EDGE Autumn 2007 – In but not of… #2

The culture of complaining

Welcome

Offer everyone a drink / snack

Play a complaining game. Either play it like Pictionary where someone draws a thing that people complain about and the others have to guess what they are drawing. Or see how long you can go with nobody doing anything but complaining!

Worship

Praise Jesus for his willingness to do Philippians 2:6-8 (without complaint or grumble!)

Word

We get into our series about being in the world but not of it by looking at the issue of complaining or grumbling.

How much do you notice this in the world? I.e. television, chat shows, phone-ins, friends, teachers, parents themselves?

Before I was a Christian, I went to a Church youth group social where lots of funny sketches, songs and talks were given… one of the sketches started like this….

A: How are you?

B: Can’t complain

A: Yes, shame isn’t it!

Why do we like to complain so much? (if you have a holy group, why do other people like to complain so much?

Take a look at Numbers 11:4-6 and Proverbs 19:3 to see why the Bible suggests people complain.

When is complaining a sin?

Perhaps look at Numbers 21:5-6 but definitely look at Philippians 2:14-15

What is the effect of complaining? Look at Eph 4:29 for the opposite effect!

When we do have the right to complain, how do we complain without sinning? Is it possible?

What sinful complaining or grumbling is the one that can easily affect you?

 

Witness

Pray together with amazing thankfulness.

Decide together that you will make conscious decisions not to complain.