April 5 & 6
STICKS & STONES
Pastor Matt Berry
April 5 & 6, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
Tap here to view the sermon notes.
INTRODUCTION
Help participants think about the words they say by directing them to spend five minutes in conversation without using the word “and.” Ask participants to discuss the questions below in pairs or small groups, but let them know they are to give themselves a point whenever they say “and.” The person with the fewest points after five minutes is the winner. Use one of the following conversation questions (consider writing these on a whiteboard or large sheet of paper):
Our words matter, but oftentimes we don’t give much thought to them. In James 3, James addressed the great impact a believer’s speech can have on others. Using several word pictures—controlling a horse, steering a ship, igniting a forest fire, and taming an animal—James shows the power behind the tongue. He calls us to a life of consistent speech. James also calls believers to seek the wisdom that only comes from God.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ JAMES 3:1-8.
James focused on the tongue’s great power to corrupt and destroy. The tongue’s power is pervasive; whatever subject the tongue speaks about can be perverted and destroyed. Just as a match can set ablaze a whole forest, so the tongue can cause great harm.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ JAMES 3:9-12.
The human tongue is uncontrollable without God’s help. As James put it, no man in his own power can tame the tongue. The tongue is undisciplined and savage. It wars against every effort to gain control over it.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ JAMES 3:13-18.
APPLICATION
PRAYER
Ask for the power and caution to use your words to represent Jesus better this week in every situation in which you find yourself.
—----------------------------------
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
JAMES 3:1-18
3:1. James was deeply concerned about sins of speech. He referred to them previously in the book and will do so again. Evidently, there were many believers who wanted to teach, but not all were qualified or equipped. Some selfishly may have wanted the prestige, recognition, and honor the teacher’s role afforded. James warned against allowing believers to become teachers simply because they wanted such a position. He knew they first needed a firm grasp of the gospel’s contents and applications for living.
3:2-3. His words apply specifically to teachers, but also generally to all Christians. He declared all believers stumble. Note he included himself. The Greek word translated “stumble” means “to make a false step,” thus “to commit error.” It can have the stronger ideas of offending or transgressing. Here it has the sense of sinning or failing in speech. “In many ways” means “often” or “many times.” James declared that a person who can continuously avoid sinning in speech is a mature man. Being careful in what we say and in how we express ourselves shows we are maturing as believers. In verse 3 James moved to the first of three illustrations that stress the power of speech. The bits enable riders to guide the whole animal. James’s point is that small bits could control large, powerful animals. Bits have power out of proportion to their size.
3:4-6. James next used ships that were very large to present the disparity between size and power. When huge ships encounter a storm and are driven by fierce (“stiff,” “harsh”) winds, the ships’ pilots use very small rudders to guide the vessels in the desired direction. The tongue is a small part of the body but has tremendous power and influence of speech—for good or bad. James pointed out a small fire could start a raging inferno that engulfs a huge forest. In the same way, uncontrolled speech can be almost unlimitedly destructive. The Greek word translated “corrupts” means “stains” or “soils” and has a further sense of contamination. The tense conveys continuous action: Uncontrolled speech goes on contaminating the whole body—the total personality. Also, such speech sets the course of life on fire. The phrase “the course of life” (literally, “the wheel of life”) likely refers to a person’s span of life from birth to death. Uncontrolled speech cuts a path of destruction throughout a person’s entire lifetime.
3:7-8. Though humans have tamed or domesticated all kinds of creatures, we still have trouble taming the tongue. James described the tongue as a restless evil. “Restless” conveys a sense of instability. It has the idea of impulsiveness, unpredictability, and inconsistency. Though not evil in itself, the tongue (or our speech) is capable of great evil (see v. 6). In fact, it can be death-dealing. “Deadly” literally is “death-bringing.” Poisonous speech strikes with venom comparable to that of the world’s deadliest viper.
3:9-12. James presented a devastating contradiction to emphasize believers’ deadly misuse of speech. Christians continuously verbalize praise to God, who is Lord and Heavenly Father. The Greek term for “praise” gives us our word eulogy—“a good word.” James’s scathing indictment is that believers turn from the highest use of speech— praising God—to the lowest—cursing people. In verse 11, James drove home the necessity of believers’ maintaining consistency of speech. His first illustration from nature concerned water, a precious commodity. A spring gushing out of a fissure in the earth does not produce both sweet and bitter water, does it? His second illustration concerns food-producing plants. These plants produce after their kind, do they not? Fig trees produce figs, never olives. Grapevines produce grapes, never figs. As a third illustration, James returned to the subject of water. A spring produces one kind of water. A saltwater spring, such as those in the Dead Sea area, could not yield fresh water— always at a premium in the promised land. James focused on nature’s consistency to emphasize that believers’ speech needs to be consistent with their new nature in Christ and not inconsistent with it. 3:13. James 3:2–12 presents shortcomings of the tongue to which teachers and all individuals are vulnerable. 3:13–18 reminds us of our need to demonstrate genuine wisdom. The words particularly apply to aspiring teachers, but they have relevance to all believers.
