Welcome to the final week of our sermon series called The Power of Words. This week, we focus on right words at the right time.
SHARE LIFE
Building healthy and life-giving relationships.
Updates
What has been new or challenging in your life since last time the group met? Spend 20–30 minutes checking in with each other.
Share Part of Your Story
Share a story of a time someone said the right thing to you at the right time.
Safe Environment
As schedules begin to change, it’s a great time as a group to read through and review the small group covenant at www.adabible.org/sgcovenant to help reset expectations for your group.
PURSUE GOD
Taking next steps toward Christ together.
Have someone read Proverbs 15:23 and Proverbs 18:20 aloud. What are the two types of words these passages talk about?
Gentle Words
The book of Proverbs is a collection of wise words from an older man to a younger generation. What words of wisdom does he give in Proverbs 15:1?
What do you think it means to deflect anger? How is it essential to focus on deflecting anger rather than adding to it or responding from it?
Where does our culture tend to struggle with speaking from a defensive or angry standpoint?
When have you experienced the tone of a conversation changed by someone’s gentle word? How did that redirect and benefit the situation?
How can a harsh word at the wrong time hurt a relationship? In what relationship are you most likely to respond with a harsh word? What are some words you might use to respond gently in that situation?
Wise Words
Have someone read Proverbs 25:11. What is timely advice?
Pastor Aaron Buer talked about how he received multiple pieces of advice at just the right time. How did those words help shape the decisions he made?
What timely advice has shaped your life?
How does accepting wise words take humility and discernment? What are some ways we can use God’s word and our small group to help us with discernment? How does humility factor into this conversation?
Encouraging Words
Have someone read Proverbs 12:25. How are kind words so encouraging?
How did Jonathan use kind words to encourage David (see 1 Samuel 23:25-18)? What was so remarkable about Jonathan doing this? How do you think David felt receiving those words?
Share about a time someone re-encouraged you. How did it make you feel?
What are some reasons we forget to use encouraging words? How can we remind ourselves to look for opportunities to speak an encouraging word to others? Who is someone you want to encourage this week?
Of the three kinds of words that we discussed this week (gentle words, wise words, and encouraging words) which one of them do you need to practice the most? What’s one step you can take this week to grow in that area?
INVEST IN OTHERS
Valuing people outside the group and outside the faith.
Discuss how you and your group can better engage the people in your life outside your small group.
Invite
With the launch of our fall series coming up, who is new that you can invite to meet you at church? Maybe a friend, co-worker, or someone you volunteer with? It can be as simple as asking them to join you at a specific service and campus. Consider who you could invite and how your group can pray for them.
Download a printable PDF here.