Begin the study with prayer. Some possible petitions might be:
1. Supplication that the Holy Spirit in our heart would control our mind and life.
2. Supplication that the Lord would continue to renew our minds through the Word of God studied today.
3. A petition of thanksgiving for the Godly discipline of meditation and its benefits.
4. Others?
REVIEW:
1. Ask how many in the group established a meditation schedule and give them time to share their experiences with the discipline.
2. Some of the benefits of studying the Word of God, as well as meditation, found in Psalm 119 are:
Safeguard against sin (1)
Saved from committing iniquity (3)
Honor as opposed to shame (6)
Praise (7)
Cleansing one's way (9)
Avoidance of sin (11)
Communication skills (13)
Stops forgetfulness (16)
An increased longing for God (20)
Prevents slander (23)
Divine counsel (24)
Relief from depression (28)
Restraint from lying (29)
A larger heart (32)
Prevents covetousness (36)
Prevents visual lust (37)
Turns away reproach (39)
Revives righteousness (40)
A means of mercy and salvation (41)
Liberty (45)
Boldness in witnessing (46)
Hope (49)
Comfort in affliction (50)
Protects from evil influences (51)
Indignation for sin (53)
Song lyrics (54)
Confidence in prayer (58)
Grounds for fellowship (63)
Understanding of God's goodness (68)
A right understanding of riches (72)
Confirms God's faithfulness (86)
Confirms the Word's eternal nature (89)
Expands our understanding (96)
Growing love for God's Word (97)
Outgrowing one's teachers (99)
Enlightenment and guidance (105)
Determination to avoid evil (101)
Content of Worship (111)
Hatred of double-mindedness (113)
Fear of God (120)
Deliverance from oppression (134)
Compassion for the lost (136)
Understanding God's righteousness (137)
Clarifies the Word's character (138-144)
Source of great riches (162)
Peace (165)
Removal of stumbling-blocks (165)
Correction of error (176)
Obviously this section is long and you might want to wait till the end of the lesson to complete it. If time is lacking, just have the people review these findings with their own after they get home.
3. Review memory work: Psalm 119:9-11, Proverbs 3:5, Proverbs 16:18, Galatians 2:20, Matthew 28:18-20, John 14:21, Proverbs 4:23, Psalm 73:26, Romans 8:5-6, and Isaiah 26:3.
4. Ask the group for understandings they found in Ephesians 4:17-24 and Philippians 2:1-11 that was not a part of last week's study.
TEACHING: Begin by reading Romans 6:11-13 and explaining that people who have died to sin and risen with Christ are to be sensitive to sin in their lives lest it reign in one part or of all their life. This includes presenting our members (body organs) as instruments of
righteousness as opposed to instruments of unrighteousness and sin. Our study for today
concerns the tongue. Now look up James 3:2-6 and ask the following questions:
* Prove from this passage that size and power are not directly related.
One match can start a fire that totally destroys a large forest. A small rudder directs a large ship.
A small bit in a horse's mouth can direct a large horse. The tongue, one of the smaller organs in the
body can start large fires.
* What are some tongue abuses which can make it an organ of unrighteousness?
1. Babbling (Ecclesiastes 10:11)
2. Backbiting (Romans 1:30)
3. Boasting (Proverbs 27:2)
4. Coarse jesting (dirty jokes) (Ephesians 5:4)
5. Complaining (Philippians 2:14-16a)
6. Cursing (Psalm 10:7)
7. Deceit (Psalm 10:7)
8. Divisiveness (Proverbs 6:19)
9. False doctrine (Isaiah 32:6)
10. False witness (Proverbs 6:19)
11. Filthiness (Ephesians 5:4)
12. Flattery (Psalm 12:3)
13. Foolish talk (Ephesians 5:4)
14. Fraud (Psalm 10:7)
15. Gossip (Proverbs 17:9)
16. Hasty answers (Proverbs 18:13)
17. Idle chatter (Matthew 12:35)
18. Lying (Proverbs 6:19)
19. Nagging (Proverbs 21:19)
20. Name calling (Matthew 5:22)
21. Perversity (Proverbs 4:24)
22. Quarreling (Proverbs 17:14)
23. Speaking unknowledgeably (Proverbs 17:28)
24. Taking God's name in vain (Exodus 20:7)
25. Talebearing (Proverbs 18:8)
26. Venting every emotion (Proverbs 29:11)
27. Whisperers (Romans 1:29)
28. Wordiness (Proverbs 10:19)
* While Scriptures condemn all sin, there are those sins that are grosser than others. Which are some of the grossest as far as God is concerned? Why?
