Do you have any personality traits that make Christian service seem difficult? What specific "training instructions" did Paul give Timothy that might also apply to you?

 Have nothing to do with godless myths and old wives’ tales;rather, train yourself to be godly. 8 For physical training is of some value, but godliness has value for all things, holding promise for both the present life and the life to come.

~I Timothy 4:7-8

This question requires deeper thinking.

Which of these responses tempts you most? Why?

Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.

~Proverbs 29:11

Anger will destroy you before it destroys anyone else.  Control your temper!

People with a hot temper do foolish things; wiser people remain calm.

~Proverbs 14:17

If you stay calm, you are wise, but if you have a hot temper, you only show how stupid you are.

~Proverbs 14:29

Hot tempers cause arguments, but patience brings peace.

~Proverbs 15:18

If someone has a hot temper, let him take the consequences. If you get him out of trouble once, you will have to do it again.

~Proverbs 19:19

Don't make friends with people who have hot, violent tempers.  You might learn their habits and not be able to change.

~Proverbs 22:24-25

Stupid people express their anger openly, but sensible people are patient and hold it back.

~Proverbs 29:11

People with quick tempers cause a lot of quarreling and trouble.

~Proverbs 29:22

Pride will lead to your downfall.  Humility is far more rewarding.

He has no use for conceited people, but shows favor to those who are humble.

~Proverbs 3:34

People who are proud will soon be disgraced. It is wiser to be modest.

~Proverbs 11:2

Arrogance causes nothing but trouble. It is wiser to ask for advice.

~Proverbs 13:10

The Lord hates everyone who is arrogant; he will never let them escape punishment.  Pride leads to destruction, and arrogance to downfall.

 It is better to be humble and stay poor than to be one of the arrogant and get a share of their loot.

~Proverbs 16:5, 18-19

No one is respected unless he is humble; arrogant people are on the way to ruin.

~Proverbs 18:12

Wicked people are controlled by their conceit and arrogance, and this is sinful.

~Proverbs 21:4

Jealousy grows like a cancer.  

Peace of mind makes the body healthy, but jealousy is like a cancer.

~Proverbs 14:30

Don't be envious of sinful people; let reverence for the Lord be the concern of your life.

~Proverbs 23:17

Don't be envious of evil people, and don't try to make friends with them.

~Proverbs 24:1

Anger is cruel and destructive, but it is nothing compared to jealousy.

~Proverbs 27:4

Fear of people is unnecessary if you trust God.

You will not have to worry about sudden disasters, such as come on the wicked like a storm.  The Lord will keep you safe. He will not let you fall into a trap.

~Proverbs 3:25-26

If you flatter your friends, you set a trap for yourself.

~Proverbs 29:5

Conceit is ugly.  A conceited person forgets God's place in his or her life.

You may think everything you do is right, but the Lord judges your motives.

~Proverbs 16:2

Too much honey is bad for you, and so is trying to win too much praise.

~Proverbs 25:27

The most stupid fool is better off than those who think they are wise when they are not.

~Proverbs 26:12

Let other people praise you—even strangers; never do it yourself.

~Proverbs 27:2

Rich people always think they are wise, but a poor person who has insight into character knows better.  You will never succeed in life if you try to hide your sins. Confess them and give them up; then God will show mercy to you.

~Proverbs 28:11, 13

 Although all of these proverbs have some good wisdom to them, I think I like the ones on jealousy the most because my past has been full of jealousy towards others.

Do you know anyone whom Proverbs would call a fool? If so, how should you relate to him or her?

A fool doing some stupid thing a second time is like a dog going back to its vomit.

~Proverbs 26:11

 

I can't really think of someone that I know that would fit under this proverb.

What attributes of a sluggard do you recognize in yourself? Do you think of these as serious?

Go ahead and take your nap; go ahead and sleep. Fold your hands and rest awhile, but while you are asleep, poverty will attack you like an armed robber.

~Proverbs 24:33-34

 

There are time that I do catch myself as Lazy.  Not all time are serious but I need to stay upon the path that I feel I feel I should be disciplined towards.

In your upbringing, which had the most effect: punishment and discipline, or verbal instruction and encouragement?

Teach children how they should live, and they will remember it all their life.

~Proverbs 22:6

 

I guess it would be verbal instruction and encouragement that would be the most effective upon me.

What do you look for in a mate? How does your list compare with Proverbs's raiting of attributes such as physical attractiveness?

Better to live on the roof than share the house with a nagging wife.

~Proverbs 21:9

 

I love for kindness, loyalty, a good sense of humor and someone with a good amount of intelligence.