Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.
- I would have expected this verse to say, “hearing the truth we will grow.” Why do you suppose it says, “speaking the truth we will grow”?
- Why is it important that we speak the truth in love in order to grow? Why does non-love speech not produce growth?
- Think of this from two perspectives. I speak the truth to you and I grow because of it. Or, I speak the truth to you and you grow because of it? Which do you think is intended here? (Perhaps both?)
- Why can’t we grow just by reading our Bibles and trying hard to do what it says?
- “We are changed more by what we say than what we hear.”[1] How do the words I speak change the direction of my life?
- Agree or disagree (and why): People who speak words of love become more loving; people who speak words of gratitude become more grateful; people who complain become more grumpy.
- James 3:4 (NIV) “Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.” In context, this is saying that our words are like the rudder on a ship. How so? How are the words we speak like the rudder (or steering wheel) of our lives?
- How is life better for those who consistently speak the truth in love?
- Speaking the truth in love we will grow. What else is necessary for us to grow spiritually?
- What does a mature Christian look like?
- What does a mature body (church) look like?
- How can we pray for each other?
[1] Josh Hunt, Teach Like Jesus.
