Sept 27 2026
The heart of a Rust City Group is to care for people and carry the culture of Rust City Church.
You don’t have to follow this guide like a script! Use discernment from the Holy Spirit as you lead your group discussion.
If you notice that someone in your group needs additional care or support that’s beyond your capacity, please let a pastor know.
ICEBREAKER QUESTION OPTION:
What do autumn leaves mean to you: beauty? Or more work?
I’m Fine: Pt. 1
SPEAKER: Pastor Wes Washington
Scriptures—
Prov. 16:28; Prov. 26:20; James 4:11-12; James 1:19
Key Takeaways—
Core Theme - The Deceitfulness and Destructiveness of Gossip
The Mask of "I'm Fine": We often cover up our personal struggles with a "Sunday mask," preventing us from finding the true healing and hope the church should offer.
The Poison of Gossip: Often people wear their Sunday masks because they fear that people will gossip about them and destroy their reputations if they knew the honest truth.
Gossip as a Symptom: Gossip is a "check engine light" for our souls; it often reveals that we are struggling with our own pain or failure and are using others' faults to distract from our own.
The Power of the Tongue: Our words have the power to bring life or destroy. Using prayer as a disguise for gossip is a common but poisonous practice in the church.
The Only Judge: We were never designed to have the "knowledge of good and evil" and to use that to judge our neighbors. Only God is the true Lawgiver and Judge. Of all of us.
Listening to God: True transformation requires letting the Word of God penetrate our hearts so that our words become edifying rather than destructive.
Discussion Questions—
Have you ever felt the need to hide behind a mask instead of being honest about how you’re really doing?
Why do we feel the need to talk about the struggles and failures of other people? What does that gratify in us?
When you find yourself talking about someone else, what is your heart usually trying to avoid facing?
How can we distinguish between asking for prayer and engaging in gossip? What about asking permission from the person about inviting others to pray?
What does it mean to "take every thought captive" before it turns into words?
How does the knowledge that God is the only true Judge change the way you view what you see as the struggles and failures of others?
What steps can we take to create a space in this group where it is safe to be real?
Practical application—
Consider implementing one of the following this week:
Option 1: Take it to god alone
When you feel the urge to share negative information about someone, commit to taking that information only to God in prayer rather than sharing it with a friend.
Option 2: Seek Reconciliation
Identify one person you have an issue with - what they’ve done or what they think or believe - and commit to going to them directly and privately this week instead of discussing it with a third party.
option 3: Focus Your Listening
Evaluate what you are "listening to" (media, conversations, internal thoughts, gossip from others). Spend 10 minutes each morning reading or listening to Scripture to ensure God's Word is the first thing planting itself in your heart before you speak to others.
Closing Prayer—
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for the grace You have shown us, even though You know all of our secrets, all the terrible, shameful things we’ve done - and you still loved us enough for Jesus to die to rescue us.
Guard our mouths and keep our tongues under Your control. Help us to stop trying to be the judge of our neighbors and instead show them the same love and mercy You have shown us. May our words be used to build up and sharpen one another, not tear each other down.
In Jesus' name,
Amen.