An appendix to the Leaders' Guide in Resisting Gossip Together
by Susan Stallings* and Matt Mitchell
by Susan Stallings* and Matt Mitchell
Lesson One
How about starting the first lesson with a party-game of “Telephone?”
There are several versions online:
15 Phrases for the Telephone Game
E-How to Play the Telephone Game
WIKI-HOW How To Play the Telephone Game
You could make some “Buckeyes” or another choice morsel and enjoy them as you talk.
A Recipe for Buckeyes
by Heather Mitchell
Ingredients
18 oz jar of crunchy peanut butter
1 lb. powdered sugar
1 T. vanilla
1/2c. softened butter
12 oz. of semi-sweet chocolate chips
1/4 bar of paraffin
Directions
1. Mix and roll peanut butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and butter into balls.
2. Put a toothpick in each ball and chill in the freezer.
3. Melt chocolate and paraffin together in double boiler and partially dip balls, leaving top plain to resemble a Buckeye.
The Digging Deeper section for Lesson 1 fits nicely between questions 2 and 3 of the Questions for Group Discussion.
You can apply inductive study techniques (observation, interpretation, application) to the Digging Deeper Romans passage by having your students ask the “Who, what, why, when, and how” questions.
You might also ask, “Who benefits from gossip?” (Gossip magazines, media, people who need to know)
Some additional Scriptures to consider:
- James 3:2 - Does everyone fall prey to gossip?
- Proverbs 6:16-19 – How many things on this list relate to gossip?
- Word study: Discuss the difference between the two possible root words for gossip in Proverbs 18:8 and 26:22, halam and laham. How might both root words convey an accurate description of the consequences of gossip?
Be sure to end on a positive note with God’s promises to help us deal with this sin.
Lesson Two
You might ask the group to share their favorite book, movie, family story (as long as it is not gossip!), or favorite author. What stories do they like?
The Digging Deeper Bible Study fits nicely between questions 3 and 4 of the Questions for Group Discussion.
You could apply inductive study techniques to the Romans passage in Question 5. Ask the Who, What, Where, When, and How questions. There is a good contrast in this passage. Have your group make two lists – one describing what they were like as a slave to sin and another what they are like as a slave to God. Discuss their observations.
For visual learners, you can make a visual aid representing the truths found in the passages in the Digging Deeper Bible Study, especially Question 4. Draw a large heart and record words that represent these truths.
Lesson Three
Be sure to use the chart in the Digging Deeper Bible Study. Read and discuss together each of the Scriptures on the chart for the five gossips. Tackle each type individually.
For visual learners, if you have a white board, create the chart and fill it in as your discussion progresses.
The Digging Deeper Bible Study fits nicely between questions 1 and 2 of the Questions for Group Discussion.
Word Studies. In addition to rakil and nirgan, you could lead your group in a study of other Hebrew and Greek words translated “gossip” or related to the concept.
Lashon Seter, Proverbs 25:23
Dibbah, Genesis 37:1, Ezekiel 36:3, Proverbs 10:18
Psithurismos, Romans 1:29, 2 Corinthians 12:20 (This word even sounds like a snake!)
Pluaros, 1 Timothy 5:13, 3 John 10
Dilogos and Diabolos, 1 Timothy 3:8, 3:11, Titus 2:3
Lesson Four
Refer to last week’s chart to discuss the ways each type of gossip is being judgmental.
Discuss these additional Scriptures for being discerning:
- I Kings 3:9, Ezekiel 44:23; Proverbs 15:14; Hebrews 5:14
Do a further word study on katalaleo.
For visual learners you can create a visual aid showing the contrast between a gossip and a Christ-like person as your discussion progresses.
The Digging Deeper Bible Study in Lesson 4 is an extension of Question 4 in the Questions for Group Discussion.
Lesson Five
The warm-up question about accountability might fit better at the end for some groups.
For visual learners, if you have a white board, create the chart on page 46 and fill it in as your discussion progresses.
The Digging Deeper Bible Study fits nicely between questions 2 and 3 of the Questions for Group Discussion.
Ask your group to list ways they can be encouraging to others, things they actually might do or say.
Additional Scriptures – If time, your group can read and discuss the power of the tongue in James 3:1-17.
