Your Right To Remain Silent
Lesson 6: Your Right To Remain Silent
Series: How Faith Works
Rubel Shelly, teacher
Text for This Study: James 3:1-12
1. James admits that “no human being can tame the tongue” (v.8). So why do you think he chose the metaphor earlier in the letter (see 1:26) of keeping a “tight rein” on the tongue?
2. Remember the primary focus of this section is that teachers are being warned to guard their speech. What is the significance of verse 10 for teachers? For Christians generally?
3. What is the connection between Question #2 and the reference to “double-minded” people James wrote about earlier at 1:7-8?
4. Can you recall a situation where an unbridled tongue ignited a forest fire of damage in a church or family? Can you recall one where a bridled tongue calmed someone’s fear or helped heal a fragile or broken relationship? What does this tell you about the power of human speech?
5. Verbal communication (i.e., the power of the tongue) is an element of our human likeness to God. God created simply by speaking things into existence. In what sense do we “create” by the power of our speech?
Alan Redpath once suggested that Christians need to “think” before we speak. What is your opinion of his proposed test for the righteous use of our tongues?
T – Is it true?
H – Is it helpful?
I – Is it inspiring?
N – Is it necessary?
K – Is it kind?