Words That Wound

Read Genesis 9:20-27

Noah lying drunk and naked in a tent was clearly a shameful and compromising position for him to be in.

What did Ham do when he saw Noah?

Why do you think this led to Noah uttering such a long and passionate curse? (vv. 24-25.)

What did Shem and Japheth do when they heard about Noah’s situation?

Why do you think Noah blessed Shem and Japheth so generously? (vv. 26-27.)

In your own words, what you would say the principle of this story is?

Can you think of a present-day example of when someone might choose to act like Shem and Japheth? What would they do?

In his message, Mark noted that on several occasions in the Bible, gossip is listed alongside murder and adultery as a particularly serious example of sin.

Why do you think this is the case?

Mark also provide some Listening and Speaking questions that we can apply when we are tempted to engage in gossip:

Listening

• Do I need to know this, if I am not part of the problem or the solution?
• If something is being shared as a prayer request, how many details do I actually need?

Speaking

• Do I have permission to share the story from the person that it is about?
• What do I hope that telling this person this information will achieve?
• Do I talk about this person more than I care about them?

Which of these questions do you find the most challenging? Why is that?

What is one area related to gossip where you know you struggle?

What is one practical thing you can do to reduce your risk of getting tangled up in gossip?