God takes our words much more seriously than we do. In this episode we turn to Jesus’ words in Luke 6:43-45 to find help and hope for raising the bar when it comes to the words we speak. // 1. Share about a time when your words got you in trouble. Did you mouth-off to your parents? Did you hurt a friend’s feelings? Did you curse in front of someone? How did your words turn into a bad situation? // 2. Re-read Luke 6:43-45. What does Jesus mean by “trees” and “fruit” here? Is he talking about actual trees and fruit, or something else? Why is the “fruit” of your life important to consider? What does that tell you about your own heart? // 3. Read Ephesians 4:29. What does your Bible use for the adjective of “words” – unwholesome/corrupt/foul/abusive? Is this just talking about cuss words, or more? How does the term building up/edifying challenge us to leave other types of talk like gossip, sarcasm, and insults behind? // 4. How does Jesus’ example of His words impact us as Christians? How did He speak to different groups of people? Even when He was mad, how did He speak? Perhaps His most stunning words were on the cross: “Father, forgive them [those who put Jesus to death], for they do not know what they are doing.” (Luke 23:34) Think about those words and how they go against every instinct we have as humans. Ask God to give you the same grace with your words.
