The Quiet Life
Pastor Steve Choi
November 8, 2026
Proverbs 17:1–5 (ESV)
1 Better is a dry morsel with quiet
than a house full of feasting with strife.
2 A servant who deals wisely will rule over a son who acts shamefully
and will share the inheritance as one of the brothers.
3 The crucible is for silver, and the furnace is for gold,
and the LORD tests hearts.
4 An evildoer listens to wicked lips,
and a liar gives ear to a mischievous tongue.
5 Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker;
he who is glad at calamity will not go unpunished.
Main Idea: The Bible tells us that Christians ought to live a quiet life. In the loud world we live in today, this seems to be contrary to what many value. Don’t we have to be busy and loud as well? The Bible points to a life that is contrary to the world’s values. We will examine these 3 areas; control, significance and value and see how the Bible impacts all of these areas and allows us to live a truly quiet life filled with peace.
- Control (Exodus 14:14, Psalm 127:2)
Chronos vs. Kairos
2. Significance (Luke 10:40-41, 1 Thess. 4:11)
“I want to appear important. What better way than to be busy? The incredible hours, the crowded schedule, and the heavy demands on my time are proof to myself—and to all who will notice—that I am important. We associate importance with a crowded calendar. If I can point to a jam-packed datebook, I don’t have to face my self-doubt or my insecurities. When others notice, they acknowledge my significance, and my vanity is fed.” – Eugene Peterson
3. Value (Eccl. 4:6)
4. Be still, and know that I am God (Psalm 46:10, Deut. 5:12-15)
Discussion Questions
- Would you describe your life as quiet or noisy (on a scale of 1-10, 10 being loudest)?
- We’re all familiar with the illusion of control. What are some things you try to control but fail?
- Why do people measure their significance by their busyness?
- Where do you find your value/ relevance? Why do we care so much about how others perceive us?