AVOIDING THE QUOTABLE QUOTE

By ‘quotable quote’ we mean something a person says either in person, or on social media, that others could later quote them as having said.

Have you ever said something that came back and ‘bit’ you 5 or 10 years later?

Have you ever got into trouble because of something you unwisely typed online?

How long can the effect of unwisely spoken words last? (Do you remember something your parents said when you were young that you later used against them?)

As you read the questions in both Matthew 21:23-27 and John 8:1-11 consider why Jesus might not have wanted to answer their questions, and how he avoided replying.

CONSIDER: 

In the first story (about where Jesus authority came from) Jesus replied their questions with a question he knew they wouldn’t be willing to answer – as a way of avoiding their question. In the second story (about the woman caught in adultery) Jesus simply refused to speak, and it was awkward. In both cases, he had discerned that those asking the original questions had hostile motives. Regarding the woman caught in adultery, he also possibly discerned hypocrisy amongst those bring the accusations, it was a trap because Jews couldn’t give the death penalty (you could not defy Rome), and Jesus also know he would soon be on his way to the cross to pay for this woman’s sin! 

What things might you not want to give a ‘quotable quote’ on to your parents or children, spouse or boss? 

Should we always be open and honest? Why/Why not? (Honest? Always. Open? It depends on who you are talking with).

Do you think there are topics we should be bold to give ‘quotable quotes’ on? 

Consider Jesus’ bold and quotable statements in the ‘The Seven Woes’ of Matthew 23:13-36, directly confronting the hypocrisy of the religious leaders. Why was he quiet on some matters and vocal on others?

Read Matthew 10:33 (“If you deny me before others...”)

What kinds of questions do you think God expects his followers to give ‘quotable quotes’ on? What is the boundary?

Might there be different boundaries for different people – or even for people in different countries?

Consider topics people in the following roles might be wise to avoid giving ‘quotable quotes’ on in your own nation: School teacher, an accountant, the boss of a bad employee, a court-of-law Judge, the employee of a bad boss, a pastor, doctor, social worker, student, policeman/woman.

Now consider some situations in which people in the above roles should speak up – no matter how awkward?

Comment: Our mission is to make Christ known. We must therefore certainly never deny Christ. Yet our goal is to win people – not just arguments, and that takes wisdom. There is a time to speak plainly, and a time to stay silent. We must assess each situation, while listening for the promptings of the Holy Spirit!

REFLECTION:

If you have someone to practice with, take turns asking each other your opinion on various difficult topics. The other person is to somehow reply in a way that engages the conversation, but without ever making a statement that confirms their viewpoint.

What topics might you need to speak up about more?

PRAYER POINTS:   

• For growing wisdom for conversations.   
• For opportunities to discuss faith with others.

Be encouraged as you share the gospel!