Indiana Wesleyan University Speaking Truth in Love Discussion Getting Started 14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and

Indiana Wesleyan University Speaking Truth in Love Discussion Getting Started
14Then we will no longer be infants, tossed back and forth by the waves, and blown here and there by every wind of teaching and by the cunning and craftiness of people in their deceitful scheming. 15Instead, 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. 16From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work.
Ephesians 4:14–16

Resources
Bible

Background Information

How do we grow as people? How do we become mature? What does it take? According to the apostle Paul, growth is not possible without speaking the truth in love to one another. Without it, we will be tossed back and forth between teachings and deceitful philosophies, and never be grounded, secure, and strong. In making this statement, Paul clearly believes that there is something called truth and that truth objectively exists as something apart from just our opinion or what certain groups might say it is. He also tells us that this truth is grounded in Christ, who is our head. What do heads do? They understand the concepts of truth and make sure the body follows along.

We should be looking to Christ and His teachings to know what is true. Truth is what grounds us and makes us solid. Without knowing what is true, right, and good, we are susceptible to lies, deceit, and temptation. This is not what God wants for us. He wants us to be mature, complete, and built up.

Paul also clearly believes that it is important for love to be involved in the equation of hearing truth. Without love, we are told elsewhere in 1 Corinthians 13 that we are just “noisy gongs and clanging symbols.” Sometimes speaking truth without love sounds like that. A lecture, a condescending political opinion, a superior moral stance; all of these may be filled with truth but not love.

This week, consider your communication with clients, especially clients with diverse backgrounds and think about what speaking the truth in love might look like.

Prayer

Lord, as your disciple Peter said, “To whom else can we go, you have the words of eternal life.” My words in and of themselves are not life, but you and your words and truth are life. Fill me today with the knowledge of your truth and make it clear that I might grow into maturity and by speaking the truth in love to others, help them also to grow. Thank you for giving me the Holy Spirit as my helper in this process. Amen.

Instructions
Navigate to the threaded discussion and respond to the following discussion questions:
How have you experienced the power of someone speaking the truth in love to you? Give an example of a situation where someone spoke truth to you in a way that helped you to change. What was it about the relationship or how they did it that made a difference?
Write a paragraph describing how you see your role as a speaker of truth in love to those you will work with. Give examples of how you might balance these things.
Discuss how a client’s cultural background (home life, lifestyle, beliefs, ethnicity, etc.) would change or impact the approach you use. Does their cultural perspective change the actual truth? Explain.