Leadership Meeting

Lesson Title: Communicating with Grace: 

“Responding to Deception with Love & Truth”

Objective: Equip leaders to respond with wisdom, grace, and humility when encountering individuals who believe they are led by God but are acting contrary to scripture.

I. Understanding the Challenge

A. The Reality of Deception in the Church

  1. Many people are sincere but sincerely wrong (Proverbs 14:12, KJV) – “There is a way which seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof are the ways of death.”

  2. Spiritual deception is real (2 Timothy 4:3-4, ESV) – “For the time is coming when people will not endure sound teaching, but having itching ears they will accumulate for themselves teachers to suit their own passions, and will turn away from listening to the truth and wander off into myths.”

  3. Satan disguises himself as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:13-15, ERV) – Many deceived individuals truly believe they are hearing from God, but their words and actions must be tested.

B. The Leader’s Responsibility in Such Situations

  1. Guard the flock with wisdom and gentleness (Acts 20:28) – “Keep watch over yourselves and all the flock of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers.”

  2. Speak the truth in love (Ephesians 4:15) – Truth should never be separated from grace.

  3. Be patient and gentle in correction (2 Timothy 2:24-25, KJV) – “And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.”

II. How to Communicate with Grace When Opposed by a Deceived Person

A. The Posture of the Leader

  1. Stay humble and self-controlled (Proverbs 15:1, ERV) – “A gentle answer makes anger disappear, but a rough answer makes it grow.”

  2. Listen before responding (James 1:19, ESV) – “Let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger.”

  3. Avoid argument but remain firm in the Word (Titus 3:9-11) – Warn a divisive person once, then a second time, then have nothing to do with them.

B. The Process of Addressing Deception with Grace

  1. Start with Agreement (Find Common Ground)

    • Example: "I can see that you are passionate about hearing from God, and that is so important!"

    • Biblical Basis: Paul on Mars Hill (Acts 17:22-23) – He acknowledged their religious passion before correcting them.

  2. Redirect to the Authority of Scripture

    • Example: "Let’s look at what God’s Word says together. His Word is our final authority."

    • Biblical Basis: Jesus used scripture to correct errors (Matthew 22:29 – "You do err, not knowing the scriptures, nor the power of God.”)

  3. Ask Humble but Direct Questions

    • “Can we explore whether this truly aligns with the full counsel of God?”

    • Biblical Basis: Jesus often responded with questions to bring revelation (Matthew 22:41-46).

  4. Correct with Love, Not Condemnation

    • "I know you love God, and He desires that we walk in His truth. Let’s examine this together so we can be sure we are walking in His will."

    • Biblical Basis: Galatians 6:1 – Restore gently those who are in error.

III. How to Handle Persistent Opposition

A. Recognizing When to Let Go

  1. Warn and move on if necessary (Titus 3:10-11, ERV) – “If someone causes arguments, then give him a warning. If he continues to cause trouble, warn him again. If he still continues, then do not associate with him.”

  2. Do not force truth on the unwilling (Matthew 7:6, ESV) – “Do not give dogs what is holy, and do not throw your pearls before pigs.”

B. Praying for Revelation

  1. Ask God to open their eyes (2 Corinthians 4:4)

  2. Trust the Holy Spirit to convict (John 16:13)

IV. Application: Role-Playing & Discussion

  • Scenario Practice: Assign leaders real-world scenarios where they must communicate truth with grace.

  • Discussion: What worked well? What could have been done differently?

V. Key Takeaways

  1. Stay calm and humble – avoid emotional responses.

  2. Redirect the conversation to scripture, not personal opinions.

  3. Ask questions that challenge thinking without condemnation.

  4. Warn divisive individuals but do not strive with them.

  5. Pray and trust the Holy Spirit to reveal truth.

Would you like me to refine any part of this or add more real-life ministry examples?

Meekness: Strength under control. It is the ability to remain calm, humble, and teachable while maintaining unwavering conviction and authority. Meekness is not weakness; rather, it is a deliberate choice to exercise patience, restraint, and humility while standing firm in truth.

Biblical Example: Moses’ Meekness (Not Weakness)

  • Numbers 12:3 (KJV) – “Now the man Moses was very meek, above all the men which were upon the face of the earth.”

  • Exodus 32:19 (ESV) – “And as soon as he came near the camp and saw the calf and the dancing, Moses’ anger burned hot, and he threw the tablets out of his hands and broke them at the foot of the mountain.”

Moses’ meekness was evident in his humility and dependence on God, but he was not passive or weak. He:

  1. Led with boldness – Confronted Pharaoh (Exodus 5-12).

  2. Defended God's honor – Confronted idolatry (Exodus 32:19-20).

  3. Interceded for the people – Stood before God on their behalf (Exodus 32:11-14).

Moses had great authority and power, but he submitted it to God’s will rather than using it for personal gain. That’s true meekness—controlled strength used for God’s purpose.