Lesson Six
The Digging Deeper Bible Study in Lesson 6 is an extension of Question 2 in the Questions for Group Discussion.
Ask the Who, What, Where, When and How questions for the Ephesians 5 passage.
For visual learners, recreate the chart on the board as the group discusses their answers.
Word Study – mimatai – we get our word for mimeograph from that Greek word. It means to make an exact copy of, i.e. to “Xerox” God by sacrificially loving others. In Ephesians 5:1 we are told to be imitators of God.
Additional Scriptures – If time, your group can read and discuss:
- Col. 1:9 – prayer for understanding of God’s will
- Ephesians 4:14-16 – how to avoid listening to the schemes of men
Lesson Seven
The Digging Deeper Bible Study for Lesson 7 fits nicely between questions 1 and 2 of the Questions for Group Discussion.
Along with Group Discussion Question #2, apply inductive study methods to Psalm 140. Who is David speaking with? What kind of relationship does he have with God? What does David ask of God? Why? How does David describe the men who are against him? How does he describe God?
For the visual learner, list on the board what David asks of God: “Rescue me, Protect me, Keep me, [give me] mercy.” In another column list the attributes of God that David acknowledges: “Sovereign, strong deliverer, shield, One who secures justice.” Discuss these attributes and why they would give us confidence to trust God with our reputations.
You could also recreate the chart from the Digging Deeper section for the visual learner.
Additional Scriptures – often we need to be patient to wait on the Lord for deliverance from our situation. Study James 5:7-11, Psalm 130:5, Isaiah 64:4, Romans 8:28, 32.
Lesson Eight
Ask “What does it look like to love someone who is gossiping about you?” Ask if anyone has had the opportunity to respond in love to a gossip.
For the visual learner put on the board the answers to the question, “When we pray for our enemies, what are some things we should pray for?” (pages 127-128)
Additional scriptures:
- Prov. 17:9, 2 Sam 16:5-13 – King David accepted criticism because he realized God allowed it in his life. God may want to teach us something!
The Digging Deeper Bible Study for Lesson 8 is an extension of Question 5 in the Questions for Group Discussion.
Apply inductive study techniques to the 1 Peter passage in the Digging Deeper Bible Study. Ask students to list what we are to do if we want to love life and see good days. Then list what else we are to do according to vs. 14-16. Ask your group to think about how to apply these truths in their own lives.
Lesson Nine
The Digging Deeper Bible Study for Lesson 9 is an extension of Question 2 in the Questions for Group Discussion.
For the visual learner, recreate the chart for I John 1:5 – 2:2. Fill it in as group members give the answers.
Additional Scripture and word study – atonement – to cover over. What did atonement mean in the Old Testament? Leviticus 16:20-22, 30. Why did it have to be a blood sacrifice? Leviticus 17:11. What is our response to be? Hebrews 10:19-25.
Discussion Question 6 is optional. Some groups will want to skip it. Others will use it as a wrap-up of all that has been studied thus far. If your group does it, use a whiteboard and have group members list the characteristics of one who walks with God. Discuss which qualities in Psalm 15 pertain to gossip.
Lesson Ten
In your discussion of Lesson 10, you could shift the focus from your local church to your family or your close circle of Christian friends.
The Digging Deeper Bible Study fits nicely between questions 3 and 4 of the Questions for Group Discussion.
The leader can apply inductive study techniques to the Ephesians 4 passage in Digging Deeper. Ask the “Who, What, Where, When, Why, and How” questions.
For the visual learner, list on the board the answers to Question 4, Ephesians 4:4-6.
For the visual learner you can list on the board the strategies for unity:
1. Pray Hard
2. Agree to “Bear With” Not “Bite” Each Other.
3. Be Extra Careful with Reputations
4. Call Each Other Out
5. Remember the Gospel
*I’m extremely grateful to Susan Stallings for writing the first draft of this list. She has taught through this material several times to various groups and spent many hours brainstorming and recording ideas for group leaders. I’ve whittled the list down a bit, translated some of it into my own words, and sprinkled in some ideas of my own. If you’re trying to figure out which of us wrote what–she came up with all the good ones.
What are your thoughts? Please leave a comment with your best ideas for maximizing a group learning experience in resisting gossip.
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