Family Study Guide for James 3

Family Study Guide for February 26 – March 1, 2006
(Read James 3 Online)

Reflections on James 3 by Jim Brake, Head Coach

James the writer seems to have a reoccurring theme in this chapter which he carries over from chapter one. Remember back in chapter one he made reference to a person being able to “keep a tight rein on his tongue”. Well in chapter 3 he revisits the topic of the tongue and expands his teaching about it.

James begins with a warning to those who teach. Teaching encompasses many things but the primary way we teach is by talking. As a businessman most of my day is spent in verbal communication. Of course there are other ways to communicate but the most common is verbal. James warns those who teach to be careful because they will be responsible for what they teach and the actions that those who are taught do with the information they are given. In the same way parents are at times accountable for the way their children behave based upon how they are raised. Those of us who are parents know both the joys and sadness that can be a result of the way we have taught our children.

James then goes on to give several examples of great results that can be accomplished by small means. A horse can be guided by a small bit, a ship can be steered by a small rudder, and a fire can be started by a small spark. Likewise an entire person’s life can be affected by their small tongue. Taming an animal like a dog can be hard work, just ask Dagney, but that is considered easier by James to the task of controlling one’s speech. One reason controlling your speech is so difficult is because if you are not careful it can become wild again. A tame animal pretty much remains tame but speech can become wild at any time. Speech can be found praising God on Sunday and then caught tearing down one made in God’s image on Monday. James also makes the rhetorical observation that bitter and fresh water do not usually come from the same spring. Likewise fig trees do not bear olives or grapevines figs. In the same way a follower of Christ should not be able to speak well of God and ill of men with the same heart.

James concludes this chapter by contrasting two kinds of wisdom. Wisdom that comes from God is not polluted, not selfish, and not phony. Wisdom that is proud and selfish comes from the Devil.

In summary I think that in chapter 3 James is encouraging followers of Christ to have God’s wisdom. That wisdom should relate to verbal communication that would positively reflect the love of God to a lost world. The ability to control one’s speech is a reflection of one’s spiritual maturity. This doesn’t mean only saying nice things about people but being able to tell the hard truth in love. Many times it is far easier to say nothing when something needs to be said than saying something in God’s wisdom.

Questions to Consider:

• Have you ever been called wise? Where does your wisdom come from?
• What is an example in your life of a small thing you did, which had LARGE results?
• When have you found it hard to control your tongue, and said the wrong thing without thinking?

Chapter Outline:

3. Speech and Obedience (3:1-12)

a. Summary: The Tongue as a Measure of Maturity (3:1-2)

b. Argument by Analogy (3:3-12)

1) Analogy One: The Tiny Tongue (3:3-6)

a) Bits in Horses’ Mouths (3:3)

b) Rudders on Ships (3:4)

c) Sparks and Forest Fires (3:5-6)

2) Analogy Two: The Tamed Tongue (3:7-8)

3) Analogy Three: The Forked Tongue (3:9-12)

a) Praising and Cursing (3:9-10)

b) Fresh and Salt Water (3:11)

c) Schizophrenic Produce (3:12)

4. The Wisdom of Obedience (3:13-18)

Finish the Verses for this Chapter:

Not many of you should presume // to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly.
James 3:1

We all stumble in many ways // If anyone is never at fault in what he says, he is a perfect man, able to keep his whole body in check.
James 3:2

The tongue also is a fire, // a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole person, sets the whole course of his life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.
James 3:6

With the tongue we praise // With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God's likeness. Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.
James 3:9-10

Who is wise and understanding // Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show it by his good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom.
James 3:13

For where you have envy // and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice.
James 3:16

But the wisdom that comes // from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere.
James 3:17

Sample Questions for Studying

Capitalized words are once-used-words

1. Can both fresh water and salt water what?
2. 2 Part : All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and CREATURES of the sea what?
3. What are DRIVEN by strong WINDS?
4. We all stumble how?
5. Neither can WHAT PRODUCE fresh water?
6. With it we curse whom?
7. What is a small part of the body?
8. The tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes what?
9. We who teach will be what?
10. Who can TAME the tongue?
11. With the tongue we praise whom?
12. When we put BITS into the mouths of HORSES to make them obey us, we can what?
13. (Can) a GRAPEVINE what?
14. 3 Part : SHIPS are what?
15. Can a FIG tree WHAT?
16. Take what as an example?
17. What makes great BOASTS?
18. Not many of you should PRESUME to be TEACHERS why?
19. What is first of all pure?
20. 2 Part : Let him show it by what?

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