REALLIFE STUDY GROUP

“Compatibility”

ICEBREAKER: Name one famous line that you can remember from any movie that you have ever seen. (Go ahead, make my day!)

OUTLINE: 3 Elements of Compatibility

1. Character

2. Competency

3. Chemistry

5 Communication Mistakes

1. Too much information

2. Timing is Off

3. The talk reeks of doom

4. Turns into a monologue

5. There are no boundaries (Reckless honesty)

TEXT: Matthew 13:1-17

STUDY GROUP QUESTIONS:

1. When things don’t go the way you expected them to turn out what is your typical response?

a. Thanksgiving; Praise God the problem wasn’t worse

b. Faultfinding; Who caused this problem

c. Denial; There is no problem!

d. Vengeance; Somebody is going to pay for this problem

e. Panic; This problem is going to create more problems

f. Shame; I must be the problem

g. Anger then compassion; No way! Okay we can fix this problem

h. ________________________________________

2. If I were to ask your closest friends & family if you are a good listener what would they say?

3. Identify the last time you and a friend, co-worker, or family member thought that you were on the same page about something only to later find out you missed it completely.

4. Are you one of those people that gives and needs all the details or you one of those people that just wants the bottom line? If you are a detail person how do you know when you have totally lost the listener & what do you do to draw them back in? If you are a Bottom line guy/gal what can you do to stay in the conversation?

5. If Jesus were to invite himself to your house what do you think would be the first thing He would want to talk about or address? Since He knows you best how do you think He would approach you?

6. If you were to ask the Lord to help you change one thing about the way you communicate what would it be?

a. Lord help me to open up more

b. Lord help me listen more with my eyes and my expressions

c. Lord help me stop talking so much & start listening more

d. Lord help me to think a little more before I speak

e. Lord change & heal my heart so my words will help & heal others

f. ______________________________________________