Biblical Rules for Productive Discussions

Rule 1: Seek the truth.

Based on Jesus’ curious claims.

• Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.” [John 14:6 ESV]
• “Sanctify them in the truth; your word is truth.” [John 17:17 ESV]
• Then Pilate said to him, “So you are a king?” Jesus answered, “You say that I am a king. For this purpose I was born and for this purpose I have come into the world–to bear witness to the truth. Everyone who is of the truth listens to my voice.” [John 18:37 ESV]

Rule 2: You have two ears and one mouth. Use them in that proportion.

• Based on James 1:19-20,  “Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.”

Rule 3: Speak to the issue of the discussion. If you share a personal story, please tie it into the issue clearly, and keep it short so that everyone can participate.

• Based on Proverb 10:19, “When words are many, transgression is not lacking, but whoever restrains his lips is prudent.”

Rule 4: Share the “microphone”. If you speak, please wait until at least 2 others plus the moderator speak before you speak again.

• Based on the Golden Rule in Matthew 7:12, “So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.”

Rule 5: Listen to and LEARN from others, rather than merely waiting for your turn to speak.

• Based on Proverb 11:14, “Where there is no guidance, a people falls, but in an abundance of counselors there is safety.”
• And Proverb 18:2, “A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.”

Rule 6: Love one another in your speech and actions.

• Based on Jesus’ commandment in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give to you, that you love one another: just as I have loved you, you also are to love one another.”
• Also based on the Love Chapter in 1 Corinthians 13, “If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am a noisy gong or a clanging cymbal. And if I have prophetic powers, and understand all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have all faith, so as to remove mountains, but have not love, I am nothing. If I give away all I have, and if I deliver up my body to be burned, but have not love, I gain nothing.
  Love is patient and kind; love does not envy or boast; it is not arrogant or rude. It does not insist on its own way; it is not irritable or resentful; it does not rejoice at wrongdoing, but rejoices with the truth.” [1 Corinthians 13:1-6 ESV]

If you have other rules, suggestions, or relevant Bible passages, please contribute in the comment section. This is a work in progress…

Thanks!

Darren Williams

Ratio Christi at SHSU Chapter Director and Faculty Advisor