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Three Essential Questions

After watching the message take some time reflect on the following three questions.

1. What did you hear? What point in this message was most impactful for you?

2. What do you think? How did this message challenge, change, or affirm your thinking?

3. What will you do? How will you put into practice what you've learned today?

"Strive earnestly to guard and keep the harmony of the Spirit" Eph. 4:3 (Amp)

"God is not a God of disorder. He is the God of peace, and he wants it in all his churches" 1 Corinthians 14:33 (GW)

FOUR PRINCIPLES FOR PREVENTING 'EXPLOSIONS'
"Do Not Let..."

1. RESERVE JUDGMENT UNTIL I KNOW ALL THE FACTS AND THE WHOLE STORY

"Preserve sound judgment and discernment. Do not let them out of your sight." Proverbs 3:21 (NIV)

"What a shame—yes, how stupid! — to decide before knowing the facts!" Proverbs 18:13 (LB)

"You should not pass judgment on anyone before the right time. And final judgment must wait until the Lord comes; he'll bring to light dark secrets and expose the hidden purposes of people's minds." 1 Corinthians 4:5 (TEV)

2. BE SENSITIVE AND EMPATHETIC TO WHAT OFFENDS OTHERS

"Do not let yourself cause anyone to be offended, whether they are Jews or Gentiles or those in the church of God." 1 Corinthians 10:32 (Amp)

"Do not let what you know is good to get a bad name." Romans 14:16 (TEV)

"... we can't just go ahead and do whatever pleases ourselves. We must be considerate of the doubts and fears of others who are offended. We should think of what's good for others and build them up by doing what pleases them. For Christ did not please himself. Instead, he felt, as the scripture tells us, 'When others insult you, it hurts me.'" Romans 15:1b-3

3. LIMIT MY FREEDOM OUT OF LOVE

"Do not let your freedom become an excuse for indulging your selfish nature. Instead, let love make you serve each other. For the whole law of God can be summed up in one command: 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' But if, instead of showing love, you're always biting and devouring one another, watch out! You'll destroy each other. Instead, live by following the Spirit and you won't do what your self-centered nature craves." Galatians 5:13-16 (TEV/NLT)

"Aim for harmony in the church and build each other up. Do not let the eating of food destroy the work of God. All foods are all right to eat, but it is wrong to eat food that causes someone else to sin. It is better not to eat meat or drink wine or do anything that will cause your brother or sister to sin." Romans 14:19-21 (NLT/NCV)

"Don't think only of your own good. Think of other Christians and what is best for them." 1 Corinthians 10:24 (NLT)

ACTION PLAN: Romans 14:19 tells us to build each other up. Think about the people in your family or small group and call or email two or three of them just to tell them a positive way that they have impacted your life.

4. ALWAYS BE HUMBLE AND KIND

"Do not let selfishness or pride be your guide. Instead, be humble and give more honor to others than to yourselves." Philippians 2:3 (NCV)

"Do not let class distinction enter into your faith in Jesus Christ!" James 2:1 (NJB)

"Give the same respect to everyone alike. Pay no regard to social standing. Be humble and meet people on their own terms and don't think you know it all." Romans 12:16 (NJB)

ACTION PLAN: Memorize Romans 12:16. As you think about the verse, ask yourself if you give the same respect to everyone you meet. Think about the random people that you see on the street and ask yourself if you would give them the same respect as you would to your family? Talk to God about how he sees them and ask him to help you see them through his eyes.

Weekly Action Steps

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