Sermon Discussion Guide

1.) Have you ever had someone tear a strip off you, behave rudely, or act disrespectfully towards you? How did you react to that?

Read James 3:1-12

2.) Do you hold leaders, supervisors, or teachers in your life to a higher standard in what they say? Do you talk about them with other people? Do you tear them down or build them up?

3.) When someone is rude to you do you ask yourself if you said something that they are just responding to? How do you respond to them? Do you respond in kind, or do you respond with kindness? Are you careful to choose the words you use? Take some time to think about what memory or insecurity might have been triggered inside of you.

Read Matthew 15:1-20

4.) Matthew 15:18 says that the words you speak come from the heart. Do you use your heart to guide your conversations with others? What scripture verses have you memorized that will guide your heart and help you respond with civility?

Going Deeper – The Last 10%

5.) This week pay attention to the words you speak and the tone you use. Think back to previous weeks and ask yourself “What does love require of me in the face of incivility?” Spend some time praying as a group that God will help you carefully choose your responses as you interact with your family, people in your workplace, or at school.