BOLD LOVE

BOLD LOVE

Session 6

LOVING A FOOL

Discussion / Handout

BIG IDEA

GUERILLA WARFARE

When the book of Proverbs speaks of a fool, they aren’t referring to someone of low intellect. Rather, fools are bulls in other people’s china shops because they despise wisdom and discipline (Proverbs 1:7).

How do we usually respond when someone explodes at us in anger?

What do we feel inside? What do we do?

Prov 14:16 - .. But a fool is hotheaded and reckless..

Prov 12:15 – A fool thinks he needs no advise, but a wise man listens to others (LB)

Prov 18:2 – The fool finds no pleasure in understanding but delights in airing his

opinions.

Proverbs 26:4-5 tells us, "Do not answer a fool according to his folly, lest you be like him. Answer a fool as his folly deserves, lest he be wise in his own eyes."

In other words, don’t be naïve. We are called to use a higher degree of wisdom in knowing when to rebuke or to remain silent. In either case, we are to "mirror back" to the fool a response that allows him to see the reality of his foolishness, without standing in the way of his wrath.

What does it mean to get out of the way of a fool’s folly? It means not to follow what he does, but judge with wisdom how to disrupt his foolishness.

How did Belinda show foolishness?

Impulsive, repetitive anger (Eccl 7:9, Prov 14:17)
Can be shamed, but prefers to intimidate by blowing up and blaming others.
Indulges in pleasure to fill emptiness, hates discipline.

A fool sees his anger as an effective weapon in controlling people

Anger is used to intimidate.

His rage is utterly self-centered.

Looking at how a "fool" behaves, can we see traits of foolishness in ourselves?
Why do you use this "style" in dealing with people?
Talk about what Dr. Allender suggests Buck should do with his mother.

Do you understand what he is getting at? What do you think would happen if Buck did this?

Recall how we respond when someone explodes at us in anger.

What usually results when we respond this way?

What is Guerilla warfare?

In a strong calm manner, expose how the fool is affecting people.

Affirm the fool’s freedom to keep being a fool, but state the consequences.

Enforce consequences without anger or drama.

Talk through the incident after the fool has cooled off.

Application:

Have we seen ourselves as fools? Do we use our anger to intimidate, manipulate and control the people around us?
Have we come to realize that using this style of relating causes more damage than good? Use this time now to talk to God about your desire to change any "foolish tendencies in yourself". Is there a situation where you are dealing with a fool in your life?
Tell God your concerns about dealing with them and ask the Lord for the grace to boldly love this person in order for sin to be dealt with and potential good to come out.
Break out for prayer.