Resisting Gossip Together In Only 6 Weeks

Only 6 Weeks

A group leader recently wrote me with this question, "I will be teaching a six week class at my church using the Resisting Gossip Materials starting in November. Could you let me know what 6 chapters you would pick to focus on, since I won’t have 10 weeks to work with?"

I thought that my response might be helpful for others using the materials under the same constraints:

Here are some possibilities depending on what your goals for the class are:

Option 1

When I do the Resisting Gossip Live Seminar, I don't normally get into the stuff in the later chapters (responding to gossip, regretting gossip, church chapter). So, you could just do the first 6 chapters. That's a simple plan and focuses everything on just the teaching on resisting the temptation to gossip. At the seminar, I normally have Q&A time where I share thoughts on the material in #7-10, as well.

Lesson #1.    What, Exactly, Is Gossip?
Lesson #2.    Why Do We Gossip?
Lesson #3.     A Gallery of Gossips
Lesson #4.    Believing the Best
Lesson #5.     Instead of Gossip: Speaking
Lesson #6.    Instead of Gossip: Listening

Option 2

You can combine a few of the chapters and skip the church chapter. Then you're not dividing up the material as much but still covering everything. Have the group read two chapters but only have one discussion.

1. Lesson #1.    What, Exactly, Is Gossip?
2. Lesson #2.    Why Do We Gossip?
    Lesson #3.     A Gallery of Gossips
3. Lesson #4.    Believing the Best
4. Lesson #5.     Instead of Gossip: Speaking
    Lesson #6.    Instead of Gossip: Listening
5. Lesson #7.    Responding in Faith
    Lesson #8.     Responding in Love
6. Lesson #9.    Regretting Gossip

Option 3

One more approach is to combine it a different way and skip the judging and regretting chapters. Participants can read those on their own and bring the ideas into the discussion if there's time.

1. Lesson #1.    What, Exactly, Is Gossip?
2. Lesson #2.    Why Do We Gossip?
3. Lesson #3.     A Gallery of Gossips
4. Lesson #5.     Instead of Gossip: Speaking
    Lesson #6.    Instead of Gossip: Listening
5. Lesson #7.    Responding in Faith
    Lesson #8.     Responding in Love
6. Lesson #10.   Gossip and Our Church

The option is always available for people to watch the videos for multiple lessons but only discuss some of them.

Your Turn

What plan might you use? Leave a comment with how you would do it.