Courtney and Melissa discuss why Christians shouldn’t be quick to take offense and how we should live in a world of people who are.
They talk about how to resist a victim mentality by getting your eyes off yourself. They commend overlooking and absorbing offenses when possible. They discuss why we must boldly hold to Christian doctrines that the world finds offensive, but that it’s possible to hold and even articulate offensive views in a way that communicates love and grace.
Related Resources:
How to Find Peace When You Feel Offended
We’re Hurt, and Healed, in Community
Recognizing Our Own Marks of Righteousness
Discussion Questions:
1. When you’re offended, what’s your first instinct—to overlook it, confront it, replay it in your mind, or tell someone else? Why do you think that is?
2. What kinds of comments or situations are most likely to offend you? What might that reveal about what you value?
3. The Bible describes people in the last days as “lovers of self” (2 Tim. 3:2). How might a self-focused culture make us more easily offended?
4. Can you think of a time when someone graciously overlooked an offense from you? How did that affect your relationship?
5. Before addressing an offense, what questions might be helpful to ask yourself?
6. How does knowing that God is our Defender free us from needing to defend ourselves all the time?
7. Who in your life demonstrates the kind of patience, humility, and long-suffering described in Scripture? What have you learned from his or her example?
The Gospel Coalition