What is prudence; appropriateness; discernment?

pru·dent adj.

Wise in handling practical matters; exercising good judgment or common sense.

Careful in regard to one's own interests; provident.

Careful about one's conduct; circumspect.

prudent adj

1: careful and sensible; marked by sound judgment; "a prudent manager"; "prudent rulers"; "prudent hesitation"; "more prudent to hide than to fight" 2: showing wise self-restraint in speech and behavior especially in preserving prudent silence; "maintained a prudent silence"

ap·pro·pri·ate adj.

Suitable for a particular person, condition, occasion, or place; fitting.

dis·cern·ing adj.

Exhibiting keen insight and good judgment; perceptive.

Why a class for women on being prudent, appropriate?

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Could think of an older woman with a grey bun and granny glasses who people (perhaps even her husband) call a prude. In our mind’s eye she is properly sipping her cup of tea with excellent posture. Not what we are talking about here…and any who know us well know we are far from this. However, we do want to use the scriptures to talk about a “lost art”, which is really not an art, but a teaching from God on how we prudently and appropriately live our lives.

Likewise, teach the older women to be reverent in the way they live, not to be slanderers or addicted to much wine, but to teach what is good. Then they can train the younger women to love their husbands and children, to be self-controlled and pure, to be busy at home, to be kind, and to be subject to their husbands, so that no one will malign the word of God. (Titus 2:3-5)

Between us, we have about 120 years, and we want to help today to teach some things that are good.

God calls for prudence and appropriateness, and Godly women seek after it.

Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. (Job 34:4)

I, wisdom, dwell together with prudence; I possess knowledge and discretion. (Proverbs 8:12)

Houses and wealth are inherited from parents, but a prudent wife is from the Lord. (Proverbs 19:14)

What is it good for?

Discretion will protect you, and understanding will guard you. (Proverbs 2:11)

A prudent man sees danger and takes refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. (Proverbs 22:3)

The prudent see danger and take refuge, but the simple keep going and suffer for it. (Proverbs 27:12)

Also, as stated in Titus 2:5….how we conduct ourselves as women can recommend or malign the Word of God.

How do we get prudence?

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What is its purpose?

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Teach me knowledge and good judgment, for I believe in your commands. (Psalm 119:66)

Oh, how I love your law! I meditate on it all day long. Your commands make me wiser than my enemies, for they are ever with me. I have more insight than all my teachers, for I meditate on your statutes. I have more understanding than the elders, for I obey your precepts. (Psalm 119:97-100)

Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. (Job 34:4)

How does prudence express itself?

Wisdom is found on the lips of the discerning, but a rod is for the back of him who lacks judgment. (Proverbs 10:13)

The lips of the righteous know what is fitting, but the mouth of the wicked only what is perverse. (Proverbs 10:32)

A fool shows his annoyance at once, but a prudent man overlooks an insult. (Proverbs 12:16)

A prudent man keeps his knowledge to himself, but the heart of fools blurts out folly. (Proverbs 12:23)

A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. (Proverbs 25:11)

Like one who takes away a garment on a cold day, or like vinegar poured on soda, is one who sings songs to a heavy heart. (Proverbs 25:20)

What are some examples of lack of prudence in some practical verbal situations?

When one is grieving…

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Words to singles…though we might want to encourage..

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When someone is happy…..

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When someone is sad…

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When a child is adopted (to parent, to child) or a child is physically or emotionally challenged in some way

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Prudence in manners and common (or not so common) sense

Every prudent man acts out of knowledge, but a fool exposes his folly. (Proverbs 13:16)

Like a gold ring in a pig's snout is a beautiful woman who shows no discretion. (Proverbs 11:22)

for acquiring a disciplined and prudent life, doing what is right and just and fair; for giving prudence to the simple, knowledge and discretion to the young—let the wise listen and add to their learning, and let the discerning get guidance (Proverbs 1:3-5)

but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God. (1 Timothy 2:10)

Want to spend most of time on this point, as older women teaching things that are good.

We want to share some practical thoughts on prudence and appropriateness in various situations:

a) We recently talked about our worship time together. What are some of the factors where our appropriateness makes a difference here?

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b) Appropriateness for parties and showers?

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c) Appropriateness for weddings?

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d) Appropriateness for funerals, wakes?

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e) For helping those who are sick?

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f) When I decide what to wear?

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g) For lending and borrowing?

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h) When I am a guest? When I am a host?

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i) For considerateness, appropriateness in general (my mom’s plaque)

“If you sleep in it…make it up; if you wear it…hang it up; if you drop it…pick it up; if you spill it…wipe it up; if you eat out of it…wash it up; if you open it…close it up; if you empty it…fill it up; if it rings…answer it; if it howls…feed it; if it cries…love it.”

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Discerning right and wrong and better and best

Let us discern for ourselves what is right; let us learn together what is good. (Job 34:4)

The wisdom of the prudent is to give thought to their ways, but the folly of fools is deception. (Proverbs 14:8)

A simple man believes anything, but a prudent man gives thought to his steps. (Proverbs 14:15)

The simple inherit folly, but the prudent are crowned with knowledge. (Proverbs 14:18)

Wisdom reposes in the heart of the discerning and even among fools she lets herself be known. (Proverbs 14:33)

so that you may be able to discern what is best and may be pure and blameless until the day of Christ, (Philippians 1:10)

But solid food is for the mature, who by constant use have trained themselves to distinguish good from evil. (Hebrews 5:14)

From these scriptures, as well as what I have learned; how can I best know how to discern right from wrong and better and best?

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What are the biggest obstacles for me in being prudent and appropriate?

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What are my greatest motivations for learning to be prudent and discerning?

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