Gossip Circles

Procedure

1. Have the participants pair up and number off 1 and 2.

2. Ask all number 1's to form an inner circle facing out. Then, ask all number 2's to form an outer circle facing in.

   1. There should be a circle within a circle, with participants in one circle facing those of the other circle.

   2. Participants should be facing their partner.

   3. If done correctly, each participant should have a partner with whom to talk.

3. The facilitator announces how long participants have to share, and then announces a prompt. Participants share a short story for the designated amount of time.

4. After the designated amount of time, the facilitator rings the bell and the inner circle rotates clockwise to the next participant.

5. Each time the circle rotates, participants tell their new partner what their previous partner just told them. If done correctly, then participants will be telling a new story each time they rotate.

6. Continue until the inner circle has returned to its original place.

7. Ask participants to form a large circle.

8. Each participant shares the story they most recently heard, and the original speaker of the story verifies the validity of the story. Whoever tells his/her story the most accurately wins.

9. Tell participants that gossip can severely twist the truth and have other effects as well.

10. Continue with the discussion questions and use the verses below to find answers.

11. Conclude by sharing how to receive secondhand information and how to pass on the truth faithfully.

• 1. Take 50% off: Don’t believe everything you hear, but verify with the original source, not another secondhand source.

  2. Rumors stop here!: If you are not sure of the information or if you cannot verify the information, then don’t pass it on.

  3. Speak only what is edifying: If you plan to pass on the information, make sure that it builds up the hearers and that the original source is fine with the information being spread.

  4. Be a peacemaker: If the information is negative, then speak up for the person who is not there to defend himself/herself, and encourage the person who passed you the information to give that person the benefit of the doubt.

Discussion Questions

After the activity, facilitator leads the discussion:

• What is gossiping? What does it look like? 

• What is the nature of gossiping? What draws us into gossiping? Why do people gossip? What and who makes gossiping happen? 

• What are the effects of gossiping? To the speaker? To the hearer? To the person about whom they gossip? 

• How should we handle the secondhand information we hear to avoid gossiping?

Verses to Reference

• (Eph 4:29) “Let no corrupt word proceed out of your mouth, but what is good for necessary edification, that it may impart grace to the hearers.” 

• (Pro 11:13) “A talebearer reveals secrets, But he who is of a faithful spirit conceals a matter.” 

• (Pro 16:28) “A perverse man sows strife, And a whisperer separates the best of friends.” 

• (Pro 20:19) “He who goes about as a talebearer reveals secrets; Therefore do not associate with one who flatters with his lips.” 

• (Tit 3:2) “To speak evil of no one, to be peaceable, gentle, showing all humility to all men.” 

• (Luk 6:31) “And just as you want men to do to you, you also do to them likewise.” 

• (Jam 4:11) “Do not speak evil of one another, brethren. He who speaks evil of a brother and judges his brother, speaks evil of the law and judges the law. But if you judge the law, you are not a doer of the law but a judge.” 

• (1 Tim 5:13) “And besides they learn to be idle, wandering about from house to house, and not only idle but also gossips and busybodies, saying things which they ought not.” 

• (Ps 101:5) “Whoever secretly slanders his neighbor, Him I will destroy; The one who has a haughty look and a proud heart, Him I will not endure.”

Notes

• • You may also use some of the Spiritual Sharing Questions as prompts or come up with your own.

  • 1 This activity only accommodates an even number of people.