If you lead in any way, you are going to face criticism. Dealing with criticism is a part of leadership—period. One of the greatest weapons that the enemy uses for leaders is discouragement. Discouragement can often come from criticism. It doesn’t matter how hard you try, how much you care, how pure your motives and right your decisions are—criticism is coming—and you shouldn’t try to avoid it. It’s something that we all have to navigate.

Join us this week as we welcome back Scott Nickell and Jon Weece to talk about how to face and process criticism in a healthy way.

 

DISCUSSION GUIDE

What is the wildest piece of criticism you have ever received?

Read John 15:18-21. There are so many areas of life where we can be criticized. We can receive criticism at work, at home, in church, from friends, from relatives, and the list just goes on and on. What are the areas of your life that you receive criticism most often?

Whenever you experience criticism, what is your gut reaction? Do you get defensive? Defeated? Something else?

Oftentimes when we receive criticism, our gut reaction is to get defensive. However, there are times when there is some truth in the criticism we are receiving. How can you determine when criticism has some truth in it and when it does not? Is there anybody in your life you can ask to speak truth to the criticism you have received?

Our identity as followers of Jesus is not dependent on what others say about us or to us, but is dependent on who God says we are. Is this easy for you to remember? How can we remind ourselves of who God says we are in the midst of the criticism we receive on a consistent basis?

Whenever we receive criticism, our body begins to build up stress. When our body builds up stress we can unintentionally become critical of those we care about. What spiritual and mental checkpoints do you have in your life to be able to process the stress that comes from criticism?

Read 1 Peter 2:23. Jesus handled criticism in two ways: He would either respond in truth and grace, as he did with the religious leaders, or he wouldn’t respond at all. One of the best things we can do when we experience criticism is to listen to the criticism and not respond. Is this something that is easy for you? How could it help you navigate criticism better?

What else from the podcast spoke to you?

What did God/Holy Spirit speak/prompt/say to you?  What’s God asking you to do?  What does He want to give you?  What does He want you to lay down?

NEXT STEPS 

 

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