Godly Wisdom – Pt 5
Proverbs 18:20-21 (NLT)
20 Wise words satisfy like a good meal;
the right words bring satisfaction.
21 The tongue can bring death or life;
those who love to talk will reap the consequences.
Proverbs 15:1-4 (NCV)
1 A gentle answer will calm a person’s anger,
but an unkind answer will cause more anger.
2 Wise people use knowledge when they speak,
but fools pour out foolishness.
3 The Lord’s eyes see everything;
he watches both evil and good people.
4 As a tree gives fruit, healing words give life,
but dishonest words crush the spirit.
Luke 6:43-45 (NLT)
43 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit, and a bad tree can’t produce good fruit. 44 A tree is identified by its fruit. Figs are never gathered from thornbushes, and grapes are not picked from bramble bushes. 45 A good person produces good things from the treasury of a good heart, and an evil person produces evil things from the treasury of an evil heart. What you say flows from what is in your heart.
HOW TO INTENTIONALLY BUILD GOOD THINGS INTO THE TREASURY OF OUR HEARTS:
1. Who are you letting speak into your life?
– The people you spend the most time with influence what you build in your heart.
2. What are you watching, reading, and listening to?
– Everything you listen to, watch, and read needs to be God-honoring.
3. Where are you spending and investing your time?
– Where you spend and invest your time builds and adds to the treasury of your heart.
4. When you have opportunity to speak words of life or death, what are you choosing?
– As believers, when we are given the chance to speak, we should always choose to speak life.
5. Why does all of this matter?
Ephesians 4:29-32 (NLT)
29 Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
30 And do not bring sorrow to God’s Holy Spirit by the way you live. Remember, he has identified you as his own, guaranteeing that you will be saved on the day of redemption.
31 Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander, as well as all types of evil behavior. 32 Instead, be kind to each other, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, just as God through Christ has forgiven you.
– It matters because you represent Jesus to everyone around you by what you do, how you live, and the power you release through your words.
COMMUNITY GROUP MEETING OUTLINE
Where your faith intersects with real life!
Reconnect:
Each person shares a recent high and low from their life.
Explore:
Review the message notes.
Big Idea: Our words are powerful & bring life or death to those around us. The content of our hearts is shown through the words we speak to those around us.
Consider:
Choose one or two questions for your Group to discuss as time allows.
▶ Read Proverbs 18:20-21. What kinds of words “satisfy you like a good meal” most? Recognition of something you did well, noticing something about you, someone asking for input, or something else?
▶ Read Luke 6:43-45. Let’s talk about two of the ways we can build up the treasury of our hearts.
– Who are some people you let speak into your life? Can you list your 5 most influential people?
– What have you watched, read, or listened to lately that has added value to your life? Do you have any recommendations for a show, book, or podcast?
Activate:
Spend a moment in silence to consider your response, then share your decision with the Group.
Read Ephesians 4:29-32. Who is someone you could speak words of life to this week?
Prayer:
Thank God for the highs and lift up the lows.
Read Proverbs 15:1-4 (NCV). Pray that our hearts could be healed from wounds that have come from words, and that our own words will be words of life, like a satisfying meal.