James teaches in his 3rd chapter that:
1. People who teach will be held to a higher standard because of their influence.
2. The primary instrument of a teacher is their tongue.
3. Only God can empower us to control the tongue.
How do we allow God to help us to control the tongue?
4. We need to draw near to Him (James 4:8)
5. We need to be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger. (James 1:19)
6. We need to use our tongue to build up where we tore down. (James 3:9-10)
Follow-up Questions from Sunday:
Quick Review:
Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything you heard for the first time or that caught your attention, challenged, or confused you?
Digging Deeper:
1. Read James 3:1 & Matthew 18:1-6. Why do you think it is such a big responsibility to be a teacher especially of the Scriptures?
2. In Mathew 18:6, Jesus says there will be a stricter judgment for someone who leads little kids astray. How do you think this is happening in our society today?
3. In James 3:1-8, what do the examples of the bit, rudder, and fire teach about the importance of what we say? Give some examples of how this is happening today?
4. In light of verse 8, what hope do we have in controlling the tongue without the help of the Holy Spirit?
5. How do verses 2 and 10 make you feel about your tongue? What would you say are the key steps in allowing God to be the Lord over our tongue?
6. Where would you say you are on the journey of God taming your tongue? What percentage of the words that come out of your mouth do you think are used to build up or tear down?
Prayer:
Close your group with prayer, asking the Lord to give us power to tame our tongue and use our words for Kingdom use.