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Kevin Finkenbinder
James 3 Speech and Wisdom
James 3:1
The context of this entire passage connects with being a teacher. Who is a teacher? Are you a teacher?
- What should you consider before becoming a teacher?
- Should teachers be held to a higher standard?
- Are teachers held to a higher standard?
James 3:2-5a
- What is the purpose of a bridle? How does it affect a horse?
- What is the purpose of a rudder? How does it affect a ship?
- How does our tongue cause our body to do the right or wrong things?
James 3:5b-6
In the Bible, nearly every mention of Fire refers to trials and judgment.
- How can our words bring judgment to ourselves and others?
- How can our words determine the course of our life?
James 3:7-8
- What is the difference between a dog and a wolf?
- Why can’t we tame our tongues?
James 3:9-12
- What happens if you try to hold fresh water and salt water in the same pot?
- What happens to our speech if we try to use “good language” around church and “work language” somewhere else?
- How does our speech affect our ability to teach?
James 3:13
- Most would say wisdom and understanding is expected of a teacher, what does this passage share about how we can examine the wisdom of a person?
- What is meant by gentleness of wisdom?
James 3:14-16
- Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7. How can a person seek to be an overseer without having jealousy and selfish ambition?
- What happens when people are in contention over who should be the leader?
James 3:17-18
- In the context of being a teacher or overseer, what is the seed that they sow in other peoples lives?
- How is that seed affected by whether they are peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering and without hypocrisy?