July 7 – 13

Weekly Reading for July 7 – 13

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: Freedom, Life, Health
Sermon Title: Sacred Sexuality

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on July 14, 2019:

• SUNDAY: Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5, Exodus 20, Deuteronomy 5,
• MONDAY: Genesis 1-2, Genesis 1-2,
• TUESDAY: Proverbs 5, Proverbs 5,
• WEDNESDAY: Proverbs 6, Proverbs 6,
• THURSDAY: Proverbs 7, Proverbs 7,
• FRIDAY: 1 Corinthians 6, 1 Corinthians 6,
• SATURDAY: Matthew 5, Matthew 5,

Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Freedom, Life, Health
Sermon Title: Speak the Truth
Delivered On: July 7, 2019

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Memorize and Reflect

“You shall not give false testimony against your neighbor.” (Exodus 20:16) Therefore each of you must put off falsehood and speak truthfully to your neighbor, for we are all members of one body. (Ephesians 4:25)

Prayer Direction

This week spend some time reflecting on Ephesians 4:17-32, paying close attention to Paul’s instruction on how we speak. Allow the Holy Spirit to pinpoint any areas where you have allowed unwholesome speech to become part of your life. Ask for clear leading and guidance on how you can speak words of blessing.

“Live It!” Challenge

Be a Blessing: Find at least five ways to speak meaningful words of blessing this week. Consider how to bless a family member, a co-worker, a church leader, and a fellow Christian. Allow God’s blessing to flow through you into the life of someone else!

Small Group Discussion

1. Read: Matthew 5:33-37. Here, Jesus emphasizes that Christians should be known for their honest, clear communication. What are some ways it is easy to “fudge the truth” when it comes to communicating in our everyday relationships? Are you ever tempted to “cross your fingers” behind your back when you’re communicating? Explain.

2. Jesus says that misleading communication comes “from the evil one.” How does this teaching raise the stakes when it comes to communication? How does it challenge/convict you personally? Can you describe a time when dishonest communication brought pain into your life?

3. Take turns reading Matthew 15:1-20. As a group, try to summarize Jesus’ teaching in this passage in one sentence.

4. How are our words a reflection of what’s in our heart? Based on that, how would you describe the “heart” of things like Facebook and Twitter? How would you describe the “heart” of our nation when it comes to the kinds of division we see on the news, etc? How would you describe the “heart” of your small group?

5. Read: James 3:1-12. What are the metaphors James uses for the power of the tongue? What do these things tell us?

6. How do you personally feel challenged about this teaching on our speech?

7. What are 2-3 “speech resolutions” that you would like to commit to as a group?

8. Read: Matthew 5:33-37. Here, Jesus emphasizes that Christians should be known for their honest, clear communication. What are some ways it is easy to “fudge the truth” when it comes to communicating in our everyday relationships? Are you ever tempted to “cross your fingers” behind your back when you’re communicating? Explain.

9. Jesus says that misleading communication comes “from the evil one.” How does this teaching raise the stakes when it comes to communication? How does it challenge/convict you personally? Can you describe a time when dishonest communication brought pain into your life?

10. Take turns reading Matthew 15:1-20. As a group, try to summarize Jesus’ teaching in this passage in one sentence.

11. How are our words a reflection of what’s in our heart? Based on that, how would you describe the “heart” of things like Facebook and Twitter? How would you describe the “heart” of our nation when it comes to the kinds of division we see on the news, etc? How would you describe the “heart” of your small group?

12. Read: James 3:1-12. What are the metaphors James uses for the power of the tongue? What do these things tell us?

13. How do you personally feel challenged about this teaching on our speech?

14. What are 2-3 “speech resolutions” that you would like to commit to as a group?