This small group discussion guide draws directly from Jason May's sermon “Becoming A Person Of the Word Part 1” so you can keep engaging with the message all week. Read, reflect, and share it with your small group or friends.
Small Group Discussion Guide
Becoming a Person of the Word: The Book of Proverbs as Your Guide
Based on Sunday's Sermon by Howard Tryon
"My son, if you will receive my sayings and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding, if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures..." — Proverbs 2:1–4
A NOTE TO YOUR FACILITATOR
Welcome! This guide is designed to help your group engage meaningfully with Sunday's message regardless of your experience level or biblical background. You don't need to be a theological expert to lead a great discussion — your main job is to create a safe, open space where people can think, share, and grow together.
A few practical tips before you begin:
- Read through the entire guide before your meeting so nothing surprises you.
- You likely won't get through every question — that's okay. Choose the ones that fit your group best.
- Silence is normal and healthy. Give people a moment to think before moving on.
- Your goal isn't to have the "right" answers — it's to help people connect with God and each other.
- Estimated times are guides, not rules. Follow the energy of your group.
Total Suggested Time: 75–90 minutes
SERMON OVERVIEW
(For the facilitator — read or paraphrase this aloud to open the meeting)
In Sunday's message, Howard Tryon challenged us to move beyond biblical indifference and scriptural ignorance toward becoming genuine people of God's Word. Using the book of Proverbs as his foundation, he argued that Proverbs is uniquely crafted to teach us how to understand Scripture — not just what it says, but how to discern its meaning and apply it to real life. The sermon introduced two foundational reasons why Proverbs equips us this way: it teaches us to discern (to figure out, comprehend, and truly understand), and it teaches us to discern meaning (to grasp what Scripture actually says and avoid dangerous misinterpretation). The series will continue throughout the week, anchored in Proverbs 2:1–4.
SECTION 1: ICEBREAKER
(5–10 minutes)
Choose ONE of the following to open your time together:
Option A (lighter, fun):
Howard told a story about a student named Brandon who claimed to know Spanish — but barely knew the word bueno. Think of a time you confidently attempted something you quickly realized you weren't as prepared for as you thought. What happened?
Option B (more reflective):
When you were growing up, who first taught you something meaningful about the Bible or about God? What did that look like — and how has your relationship with Scripture changed since then?
[Leader Tip]: The icebreaker is about warming up the room and helping people feel comfortable speaking. There are no wrong answers here. If your group is quiet, share your own story first to model vulnerability and get things moving.
SECTION 2: SCRIPTURE READING
(5 minutes)
Have someone read the following passages aloud. Invite the group to listen for words or phrases that stand out to them.
Proverbs 1:1–6 (The stated purpose of the book)
"The proverbs of Solomon, son of David, king of Israel: to know wisdom and instruction, to discern the sayings of understanding, to receive instruction in wise behavior, righteousness, justice and equity; to give prudence to the naive, to the youth knowledge and discretion, a wise man will hear and increase in learning, and a man of understanding will acquire wise counsel, to understand a proverb and a figure, the words of the wise and their riddles."
Proverbs 2:1–9 (The call to pursue wisdom)
"My son, if you will receive my sayings and treasure my commandments within you, make your ear attentive to wisdom, incline your heart to understanding; for if you cry for discernment, lift your voice for understanding; if you seek her as silver and search for her as for hidden treasures; then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God. For the Lord gives wisdom; from His mouth come knowledge and understanding. He stores up sound wisdom for the upright; He is a shield to those who walk in integrity, guarding the paths of justice, and He preserves the way of His godly ones. Then you will discern righteousness and justice and equity and every good course."
[Leader Tip]: After reading, give the group 30 seconds of quiet to reflect. Then simply ask, "What word or phrase stood out to you?" before moving into the discussion questions. This helps people engage personally with the text right away.
SECTION 3: DISCUSSION QUESTIONS
(30–45 minutes total)
Work through these questions at your group's pace. You don't need to cover all of them — choose 5–7 that feel most relevant to your group.
THEME A: The Problem — Scriptural Ignorance in Our Culture
(Observational & Interpretive — start here to ground the conversation)
Question 1 (5 minutes) Howard used the image of Brandon, the "Spanish expert" who barely knew the word bueno, to describe how many people relate to the Bible. In your own words, what point was he making about our culture's relationship with Scripture? Where do you see that playing out today?
Question 2 (5 minutes) Howard listed several consequences of biblical illiteracy: "misinformed judgments, misguided behavior, marred image of God, disturbed Christian experience, and injured human enterprise." Which of those consequences resonates most with what you observe in the world around you — and why?
[Leader Tip]: This question can open up cultural or political observations. Keep the group focused on what Scripture teaches rather than letting it drift into political debate. If needed, gently redirect: "That's a real example — what does the Word of God say about that?"
