Simple Little Words:
A FREE Study Guide
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Chapter 11
Jealousy, sports, running
Negative Words by Ann Kroeker
with sidebar … Backhanded Encouragement by Pat Neville
Discussion Questions:
How do you respond when you hear negative words that should
be positive?
What is the best way to make a newcomer feel welcome? What
do you do personally to assure that a visitor feels that he or she
belongs?
Do you believe it’s important for children to have the chance to
excel at sports? What if they don’t have natural athletic ability –
what then?
Why is it so difficult to trust a person who cuts you down
verbally?
What negative lesson in your own life has taught you a
powerful lesson about how not to hurt someone else?
Who are you most jealous of? Why?
Let’s Get Practical:
Sometimes a sweet, gentle word of encouragement isn’t the
right approach. A kick in the pants might be the only thing that
will work to get someone off the starting block. Describe some
instances when the use of “tough love” (telling a person
something they need to hear but don’t want to) can be
appropriate. Give an example of how that method has worked
in your life and/or ways you’ve used it with others.
Chapter 12
Hospitality, food, college, single adults
“You’re One of Us Now” by Susie Shellenberger
Discussion Questions:
What is your definition of hospitality? How do you practice this
art in your home?
Explain why sharing a meal seems to be such a natural way of
getting to know a new friend?
Where do you belong? Where do you always feel safe and at
home?
How do your children, your spouse, your neighbors know that
you care about them?
What are some of your favorite topics for table discussion?
Come up with some new ideas and get your family talking the
next time you gather together.
What does it mean to be a steadfast friend?
Let’s Get Practical:
Go all out. Plan a special meal for a friend. Someone you’ve
been meaning to have over for months if not years. Send an
invitation and follow up with a phone call to make sure that
person knows how welcome they are. Then let them know you
care by the time and attention you put into your preparations.
But don’t forget that your first responsibility is to be hospitable.
You don’t have to cook fancy, just cook something you’re sure
they’ll like. And when you pray for the meal be sure to express
thanks that your friend is there to share it with you.
Chapter 13
Self-image, teacher, forgiveness
One Dozen Words by Sandi Banks
Discussion Questions:
What’s in a name? Do you know the meaning of your first,
middle, and last name? Scour a baby book or do some research
online to find out.
Has anyone ever made fun of your name? How did that make
you feel? Have you ever mocked a person’s name? Why did
you do that?
Why do cruel words seem to cut so deeply? And why does the
pain last so long?
What long-ago memory still hurts when you think about it?
Have you managed to forgive the speaker in the meantime?
We always have a choice – to uplift or tear down – with our
words. Think of an example when someone’s simple little
words lifted you to the sky. Reflect on how grateful you were
for that kindness.
Let’s Get Practical:
Forgiveness isn’t fun. Sometimes it doesn’t feel good – or right.
But we’ve still got to let go of the bitterness or watch it eat us
from the inside. Think about some long ago words of cruelty
and make a promise to God to forgive the person who spoke so
thoughtlessly. This doesn’t mean that everything is fine or that
your resentment will fade completely. Repentance must occur
before reconciliation is possible. But, you can still forgive.
That's a choice you can make today.
Chapter 14
Marriage, stroke, health, faithfulness
In Sickness and in Health by Michelle Cox
Discussion Questions:
Have you contemplated the long-lasting implications of the
phrase “until death do us part?” What could that mean in your
own life and family?
Why is it so unusual for us to see common courtesy exhibited
today? What are you doing to reverse the trend?
Have you experienced the “in sickness” clause in your
marriage? How did it impact your relationship?
Do you have a friend in a nursing home or hospital who would
enjoy a visit? Insert a scheduled stop into your calendar now.
Take along some colorful magazines or an encouraging book,
like Simple Little Words, to brighten their day.
What happens when one spouse dies or is stricken by illness?
How does that change life forever? Have you considered how
you would respond to such a situation?
What small act of comfort can you do for an ailing child,
spouse, or friend? Now that you’ve thought of it – take the time
to put your plan into action.
Let’s Get Practical:
Look around your church. Find someone you admire. Take a
moment to tell that person what their example means to you
and how much you appreciate them doing the right thing,
making a hard choice, or showing love. You fill in the blank. If
you’d like, put your words on paper and give them a card of
gratitude.
Chapter 15
Grace, song, hope
Blessed Limitations by Sherrie Eldridge
Discussion Questions:
Why does God allow handicaps to happen? What possible good
can come out of life-threatening illness or congenital anomalies?
How do you react when you see a person struggling against a
problem clearly not of their own making? Do you cringe or feel
strengthened by their courage?
Why does singing lift the spirit? How often do you find yourself
simply rejoicing – without caring if anyone sees you?
What are some examples in your life of ways that God has been
good to you?
Do your children have opportunities to spend time with cancer
patients, Down Syndrome individuals, or others facing various
personal issues? Make sure that they learn that compassion is a
vital part of serving others.
When’s the last time you discussed heaven? What do you
imagine it will be like? Do you live life in anticipation of meeting
Jesus face to face?
We all have limitations. What are you doing to live life fully in
spite of the stumbling blocks on your path?
Let’s Get Practical:
Pick a friend who is struggling with a disease or long-term
illness. Ask them if you could spend some time learning about
the problem. If they’re not up to a visit, do research online.
Show an interest in understanding exactly what they are facing
and then determine what you could do to help. Maybe assist
with paying bills, or picking up fresh fruits and vegetables, or
cooking a meal once in a while. Help your friend or family
member through this difficult time and watch your heart soften
in the process.
