Taming the Tongue - James 3:1-12
Understand It
- What unique responsibility does a teacher bear? (3:1)
- If a person were never at fault in what he or she said, what would that show about the person? (3:2)
- What is significant about the way we talk? (3:2)
- What is the purpose of a bit in the mouth of a horse? (3:3)
- What is the purpose of the rudder of a ship? (3:4)
- What damage can a small spark cause to a great forest? (3:4)
- What similarity does a person’s tongue have to a horse’s bit, a ship’s rudder, and a spark of fire? (3:5)
- How did James describe the tongue? (3:6-8)
- What damage do our tongues do to us? (3:6)
- What is so difficult about taming the tongue? (3:7-8)
- Of what inconsistencies are we capable? (3:9-10)
- In what ways are we inconsistent? (3:9-10)
- What illustrations from nature did James use to condemn cursing? (3:11-12)
- What can a spring or a fruit tree teach us about speech? (3:11-12)
Apply It
- What do you need to remove from your speech habits this week to make your words more pleasing to God?
- What positive words do your family and coworkers need to hear from your mouth this week?
Two Kinds of Wisdom - James 3:13-18
Understand It
- How can a person demonstrate wisdom and understanding? (3:13)
- How can we tell when a person is wise? (3:13)
- What common attitudes do we need to avoid boasting about? (3:14)
- What is wrong with the "wisdom" of a selfish and bitter person? (3:14-15)
- How is a person’s character related to his or her ability to discern? (3:14-16)
- From where does the "wisdom" of a selfish and bitter person come? (3:15)
- To what do envy and selfish ambition lead? (3:16)
- What are the qualities of the wisdom that comes from heaven? (3:17)
- How does a wise person act? (3:17-18)
- What happens when people "plant seeds of peace"? (3:18)
Apply It
- What can you do this week to plant peace in a relationship or situation which has been troubling you?
- What can you do this week to seek God’s wisdom?
