James, Taming the Tongue: Week 30 (May 29-June 4)
Taming the Tongue Practice: Week 30| May 29-June 4
Communities @ Grace
Goal for the week: Grow in practice of “Holding our Tongues.”
45 min: Welcome, Pray Eat + Mingle
● What is the most encouraging thing someone has said to you?
15 Minutes : Review of last week’s practice experience
Review:
1. Be conscious this week of doing mundane tasks at home, work or community to the” Glory of God.” Did that mindset change anything for you?
2. Read Ephesians 2:8-10 again. Ponder on what is meant that God prepared beforehand for you the works you are to do. Pray and ask him to reveal what this means and what he wants you to be doing. Ask yourself if you are using your skills and talents to help others. Are there ways you could support others so they will succeed?
3. Works are an expression of our gratitude towards God. Spend time this week each day writing down what things cause you to be grateful to God that day. Look for the big and small things that he does specifically for you and give him thanks.
45 Minutes : Introduction of Practice + Discussion Questions
This week we are exploring the importance of speech. We have the power to speak life into people, and the power to be a source of encouragement and inspiration. Our speech also has the power to destroy and tear others apart when we gossip or speak ill of them. This extends to our digital footprint as well – our social media posts and the comments we type.
The Illustration of the Tongue:
Read James 3: 1-12
How is the tongue described in this passage? (Tremendous power, controls the body)
Why do you think James compares the tongue with a fire? (One spark can destroy a forest, just like our words that seem small, can destroy relationships, tear others down, execute evils plans, gossip, slander, curse, & lie)
How powerful is the tongue? (“Death and life are in the power of the tongue…”Proverbs 18:21)
Steering the Tongue:
Read Luke 6:45
How are the tongue and the heart connected?
Why do you think it is difficult to tame the tongue? (We are sinful, which is a reflection of our heart)
What does James say in verse 3:8? (No human being can tame the tongue)
What do you think James is implying that no one can tame their tongue on their own? (We need the help from the Holy Spirit)
Read the following together:
Galatians 2:20
Romans 12:1-2
Philippians 4:13
Psalm 141:3
Say: The power of the Holy Spirit living within us can help us to gain control over our tongues. He convicts us to repent and pray when we sin. If the Holy Spirit has firm control of our tongues, then the rest of our lives would be willing to surrender to His control as well. When the believer speaks God-glorifying, Christ-honoring words, the rest of his or her life is more spiritually healthy too.
God’s intention for our tongue:
Praise God
Psalm 119:171-172 - May my lips overflow with praise, for you teach me your decrees. May my tongue sing of your word, for all your commands are righteous”
Worship
Ephesians 5:19 - Addressing one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody to the Lord with your heart
Build others up according to their need
Ephesians 4:29 - Do not let any unwholesome talk come out of your mouths, but only what is helpful for building others up according to their needs, that it may benefit those who listen.
Do not spread false reports
Exodus 23:1 - Do not spread false reports. Do not help a guilty person by being a malicious witness
Not slander others
Leviticus 19:16 - Do not go about spreading slander among your people.
Speak truth
Proverbs 12:17-19 - Whoever speaks the truth gives honest evidence, but a false witness utters deceit. There is one whose rash words are like sword thrusts, but the tongue of the wise brings healing. Truthful lips endure forever, but a lying tongue is but for a moment.
Speak with grace
Colossians 4:6 - Let your conversations be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Slow to speak
James 1:19-20 - My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires.
Say: God created our tongues to speak life, praise Him, share godly wisdom, and bless others, speaking the truth in love to one another
How can you determine when our words will be helpful or hurtful to the other person?
Sometimes we need to have hard conversations or discuss difficult issues with someone, in which ways do you or should you go about handling it?
How do you speak with or to someone that is difficult? What is the reflection of your heart and the words that you use?
Do you think that taming our tongue only pertains to the words that we speak or does it go beyond to the words we use online? Why or Why not?
What are some ways that we can ask God for His guidance with these situations?
5 Minutes - Practice together
Group Practice:
Partner with two or three others and discuss if you have an example(s) of when a time God helped you with taming your tongue, and what situations are you currently needing the help of The Spirit with your words.
See next page for Practices next week, consider giving a copy to each member.
Practices for the Week Ahead
● Daily Prayer for taming your tongue:
Psalm 19:14 “Let the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart be acceptable in Your sight, O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.”
● Think of someone that you can support this week and take the opportunity to reach out and encourage them.
● Spend time asking God to help with the areas of your heart that needs His guidance, so that you may speak with a tamed tongue
● Reflect on situations where you’ve potentially hurt people with your words (spoken or typed). Ask God to help you identify the situations that trigger an emotional and potentially hurtful response – pray that the spirit will help you practice restraint, pausing and thinking before responding.