Ephesians 4:15 (NIV) Instead, speaking the truth in love, we will grow to become in every respect the mature body of him who is the head, that is, Christ.

  1. I would have expected this verse to say, “hearing the truth we will grow.” Why do you suppose it says, “speaking the truth we will grow”?
  2. Why is it important that we speak the truth in love in order to grow? Why does non-love speech not produce growth?
  3. Think of this from two perspectives. I speak the truth to you and I grow because of it. Or, I speak the truth to you and you grow because of it? Which do you think is intended here? (Perhaps both?)
  4. Why can’t we grow just by reading our Bibles and trying hard to do what it says?
  5. “We are changed more by what we say than what we hear.”[1] How do the words I speak change the direction of my life?
  6. Agree or disagree (and why): People who speak words of love become more loving; people who speak words of gratitude become more grateful; people who complain become more grumpy.
  7. James 3:4 (NIV) “Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go.” In context, this is saying that our words are like the rudder on a ship. How so? How are the words we speak like the rudder (or steering wheel) of our lives?
  8. How is life better for those who consistently speak the truth in love?
  9. Speaking the truth in love we will grow. What else is necessary for us to grow spiritually?
  10. What does a mature Christian look like?
  11. What does a mature body (church) look like?
  12. How can we pray for each other?

[1] Josh Hunt, Teach Like Jesus.