The opening rhetorical question asks how we can show that we have wisdom. Wise refers to someone with moral insight and skill in deciding practical issues of conduct. Understanding pictures someone with the knowledge of an expert. We are to show the presence of wisdom by good deeds practiced with humility. Only obedient deeds, not mere talk, prove the presence of wisdom. Humility refers to a submissive spirit opposed to arrogance and self-seeking. The person with humility is not a doormat for the desires of others, but controls and overpowers the natural human tendency to be arrogant and self-assertive. Non-Christian Greeks felt that this type of humility was a vice. Christianity made meekness into a virtue. “Meek” in Matthew 5:5 is the adjectival form of the noun translated here as humility. Jesus promised the “meek” they would inherit the earth. Jesus meant a believer who relates to God with dependence and contentment will reap God’s abundant blessings.
3:14. Bitter envy and selfish ambition prove that a person is following the route of false wisdom. Envy describes a determined desire to promote one’s opinion to the exclusion of the opinions of others. Selfish ambition pictures a person who tries to promote a cause in an unethical manner. This person becomes willing to use divisive means to promote a personal viewpoint. Bitter rivalries develop out of these practices. James warned that people who had envy and selfish ambition could boast about it or deny the truth. Boasting describes the malicious triumphant attitude gained by one party over its opponents. Those who choose to deny the truth can end up rejecting the truth of the gospel. Envy of Jesus led the religious leaders to deny his person and power and to plot his death (John 11:47–53).
3:15. This verse uses three adjectives to describe the distinctive traits and source of false wisdom. First, negatively, false wisdom does not come from heaven or from God. Its source is earthly. It belongs to the way of life of this world. Second, false wisdom is unspiritual, belonging to the natural world and not to the supernatural world. It comes from the mental and emotional ideas of fallen human beings. Unfortunately, we Christians are too often guilty of using this twisted wisdom. Finally, this false wisdom is of the devil. Satan uses it to corrupt relationships.
3:16. The results of envy and selfish ambition are disorder and every evil practice. Disorder describes an experience of anarchy and disturbance. Such disarray affects private relationships between Christians and public meetings of believers. Every evil practice pictures an evil from which no good can come. People who cater to selfish ambition need never expect to develop any fruit that is godly, righteous, or helpful to others. False wisdom promotes self-assertion and independence. It destroys a spirit of mutual concern. Where Christians “do their own thing” instead of caring for one another, a community of support and mercy can disintegrate (see 1 Cor. 1:10–17). Paul outlined a solution for this epidemic of selfish living, telling us to look out for “the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4).
3:17. True wisdom is free from self-interest and strife. This verse lists eight traits or characteristics of true wisdom. The first is purity. People with true wisdom are pure in that they have put aside the vices of a self-seeking nature and factionalism. This trait provides the secure foundation for all that follows. The following five traits show the attitude of true wisdom toward other people. Peace-loving means it demonstrates a desire to promote peace between struggling factions. Considerate refers to being reasonable in the demands it makes on others. Submissive indicates a willingness to learn from others by being open to reason. Full of mercy is revealed by offering compassion to those in distress. Full of good fruit is shown by kind actions and helpful deeds to others. The final two traits describe the essential nature of true wisdom in itself. It is impartial, without prejudice, and unwavering in its commitments. True wisdom is sincere, genuine, and open in its approaches to others. Jesus particularly showed his genuineness in his dialogues with Pilate (John 18:33–37).
3:18. Verse 18 concludes this section with a description of the effects of true wisdom. True wisdom results in a harvest of righteousness, that is, a conformity to God’s will. True wisdom also lets one experience peace, the enjoyment of harmonious relationships between human beings.
Pastor Matt Berry
April 5 & 6, 2025
Small Group Study
SERMON RECAP
Spend a few minutes recapping this week's sermon together.
Tap here to view the sermon notes.
- What was one takeaway from this week's sermon for you?
- Were there any stories, ideas, or points that stuck out?
- Was there anything that challenged you?
INTRODUCTION
Help participants think about the words they say by directing them to spend five minutes in conversation without using the word “and.” Ask participants to discuss the questions below in pairs or small groups, but let them know they are to give themselves a point whenever they say “and.” The person with the fewest points after five minutes is the winner. Use one of the following conversation questions (consider writing these on a whiteboard or large sheet of paper):
- What have you liked most about the weather this week?
