Tame The Tongue
Sermon Notes
Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell. All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
- James 3:1-12
Table Group Resources
Mixer
With Serve Week coming up, share some stories of how stepping out to serve in the past has had a surprise impact on your life.
Sermon Questions
Scriptures: James 3:1-12
1. Pastor Jared delivered a convicting message that challenged all of us to be more mindful of our speech. Have you found this to be an area of struggle for you? If so, in what ways has your speech been inconsistent with who God has called you to be? If not, what steps did you take to master this area of your life?
2. Read James 3:3-5. Share a time when your words really hurt someone. How did you reconcile that with the person, yourself, and God?
3. Pastor Jared shared that our speech doesn’t just have power over the hearer but also the sayer. How does your speech affect you? How can we be thoughtful about the words we put clothes on and send out into the world?
4. If you struggle with taming your tongue, Pastor shared that it is more an issue of the heart than the tongue. What might God be revealing to you about your heart posture toward others?
5. Read aloud the following affirmation over yourself:
I can be anything I want to be.
I’m an important person in this world.
My attitude is the best and I can cooperate.
I can dream dreams and make those dreams come true.
Every new day is an opportunity to improve myself.
I can take a risk; it may be difficult but it is possible.
It is never too late for me to improve.
I will learn from my mistakes.
I will. I can. I must.
Serve
Serve Week is coming up Oct 28 - Nov 4! First up is our Trunk or Treat Event (a FREE Family event so tell your friends and neighbors) on Saturday, Oct 28th. Get your group together and decorate a fleet of car “trunks” or help us staff the event by signing up here.
Pray
Take a moment this week to do a self-check. Think about the breath you take in and exhale - what is it used for? Pastor Jared taught James 3 as our goal: to be these kinds of men and women.
Sunday Song: Great Are You Lord, by All Sons & Daughters
... All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
All the earth will shout Your praise
Our hearts will cry, these bones will sing
Great are You, Lord
... It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise, we pour out our praise
It's Your breath in our lungs
So we pour out our praise to You only
