Gossip

I. Training Objective: From memory recite the definition and three of the five ways to deal with gossip.

II. What is a gossip?

Definition: "Sharing privileged (or negative or hurtful) information with someone who is not part of the problem of solution."

A. Not necessarily false. It could be truth that you share wrongly.
B. At least three people are always involved.

III. Characteristics of Gossip. (Scripture)

A. I Timothy 5:13-say what they shouldn't
B. Proverbs 16:28-Values foolish words more than friendship.
C. Proverbs 18:21-Character assassination
D. Proverbs 20:19-Lonely
E. Proverbs 11:9-The Godless are addicted to it.
F. Revelation 12:10-Characteristic of Satan.
G. Romans 1:28-32-Characteristic of those going to hell.

IV. Gossip Hurts

A. Reputations-Character assassination.
B. Friendships-The offender and the offended.
C. Listener-Receives harmful information.
D. God-Christ died for it. (Sin)

V. How to deal with gossip and gossips.

A. Confrontation-II Timothy 4:2, Matthew 18 in the spirit of Galatians 6:1.
B. Don't associate w/ gossips-Proverbs 20:19, II Thessalonians 3:11,14
C. Get in the Word-I Peter 2:1-2
D. Nip it in the bud-Deuteronomy 19:16-20
E. Plan to go out of your way to say something good. Hebrews 10:24-25

VI. Memory Verse: Matthew 12:36-37

VII. Reading Material:

Caring Enough to Confront by David Augsburger (Regal, 1973)