Session 6: Good Words
Read Proverbs 10:19; 15:23; 16:24; 17:10; 24:26; 25:11-12
Words have power. As we studied in our last session, bad words can do great harm to us and to others. But, words are not all bad. Good words have just as much power, or more, than bad words. Our words can be awesome powers for good but, they are not magic. The power of words lie not so much in themselves as it does in the character of those who speak them and those who hear them.
1. It is easy to remember times when you heard words that caused harm. Can you think of a time when you heard words that caused good? Can you describe “how” those words caused that effect?
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2. Would you describe yourself as a person of few or many words?
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3. In the proverbs we just read, what characteristics do good words display?
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4. Proverbs 10:19 suggest that the mere quantity of words produces sin. Do you think that quantity alone is likely to produce sin in our own words?
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5. Think about a situation where you were overly talkative. Why were you so wordy?
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6. What can you do to reduce or eliminate your wordiness?
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7. Flattery is meant to be pleasant. Good words that are not flattery can also be pleasant. How can we distinguish flattering from pleasant words according to 16:24 and 25:11-12?
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8. It is easy to understand how a deserved rebuke benefits a person with discernment. (17:10) If you receive an underserved rebuke, how can you still profit from it?
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9. In 24:26, honest answers and kisses on the lips are associated with each other. Explain?
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10. In Proverbs 25:11-12, “apt” words are compared with pieces of fine jewelry. What characteristics do they have in common?
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11. Think of someone you know whose speech is good. How does their speech demonstrate one or more of the proverbs we have read?
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12. Good words, especially if they are going to have the qualities of fine jewelry, will require some effort on our part. What can you do to produce these kinds of words?
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Often we hear, that as Christians we are witnesses whether we intend to be or not. Our behavior, our attitudes, and especially our words are always producing fruit, good and bad. Let us resolve that our speech will be wholesome, that it will be righteous without being judgmental and let us seek to have a beauty in our words that exemplify the blessings that we have received that we might be a blessing to others. We can be encouraging to others without flattery. A simple “good job” in place of flattery that is recognizable as being untrue should suffice. Simply saying “thank you, I appreciate what you have done” is beauty in itself.