Wisdom for Living, Part 3: The Mouth Speaks
One of the great skills in life, which few of us truly master, is being able to say the right thing at the right time, regardless of the situation. Yet wisdom requires us to steward our words carefully and with love of God and neighbor.
DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS
- What was one take-away from this sermon that particularly encouraged or challenged you? Which verse from the message would be helpful for you commit to memory to serve as a core piece or your thinking?
- Share a time when the power of words became very clear to you. What happened? What were the long-term results?
- Read and discuss Luke 6:45. How are the heart and the mouth connected? What other verses instruct us on this?
- Proverbs 12:18, 13:3, 16:24, 15:1, 18:21, 21:23, 25:11. What themes do you note? What other verses in Proverbs or elsewhere instruct us on the power of words?
- In what way do our words have “the power of life and death” (Proverbs 18:21)? How have you observed or experienced this?
- Of the five principles Pastor Jim shared, which ones do you see as a strength in your life? Which ones do you tend to struggle with the most?
- Know When to Say Nothing – Proverbs 29:20
- More Words = More Sin – Proverbs 10:19
- Right Words, Right Time – Proverbs 25:11
- Reject Harmful Words – Proverbs 12:18
- Overflow with Encouraging Words – Proverbs 15:4
- Read and discuss Ephesians 4:29. Who ranks among the highest in your mind as the most encouraging people in your world? Would you consider yourself and encourager? Why or why not? Who can you encourage this week with “gracious words” (Proverbs 16:24)?