- What do you like best about your favorite movies?
- How would you describe the rules of your favorite sport to someone who’s never played?
Our words matter, but oftentimes we don’t give much thought to them. In James 3, James addressed the great impact a believer’s speech can have on others. Using several word pictures—controlling a horse, steering a ship, igniting a forest fire, and taming an animal—James shows the power behind the tongue. He calls us to a life of consistent speech. James also calls believers to seek the wisdom that only comes from God.
UNDERSTANDING
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ JAMES 3:1-8.
- How have you seen words act like fire or as poison?
- What motivates people to use words in harmful ways?
- What are some “acceptable” forms of negative speech prevalent in today’s culture? In the church?
James focused on the tongue’s great power to corrupt and destroy. The tongue’s power is pervasive; whatever subject the tongue speaks about can be perverted and destroyed. Just as a match can set ablaze a whole forest, so the tongue can cause great harm.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ JAMES 3:9-12.
- Why do we remember negative words more than positive words?
- When have you seen something good get ruined because of harmful words?
The human tongue is uncontrollable without God’s help. As James put it, no man in his own power can tame the tongue. The tongue is undisciplined and savage. It wars against every effort to gain control over it.
HAVE A VOLUNTEER READ JAMES 3:13-18.
- How do our words define who we are?
- When has your life been changed by wise and gentle words?
- You’ve probably heard an expression like: “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” How do you feel about this statement? What has been your experience with this expression?
APPLICATION
- Think of a time when you are most vulnerable to “slip up” with your words. When are you least likely to watch what you say? What are some preventative steps you can take to keep from saying something you regret?
- Reflect on your day-to-day conversations. Are your words more of a “blessing” or a “curse” to others? Give reasons for your answer.
- To whom do you need to apologize for saying something hurtful? How can you seek peace this week with your words?
PRAYER
Ask for the power and caution to use your words to represent Jesus better this week in every situation in which you find yourself.
—----------------------------------
ADDITIONAL SCRIPTURE COMMENTARY
[for further reading on this passage]
JAMES 3:1-18
3:1. James was deeply concerned about sins of speech. He referred to them previously in the book and will do so again. Evidently, there were many believers who wanted to teach, but not all were qualified or equipped. Some selfishly may have wanted the prestige, recognition, and honor the teacher’s role afforded. James warned against allowing believers to become teachers simply because they wanted such a position. He knew they first needed a firm grasp of the gospel’s contents and applications for living.
3:2-3. His words apply specifically to teachers, but also generally to all Christians. He declared all believers stumble. Note he included himself. The Greek word translated “stumble” means “to make a false step,” thus “to commit error.” It can have the stronger ideas of offending or transgressing. Here it has the sense of sinning or failing in speech. “In many ways” means “often” or “many times.” James declared that a person who can continuously avoid sinning in speech is a mature man. Being careful in what we say and in how we express ourselves shows we are maturing as believers. In verse 3 James moved to the first of three illustrations that stress the power of speech. The bits enable riders to guide the whole animal. James’s point is that small bits could control large, powerful animals. Bits have power out of proportion to their size.
3:4-6. James next used ships that were very large to present the disparity between size and power. When huge ships encounter a storm and are driven by fierce (“stiff,” “harsh”) winds, the ships’ pilots use very small rudders to guide the vessels in the desired direction. The tongue is a small part of the body but has tremendous power and influence of speech—for good or bad. James pointed out a small fire could start a raging inferno that engulfs a huge forest. In the same way, uncontrolled speech can be almost unlimitedly destructive. The Greek word translated “corrupts” means “stains” or “soils” and has a further sense of contamination. The tense conveys continuous action: Uncontrolled speech goes on contaminating the whole body—the total personality. Also, such speech sets the course of life on fire. The phrase “the course of life” (literally, “the wheel of life”) likely refers to a person’s span of life from birth to death. Uncontrolled speech cuts a path of destruction throughout a person’s entire lifetime.
3:7-8. Though humans have tamed or domesticated all kinds of creatures, we still have trouble taming the tongue. James described the tongue as a restless evil. “Restless” conveys a sense of instability. It has the idea of impulsiveness, unpredictability, and inconsistency. Though not evil in itself, the tongue (or our speech) is capable of great evil (see v. 6). In fact, it can be death-dealing. “Deadly” literally is “death-bringing.” Poisonous speech strikes with venom comparable to that of the world’s deadliest viper.
