Truthers Week 4 – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea: Our words can spark fires that steal, kill, and destroy OR spread warmth, light, and life.
Discussion Starter: Have you ever heard a child or someone with “no filter” say something shocking but hilarious?
Introduction: We convince ourselves that we would never be so reckless with our words to hurt others or that our words don’t have the impact that they do. However, God’s Word repeatedly shows us that our tongues hold the power of life and death AND that they cannot be tamed by our own power—only by conforming to God’s will and allowing Him to transform our mind.
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: James 3:2-7, Proverbs 18:21, James 3:9-12, Romans 12:2, Matthew 4:4
Discussion Questions:
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- Have you ever said anything that burned someone else? Has someone said something that burned you? How was the fire extinguished, and how can you avoid another situation like that?
- Is there something you’ve said to someone for which you need to seek forgiveness?
- What situations or people make it hard to control your tongue?
- Has someone ever spoken words of life to you? How can we hold each other accountable for regularly speaking words of life?
- Read Matthew 12:33-37. What’s one thing you can do daily that will fill your heart so your words will be godly?
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read Mathew 4:4 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.
Read Romans 1:29-30 and Philippians 2:14-15. God’s Word is clear on the power that words carry. In Romans, gossip, slander, and boasting keep the same company as murder, malice, and envy, to name a few. To take it even further, Philippians shows us that we shouldn’t complain or argue. Imagine your own life if you were to control your tongue in just these areas. Discuss ways you can hold each other accountable to the standard and life to which God has called us.
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise: Ask God to show you one person at FP this week that He wants you to bring warmth and light with your spark.
Engaging in Community and the World: If you are on social media, you have a platform to use your digital tongue. How are you using your words in the digital community and world to speak words of life? Are you gossiping, slandering, complaining, stealing, killing, and destroying with your words online?
Expand God’s Kingdom
Who is someone that God wants you to speak transformative words of life to this week? Pray, asking God to whom He would have you speak. Ask and allow the Holy Spirit to guide the conversation and encourage them to move forward in their discipleship journey.
Leader’s Notes
ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.
– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.
– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.
– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through the development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
