New Testament in a Year – James 3

By Ron

November 2, 2024

James, New Testament

Taming the Tongue - James 3:1-12

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)

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?

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)

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?