Main Character Moment - Week Five

Begin with prayer. Ask the Lord to reveal areas of life where we need to either talk more or less. Pray for discernment in knowing when to have hard conversations and when we need to stay quiet and trust in the Lord.

Words can be very hard. It can be even harder to know how to use them. Often we will use our words with people we don’t even know via social media, while in the grocery store, or even in the car when we’re driving around in traffic. There is a sense of invincibility when we speak to someone we don’t know when talking about something we believe to be true. But what about when we speak to people we do know? Our friends, our family, our neighbors, for example. Why is it harder for us to talk to them with the same invincibility? Regardless of the situation, not knowing when to talk or when to be silent can cause us to miss prime opportunities to share Jesus.

There was a prophetess in the Old Testament whose name was Huldah. She had a strong reputation for being faithful to the Lord. King Josiah had ordered repairs to be made to the temple. During those repairs, the high priest Hilkiah found the book of the law and gave it to the court secretary who took it to the king. In response, Josiah sent five men to Huldah to inquire of the Lord. Huldah knew it was time for her to speak.

Discussion Questions

1. How can we be someone worth listening to? How does reputation matter in regard to our words?
2. When was the last time someone you trusted called you out? This could have been at work, Bible study, or a normal friendship. Who was this person? What was their reputation? Did you listen?

Colossians 4:2, 5-6, “Devote yourselves to prayer with an alert mind and thankful heart... Live wisely among those who are not believers, and make the most of every opportunity. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you will have the right response for everyone.”

The Word of God is very clear in our speech. James 3 says that our tongue is “a flame of fire.” We are called to be careful with how we speak. But what does being careful look like practically? Paul gives us the answer above. “Devote yourselves to prayer.” This inner work will refine our speech.

Huldah was most likely known for walking with God closely. She most likely had a very intimate walk with Him. The way we know this was by her knowing the Lord was speaking to her. We cannot, and will not, know the voice of the Lord if we are not following him closely, and praying to him daily. Do you know the voice of someone you do not know? Who do you know who follows Jesus closely? What is their speech like? Have you ever talked to them about their relationship with Jesus?

Read out loud Psalms 27:8. “My heart says this about you: ‘Seek his face.’ Lord, I will seek your face.” How does David know the Lord was speaking to him? Because his heart knows Him well. There is so much importance in knowing the voice of the Lord. Experiencing it will drive us to move, while not knowing it will cause us to miss opportunities. End in prayer, asking God to give you the desire to seek His face.