Few To Follow
Text: Ecclesiastes 4:9-12; selected Proverbs
Date: November 24, 2024

Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a (NLT): Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. 10 If one person falls, the other can reach out and help.

Proverbs 13:20 (NIV): Walk with the wise and become wise, for a companion of fools suffers harm.

1 Corinthians 11:1 (NIV): Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ.

1. Look for one who _____________________________________ in God.

Proverbs 8:30 (NIV): Then I [Wisdom] was constantly at his [God’s] side. I was filled with delight day after day, rejoicing always in his presence.

Proverbs 8:6-9 (NIV): Listen, for I have trustworthy things to say; I open my lips to speak what is right. 7 My mouth speaks what is true, for my lips detest wickedness. 8 All the words of my mouth are just; none of them is crooked or perverse. 9 To the discerning all of them are right; they are upright to those who have found knowledge.

2. Look for one who is a ___________________________ of Jesus Christ.

Truth To Live By: Disciples are learners. Learners are humble. The humble are teachable. And the teachable are disciples.

1 Corinthians 1:24 (NIV): ...but to those whom God has called, both Jews and Greeks, Christ the power of God and the wisdom of God.

Proverbs 13:14 (NIV): The teaching of the wise is a fountain of life, turning a person from the snares of death.

Proverbs 22:17-18 (NLT): Listen to the words of the wise; apply your heart to my instruction. 18 For it is good to keep these sayings in your heart and always ready on your lips.

Proverbs 12:15 (NIV): The way of fools seems right to them, but the wise listen to advice.

3. Look for one who ____________________________________ others.

Proverbs 11:25 (NIV): A generous person will prosper; whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.

Philippians 2:3-5 (NIV): Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, 4 not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. 5 In your relationships with one another, have the same mindset as Christ Jesus:

Proverbs 11:30 (NIV): The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he who wins souls is wise.

1. Give them _____________________________________________.

Proverbs 30:17 (NIV): The eye that mocks a father, that scorns an aged mother, will be pecked out by the ravens of the valley, will be eaten by the vultures.

2. Give them ______________________________________________.

Proverbs 15:23 (NIV): A person finds joy in giving an apt reply— and how good is a timely word!

“Be a bragger of people not a nagger. Give strokes not pokes. Things do not have to be perfect to be appreciated. If we wait for things to be perfect before we are going to appreciate our (Parents), wife or husband, our kids or co-workers, we will never appreciate anybody, because nobody is perfect.” Dr. Rick Warren

3. Give them _______________________________________________.

Proverbs 13:20a (MSG): Become wise by walking with the wise...

Proverbs 27:17 (NIV): As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.