Helping YOU Navigate Life

Part 2: Living in an Offended Culture

Worship: Listen to a Worship song (If you need suggestions you can use one from the YouTube Playlist for this week) or express something that you are thankful to God for.

Welcome: Have you noticed that people get offended easier today? Why do you think this is? How do most people respond to offence?

Word:

Read 1 Corinthians 1:22-25 and Galatians 5:11. What makes the gospel as “stumbling block”? How is it offensive? How can we allow the gospel to offend people without being offensive as Christians?

Read Matthew 5:21-26. What does this passage say about offences?

• Being offended can often lead to anger. v. 22 tells us that anger leads to judgment, just as murder does. Why?

• Why do you think we should be reconciled to someone we’ve offended before we worship (v. 23-24)?

Read 2 Timothy 2:22-26. There is some good wisdom here in how to disagree with someone without being offensive. What can we learn from this for our own conversations? It’s important to note v 26 which tells us that people who believe lie are ensnared by the Devil. It can help us to realize that people aren’t out to get us; they’re victims of the enemy. How can we help them escape?

Reflect on your most recent interactions with those who disagreed with you or you were offended by. Did your interactions reflect Paul’s instructions to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2:22-26? If not, how will you react differently next time? What do you need to apply from this lesson?

Witness:  Continue to pray for the people that you want to see come into a relationship with Christ. What are some practical ways that you can show the love of Christ to your family, co-workers, and neighbours, particularly in light of the COVID 19 pandemic?

Pray for these people and each other.