Discussion Questions
Expand1. Share a favorite quote or a favorite speech/address of yours. Why do you like it?
2. What is your opinion of the concept “Freedom of Speech”? How important is it to you? Has it ever shown up in a pivotal moment in your life?
3. Pastor Roy shared: “nothing drives a wedge between us more than what we say”. Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Where have you seen this happen?
4. In America, we have fought for our rights and even died for our rights . . . including our right of freedom of speech. But C.S. Lewis’s wrote: “the only right we have as a Christian is to give up our right to our rights”. How do you reconcile both American rights and the Christian ideals of sacrifice and submission?
5. Reread Ephesians 4:29-32 Don’t use foul or abusivelanguage. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them. . . . . .Get rid of all bitterness, rage, anger, harsh words, and slander,
a. Have Christians ever been tempted to use “freedom of speech” as an excuse to ignore the instructions found in Ephesians 4:29-32? Have you?
6. Which of these “speech safeguards” do you need to work on most in your own life?
a. Make sure to protect your heart Scripture: Proverbs 4:23-24
b. Do more listening than talking. Scripture: James 1:19-20
c. Practice self control. Scripture: Galatians 5: 22-23.
7. Our Uniting Truth from this message is: “Freedom of Speech may be your American RIGHT but Speech of Freedom is your God-given RESPONSIBILITY.” What do the words “Speech of Freedom” mean to you? And how would your daily life change if you embraced that responsibility fully?
