“Be kind and compassionate to one another, forgiving each other, just as in Christ God forgave you.” Ephesians 4:32
Message – One Another Words: (20 minutes)
Click on this link to watch the video in two parts – Words by Jamey Dickens
Day 1 stop at 21:31
Day 2 start at 21:31
Pastor Jamey (North Point Community Church in Alpharetta, GA on June 6, 2021) delivers a great message on how our words impact our sense of community.
day 1 – small group Discussion questions: (22 minutes)
We’re using more words than ever before, and we’re thinking less about them than ever before. That's cause for concern because our words can either build someone up or tear them down.
Ask each person to guess the number of emails, texts, and posts they send per day.
When you add them up, does it surprise you or is it what you expected?
Proverbs 18:21, “The tongue has the power of life and death, and those who love it will eat its fruit.”
Can you remember something that was said to you years ago that was encouraging? How did it impact you then? Now?
Read John 13:34-35, “A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another.”
How will the world be won over to Christ?
What are examples of words that demonstrate love?
What are examples of social media posts that send the wrong message about Christianity and about Jesus?
What can you do to make love for others a bigger part of your life?
Be specific about a small step you can take today.
Prayer
Ask someone besides yourself, the leader, to keep the group’s prayer journal.
Each person is to share one prayer request relating to today’s discussion.
Pray for each other for the remaining time.
day 2 – Small group discussion questions: (30 minutes)
Read Ephesians 4:29, “Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.”
What are the key words that stand out to you and why?
What would you guess is your positive-to-negative word ratio? The ideal is around five positive for every negative, but most people (without trying) have one positive for every three negatives.
In what area do you have your BEST positive-to-negative word ratio (family, friends, social media)? In which area is your ratio the worst? Why?
What is the one relationship in which you need to focus more on sharing words that build someone up?
Read Ephesians 4:15, “Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.”
How have people hurt you by “speaking the truth” without love?
What does speaking the “truth in love” look like? Does it take more than just the right words? If so, what else is needed?
How does Ephesians 4:32 relate to loving each other?
Prayer Requests
Ask someone besides the leader to keep the group’s prayer journal.
Each person is to share one relational prayer request. It can be on topics other than today’s message.
Pray for each other for the remaining time.
Send your insights, comments, and questions to me at jessig@ecaoh.com. I enjoy hearing from you.
