Charting your course: Gossip

Charting Your Course

Our words have tremendous power in our lives and in the lives of others. In many ways, our tongue "charts the course" of our life. James 3:3-5 reminds us that, "If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well. Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great things." Throughout this series, we are going to see how we can use our tongue to chart the course of our life in a way that honors God and builds up those around us.

Jacob AlgerOct 6, 2019

In This Series (3)
Charting Your Course: Unwholesome Talk
David PenuelOct 20, 2019
Charting Your Course: Words that Bite
Oct 13, 2019
Charting your course: Gossip
Jacob AlgerOct 6, 2019

Discussion Questions

PDF Version

  1. Let's quickly recap what we talked about this weekend. Who was at Wake and wants to share what Jacob taught about in our new series, "Charting Your Course"?

  2. Read Proverbs 18:8. Why do you think Solomon compares gossip to a "choice morsel"? What is he trying to say?
    -Gossip tastes sweet to us, and there is a part of us that enjoys it, but in the end, it is not good for us.

  3. Why do you think that gossip "tastes sweet" to you? What are you trying to gain by gossiping about others or by listening to gossip?
    -Wanting to be "in the know" or in the "inner circle", we feel powerful when someone shares something with us, we try to feel better about ourselves by talking poorly about others, etc.

  4. Read Proverbs 16:28. Gossip not only affects our character, but it hurts our friendships. How have you seen gossip affect your relationships?

  5. Why is gossip so hurtful to us and those around us? (Read Proverbs 11:13)
    -Gossip communicates that we are not trustworthy, which is fundamental to all healthy relationships.

  6. Read Proverbs 20:19. How does Solomon say that we should relate with people who gossip?
    -He says that gossipers should be avoided. You should not associate with those who gossip.

  7. Based on the above verse, are you a person that Solomon would tell others to avoid? If so, what do you think you should do?
    -Go and seek forgiveness from those that you've gossiped about. Tell them, "Here's what I said about you , will you please forgive me?"

  8. Proverbs 26:20. What does this verse say will happen if gossip is not present? What does that mean?
    -A fire will die down and a quarrel is ended. Peace is restored.

  9. Imagine what it would be like if no one ever gossiped. How would that change or affect your relationships?
    -Imagine the peace, security, and confidence that would bring to your life.

  10. What should you do the next time you hear gossip?
    -Stop the conversation and say, "Have you shared that with ? If not, will you tell them in the next 24 hours what you just told me? Otherwise, I'd love to go with you and tell them."