5/23 Sunday School "Taming the Tongue"

Devotion by Jared Graves

Introduction

Students will play a game of “Mad Lib”.

The right word placement makes all the difference in the world. We could say something that portrays the same message but switch just a few words around and say something completely different, and possibly unintentional.

Bible Study

Read James 3:3-12

James is very serious in his discussion of what words can do. What were our words initially meant to do?

What now have our words turned into?

Today we are going to look at the Proverbs and what they have to say about the tongue. The tongue is kind of like nuclear science, it could be used for good, or it could be used to bring destruction and hatred.

Gossip: Have the students find the following Proverbs, and have them wait for the signal to read them: Proverbs 16:28, 20:19, 19:1, 18:6-8

Read Proverbs 16:28, 20:19, 19:1, 18:6-8

What do these Scriptures say about gossip?

What is considered gossip?

Anger: Have the students ready to read the following passages from Proverbs: 14:17, 14:29, 15:1, 15:18

Is anger always a sin? (Psalm 4:4 states, “In your anger, do not sin”.)

Read Proverbs 14:17, 14:28, 15:1, 15:8.

What is the fine line between anger and destruction?

Truth: Have the students ready to read the following passages form Proverbs: 15:1-2,4,7-8,29, 19:5,9, 21:6, 20:15.

Read Proverbs 15:1-2,4,7-8,28,

One author stated that these verse could indicate that all our speech should be a prayer to God. Agree or disagree?

Read Proverbs 19:5,9, 21:6, and 20:15

What is the difference in a tongue that professes truth and a tongue that gossips, tears down, lies, etc?

Application

What are some tidbits of wisdom that we can use from what we learned today to keep our mouth doing what God created it to do?

What steps can someone take to tame their tongue?

8/16 Ignite: Good Hygiene Series- Brushing Your Teeth

Students matched up to see which toothpaste was the most popular. It was a tie between Colgate and Crest.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dWDgQPSomGk

Devotion- James 3:3-11

• James 3:3-8. Dangers of a tongue:  Tears down others & tears down our reputations
• James 3:9-11. We use the same part of our body to bring such praise and admiration for God, yet it is also so vile and dangerous when used incorrectly.

Discussion Time (M&Ms)

Introduction

• Someone once said, “Sticks and stones can break my bones, but words will never hurt me.”  Whoever said that was either high, or living in a bubble. Words hurt. They pierce us, and last with us for a long, long time. Think of a time in your life a long time ago, where someone said something hurtful to you, and you still remember it to this day.
• Realize that the things that we say and do affect others. When we talk bad about someone, even if we think they will never hear what we say, it still is wrong, and is hurtful to the person you are saying it about.

Bible Reading- Hand out “The Four Tongues” Activity Sheet

• Let’s take a look at some of the Proverbs, and what they say about the words that we use (via Life Application Study Bible).

1. The Controlled Tongue: Those with this speech pattern think before speaking, know when silence is best, and give wise advice. FOUND IN: Proverbs 10:19,11:12-13, 12:16, 13:3, 15:1, 15:4, 15:28, 16:23, 17:14, 17:27, 17:28, 21:23, 24:2
2. The Caring Tongue: Those with this speech pattern speak truthfully while seeking to encourage. FOUND IN: Proverbs 10:32, 12:18, 12:25, 15:23, 16:24, 16:25, 25:15, 27:9
3. The Conniving Tongue: Those with this speech pattern are filled with wrong motives, gossip, slander, and a desire to twist truth. FOUND IN: 6:12-14, 8:13, 16:28, 18:8, 25:18, 26:20-28
4. The Careless Tongue: Those with this speech pattern are filled with lies, curses, quick tempered words- which can lead to rebellion and destruction. FOUND IN: Proverbs 10:18, 10:32, 11:9, 12:16, 12:18, 15:4, 17:9, 17:14, 17:19, 20:19, 25:23 
5. If you have spare time check out these other verses about our speech: Proverbs 10:11, 10:20, 10:31, 12:6, 12:17-19, 13:2, 14:3, 19:5, 19:28, 25:11, 27:2, 27:5, 27:14, 27:17, 29:9

Application

• Is there someone that you have a hard time not talking bad about? Try this week to find good things, and point them out.
• What are some ways that we can use to help us keep a clean mouth and become a better person