Sermon-Based Small Group Lessons
Frazzled: Avoid Drama
Les
Hughes
January
18, 2009
Preparation
1. Note to those of
you who don’t have teenagers:
The current definition of the word “drama” is the escalating
reaction of people to one another following some real or imagined event.
2. You may want to
copy or print out the two lists at the bottom at the appropriate time.
What’s the biggest church
drama you have ever experienced?
Scripture
Read
the Philippians passage. Ask the
group to listen for what we should choose to focus on?
2
I plead with Euodia and I plead with Syntyche to agree with each other in the Lord. 3Yes,
and I ask you, loyal yokefellow,help
these women who have contended at my side in the cause of the gospel, along
with Clement and the rest of my fellow workers, whose names are in the book of
life.
4 Rejoice
in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The
Lord is near. 6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and
petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the
peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and
your minds in Christ Jesus.
8 Finally,
brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is
pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy—think about such things.
9 Whatever
you have learned or received or heard from me, or seen in me—put it into
practice. And the God of peace will be with you.
Share your answers. How can choosing not to focus on drama
really help us and others?
1. What’s the biggest
church drama you have ever experienced?
2. What does it hurt for believers to be
involved in drama?
a. It usually
involves a variety of other sins.
1. Gossip – Proverbs 16:28, Proverbs
26:20, Proverbs 10:14
2. Slander – speaking against someone Titus
3:2
3. Lack of self-control
4. Fits of rage
5.
Hatred
6.
Envy
7.
Spite
8.
Jealousy
3. Read Galatians 5:22. How does following these characteristics
help us avoid drama?
<These are the lists you
distributed>
4. Les shared some ideas on avoiding
drama. Read these and ask the group
which of these do they need to focus on the most?
a. Stay busy, 2 Thess 3:11
b. Mind your own
business, Prov. 26:17
c. Be careful
whom you trust.
d. Don’t
lie, Phil. 4:8
e. Don’t
make promises you can’t keep.
f. Have thick
skin and laugh at yourself, Prov. 19:11
g. Don’t
spend time with people who thrive on drama, 1 Cor
15:33
h. Choose the
hills to die on.
5. Les shared some ideas on addressing
drama in a healthy way. Circle
three on your list that you think are the best advice.
a. Ask
permission to discuss something.
b. Don’t
turn minors into majors.
c. Don’t
argue over petty things.
d. Give your opionion, but listen to others, James 1:19
e. Be positive,
not negative or critical.
f. Collect all the information, Proverbs
18:17
g.
Settle displutes quickly.
h.
Show self-control
i. Pray for wisdom.
j. Deal with
people directly and personally. Not
via email.
k.
Be forgiving.
l. Don’t
make decisions quickly
m.
Don’t take sides.
n.
Recruit wise counsel without betraying a confidence
o.
Be forgiving.
6. Read James 1:5. How do we apply that passage to dramas
in our lives?
7. Read Phil. 4:6-7. How does that passage help us live
without drama.
8. Les said this: “Pain is
inevitable. Misery and being
frazzled is optional.” Is that true of false.
Why?
What
is God calling you to do as a result of today’s study? Is there a situation we’re in the
middle of now in which we need to change our approach? Someone may want to share that with the
group.
Memory Verse
Philippians
4:6-7
6Do not
be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with
thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7And the peace of God, which transcends all
understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.
===============================
Lists to distribute:
Frazzled: Avoiding Drama
Jan. 17, 2009
Avoiding Drama
a. Stay busy, 2 Thess 3:11
b. Mind your own
business, Prov. 26:17
c. Be careful
whom you trust.
d. Don’t
lie, Phil. 4:8
e. Don’t
make promises you can’t keep.
f. Have thick
skin and laugh at yourself, Prov. 19:11
g. Don’t
spend time with people who thrive on drama, 1 Cor
15:33
h. Choose the
hills to die on.
Addressing drama
in a healthy way.
a. Ask
permission to discuss something.
b. Don’t
turn minors into majors.
c. Don’t
argue over petty things.
d. Give your opionion, but listen to others, James 1:19
e. Be positive,
not negative or critical.
f. Collect all the information, Proverbs
18:17
g.
Settle displutes quickly.
h.
Show self-control
i. Pray for wisdom.
j. Deal with
people directly and personally. Not
via email.
k.
Be forgiving.
l. Don’t
make decisions quickly
m.
Don’t take sides.
n.
Recruit wise counsel without betraying a confidence
o.
Be forgiving.