Mean Girls

As girls, it’s nearly impossible to make it through adolescence without experiencing a mean girl in some way. You might find yourself on the receiving end, you might be watching one of your friends be on the receiving end, or you might possibly be a mean girl at one time or another. Use the following definition and Scripture verses to establish a plan to face the mean girls in your world.

This definition is from the book Odd Girl Out by Rachel Simmons:

“Unlike boys, who tend to bully acquaintances or strangers, girls frequently attack within
tightly knit friendship networks, making aggression harder to identify and intensifying the
damage to the victims. Within the hidden culture of aggression, girls fight with body
language and relationships instead of fists and knives. In this world, friendship is a weapon,
and the sting of a shout pales in comparison to a day of someone’s silence. There is no
gesture more devastating than the back turning away.”

Do you think this is an accurate definition of a “mean girl”?
Have you ever experienced or observed what Rachel describes as “relational aggression”?
How did it feel?

Read 1 Peter 4:8-10.
What does it look like to “love each other deeply”?
How can using your gifts to serve others prevent you from becoming a “mean girl”?

Read 1 John 4:7-21.
According to this passage, what is love? Why do we love?
As Christians, why is it important for us to show love to others?
What should our reaction be to the “mean girls” in our lives?

Read Ephesians 4:1-6.
Why is it important to keep unity with other Christians?
What can you do to keep unity?