James 3: 1-12

James 3:1-12
Taming the Tongue
(Memory verse: Out of the same tongue comes praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be. James 3:10)

Study 5 of 9

Time To Focus
“Sticks and stones will break my bones but names will never hurt me.” Agree or disagree? Why?

Time to Study
When James talks about the “tongue” he is talking about “speech” The word “tongue” is used as a metaphor because it controls our speech.

Read James 3:1-6
Sometimes, a small thing can control a big thing. What examples did James use here?

.......small thing...................does what to .........................big thing
ex. ...... bit................. ....turns the direction............................of a horse

Read James 3:7-12
What kinds of good stuff comes from your mouth (tongue)?

What kinds of bad stuff comes from your mouth (tongue)?

Suppose we recorded everything you said over the last week. Would you be embarrassed to have that played in front of everybody here? Why?

Do you ever say things that are an embarrassment to Christ?

Have you ever said things that have hurt your people in your church?

Time to Do
Session 4 said that you should live your faith out through your actions. These actions include the things that you say. What do you need to clean up about your tongue (the things you say)?

Cuss words
Gossip
Undue criticism of others
Dirty jokes, racist comments
Lies
Other