1. Exodus 20:7 Taking God's name in vain (God commits Himself to punishing those who take His name in vain.)
2. Matthew 12:31-32 Blaspheming the Holy Spirit
3. Revelation 21:8 Lying (This covers up sin instead of dealing with it.)
4. Psalm 101:5 Slander (This destroys one of the most precious possessions a person has, his reputation, Proverbs 22:1)
* According to James 3:8, how many people achieve complete tongue control in this lifetime?
No one can.
Have the group turn to Matthew 12:33-36, explain that we are about to learn the
mechanics of conversation. Here we find Jesus addressing the Pharisees. Read
the passage and then explain from the diagram that what comes out the mouth
is a reflection of the heart (with the exception of lying, of course). The heart
and mind work together to produce the words. If the heart is bad, the words are
bad. If the flesh is in control of the mind at the time, the words will be bad.
If the righteous heart of a Christian is programming the mind, the conversation
will be Godly. Now ask the following questions:
* Does this mean that the Christian will always have Godly conversation on his lips?
No! Those moments when we are following the flesh and our new heart is not controlling our mind,
the Christian's conversation will suffer. It can even be said of the Christian, "no one can tame the
tongue" this side of heaven.
* Why should the Christian be somewhat immune to the "bad fruit," that is, harsh comments that flow from the mouths of unbelievers?
The Christian knows that the unbeliever is only acting according to his sinful nature. This is all he
can do. While the Christian must search to see if there is an ounce of truth in the unbeliever's
statements, he must not take the harshness personally.
* When is the Christian open to being wounded by such statements?
When the Christian is acting on the basis of pride. If the unbeliever is correct in his criticism of the
Christian, the Christian will not be offended but rather thankful. The Christian wants to know his
sin. When the Christian walks by pride instead of faith, any harsh word will "hurt his feelings."
* Why should a Christian not take to heart any errant criticisms by one of his Christian brothers or sisters?
The Christian knows such misbegotten comments have their roots either in the individual's imperfect understanding or his flesh. Again, only pride will lead the Christian to be offended by these
comments.
* How many times a day do you say or do you hear it said verbatim or by innuendo, "So and so hurt my feelings?"
Psalm 39:1 should be the prayer of every Christian. Read the verse and then
discuss the steps of guardianship listed below. Explain that the term for "guard"
here is the same term as "take heed" in "How can a young man cleanse his way?
By taking heed according to Your Word." (Psalm 119:9) and "keep" in "Keep
your heart with all diligence..." (Proverbs 4:23). Such guarding is an important
part of the Christian's walk.
PRINCIPLES OF GUARDING ONE'S CONVERSATION
A Christian's conversation must be:
1. Divinely Guarded Psalm 141:3
* Why is this prayer a necessary part of our daily prayers and how can its presence in our daily prayers aid us?
We are not capable of victory apart from the Lord. Our heart and our strength will fail us (Psalm
73:26). Furthermore, the more we pray on this topic the more sensitive we will grow to its being an
issue in our life.
2. Heart Rooted Proverbs 15:28a
* What might the heart and mind study to be better prepared to communicate?
1. Obviously the Scriptures as they address this topic.
2. Prepare answers to specific questions.
3. Study how to incorporate Scriptures into one's answers rather than just giving common sense answers.
4. Develop a Godly vocabulary and good sentence structure.
3. Carefully Worded Ephesians 4:29a-b
* What two types of communication can come out of a person's mouth?
Corrupt communication that wounds and Godly communication that imparts grace.
4. Lovingly Spoken Ephesians 4:16
* What are some of the motives for speaking besides love?
Anger, irritation, pride, etc.
5. Intended to Edify Ephesians 4:29c
* What are some of the wrong purposes?
Build up self, tear down others, vengeance, etc.
Have the group read Proverbs 18:21 and then explain that human conversation
is a matter of life and death. Have the group look at the following death
sentences and explain the effects of each on the hearer.
DEATH SENTENCES:
Father to Child: "You stupid kid, you can't do anything right."
This is a death sentence because it can kill a child's feelings of worth. Some children are so scarred by their parents' conversation that they never recover and are condemned to struggle with inferiority their whole life. Furthermore, it is not uncommon for such children who have been told they are worthless to live out their parents' evaluation by associating with wicked people and performing evil
deeds. Thus, the parents reap what they have sown.
Wife to Husband: "I hate you, I wish I'd never married you."
This is a death sentence because, even if it is spoken in anger and not really meant, the hearer's
computer-like mind has received it and takes it very seriously. Statements like this breed insecurity
in the relationship and can kill enthusiasm for the relationship's continuance. All of this can lead to
the marital death sentence known as divorce.
Person to Self: "I could never do that."
"I feel terrible."
"I hate what I do for a living."
