James 3 Speech and Wisdom

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?

  1. What should you consider before becoming a teacher?
  2. Should teachers be held to a higher standard?
  3. Are teachers held to a higher standard?

James 3:2-5a

  1. What is the purpose of a bridle? How does it affect a horse?
  2. What is the purpose of a rudder? How does it affect a ship?
  3. 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.

  1. How can our words bring judgment to ourselves and others?
  2. How can our words determine the course of our life?

James 3:7-8

  1. What is the difference between a dog and a wolf?
  2. Why can’t we tame our tongues?

James 3:9-12

  1. What happens if you try to hold fresh water and salt water in the same pot?
  2. What happens to our speech if we try to use “good language” around church and “work language” somewhere else?
  3. How does our speech affect our ability to teach?

James 3:13

  1. 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?
  2. What is meant by gentleness of wisdom?

James 3:14-16

  1. Read 1 Timothy 3:1-7. How can a person seek to be an overseer without having jealousy and selfish ambition?
  2. What happens when people are in contention over who should be the leader?

James 3:17-18

  1. In the context of being a teacher or overseer, what is the seed that they sow in other peoples lives?
  2. How is that seed affected by whether they are peaceable, gentle, reasonable, full of mercy and good fruits, unwavering and without hypocrisy?