Criticism 18 Feb 18

(Message 2) We all know someone who needs a serious… adjustment. It’s easy to try to fix someone when they’ve got it all wrong—but it’s painful when we’re the one receiving the criticism. Join us we criticize criticism in a new week of My Big Fat Mouth! #mybigfatmouth

4 Characteristics of the disease of criticism:

Universal
Repeating
Contagious
Deadly

The solution for a critical tongue:

Recognize criticism for what it is
Apologize to the person you have been criticizing
Accept people for who they are instead of who you think they should be
Take the “no criticism” challenge

Scripture Used: Galatians 5:14-15; Matthew 7:1, 5-16a; Proverbs 26:10; Matthew 5:7; Luke 6:45

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Are you more of a fault-finder or a hope-builder?
- What effect has this had on you and your relationships?
- Why do you think it seems easier to be a fault-finder than a hope-builder?
Do you consider negative, destructive criticism a disease or a sin?
- Discuss why Pastor Troy said criticism has the characteristics of a disease. (Remember these characteristics: universal, repeating, contagious, and deadly.)
- Read Galatians 5:14-15. What was Paul warning the church about in this passage? What do you think of Paul’s choice of words, “bite and devour”?
Read Proverbs 15:30. In whose life can you be a hope-builder? How can you go about it?
Read Proverbs 15:31-32.
- Is there a time and place for judgment and/or criticism?
- What are the differences between constructive, discerning, and destructive criticism?
Read Matthew 7:15-20. How do we do what Jesus suggested (inspect fruit)?
Read Luke 6:45. What’s the best way to change our words?
Last week we were challenged to declare a complaint-free week. How did you do? This week Troy double dog dare challenged us to a “no criticism” week. Who wants to take this challenge? Who will hold you accountable?

If time allows, do the Digging Deeper section below the Daily Scripture Reading with your group. Here’s a link to a DIGGING DEEPER “HOW TO” to guide you.

Daily Scripture Readings

Day 1: Romans 10:10; Romans 15:13

Day 2: Proverbs 15:30-33

Day 3: James 3:5-6

Day 4: James 3:7-10

Day 5: Ecclesiastes 5:2-3

Day 6: Ephesians 4:29-32

Day 7: 1 Thessalonians 5:11; Romans 14:19

There’s a devotional created by LifeChurch that corresponds with this series. Check out a sample of it here: //www.bible.com/reading-plans/4807-my-big-fat-mouth/day/1

DIGGING DEEPER

Galatians 5:13-16

v.13 You, my brothers and sisters, were called to be free. But do not use your freedom to indulge the flesh; rather, serve one another humbly in love.

v.14 For the entire law is fulfilled in keeping this one command: “Love your neighbor as yourself.”

v.15 If you bite and devour each other, watch out or you will be destroyed by each other.

v.16 So I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh.

ABC’s

Author: Paul; The date of the writing is disputed. Most believe A.D. 48, Southern Theory, but some believe A.D. 53-75, Northern Theory. Northern Theory, (North Central Asia minor where the Gauls settled) states that Paul visited there on his second missionary journey. This is not documented in Acts. Southern Theory (Antioch, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe) states that Paul visited there on his first missionary journey.

Background: Salvation IS by faith alone—nothing less and nothing more! Paul preached this and many churches were formed in Galatia. Some Judiaziers, Jewish Christians who believed that Christian still needed to adhere to some ceremonial practices including circumcision taught that salvation was by faith in Christ plus keeping the law.

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Context: Paul, who’s heart must have been breaking over this, established his apostolic authority and came up against this legalistic teaching. Salvation is by grace not earned by law keeping. Good works are not a condition of salvation, but a fruit of it.

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1, 2, 3’s

Step 1 – Observation: What does the passage say?

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Step Two – Interpretation: What does it mean?

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Step Three- Application: How does it apply to my life?