What we say to ourselves affects our spirit. Read Proverbs 15:4. Statements like these often become self-fulfilling prophecies. Although they may not be true, we talk ourselves into believing that they are and begin to live up to our low expectations, thus making our words prophecies and working hard to fulfill them. The person who believes he can't do something condemns himself to failure, even if it is possible. The person who constantly talks about his illnesses will always feel lousy, even if he doesn't have justifiable cause. The person who is constantly complaining about his job dooms himself to being miserable with it.
LIFE SENTENCES:
Have the group change the previous death sentences into life sentences by applying
the communication principles just studied.
Father to Child: "Son, you have been wonderfully made by God (Psalm 139:14a) and I know you can do it. Let me show you how."
Wife to Husband: "God has joined us together (Mark 10:9) and it is His will for our marriage to reflect His relationship with the Church (Ephesians 5:21-33), I know we can
overcome these differences (Philippians 4:13). We must try (John 14:15)."
Person to Self: "If God so wills, I can do it (Philippians 2:12-13)."
"This affliction is but for a moment and is working for my eternal good (II
Corinthians 4:17) as well as my temporal good (Romans 8:28)."
"Lord, I'm going to do this job for You (Colossians 3:23), please be glorified by
it (I Corinthians 10:31)."
Conclude by reading Proverbs 16:24 and asking the following questions:
* How does conversation affect our personhood?
It can affect us spiritually, emotionally (sweetness to the soul) and physically (health to the bones).
* How can it affect us physically?
Pleasant words relax us, lower our blood pressure and heartbeat. Harsh words raise blood pressure, heartbeat, etc.
* How can it affect us emotionally?
We like people who talk to us pleasantly, even if it is critical. We tend to dislike people who are
harsh and disavow what they say.
* How can it affect us spiritually?
Unpleasant communication provides an opportunity for the devil to build anger, hatred and bitterness within us. Pleasant communication removes that opportunity.
Close the study with a prayer for increased awareness of our conversation as a
tool of life and death, as well as, an increased ability to guard our mouths.
1. Of all the "tongue" sins discussed in today's study, those with which I have the greatest struggle are (see completed study guide, page 2 for complete list):
2. The last time my conversation flowed from my flesh instead of my new heart in Jesus was:
3. I commonly say either verbatim or by innuendo, "My feelings were hurt." True or False
4. I am always very cautious about what I say and how I say it. True or False
5. Most people who know me would classify my conversation as:
____ Gentle
____ Harsh
____ Petty
____ Sarcastic
____ Prideful
____ Edifying
____ Other?
6. This week I prayed specifically that the Lord would guard my tongue from sin. True or False
7. When was the last time your conversation was not: A. Heart rooted. B. Carefully worded. C.
Lovingly spoken. D. Intended to edify?
8. How could you have changed the previous conversations from death sentences to life sentences?
9. Prove that "Pleasant words are like a honeycomb, sweetness to the soul and health to the bones" by your response to a comment someone made to you recently.
Day 1
* Review Lesson 7 using the Leader's Guide.
* Remember to review your memory work every day this week.
* Spend some extra time confessing your "arsonous" tongue sins and asking God to help you guard your tongue from sin.
Day 2
* Quickly review the Lesson 7 material by questioning each other on its content.
* Memorize Romans 6:13. Remember, every time you memorize a verse be sure you have studied and understand the meaning and application of every thought in the verse.
* Review tongue sins #1 through #7 (Study Guide, page 2) by looking up the passages, finding the sin, identifying any sin consequences mentioned, as well as any other additional teachings, and evaluating the role the sins play in your life.
Day 3
*Review tongue sins #8 through #14 (Study Guide, page 2) by looking up the passages, finding the sin, identifying any sin consequences mentioned, as well as any other additional teachings, and evaluating the role the sins play in your life.
* Learn the five principles of guarding one's conversation found on Study Guide, pages 4 & 5.
* Read Acts 16:25-34 and discuss the application of this passage to Lesson 7 and to your use of the tongue.
Day 4
* Memorize Proverbs 18:21.
* Review tongue sins #15 through #22 (Study Guide, page 2) by looking up the passages, finding the sin, identifying any sin consequences mentioned, as well as any other additional teachings, and evaluating the role the sins play in your life.
Day 5
* Review tongue sins #23 through #28 (Study Guide, pages 2 & 3) by looking up the passages, finding the sin, identifying any sin consequences mentioned, as well as any other additional teachings, and evaluating the role the sins play in your life.
* Study II Kings 2:23-25 and discuss the applications of the passage to Lesson 7 and your use of the tongue.
Day 6
* Memorize Proverbs 16:18.
* Study Leviticus 24:10-16 and discuss the applications of the passage to Lesson 7 and your use of the tongue.
* Review all memory work including Bible passages, definitions and principles.