There's no list in the Bible of naughty words that we aren't allowed to use. So what?
Talking Points:
- Words have the power to create and the power to destroy. Our words, like God’s, have great power. We can build up others or destroy them with our words Proverbs 18:21.
- It’s not just about cussing. We can be hurtful, mean, vulgar, and offensive without ever uttering a cuss word. Ephesians 5:4
- Do your words fit the occasion? In Matthew 5:22, Jesus used the Aramaic (the language of first-century Israel) cuss word raca in order to tell his listeners not to call others “raca.” On that occasion, the word was appropriate because it was an important teaching moment.
- Do your words give grace to those who hear? This is a tougher question to answer than “Did I say one of the words on the cuss list?” We must learn to live, think, and speak the way Jesus lived, thought, and spoke. Ephesians 4:29
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- Do you use cuss words? Why or why not?
- Where did you pick up your speech patterns? At home, church, school, or somewhere else?
- Have you ever spoken the wrong words on the “wrong occasion” or heard someone else do it? What happened, and how can we learn to discern the right from the wrong occasion?
- How have you seen words hurt people? How has someone else’s words hurt you?
- Read 1 Peter 3:9-10. What do these verses teach us about how we should speak?
- Read James 3:9-12. What do these verses teach us about how we should speak?
- Read Ephesians 4:29. How do you think the way you speak would change if you put it through the filter: “Are these words good for building up?”
- How can you use your words to serve the purpose of building God’s kingdom on earth and in the hearts of others?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
