Rules of Engagement – Week 6
Wounds of a Friend
1. Read Ephesians 4:2-3 According to this passage, what is required of us to maintain unity in our
relationships (whether friends, marriage & family, church, workplace relationships)?
2. Read Mathew 18:15 & Ephesians 4:15 What part does honest confrontation play in maintaining
and growing unity in our relationships?
How do we know when we should confront someone with some harmful attitude/behavior or with
some way in which they’ve offended us (versus ‘overlooking’ it)?
What is hard about confronting another?
What’s the effect when we neglect to appropriately confront when we should (consider effects
on us, the other person and on the relationship)?
3. Read Proverbs 27:6 & 27:17 Explain in your own words what you think these verses mean.
If you knew someone was wounded/offended by you or saw a significant flaw in your
behavior/attitude, would you prefer for them to ‘ignore’ it & keep it to themselves or to humbly,
privately point it out to you? Explain
4. Read Romans 15:14 The Greek words “instruct one another” actually mean to “admonish”
one another. “Admonish” means (1) “to reprove or correct gently but earnestly” (2) “to
counsel or caution” (3) “to remind of an obligation or responsibility”.
Paul (author) says he’s convinced the Roman Christians are competent to effectively admonish
one another because they are “full of goodness” and “filled with knowledge”. What do those two
phrases mean and how do they apply when admonishing someone?
5. Read 1 Peter 3:9 & Galatians 5:15 Sometimes our critique of another only gets expressed to
them when we’re angry, defensive or in a heated exchange. What’s the effect of this in
marriage, family life, church, workplace relations? What’s the alternative?
6. Read Mathew 7:1-5 Explain the process Jesus gives here in preparing oneself to point out
another’s fault. What character qualities are required to engage in this preparation?
What’s the difference between unbiblically judging versus biblically ‘admonishing’ another?
7. Read Galatians 6:1 If someone confronted you about your harmful trait, attitude, or behavior
what, in terms of their demeanor or approach, would increase your willingness to hear and
consider what they’re saying (consider this in the context of marriage, family, church or
workplace)?
8. Read Proverbs 9:8-9 Describe in your own words what this passage is saying.
How do most people tend to respond if someone confronts them about a personal offense,
harmful behavior, attitude, etc?
How do you tend to respond?
Describe what you think would be a healthy, biblical response?