Previous Five Chapters Next Five Chapters
Order Simple Little Words
A FREE Study Guide
Previous Five Chapters Next Five Chapters
Chapter 11
Jealousy, sports, running
Negative Words by Ann Kroeker
with sidebar … Backhanded Encouragement by Pat Neville
Discussion Questions:
How do you respond when you hear negative words that should
be positive?
What is the best way to make a newcomer feel welcome? What
do you do personally to assure that a visitor feels that he or she
belongs?
Do you believe it’s important for children to have the chance to
excel at sports? What if they don’t have natural athletic ability –
what then?
Why is it so difficult to trust a person who cuts you down
verbally?
What negative lesson in your own life has taught you a
powerful lesson about how not to hurt someone else?
Who are you most jealous of? Why?
Let’s Get Practical:
Sometimes a sweet, gentle word of encouragement isn’t the
right approach. A kick in the pants might be the only thing that
will work to get someone off the starting block. Describe some
instances when the use of “tough love” (telling a person
something they need to hear but don’t want to) can be
appropriate. Give an example of how that method has worked
in your life and/or ways you’ve used it with others.
Chapter 12
Hospitality, food, college, single adults
“You’re One of Us Now” by Susie Shellenberger
Discussion Questions:
What is your definition of hospitality? How do you practice this
art in your home?
Explain why sharing a meal seems to be such a natural way of
getting to know a new friend?
Where do you belong? Where do you always feel safe and at
home?
How do your children, your spouse, your neighbors know that
you care about them?
What are some of your favorite topics for table discussion?
Come up with some new ideas and get your family talking the
next time you gather together.
What does it mean to be a steadfast friend?
Let’s Get Practical:
Go all out. Plan a special meal for a friend. Someone you’ve
been meaning to have over for months if not years. Send an
invitation and follow up with a phone call to make sure that
person knows how welcome they are. Then let them know you
care by the time and attention you put into your preparations.
But don’t forget that your first responsibility is to be hospitable.
You don’t have to cook fancy, just cook something you’re sure
they’ll like. And when you pray for the meal be sure to express
thanks that your friend is there to share it with you.
Chapter 13
Self-image, teacher, forgiveness
One Dozen Words by Sandi Banks
Discussion Questions:
What’s in a name? Do you know the meaning of your first,
middle, and last name? Scour a baby book or do some research
online to find out.
Has anyone ever made fun of your name? How did that make
you feel? Have you ever mocked a person’s name? Why did
you do that?
Why do cruel words seem to cut so deeply? And why does the
pain last so long?
What long-ago memory still hurts when you think about it?
Have you managed to forgive the speaker in the meantime?
We always have a choice – to uplift or tear down – with our
words. Think of an example when someone’s simple little
words lifted you to the sky. Reflect on how grateful you were
for that kindness.
Let’s Get Practical:
Forgiveness isn’t fun. Sometimes it doesn’t feel good – or right.
But we’ve still got to let go of the bitterness or watch it eat us
from the inside. Think about some long ago words of cruelty
and make a promise to God to forgive the person who spoke so
thoughtlessly. This doesn’t mean that everything is fine or that
your resentment will fade completely. Repentance must occur
before reconciliation is possible. But, you can still forgive.
That's a choice you can make today.
Chapter 14
Marriage, stroke, health, faithfulness
In Sickness and in Health by Michelle Cox
Discussion Questions:
Have you contemplated the long-lasting implications of the
phrase “until death do us part?” What could that mean in your
own life and family?
Why is it so unusual for us to see common courtesy exhibited
today? What are you doing to reverse the trend?
Have you experienced the “in sickness” clause in your
marriage? How did it impact your relationship?
Do you have a friend in a nursing home or hospital who would
enjoy a visit? Insert a scheduled stop into your calendar now.
Take along some colorful magazines or an encouraging book,
like Simple Little Words, to brighten their day.
What happens when one spouse dies or is stricken by illness?
How does that change life forever? Have you considered how
you would respond to such a situation?
What small act of comfort can you do for an ailing child,
spouse, or friend? Now that you’ve thought of it – take the time
to put your plan into action.
Let’s Get Practical:
Look around your church. Find someone you admire. Take a
moment to tell that person what their example means to you
and how much you appreciate them doing the right thing,
making a hard choice, or showing love. You fill in the blank. If
you’d like, put your words on paper and give them a card of
gratitude.
Chapter 15
Grace, song, hope
Blessed Limitations by Sherrie Eldridge
Discussion Questions:
Why does God allow handicaps to happen? What possible good
can come out of life-threatening illness or congenital anomalies?
How do you react when you see a person struggling against a
problem clearly not of their own making? Do you cringe or feel
strengthened by their courage?
Why does singing lift the spirit? How often do you find yourself
simply rejoicing – without caring if anyone sees you?
What are some examples in your life of ways that God has been
good to you?
Do your children have opportunities to spend time with cancer
patients, Down Syndrome individuals, or others facing various
personal issues? Make sure that they learn that compassion is a
vital part of serving others.
When’s the last time you discussed heaven? What do you
imagine it will be like? Do you live life in anticipation of meeting
Jesus face to face?
We all have limitations. What are you doing to live life fully in
spite of the stumbling blocks on your path?
Let’s Get Practical:
Pick a friend who is struggling with a disease or long-term
illness. Ask them if you could spend some time learning about
the problem. If they’re not up to a visit, do research online.
Show an interest in understanding exactly what they are facing
and then determine what you could do to help. Maybe assist
with paying bills, or picking up fresh fruits and vegetables, or
cooking a meal once in a while. Help your friend or family
member through this difficult time and watch your heart soften
in the process.
Previous Five Chapters Next Five Chapters
Order Simple Little Words
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