Adult Bible Study Online

Thoughtful speech

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Lesson text: James 3:1-10, 3:13-18
By: Omar Eby
Email: ebyo@emu.edu

A lesson on “speech” might include stirring up responses to a series of quotations, some biblical, some from other literary sources, and some anonymous:

“The pen is an appendage of the tongue.”
“How do I know what I mean until I hear what I say?” (or “see what I write?”)
“It only requires good people to be silent for evil to exist.”
“Speak not but what may benefit others or yourself; avoid trifling conversation” (Ben Franklin).
“There is a time to be silent and a time to speak” (Ecclesiastes 3:7).
“I have never been eloquent. . . . I am slow of speech and tongue” (Exodus 4:10).
“Who gave man his mouth? Go, I will help you speak” (Exodus 4:12 NIV).
“Day after day they [the heavens] pour forth speech. . . . There is no speech or language where their voice is not heard” (Psalm 19:2-3 NIV).

As one might expect, several proverbs touch on speech:

“The tongue of the wise brings healing” (Proverbs 12:18).
“A gentle answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger” (15:1).
“The tongue that brings healing is a tree of life” (15:4 NIV).
“She [the wife of noble character] speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue” (31:26).

From the story of Job come many reference to speech:

“But I [Job] desire to speak to the Almighty and argue my case with God” (13:3 NIV).
“And these [from skies to serpents] are but the outer fringe of his works; how faint the whisper we hear of [God]!” (26:14).
“Then the Lord spoke to Job out of the storm: ‘Brace yourself like a man; I will question you, and you shall answer me’” (40:6, 7 NIV).
“I put my hand over my mouth” (40:4). “I spoke of things I did not understand” (42:3).
“Set an example for the believers in speech, in life, in love, in faith….” (1 Timothy 4:12 NIV).

Is it presumptuous to be a teacher (James 3:l) if one lacks the facility of easy and thoughtful public speaking? What is needed “to speak with authority” Titus (2:15 NIV)?

This message relates to the Adult Bible Study. For additional information on Adult Bible Study or Adult Bible Study Teacher, send email to info@mpn.net. To order either publication call Mennonite Publishing Network at 1 800 245-7894.