GPS Guide – February 13, 2020
WORDS MATTER
This Weeks Introduction: John 1:1 starts by saying, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” It is astonishing how God created everything with his simple words. It is through the world of God that all things were made. While we are certainly not God, we are made in God’s image. This means that while we cannot create a universe through speaking, our words do have power. This week’s Grow Pray and Study guide will focus on the words that we speak. Each of us has said harmful things, and we have missed opportunities to speak words of love and encouragement. Let us study together some of the wisdom God has to share with us about the words we speak. ~ Pastor Adam Ricks
Thursday
Read: Matthew 18:15-17
15 “If your brother or sister sins, go and point out their fault, just between the two of you. If they listen to you, you have won them over. 16 But if they will not listen, take one or two others along, so that ‘every matter may be established by the testimony of two or three witnesses.’ 17 If they still refuse to listen, tell it to the church; and if they refuse to listen even to the church, treat them as you would a pagan or a tax collector. (NIV Matthew 18:15-17)
Study: Words of accountability and hard truth must be shared out of love. Words are not always joyful or encouraging. Sometimes it is necessary to confront another person, or even speak an uncomfortable truth. Sometimes it is necessary to speak up for ourselves or for those we love. However, when the time comes for words of accountability, we must always speak these words out of love. We must always be mindful that the words we speak are constructive instead of destructive. Is God calling you to speak words of accountability? How can you speak a difficult truth, but from a place of love and grace?
Pray: Lord Jesus, help me to understand when it is time for me to speak words of accountability. Please help me to always speak words of accountability with love. Amen.