Dear Fellow Students,
We are now in our third week of “Back to School with James”. I hope you have been faithfully reading James through the week, as well as memorizing James 1:25.
We always have to remember that James says, “Be doers of the Word, and not just hearers”. How have you been doing in the midst of trials? Have you shown partiality this week?
On Sunday we will be looking into James 3. We will be learning how to “Tame Our Ferocious Tongue Through Godly Wisdom.”
I love you all!
See you Sunday,
Pastor Mike
STEPS TO PREPARE
PRAY FOR THE SERVICES AND FOR YOURSELF
AND ME AND THE OTHER TEACHERS.
PRAYERFULLY READ THE SCRIPTURES
AND CONSIDER THE DISCUSSION QUESTIONS.
MAKE PLANS TO ATTEND A PREACHING SERVICE AND A SMALL GROUP.
INVITE SOMEONE TO COME WITH YOU.
PREPARING FOR SUNDAY: SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS
James 3:1-12 ~ An Unruly Tongue ~
In Verse 3:1, who was James warning about becoming a teacher? And why?
Does (or should) James’ admonishment about judging teachers more strictly still apply today? (Luke 12:48)
In Verse 3:2, James says, “if anyone makes no mistakes in what he says, he is a perfect man.” Is anyone a perfect man? If not, what is James saying here?
Why is James emphasizing being perfect in Verse 3:2 and also back in Verse 1:4 (“be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing”)?
How can we move closer to perfection? (Psalm 140:1-3, Psalm 55:17, Colossians 4:2)
In Verse 3:2, is James talking about what we do say or what we don’t say?
James gives four examples of a small thing controlling or overpowering a large one. What are they?
Why does he emphasize the negative example of the fire so much more than the positive examples of the horse’s bit or ship’s rudder? (Matthew 15:11, 18-19)
What are some examples of an untamed tongue (for example, gossip)? Try to name at least six. (Proverbs 12:18-19, 13:3, 16:27, 17:7, 18:8, 25:18, Matthew 7:15 Why are sins of speech often overlooked as not serious?
There’s an old saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me.” Is it true? How can a person be hurt by the words of others?
If no human being can control the tongue (Verse 8), why bother trying?What practical advice would you give someone who wanted to control his tongue better? Does this advice apply to you too?
Have you ever said contradictory things as in Verses 9-10? Which speech pattern represents your true identity? Do your words more often help than hurt? Do they reveal your true self, or do they conceal you from others?
How is the power of words used by the Holy Spirit within a person of faith? (James 1:19-20).
What positive words do your friends and acquaintances need to hear from you this week? How can you remember to say these thing?
