Fake News
Split Second – Part 3
February 22-23, 2020
Dr. Jeffrey Allen Love
“The tongue can bring death or life; those who love to talk will reap the consequences.” Proverbs 18:21 (p.494)
“I have hidden your word in my heart, that I might not sin against you.” Psalm 119:11 (p.468)
- My Words Have Power.
“Understand this, my dear brothers and sisters: You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry.” James 1:19 (p.930)
“In the same way, the tongue is a small thing that makes grand speeches. But a tiny spark can set a great forest on fire. And among all the parts of the body, the tongue is a flame of fire. It is a whole world of wickedness, corrupting your entire body. It can set your whole life on fire, for it is set on fire by hell itself.” James 3:5-6 (p.931)
- Be quick to listen.
“And the people of Berea were more open-minded than those in Thessalonica, and they listened eagerly to Paul’s message. They searched the Scriptures day after day to see if Paul and Silas were teaching the truth.” Acts 17:11 (p.846)
- Be slow to speak.
“Indeed, we all make many mistakes. For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect and could also control ourselves in every other way.” James 3:2 (p.931)
- Be slow to get angry.
“’…If you commit murder, you are subject to judgment.’ But I say, if you are even angry with someone, you are subject to judgment!” Matthew 5:21-22a (p.736)
“So encourage each other and build each other up, just as you are already doing.” 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (p.907)
Next Step: I will give a family member or close friend permission to hold me accountable for the words I say this week.
Life Groups Study Guide
Taking the Talk to Another Level
From the Weekend Talk of February 22-23, 2020
Split Second – Part 3: Fake News
Life Groups use these questions to go deeper into what we talked about this weekend. Dig into them so you will be ready for the discussion at your Life Group. Find out more about Life Groups at the Info Center in the lobby or go to alivechurch.com/groups.
Car Questions/Conversation Starters
- Talk about some examples of “fake” or “false” news you have read that maybe you initially thought was accurate. How did you discover the truth about it?
- Have you ever been called out by someone you knew and trusted for something you posted?
- Would you rather have someone disagree with you or misunderstand you?
- An acrostic our Alive Kids ministry has used to help evaluate the words we speak plays off of the word THINK, asking, “Is what I’m saying…”
True – Helpful – Inspiring – Necessary – Kind. How could this help you?
Quick Review
- Looking back at your Talk Notes, was there anything you heard in the service that stood out or maybe even confused you?
Discussion Starters from the Weekend Talk
Refer to the Talk Notes and related Bible verses from this Weekend’s Talk.
- Pastor Jeff highlighted One Thing to remember: “My Words Have Power.”
- See Proverbs 18:21 (p.494*); James 1:19 (p.930*); James 3:5-6 (p.931*)
- When have you experienced the power of words, for good or bad?
- What powerful words have you spoken to someone else?
- Jeff taught from the Book of James (p.930*) three phases of wise living when it comes to the information we receive and the words we use:
- See Proverbs 18:21 (p.494*); James 1:19 (p.930*); James 3:5-6 (p.931*)
(1) Be quick to listen. (Acts 17:11 (p.846*))
- React to this statement: Listening is more than waiting for your turn to talk.
- Who do you know who is a good listener?
- How can you be an “active listener”?
(2) Be slow to speak. (James 3:2 (p.931))
- If words have power, we must use them with care. How do you do that? What helps you be “slow to speak?” How would you teach that to kids?
- When have you benefitted from being slow to speak? When have you paid the price for being too quick to speak?
(3) Be slow to get angry. (Matthew 5:21-22a (p.736*); 1 Thessalonians 5:11 (p.907*))
- The word Jesus uses for anger in Matthew 5:22, “was the Greek term for a settled, nurtured, non-forgiving, long term anger. This person continued to be intensely angry.”^ Talk about this as compared to legitimate anger. Look also at Ephesians 4:26 (p.897*). (^ = freebiblecommentary.org)
Digging Deeper
Read John 2:13-17 (p.810*) and Mark 3:1-6 (p.763*)
- Why was Jesus angry? What makes Jesus’ anger legitimate? What other emotions did Jesus experience?
Read John 1:1-5 (p.809*)
- Talk about some of the implications that arise in knowing that Jesus is “The Word”. What does that say about the power of words in general? How does it affect the words we use?
Read John 14:6 (p.823*)
- What does it mean to think of “truth” as a person (Jesus) and not just a concept or philosophy? How does this impact the value of truthful words?
Taking It Home: Next Step
- My Next Step: I will give a family member or close friend permission to hold me accountable for the words I say this week.
Pray
- Pray now for one another, the Church, and Alive Church.
- Read, together, Psalm 119:11 (p.468*);
(Note: Have you walked the new Prayer Path on the campus? Check it out!)
This Weekend:
This weekend we begin a NEW Talk Series: I Have Questions about Mental Health. We will dive into what God’s Word has to say about it and how we can learn from and apply those truths. Please bring someone with you!
All of these notes are also in our App. To get our FREE App just text “ALIVEAZ APP” to this number: 77977 and follow the instructions. If you need help, we’ll help you!
* The Life Transformation Bible is the New Living Translation of the Bible, including many useful tools to help you better understand God’s Word, including our own Alive Church Life Transformation Discipleship Plan. They are available FREE in the church lobby.