THEME B: Discernment — Learning to Figure It Out
(Interpretive & Personal)
Question 3 (7 minutes) The Hebrew word biyn (pronounced "bean") means to consider something so carefully — with your senses, your mind, your heart — that you truly possess understanding of it. Howard described it as "the moment of comprehension when you got it."
- Can you think of a time when something in Scripture finally clicked for you in a new way? What was that like?
- What do you think made the difference between just reading those words and actually discerning their meaning?
Question 4 (7 minutes) Proverbs 2:5 says that if we pursue wisdom diligently, "then you will discern the fear of the Lord and discover the knowledge of God." Howard pointed out that the "fear of the Lord" is more than just awe or respect — it includes a holy reverence that recognizes who God truly is.
- How would you describe the difference between respecting God and genuinely fearing God in the biblical sense?
- How does a deeper understanding of who God is change the way you live day to day?
[Leader Tip]: Some group members may be unfamiliar with the concept of "fear of the Lord." Reassure the group that this isn't about being terrified of a harsh God, but about taking God seriously in His holiness, power, and justice — which actually draws us toward Him, not away. Encourage honest wrestling with the concept.
Question 5 (5 minutes) Howard argued that the book of Proverbs is like a chemistry set, a biology lab, and an astronomy kit all in one — tools given to us so we can learn and discover through active engagement. What does it look like practically to engage with Proverbs (or any part of Scripture) actively rather than passively?
THEME C: Discerning Meaning — Getting Scripture Right
(Interpretive & Application)
Question 6 (7 minutes) Howard used a powerful historical example: for generations, Genesis 9 was misused to justify the oppression of Black Americans — a tragic misinterpretation that caused real harm to real people. He also referenced the Sadducees in Matthew 22, whom Jesus told directly: "You are mistaken, not understanding the Scriptures."
- What does it tell us about the stakes of biblical interpretation that getting it wrong can injure people and distort God's image?
- Without pointing fingers at others, is there an area where you feel uncertain about your own understanding of a biblical passage or teaching? How do you navigate that?
[Leader Tip]: This is a sensitive but important question. Model humility yourself — none of us has perfect interpretation. The goal isn't to make anyone feel attacked but to cultivate honest, humble engagement with Scripture. If the group gets uncomfortable, affirm that uncertainty is a healthy starting point for growth.
Question 7 (5 minutes) Howard quoted Luke 24:27 — the moment when the risen Jesus walked with two disciples on the road to Emmaus and "explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures." Their response was: "Were not our hearts burning within us?"
- What do you think it would feel like to have Scripture open up to you in that way?
- What do you think it would take for your personal time in God's Word to produce more of that "burning heart" experience?
THEME D: Proverbs 2:1–4 — The Conditions for Becoming a Person of the Word
(Application-focused)
Question 8 (7 minutes) Proverbs 2:1–4 gives us a series of if conditions before the then promises of verses 5–9. Look back at the passage and notice the active verbs: receive, treasure, make your ear attentive, incline your heart, cry out, lift your voice, seek, search.
- What do these verbs tell you about the kind of engagement God is looking for in us?
- Which of these actions feels most natural to you? Which feels most challenging?
Question 9 (5 minutes) The passage compares the pursuit of wisdom to searching for silver and hidden treasures. What does that comparison reveal about how much effort, desire, and intentionality God expects us to bring to studying His Word?
SECTION 4: PERSONAL APPLICATION
(10–15 minutes)
These questions are for personal reflection. Invite people to share what they're comfortable with — some may prefer to keep these private and use them for journaling or prayer later.
Reflection 1 On a scale of 1 to 10, how would you honestly rate your current engagement with Scripture — not just reading it, but actively seeking to understand and apply it? What would it look like to move one step higher on that scale?
Reflection 2 Howard said: "No book of the Bible teaches you to become a person of the word better than the book of Proverbs." Have you ever read through the book of Proverbs? What has been your experience with it — or what has kept you from engaging with it?
Reflection 3 Is there a specific area of your life right now — a relationship, a decision, a struggle — where you sense you need discernment? What would it look like to bring that need to Scripture and to God in prayer this week?
Reflection 4 Howard closed with this observation: "Nobody can make that decision to become a person of the word for you." What is one concrete, realistic step you could take this week to move toward becoming a more intentional student of God's Word?
[Leader Tip]: For the application section, consider going around the circle and having each person share just one word or one sentence in response to Reflection 4. This keeps things moving, gives everyone a voice, and ends the discussion on a note of personal commitment.
THIS WEEK'S CHALLENGE
Choose one (or more) of the following to practice before your group meets again:
📖 Read Proverbs 2 every day this week. Each day, write down one word or phrase that stands out and ask God: "What do you want me to understand from this?"
📝 Start a "discernment journal." When you read Scripture this week, write down not just what the text says, but what you think it means for your life right now.
