James Chapter Three

Pray

Pray together for the group meeting, and any pressing needs within the group.

Review

Each week you’ll spend some time reviewing the previous week’s lesson. Did anything happen last week that brought the lesson to mind, and what did you learn from it?

Watch

Watch the following discussion-starter video. It’ll set the topic of discussion for the group.

Read: James 1:1, 3:8-18. 

1. One person will first read the scripture selection in the King James Version.
2. Next, another person will read the same passages in a modern language or amplified version for more clarity such as the New Living Translation (NLT), Message Bible (MSG), New English Translation (NET), Amplified Bible (AMP), etc. We recommend using the YouVersion Bible app.

Retell

1. One person will begin retelling the scripture passage in their own words (a new person to start each week is great!) Then…
2. As a group, work together to fill in gaps and build the story. This will help us internalize and own it. Be sure everyone participates.

Discuss

Together, share around the group how the topic and scripture setting applies to your life personally. Here are some thoughts to consider for discussion… don’t let the discussion stop here, though… what questions can you ask that will help uncover God’s message?

📚Knowledge, 💡Understanding and ⚡️Wisdom

A Letter to the Family.

1. 📚How would you describe the book of James?
2. 📚Who is James writing to?
3. 📚Do you think James had met all the people he was writing to?
4. 💡How many analogies did James use for the Tongue or Speach? What are they?
5. 💡Is it easy to speak wisely to someone you have never met? Why or why not?

Speach!

1. 📚What is the tongue full of?
2. 📚Can man tame the tongue? Why not?
3. 📚Can the tongue be tamed? How?
4. 💡Are blessings truth?
5. 💡Can curses be true?
6. 📚Should we be speaking both blessings and curses?

Wisdom.

1. 📚How many types of wisdom does James mention?
2. 📚What are the characteristics of Godly Wisdom?
3. 📚How does this relate to what comes out of our tongue?
4. 📚What are the characteristics of wisdom that is earthly, sensual and devilish?
5. 💡Would you expect someone to have both blessings and cursings out of their mouth?
6. ⚡️Would you expect someone to have both Godly wisdom and devilish wisdom?

The Difference.

1. 📚Which kind of wisdom do we need to fulfill Christ’s plans for our lives?
2. 📚Can we get Godly wisdom on our own? How can we get Godly Wisdom?
3. ⚡️How can we examine ourselves and see which wisdom is working in us?
4. ⚡️Do people ever speak words that are absolutely true out of envy or strife?
5. ⚡️Should we consider the cleverness of our speech to be a sign of our Holiness? Why or why not?

Seek, Receive and Practice Godly Wisdom.

1. 💡How can we seek out, receive and practice Godly Wisdom?
2. 💡If Godly Wisdom is from above – how do we receive it?
3. 💡What two actions should we show (James 3:13)?
4. 💡What motivation should inform our speech? (James 3:14 compared to James 3:17)
5. ⚡️What fruit should I see in my life if I am successfully practicing Godly Wisdom?
6. ⚡️What should I do if (when) the wisdom I am practicing is not Godly?

Next Week…

Stephen and the Seven – Scripture Acts 6:1-10