GROWTH QUESTION #1
Who would like to share a highlight, praise report, or testimony from this week?
MAKE YOUR WORDS COUNT
MEETING AGENDA
- OPENING PRAYER – Ask one person to open the meeting in prayer.
- GROWTH QUESTIONS – Ask everyone the Growth Questions.
- ATTENDANCE – Take attendance through the DG Attendance System.
- TODAY’S LESSON – Go over this week’s DG lesson.
- GIVING – Encourage everyone to give on the App.
- CLOSING PRAYER – Ask for prayer requests and pray.
GROWTH QUESTION #2
What did you learn from this week’s sermon?
GROWTH QUESTION #3
What was your most important accomplishment this week?
James 3:1-12 (NLT) - 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 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. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 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. 5 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. 6 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. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.
introduction
Today, we’re going to learn about:
The Bible talks about how our words have influential, life-changing power!
Proverbs 18:21 (ERV) - The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.
Now, let’s see what James is trying to teach us about controlling our tongues and choosing our words carefully.
- The power we have in our words
- The importance of controlling our tongues
- How to control our tongues
The Bible talks about how our words have influential, life-changing power!
Proverbs 18:21 (ERV) - The tongue can speak words that bring life or death. Those who love to talk must be ready to accept what it brings.
Now, let’s see what James is trying to teach us about controlling our tongues and choosing our words carefully.
TRUTH #1
BEFORE YOU DESIRE LEADERSHIP, YOU MUST LEARN TO CONTROL YOUR TONGUE!
James 3:1 (NLT) - Dear brothers and sisters, not many of you should become teachers in the church, for we who teach will be judged more strictly.
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) - Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
- James begins by addressing teachers/leaders because leaders influence people through their words.
- Leadership is not simply influence; leadership is responsibility.
- As a Christian leader, you are called to encourage and build others up with your words.
Ephesians 4:29 (NLT) - Don’t use foul or abusive language. Let everything you say be good and helpful, so that your words will be an encouragement to those who hear them.
- James is warning us to be careful because teachers will be judged more strictly.
- Don’t be so eager to be in a leadership position without first learning how to control your tongue.
- In fact, we will all be judged one day for the careless or thoughtless words we’ve said.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
Think back over your conversations this week, have the things you said been encouraging others or discouraging them? What, if anything, could you do differently this week?
TRUTH #2
OUR ABILITY TO CONTROL OUR TONGUES REFLECTS OUR SPIRITUAL MATURITY.
James 3:2 (NLT) - … For if we could control our tongues, we would be perfect…
- The English word “perfect” comes from the Greek word “teleios” which literally means “without sin” or “never making a mistake.”
- It also indicates someone who is mature, complete, fully developed, whole, and/or someone who has reached their intended goal or purpose.
- James is saying, “You have grown into spiritual maturity when you have learned how to control your tongue.”
- When you are spiritually mature in Christ, God can elevate you, give you more influence, and entrust you with more people to care for.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
If someone were to judge your spiritual maturity purely based on your words, how old would they think you are?
TRUTH #3
IF WE CAN LEARN TO CONTROL OUR TONGUES, WE CAN LEARN TO CONTROL EVERY OTHER AREA OF OUR LIVES.
James 3:2 (NLT) - … For if we could control our tongues… (we) could also control ourselves in every other way…
- Control your mouth, control your life.
- Controlling our tongues will give us the discipline and self control to dominate all other areas of our lives (e.g. sin, temptation, etc.).
- The only way we can control our tongues is by the power of the Holy Spirit.
- Acts 2:1-4 reminds us to invite the Holy Spirit to control our tongues.
- We need to learn how to “Talk Under the Influence” (TUI) of the Holy Spirit.
- One way to start “Talking Under the Influence” is to be disciplined in our daily devotions - studying the Word and praying.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
What is one area of your life that might improve if you became more disciplined with your words?
TRUTH #4
OUR WORDS WILL DETERMINE OUR DESTINATION & OUTCOMES.
James 3:4-5 (NLT) - 4 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. 5 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.
Mark 11:22-24 (NLT) - 22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
- James describes our tongues and words like a small rudder that controls the direction of a large ship.
- Our words are like a rudder. A small turn can change the direction of our lives, leading us toward a specific destination.
- Using our words (controlling what we say) is one of the greatest tools that we have as Christians.
Mark 11:22-24 (NLT) - 22 Then Jesus said to the disciples, “Have faith in God. 23 I tell you the truth, you can say to this mountain, ‘May you be lifted up and thrown into the sea,’ and it will happen. But you must really believe it will happen and have no doubt in your heart. 24 I tell you, you can pray for anything, and if you believe that you’ve received it, it will be yours.
- We can speak God’s Word and move mountains or cause demons to flee!
- We can speak God’s Word and command cancer to go or declare our families saved.
- We can bring the kingdom of heaven down to earth with our words.
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
What is one situation in your life where you need to start speaking more faith and less fear?
TRUTH #5
BLESSING & CURSING SHOULD NEVER COME FROM THE SAME MOUTH.
James 3:9-10 (NLT) - 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be.
Psalm 34:1 (AMP) - I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
Psalm 22:3 (VOICE) - Still, You are holy; You make Your home on the praises of Israel.
Ephesians 4:27-29 (NIV) - 27 And do not give the devil a foothold… 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.
- Our mouth should always speak blessing. We should be blessing God and blessing others.
- God’s praise should fill our mouths all day, every day!
Psalm 34:1 (AMP) - I will bless the Lord at all times; His praise shall continually be in my mouth.
- When we decide to use our tongues, our words, to praise & worship God, God promises us that He will make his home with us.
Psalm 22:3 (VOICE) - Still, You are holy; You make Your home on the praises of Israel.
- In God’s presence there’s fullness of joy, freedom, peace, protection, safety favor, etc.
- But when you use your mouth to curse, poison, gossip, slander, etc., we actually attract demons.
Ephesians 4:27-29 (NIV) - 27 And do not give the devil a foothold… 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.
- Your words either invite God’s presence into your life or invite the devil’s presence in your life!
INTERACTIVE QUESTION
What is one practical way you can use your words to bless and build up the people around you this week?
CLOSING QUESTION
What is one thing you learned today that you can apply to your life this week?
GIVING
When we allow genuine compassion to drive our generosity it invites God’s blessings into every aspect of our lives.
Deuteronomy 15:10-11 (NLT)
10 Give generously to the poor, not grudgingly, for the Lord your God will bless you in everything you do. 11 There will always be some in the land who are poor. That is why I am commanding you to share freely with the poor and with other Israelites in need.
Encourage everyone to give their tithes and offerings.
PRAY
QUESTION #1
Who are you praying for to be saved?
QUESTION #2
Who can you invite to the next meeting?
QUESTION #3
What are your prayer requests?