In preparation for the discussion group, every participant is expected to do his/her homework. To do this you only need your Bible and the workbook. Every participant receives their own workbook containing the questions and the commentary. The workbooks have enough room for you to write your answers to the questions and any insights you may gain from the passage. Below are a number of questions from the lesson on James 3, in order to give you an impression of what the workbooks are like. Generally speaking, each lesson contains between 9 and 17 questions.
Faith and the human tongue - James 3
As you begin to do your questions, pray for guidance and insight. Read James 3 at one time and then read each suggested reference as you come to it. Remember to give the Scripture references to indicate where your answers are found. Questions with an asterisk are for deeper thought.
Suggestion: With God's help try this week not to judge anyone by external appearances. This may be harder than you think. Most of us, perhaps unconsciously, do notice clothing, neatness, manner, etc., and allow what we observe to influence our thinking. Also, try to bless someone less fortunate than you are by reaching out in some tangible way. Then ask God to teach you as you study His Word this week.
The Human Condition, James 3:1-12
2) Read 1Corinthians 12:28. According to this verse, how does one become a teacher?
4) *a. What did James acknowledge about the human condition?
b. What three pictures did James give in verses 2-5 to show the power of the tongue?
5) a. According to verse 6, what can the tongue do to a person?
b. Read Romans 7:18-25 for Paul's analysis of the human condition and tell why we find it so difficult
to control the tongue.
c. Do you have any problem in controlling your tongue? What do you do about it?
6) Verses 9-12 show the contradictory nature of the tongue. What does Mark 7:20-22 tell about the source of the tongue's expressions?
Heavenly Wisdom Versus Earthly Wisdom, James 3:13-18
9) a. What are the characteristics of true wisdom?
b. What are its results?
c. Do you ask God daily for His true wisdom? Why, or why not?
STEP 2: DISCUSSION GROUP (interaction)
After the participants have answered the questions on their own, a discussion of the passage will take place at the next Bible study meeting. This discussion is lead by a trained discussion group leader who will see to it that everyone who has completed their homework has a chance to share and those who have not done their homework can listen to the discussion. This is an enriching and important step in the learning process. God's Word is alive and powerful and as a result of the discussions participants gain deeper insight into the passage their have studied on their own at home. 45-60 minutes is usually needed for the discussion time. We advise you to keep the discussion groups small...no more than 10 participants. If your Bible study group is larger than 10 people, then we suggest that you divide the group into 2 smaller discussion groups. This insures that each participant has adequate opportunity to contribute to the discussion.
After the discussion group time, everyone comes back together in a larger group to listen to a leader give a summary of the Bible passage that has been studied. The leader is challenged to make a link between the Bible text and daily life. Below is a sample of a handout that was created by Margre Hays for James 3.
USE YOUR TONGUE TO DO GOOD!!
James 3:1-4 Use your tongue to give direction (as a teacher, bit or rudder)
James 3:5-10 DON'T use your tongue to destroy (like a wild animarl or fire)
James 3:11-12 Use your tongue to bring pleasure to God and people (like a fountain or tree)
Out of the abudance of the heart, the mouth speaks Matthew. 12:34. James explains that if our hearts are full of heavenly wisdom, we will use our tongue to do good. (James 3:13-18)
TIP: It is helpful to write your key point/theme in large letters and place it in the room so that everyone can see it during the summary time.
The commentary is to be found in the workbook and is intended to be read at home. This is the final step in the lesson. Once the lesson is completed, you are ready to begin answering the questions for the following lesson. (step 1)
Below you will find a shortened version of the commentary for James 3. Normally a commentary section is 1.5 to 2 pages long.
What would you consider to be one of the greatest problems Christians encounter in living a godly life? Jesus stated it strongly when He said:
Listen and understand. What goes into a man's mouth does not make him ‘unclean,’ but what comes out of his mouth, that is what makes him ‘unclean.’....The things that come out of the mouth come from the heart, and these make a man ‘unclean.’ For out of the heart come evil thoughts. (Matthew 15:11, 18-19)
The problem of the tongue is universal! Just as our actions will reveal whether our faith is alive, so our tongues will reveal whether our hearts are pure. The life of faith, then, must be one of active commitment (James 2) and Holy Spirit-controlled conversation (James 3).
The tongue is small but powerful. James provides three vivid word pictures to prove his point. Consider a horse's bridle: a tiny metal bit, when placed in a horse's mouth, controls the animal's every movement. Consider a ship's rudder: smaller in proportion to a ship than a bit is to a horse, yet it controls a ship's course through stormy seas. Finally, consider a fire's spark: so small it might not even be visible to the human eye, yet it can set a whole forest on fire.
Either for usefulness or for destruction, the tongue's potential for power in individual lives and in human relationships is immense.As necessary as it is, the tongue is a key instrument for corruption. James likens the tongue to a fire. The sum total of iniquity, the "world" (all the evil characteristics of a fallen world which loves evil rather than good—its greed, its lust, its idolatry) finds expression through the tongue. In fact, James continues, the tongue can change the whole course of a person's life. The word “course” in verse 6 suggests the entire span of human life rolling onward from birth to death. The tongue exercises its evil influence continuously through one's entire life.
Think About It: The message is clear. We can either be on fire for the Lord, ignited by the Holy Spirit, or we can be set on fire by hell itself. We cannot be both at the same time. What comes out of our mouths reveals what is going on in our hearts. And the truth is that a battle for control rages there. Since all who are Christians are indwelt by the Spirit of God, there is for each of us the opportunity to be increasingly conformed to His image. Will we victoriously fight the inner battle and use our tongues for praising God and blessing those we love?.
What is the solution for an unruly tongue? It is God's wisdom, which He has promised to give to those who ask (James 1:5). Wisdom includes understanding. These two qualities working together produce "good lives" which abound with both humility and works that honor Christ. The opposite—envy and selfish ambition, which are outgrowths of pride—can only bring disorder and every evil practice. They are poison to the human heart.
Heaven's wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy, full of good fruit, impartial, and sincere. Being filled with this kind of wisdom produces results that are remarkably similar to those that come from being filled with the Holy Spirit who indwells and inspires the believer.