Bombs, Grenades & Wiretaps
Week 02: I Can’t Hear You

(2 Corinthians 5:18–20) All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: 19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation. 20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.

(Romans 12:18) If it is possible, as far as it depends on you, live at peace with everyone.

Five Decisions to Restore Broken Relationships

Week #1 Lead with the big picture. 

#2 Reopen lines of  

(James 1:19) My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak …

1. We must stop to intently.

(James 1:19) Everyone should be quick to listen … 

✓ Listen to what the other person is saying.

Most people do not listen with the intent to understand; they listen with the intent to reply.
― Stephen R. Covey
The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People

✓ Listen to our own narratives. 

(Proverbs 18:2) A fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his own opinions.

2. We must guard our  intentionally.

(James 1:19) Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak.

My always reveal my . 

(Matthew 12:34-35) For out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks. The good man brings good things out of the good stored up in him, and the evil man brings evil things out of the evil stored up in him.

✓ Allow God to change my heart. 

Psalm 19:14 (NLT)  May the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be pleasing to you, O LORD, my rock and my redeemer.

✓ Decide to speak words of life. 

Words of .

(Matthew 3:16-17) At that moment heaven was opened, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. And a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; with him I am well pleased.”

Words of .

(Proverbs 25:11) A word aptly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.

Words of .

(Ephesians 4:29) Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.

Words of .

(Proverbs 15:4) The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life…

Words of .

(Romans 4:17) (Abraham) is our father in the sight of God, in whom he believed—the God who gives life to the dead and calls things that are not as though they were.

3. We must keep the lines of communication .