🤝 Find a "Word partner." Ask one person in your group or church to be a weekly accountability partner for time in Scripture — even a 5-minute daily check-in text can make a significant difference.
🙏 Pray Proverbs 2:3 as a daily prayer this week: "Lord, I cry out for discernment. I lift my voice for understanding. Open your Word to me."
SECTION 5: PRAYER FOCUS
(5–10 minutes)
Close your time together in prayer. Here are suggested areas to pray through — feel free to use these as prompts or pray spontaneously:
Gratitude — Thank God for giving us His Word and for the gift of the book of Proverbs as a guide to understanding it.
Humility — Ask God to reveal any areas where we may be approaching Scripture with overconfidence, indifference, or misunderstanding.
Hunger — Pray for a genuine, growing desire to know God through His Word — not just as information, but as personal relationship.
Discernment — Ask the Holy Spirit to be your teacher as you engage with Scripture this week (see John 16:13).
Each Other — Pray specifically for the people in your group — that each person would take one step this week toward becoming more rooted in God's Word.
Consider closing with this prayer together, or have your facilitator pray it on behalf of the group:
"Father, thank You for Your Word. Thank You that it is inspired, infallible, and alive. We confess that we often approach it casually when You have called us to pursue it like hidden treasure. Give us hunger. Give us humility. Give us the discernment that only You can give. Teach us through the book of Proverbs to become men and women of Your Word — not just hearers, but seekers. We ask this in Jesus' name. Amen."
SECTION 6: OPTIONAL DEEP DIVE
For Groups Wanting to Go Further
These questions are for groups with extra time or who want to explore the sermon's themes more deeply. They also work well for individual reflection during the week.
Deep Dive 1 — The Properties of Scripture Howard described Scripture using four key terms: revealed, inspired, infallible, and inerrant.
- In your own words, what does each of these terms mean?
- Which of these four properties of Scripture do you find most personally meaningful or encouraging — and why?
- Which, if any, do you find most difficult to hold onto when life gets hard or confusing?
For further study: 2 Timothy 3:16–17; 2 Peter 1:20–21; Psalm 119:89; Isaiah 40:8
Deep Dive 2 — The Fear of the Lord Howard drew a distinction between the popular teaching of "fear of the Lord" as merely awe and respect and the fuller biblical picture that includes holy terror and trembling before God's holiness and justice.
- Read Proverbs 1:7: "The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom." What do you think it means that fear — not just love or curiosity — is the starting point for wisdom?
- How does a proper fear of God actually free us rather than paralyze us?
- How does the gospel — the grace of God through Jesus Christ — transform what the fear of God means for a believer?
For further study: Proverbs 1:7; Psalm 111:10; Hebrews 12:28–29; 1 John 4:18
Deep Dive 3 — The Cost of Misinterpretation Howard used the historical misuse of Genesis 9 to justify racial oppression as a sobering example of what happens when Scripture is misinterpreted. He also referenced Jesus correcting the Sadducees in Matthew 22.
- What safeguards do you think are important for interpreting Scripture carefully and responsibly?
- What role do community, mentorship, and trusted teaching play in helping us understand the Bible correctly?
- How do we hold together confidence in Scripture's truth with humility about our own potential for misunderstanding it?
For further study: Matthew 22:23–33; Acts 17:11; 2 Peter 3:16; Nehemiah 8:8
QUICK REFERENCE: KEY SCRIPTURES FROM THE SERMON
| Passage | Theme |
|---|---|
| Proverbs 1:1–6 | The five purposes of Proverbs |
| Proverbs 2:1–9 | The conditions and rewards of pursuing wisdom |
| Proverbs 2:5 | Discerning the fear of the Lord |
| Proverbs 23:23 | Buy truth and do not sell it |
| Matthew 22:23–29 | Jesus corrects misinterpretation of Scripture |
| Luke 24:27 | Jesus opens the Scriptures on the road to Emmaus |
| 2 Timothy 3:16 | Scripture is God-breathed |
| Isaiah 40:8 | The Word of God stands forever |
| Psalm 90 | The brevity of life and the call to wisdom |
LOOKING AHEAD
This sermon is the first in a multi-part series on Proverbs and becoming a person of the Word. Howard Tryon will continue the series throughout the week with additional chapel messages. The series will anchor in Proverbs 2:1–4, unpacking each condition for wisdom in depth.
Encourage your group to:
- Attend or watch the upcoming messages in the series
- Read Proverbs 2 in its entirety before the next meeting
- Come back next week ready to share what they discovered in their personal time with Scripture
This discussion guide was prepared for small group use based on the sermon "Becoming a Person of the Word" by Howard Tryon. All Scripture quotations are from the New American Standard Bible (NASB) unless otherwise noted. Permission granted for local church small group use.