NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION FOR AUGUST 23, 2020 : TOPIC – TAMING THE TONGUE.

By | August 23, 2020

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION FOR AUGUST 23, 2020 : TOPIC – TAMING THE TONGUE.

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SUNDAY SCHOOL LESSON FOR YOUR PREPARATION

NBC SUNDAY SCHOOL OUTLINE

Date: Sunday, August 23, 2020.

TOPIC: TAMING THE TONGUE.

Devotional Reading:

Isaiah 50:4-11.

Background/Lesson Scripture:

James 3:1-12.

GOLDEN TEXT:

Out of the same mouth comes praise and cursing. My brothers, this should not be.  James 3:10

Primary Learning Outcome/Indicators:

1. Learners will demonstrate the virtues of faith and wisdom and indicate achievement of this by:

2. Explaining the power of the tongue;

3. Discussing the effects of misusing one’s tongue as a believer;

4. Writing a commitment note to avoid misusing their tongues.

🎈 INTRODUCTION:

A woman was determined to divorce her husband with the consent of her children because of his brutality. One evening after church service, she disclosed her intention to her pastor and after thorough investigation, her pastor discovered that although the man was actually ruthless, the woman too lacked control over the use of her tongue, whenever they had misunderstanding. Having prayed and was convinced by the Holy Spirit, the pastor counselled the woman to put a piece of bitter cola in her mouth whenever her husband was furious and about to beat her. Interestingly, the woman complied and the next time her husband was about to beat her, she could not say anything because of the piece of bitter kola in her mouth. By keeping silent, her husband had no reason to beat her. Soon, she discovered the secret and benefits of controlling her tongue.

Another yardsticks for spiritual maturity is believer’s speech. James devoted a portion of his letter to address the proper use of the tongue. He appealed, however, to people not to control their speeches but also their thoughts (James 3:13-17). He emphasized that good words, not bad words, are beneficial to humankind and the entire creation.

THE LESSON EXPLAINED…

A. POWER IN THE TONGUE: [JAMES 3:1-5]

James’ letter dealt with a variety of issues, especially the use of tongue and teaching as a ministry. His statement in verse 1 indicates that some of the Jewish Christians were anxious to become teachers of the Word of God probably for show-off (John 3:10; 9:40-41). He warned that those who teach must understand their responsibility because they will be judged more strictly. He said, “Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly”. By implication, a teacher’s condemnation will be greater because having professed to have a clear knowledge of the Word, he/she is bound to obey it. On the issue of the proper use of the tongue, James used some figurative words to illustrate his instructions. In verses 4 and 5, he compared the tongue to a horse’s bit, a ship’s rudder and the small spark, which is capable of consuming an entire forest. It means that the tongue, though small, controls the whole body. The admonition, therefore, is that anyone who is able to tame his tongue can govern or have control over his/her entire body as he/she who holds a bridle controls a horse (v. 5).

James’ warning in this passage is in connection with his previous warning that anyone who cannot control his/her tongue practices worthless religion and deceives him/herself. However, it should be noted that James’ warning is not to scare intending teachers of the Word of God but a charge to be diligent and not engage in the ministry possibly for personal gratification. This is similar to Paul’s warning to Timothy that teachers should teach the Word of God rightly (2 Timothy 2:15). Therefore, those who desire the noble ministry of teaching should be careful to match their words with their actions so as to avert God’s judgement on them.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. Is there any ‘small spark’ that has consumed the forest due to the misuse of the tongue in yours church or community? What lessons did you learn?

2. Discuss why teachers will receive stricter judgment than students on judgment day.

B. THE PERVERSE NATURE OF THE TONGUE: [JAMES 3:6-8]

Having explained the power of the tongue as illustrated and compared to horse’s bridle and a ship’s rudder, James again described the perverse nature of the tongue and likened it to fire. When it is set on fire or wrongly used, there are usually two results:

It defiles the entire body. This is in line with Jesus’ explanation that it is not what goes into a man’s mouth that defiles him, but that which comes out of a man (Matthew 15:11). In other words, the words we utter are indicative of what we are on the inside.

It sets on fire the course of one’s life. Even though the words we speak are invisible, once spoken, they affect almost everything around us. Even though humankind can, and have tamed other creatures (wild animals and domestic ones), James rightly observed that the tongue is evil and uncontrollable, humanly speaking. Invariably, if the tongue could be controlled, the whole body could be tamed as well.

The tongue is a small unit of the body, yet it is one of the most powerful parts of the body. From the passage, James feels strongly concerned about the use of the tongue because out of the same mouth can come blessing and cursing. Unfortunately, most Christians have not fully comprehended or realized the awesome power that is available to us through our words and use of the tongue. Words have the potential of destroying people and societies. Many have been hurt by words spoken about them in secret, which have devastated them. Record has it that most of the African wars as a result of misuse of words. To corroborate this, King Solomon said, “Put away perversity from your mouth; keep corrupt talk far from your lips”. (Proverbs 4:24) The summary of the lesson is that Christians should learn to use their tongues appropriately for the blessing of humankind and the glorification of God. We should guide our tongues and watch what comes out of our mouths. The admonition is important because the tongue can be an agent of the progress to the body of Christ if they are rightly used, but agents of destruction if carelessly used.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. In line with today’s lesson, discuss this quotation by Benjamin Franklin that states, “A slip of the foot, you may soon recover; but a slip of the tongue, you may never get over”.

2. What are the various ways the tongue can be controlled?

C. THE TONGUE: A BLESSING OR A CURSE: [JAMES 3:9-12]

In continuation of his teaching on the right use of the tongue, James identifies two ways people use their tongues to praise and to curse. James carefully made a comparison between the right and wrong uses of the tongue. He said, “With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in God’s likeness”. (v.9) In other words, James means that blessing and curses ought not to proceed from the same mouth. According to him, just as fresh water and salt water cannot comes from the same spring; the fig tree cannot bear olive; and grave vine cannot bear figs. Therefore, believers in Christ should not use their tongues to bless God and at the same time curse other people.

The fact that humankind is made in the image and likeness of God should spur us to abstain from the wrong use of the tongue. Our tongues should not be a means through which other people are destroyed; rather, we use them to build other people up. Unfortunately, while some people sing praises to God, they also curse those who offend them with the same mouth. In his letter to the church in Ephesus, Paul warned against the use of harmful words (Ephesians 4: 29). Therefore, the mouth that curse cannot pronounce blessings; otherwise, we will be hypocrites and so deceive ourselves.

DISCUSSION TIME:

1. What are the ways the human tongue can constitute itself as people?

2. Discuss ways believers in Christ can use their tongues to build people around them up.

COMMITMENT BASED ON TODAY’S LESSON:

My Personal Commitment_______

Commitment to My Church_________

Commitment towards My Relationship with Others________

PRAYERS POINTS:

* Appreciate God for the gift of the tongue.

* Pray for and wisdom to use your tongues to bless and not curse.

FELLOWSHIP AND MINISTRY BUILDING ACTIVITY:

Let each class member say to the member sitting next to him/her, “Tame Your Tongue.” Let them then discuss the benefits of taming their tongues.

TAKE HOME:

* Teachers should beware of what they teach in order to save themselves from eternal damnation.

* We should use our tongues wisely because this is what God requires of us.

* Our words can either build or destroy others.

* Every part of body is important and they should be used to praise God.

* We are what we say.

* We are accountable to God for what we say.

* Although the tongue is small, yet it can be destructive if it is not checked.

🌨 Remain Inspired & Be Lifted!📍

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