25 Ways to Win with People, Lesson #7 by John Maxwell and Les Parrott, PH.D. Good Questions by Josh Hunt

These kind of questions (except with more Bible verses!) are available every week for you to use during your Bible study time. Lessons correspond with three of Lifeway's series. I have been doing this for years and more than 2000 lesson are available with new ones added each week. See www.joshhunt.com/sunday-school.htm for details.

Review

• What have you learned so far? What have you been able to apply so far?

Say the right words at the right time

1. Let's start with a little Bible study. Can you think of any verses that speak to the value of speaking the right words at the right time?
2. Let's look at a few verses from Proverbs. What do these verses teach us about saying the right words at the right time? ⁽¹⁾
3. I'd like several of you to share a story of when someone said just the right words at the right time. Who has a story?
4. Look at the bottom of page 47:

The wrong words said at the wrong time discourage me

The wrong words said at the right time frustrate me

The right words said at the wrong time confuse me

The right words said at the right time encourage me.

Can you think of an example of each of these? Who has a story?

5. There are several great stories in this chapter. What is your favorite and why?
6. When is it best to say nothing at all? ⁽²⁾
7. What do Proverbs 10.19 and 27.28 have to say about holding your tongue. ⁽³⁾
8. You have all heard the saying, "If you can't say anything nice, don't say anything at all." Is that a biblical concept?
9. We are sometimes called upon to be something other than nice. When is this? How do we know?
10. What do the authors mean by, "pay attention to context"? Can anyone give an example?
11. Is saying the right words at the right time difficult or costly?
12. What keeps us from saying the right words at the right time?
13. Imagine a group were people regularly said the right words at the right times to one another. What would it be like to be a part of a group like that?
14. How do you want to apply this week's lesson to your group?
15. How can we pray for one another this week?

1. Pr 12:18 Reckless words pierce like a sword, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. NIV

Pr 16:24 Pleasant words are a honeycomb, sweet to the soul and healing to the bones. NIV

Pr 12:25 An anxious heart weighs a man down, but a kind word cheers him up. NIV

Pr 15:1 A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger. NIV

Pr 15:23 A man finds joy in giving an apt reply-- and how good is a timely word! NIV

Pr 25:11 A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver. NIV

2. I was reminded of this passage yesterday in a John Ortberg sermon. This is when Job's friends were at their best: "Then they sat on the ground with him for seven days and seven nights. No one said a word to him, because they saw how great his suffering was."

Job 2:13 (NIV)

3. When words are many, sin is not absent, but he who holds his tongue is wise. Prov 10:19 (NIV)

Even a fool is thought wise if he keeps silent, and discerning if he holds his tongue. Prov 17:28 (NIV)