Opening
Read James 3:1–12. What stands out? How does James’ directness impact you? Why is it important that James says we all stumble in many ways?
Questions
James 3:1-4
1. How does James connect spiritual maturity to the way we speak? Can you think of a time when your words deeply affected a relationship–for better or worse?
2. Give examples of the culture that words have produced in your life (home, parenting, marriage, workplace, church).
James 3:5–8
3. What fires have words started in your life? What does it take to put them out?
4. List the kinds of words that hurt the worst to you.
James 3:9–12
5. Proverbs 18:21 reminds us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. How have words brought you life? How have them weighed you down?
6. James refers to the source of springs and fruit. He’s saying what’s on the inside makes its way to the outside. In other words, our words reflect our heart (see: Matthew 12:34). How have you seen this in your own life or the life of others?