3:9-12. James presented a devastating contradiction to emphasize believers’ deadly misuse of speech. Christians continuously verbalize praise to God, who is Lord and Heavenly Father. The Greek term for “praise” gives us our word eulogy—“a good word.” James’s scathing indictment is that believers turn from the highest use of speech— praising God—to the lowest—cursing people. In verse 11, James drove home the necessity of believers’ maintaining consistency of speech. His first illustration from nature concerned water, a precious commodity. A spring gushing out of a fissure in the earth does not produce both sweet and bitter water, does it? His second illustration concerns food-producing plants. These plants produce after their kind, do they not? Fig trees produce figs, never olives. Grapevines produce grapes, never figs. As a third illustration, James returned to the subject of water. A spring produces one kind of water. A saltwater spring, such as those in the Dead Sea area, could not yield fresh water— always at a premium in the promised land. James focused on nature’s consistency to emphasize that believers’ speech needs to be consistent with their new nature in Christ and not inconsistent with it. 3:13. James 3:2–12 presents shortcomings of the tongue to which teachers and all individuals are vulnerable. 3:13–18 reminds us of our need to demonstrate genuine wisdom. The words particularly apply to aspiring teachers, but they have relevance to all believers.
The opening rhetorical question asks how we can show that we have wisdom. Wise refers to someone with moral insight and skill in deciding practical issues of conduct. Understanding pictures someone with the knowledge of an expert. We are to show the presence of wisdom by good deeds practiced with humility. Only obedient deeds, not mere talk, prove the presence of wisdom. Humility refers to a submissive spirit opposed to arrogance and self-seeking. The person with humility is not a doormat for the desires of others, but controls and overpowers the natural human tendency to be arrogant and self-assertive. Non-Christian Greeks felt that this type of humility was a vice. Christianity made meekness into a virtue. “Meek” in Matthew 5:5 is the adjectival form of the noun translated here as humility. Jesus promised the “meek” they would inherit the earth. Jesus meant a believer who relates to God with dependence and contentment will reap God’s abundant blessings.
3:14. Bitter envy and selfish ambition prove that a person is following the route of false wisdom. Envy describes a determined desire to promote one’s opinion to the exclusion of the opinions of others. Selfish ambition pictures a person who tries to promote a cause in an unethical manner. This person becomes willing to use divisive means to promote a personal viewpoint. Bitter rivalries develop out of these practices. James warned that people who had envy and selfish ambition could boast about it or deny the truth. Boasting describes the malicious triumphant attitude gained by one party over its opponents. Those who choose to deny the truth can end up rejecting the truth of the gospel. Envy of Jesus led the religious leaders to deny his person and power and to plot his death (John 11:47–53).
3:15. This verse uses three adjectives to describe the distinctive traits and source of false wisdom. First, negatively, false wisdom does not come from heaven or from God. Its source is earthly. It belongs to the way of life of this world. Second, false wisdom is unspiritual, belonging to the natural world and not to the supernatural world. It comes from the mental and emotional ideas of fallen human beings. Unfortunately, we Christians are too often guilty of using this twisted wisdom. Finally, this false wisdom is of the devil. Satan uses it to corrupt relationships.
3:16. The results of envy and selfish ambition are disorder and every evil practice. Disorder describes an experience of anarchy and disturbance. Such disarray affects private relationships between Christians and public meetings of believers. Every evil practice pictures an evil from which no good can come. People who cater to selfish ambition need never expect to develop any fruit that is godly, righteous, or helpful to others. False wisdom promotes self-assertion and independence. It destroys a spirit of mutual concern. Where Christians “do their own thing” instead of caring for one another, a community of support and mercy can disintegrate (see 1 Cor. 1:10–17). Paul outlined a solution for this epidemic of selfish living, telling us to look out for “the interests of others” (Phil. 2:4).
3:17. True wisdom is free from self-interest and strife. This verse lists eight traits or characteristics of true wisdom. The first is purity. People with true wisdom are pure in that they have put aside the vices of a self-seeking nature and factionalism. This trait provides the secure foundation for all that follows. The following five traits show the attitude of true wisdom toward other people. Peace-loving means it demonstrates a desire to promote peace between struggling factions. Considerate refers to being reasonable in the demands it makes on others. Submissive indicates a willingness to learn from others by being open to reason. Full of mercy is revealed by offering compassion to those in distress. Full of good fruit is shown by kind actions and helpful deeds to others. The final two traits describe the essential nature of true wisdom in itself. It is impartial, without prejudice, and unwavering in its commitments. True wisdom is sincere, genuine, and open in its approaches to others. Jesus particularly showed his genuineness in his dialogues with Pilate (John 18:33–37).
3:18. Verse 18 concludes this section with a description of the effects of true wisdom. True wisdom results in a harvest of righteousness, that is, a conformity to God’s will. True wisdom also lets one experience peace, the enjoyment of harmonious relationships between human beings.