SERMON NOTES, 9/3/23
“Be Gracious and Truthful”
Proverbs 18:21, John 1:14, Colossians 4:6
Individual & Group Reflection Questions
- Reflect back on your life, how have words spoken had a positive or negative impact on you or others ?
- Reflect on the following verses Proverbs 18:21, Matthew 12:36, James. 1:19, James 3:8-10. Which two stand out to you most and why? Why do you think there would be so much emphasis on the tongue (translated spoken words) in the God’s Word?
- Read John 1:14. It says that Jesus comes with grace and truth. What are some examples of how He spoke with grace and truth to others? Besides in the way He spoke to others, how else did He come with grace and truth?
- Our BIG IDEA this week is that if we change our rhetoric, we can change our relationships. When you look at your home and our church how do you think we need to change our rhetoric (what we say and how we say it) and why?
- Reflect on Colossians 4:6 and Psalm 19:14. The ultimate challenge with our rhetoric is controlling our tongue, so we are responding in the Spirit, instead of reacting in our flesh. Therapist, say we have typically 3 seconds to figure out whether we respond or react based on the thoughts and emotions swirling in us? What are the best ways you have learned to get control of your tongue so that you respond more than react?
- How might pausing (using your breath to slow you down), praying (asking God for what to say or not say) or practicing (writing down or rehearsing your words) help you to control your tongue and change your rhetoric? Which one will you focus on using over the next 21 days? What potentially will happen if you do or don’t?