july 31 – Reading 212

by Vanessa Abrisqueta | July 31

“WISDOM BUILDERS: EVERY ADULT CALLED TO SHAPE THE NEXT GENERATION”
(Proverbs 25:1 – 28:28)

“Like apples of gold in settings of silver is a ruling rightly given. Like an earring of gold and an ornament of fine gold is a wise reprover to a listening ear.” – Proverbs 25:11-12

On a recent Sunday in our TLC Kids preschool class, I witnessed wisdom in action. A graduating high school senior was paired with a three-year-old for the Bible craft. When the little one’s chubby fingers struggled with the glue stick and his paper cross kept tearing, his frustration mounted quickly. Instead of taking over, the teenager knelt to his level and gently offered help when the frustration became overwhelming. He patiently guided the little hands, celebrating each small success until they created a beautiful Pentecost crown together. When the mom picked up her son at the end of class, she marveled at the craft he proudly displayed and was genuinely thankful for the help he had received that day. “I can’t believe how patient you were with him,” she told us. “There’s something special about the young people you’re raising here.”

Proverbs overflows with practical wisdom for character formation—patience, humility, self-control, and truthful speech. These aren’t just nice qualities; they’re kingdom building blocks that every believer is called to pass on to the next generation. Solomon understood that wisdom transmission requires relationship, patience, and intentional investment. When we live out these character traits authentically, children and new believers naturally gravitate toward the stability and peace they observe in our lives.

Jesus perfectly embodied Proverbs’ wisdom while expanding our understanding of discipleship. He didn’t just teach concepts; He lived truth before His followers, allowing them to observe wisdom in action. Christ’s commission to “make disciples” (Matthew 28:19) includes the call to spiritual parenting—nurturing faith and character in those God places in our sphere, regardless of biological relationships. Through the Holy Spirit’s power, every believer becomes equipped to share life-giving wisdom with younger generations.

This passage challenges us to see wisdom-sharing as our collective responsibility. Whether you’re single, married, empty-nesters, or parents of young children, God has positioned you to influence someone’s character development. The child in your small group, the teenager who bags your groceries, the new believer in your workplace—all are potential recipients of the wisdom God has deposited in your life through experience and Scripture.

Proverbs teaches that wise words, spoken at the right time, are like “apples of gold in settings of silver”—precious and beautiful. When unchurched neighbors witness Christians demonstrating patience with children, speaking truth with kindness, and displaying self-control under pressure, they see something that draws them toward the source of that wisdom: Jesus Christ.

Consider practical ways to be a wisdom-builder: engage in ministry opportunities not as a task-completer but as a character-shaper, mentor someone younger in your community, or simply be intentional about demonstrating Proverbs’ principles whenever others are watching.

Application:

• Every adult believer is called to spiritual parenting through wisdom-sharing

   

• Character formation happens through relationship and authentic modeling

   

• Wise living creates natural evangelistic opportunities that attract unchurched families

   

Reflection:

• What life wisdom has God given you through experience that could benefit a younger person?

   

• How might the Holy Spirit use your character and words to shape someone’s faith journey?

   

• Who is watching your life for an example of godly wisdom?

Closing Prayer…
Heavenly Father, thank You for the wisdom You’ve deposited in our lives through Your Word and experience. Help us see ourselves as spiritual parents called to shape the next generation’s character. Holy Spirit, guide our words and actions so they reflect Christ’s wisdom and draw others to Him. May we be intentional about investing in children and new believers, showing them what it looks like to live wisely in Your kingdom. Use our lives as living examples of Your truth and grace. In Jesus’ name, Amen.