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As Christians, we aim to use our words in a way that is life-giving not life-taking

Big Idea:

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Five Communication Guardrails:

  1. Speak the truth (15, 25)

2) Communicate in the present (26-27)

3) Face-to-face if possible (Matthew 18:15)

4) Attack the problem, not the person (29)

5) Be proactive, not reactive (31-32)

​

Ephesians 4:15,25-32

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Five Communication Guardrails:

  1. Speak the truth (15, 25)

2) Communicate in the present (26-27)

3) Face-to-face if possible (Matthew 18:15)

4) Attack the problem, not the person (29)

5) Be proactive, not reactive (31-32)

​

Ephesians 4:15,25-32

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Avoid…

-Absolutes: “always”, “never”

-Exaggeration

-Name-calling

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Five Communication Guardrails:

  1. Speak the truth (15, 25)

2) Communicate in the present (26-27)

3) Face-to-face if possible (Matthew 18:15)

4) Attack the problem, not the person (29)

5) Be proactive, not reactive (31-32)

​

​

Ephesians 4:15,25-32

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Communicate in the Present:

  • Do I have the facts right? (Proverbs 18:13)

  • Do I need to bring it up? (1 Peter 4:8)

  • Is the timing right? (Proverbs 15:23)

  • Is my attitude right?

  • Are my words loving?

  • Have I asked for God’s help?

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Ephesians 4:26-27

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Five Communication Guardrails:

  1. Speak the truth (15, 25)

2) Communicate in the present (26-27)

3) Face-to-face if possible (Matthew 18:15)

4) Attack the problem, not the person (29)

5) Be proactive, not reactive (31-32)

​

Ephesians 4:15,25-32

​

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Five Communication Guardrails:

  1. Speak the truth (15, 25)

2) Communicate in the present (26-27)

3) Face-to-face if possible (Matthew 18:15)

4) Attack the problem, not the person (29)

5) Be proactive, not reactive (31-32)

​

Ephesians 4:15,25-32

​

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Five Communication Guardrails:

  1. Speak the truth (15, 25)

2) Communicate in the present (26-27)

3) Face-to-face if possible (Matthew 18:15)

4) Attack the problem, not the person (29)

5) Be proactive, not reactive (31-32)

​

Ephesians 4:15,25-32

​

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Make a Plan:

- Pray, ask God to show me my own sin (1 week)

- Ask myself intentional questions…

- Pray for my brother’s heart to soften

-

- Pray for reconciliation

- Find a date that works

- Extend an invitation to dinner

GOAL: Reconciliation, Dinner (2 Corinthians 5:18)

​

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Make a Plan:

- Pray, ask God to show me my own sin (1 week)

- Ask myself intentional questions…

- Pray for my brother’s heart to soften

-

- Pray for reconciliation

- Find a date that works

- Extend an invitation to dinner

GOAL: Reconciliation, Dinner (2 Corinthians 5:18)

​

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Make a Plan:

- Pray, ask God to show me my own sin (1 week)

- Ask myself intentional questions…

- Pray for my brother’s heart to soften

-

- Pray for reconciliation

- Find a date that works

- Extend an invitation to dinner

GOAL: Reconciliation, Dinner (2 Corinthians 5:18)

​

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Make a Plan:

- Pray, ask God to show me my own sin (1 week)

- Ask myself intentional questions…

- Pray for my brother’s heart to soften

-

- Pray for reconciliation

- Find a date that works

- Extend an invitation to dinner

GOAL: Reconciliation, Dinner (2 Corinthians 5:18)

​

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Make a Plan:

- Pray, ask God to show me my own sin (1 week)

- Ask myself intentional questions…

- Pray for my brother’s heart to soften

-

- Pray for reconciliation

- Find a date that works

- Extend an invitation to dinner

GOAL: Reconciliation, Dinner (2 Corinthians 5:18)

​

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Make a Plan:

- Pray, ask God to show me my own sin (1 week)

- Ask myself intentional questions…

- Pray for my brother’s heart to soften

-

- Pray for reconciliation

- Find a date that works

- Extend an invitation to dinner

GOAL: Reconciliation, Dinner (2 Corinthians 5:18)

​

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Make a Plan:

- Pray, ask God to show me my own sin (1 week)

- Ask myself intentional questions…

- Pray for my brother’s heart to soften

- Talk to my brother at a convenient time for him

- Pray for reconciliation

- Find a date that works

- Extend an invitation to dinner

GOAL: Reconciliation, Dinner (2 Corinthians 5:18)

​

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Make a Plan:

- Pray, ask God to show me my own sin (1 week)

- Ask myself intentional questions…

- Pray for my brother’s heart to soften

- Talk to my brother at a convenient time for him

- Pray for reconciliation

- Find a date that works

- Extend an invitation to dinner

GOAL: Reconciliation, Dinner (2 Corinthians 5:18)

​

-Recognize my own sin

-Ask for forgiveness

-Graciously express concern

-Express love

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Make a Plan:

- Pray, ask God to show me my own sin (1 week)

- Ask myself intentional questions…

- Pray for my brother’s heart to soften

- Talk to my brother at a convenient time for him

- Pray for reconciliation

- Find a date that works

- Extend an invitation to dinner

GOAL: Reconciliation, Dinner (2 Corinthians 5:18)

​

-Recognize my own sin

-Ask for forgiveness

-Graciously express concern

-Express love