1 Corinthians 4:1-6; 1 John 3:19-22

Discussion Questions:

1. Where have you experienced shame? Describe your experience with a “condemning heart” (1 John 3:20). (WARNING: be very careful and compassionate with one another in discussing this topic.)
2. Discuss Paul’s metaphor of being “puffed up” (1 Cor 4:6). What does he mean? What kind of behavior does being puffed up produce? Confess the times/situations where you’ve become puffed up. Can you connect it to your shame (Q#1)?
3. Read 1 John 3:19-22 together again. How do we reassure our hearts before God? How does “the Father’s Song” help us do this? What spiritual disciplines might it involve?
4. How can we help one another with this? What role does our community of friends play in reassuring our hearts before God? (For example: our words have great power- to condemn or to encourage and “build up.” How does this help us be very careful with our words?)