Need some prayer? Click here to let us know.

Guarding Against A Critical Spirit

October 8 | DNA Guide

Be Real Together:

Take a few minutes to catch up, tell stories, and laugh together. Trust and friendship take time to build. If you’re launching a new DNA, one person should tell their story — what do we need to know about you? Next week, have another person in your DNA share their story.

Read Together: James 4:11-12 CSB

The One Question:
Ask this question at your family meal or DNA.

James is making the point that pride and a lack of humility are some of the primary causes of criticism. Pride generates a critical spirit. We are reminded through these verses why criticism has no place in the Body of Christ.

In the depths of your heart, do you think you would make a better judge than God? How can you go about relinquishing this control to better walk in step with Jesus?

Grow Together:
Use these questions to go deeper with your DNA or for personal study.

  1. Matthew 22:34-40 reminds us to love our neighbors as ourselves. Are you known for your love or for your judgment?
  2. Pastor Sean shared that a critical spirit distracts from our discipleship. Are you more concerned with staying close to God, or correcting the closeness of others?
  3. Read how Jesus responds to the woman caught in Adultery in John 8. What do you notice? When you've been inclined to make a judgment about someone else, have you been able to discern if the judgment is from God or from yourself?
  4. Take a moment, reflect on your life and ask yourself: Am I actually maturing or do I think I am better than I actually am? Share your thoughts with your DNA.

Pray Together:

Take time to pray with and for each other.

Enduring Word Commentary: James 4