James 1:19-20 This you know, my beloved brethren. Everyone must be quick to hear, slow to speak, and slow to anger; for the anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
What does it mean to be quick to hear?
Are you considered by other people to be a good listener? If not, does this verse inspire you to become one?
What does it mean to be slow to speak?
Do friends think of you as one who weighs his or her words carefully before speaking? Does your family see you as a “slow to speak” person? Is this something you need to work on? How?
In what ways are we to be slow to speak? Why?
Can silence be a barrier in relationships?
In what ways are we NOT to be slow to speak?
What does this tell us about timing?
What does this tell us about taking time to think before speaking?
Have you ever spoken too quickly and put a barrier between yourself and another person?
How are “quick to hear” and “slow to speak” related to one another?
What does it mean to be slow to anger?
Do you know anyone who is easily angered? What actions and words tell you they are easily angered? How do you feel about spending time with this person? Why?
Does anger put a barrier up in relationships? What can bring this barrier down?
What is your first reaction to conflict?
Do friends consider you to be slow to anger? Does your family consider you to be slow to anger? Do you consider yourself to be slow to anger? Is there any inconsistency in these answers? If so, why?
What are the steps to become slow to anger?
How are “slow to speak” and “slow to anger” related to one another?
There is a reason listed in the last section of the scripture for being slow to anger. What is the reason?
Is the righteousness of God something you’d like to achieve?
Why do you suppose the verse begins with “quick to hear”? How does listening first help drive away cutting words and anger?
Cultivating mindful speech and getting rid of quick anger is a life-long process for most if not all. It is very much like being on a diet in which words and angry actions are the food. One can err by eating too little or much too much, the same as one can damage others with withholding words or using cutting words and actions. In a diet, one can simply give up something like sugar or carbs and accomplish something.
Is there ONE thing you’d consider doing or giving up beginning your “diet of words“? Here are a few suggestions if something doesn‘t come to mind at first: withholding kind words or relational information, yelling, cursing, finger pointing, criticism, words that tear down, accusing, belittling, reacting instead of pausing to consider, harsh tone of voice, blaming.
Remember that most “all or nothing” diets fail, and that it is okay to begin again immediately after recognizing failure. Also, consider that having a friend hold you accountable by having them ask you, “How‘s it going on your ‘word and action’ diet?”.
In what ways are we NOT to be slow to speak?
What does this tell us about timing?
What does this tell us about taking time to think before speaking?
Have you ever spoken too quickly and put a barrier between yourself and another person?
How are “quick to hear” and “slow to speak” related to one another?
What does it mean to be slow to anger?
Do you know anyone who is easily angered? What actions and words tell you they are easily angered? How do you feel about spending time with this person? Why?
Does anger put a barrier up in relationships? What can bring this barrier down?
What is your first reaction to conflict?
Do friends consider you to be slow to anger? Does your family consider you to be slow to anger? Do you consider yourself to be slow to anger? Is there any inconsistency in these answers? If so, why?
What are the steps to become slow to anger?
How are “slow to speak” and “slow to anger” related to one another?
There is a reason listed in the last section of the scripture for being slow to anger. What is the reason?
Is the righteousness of God something you’d like to achieve?
Why do you suppose the verse begins with “quick to hear”? How does listening first help drive away cutting words and anger?
Cultivating mindful speech and getting rid of quick anger is a life-long process for most if not all. It is very much like being on a diet in which words and angry actions are the food. One can err by eating too little or much too much, the same as one can damage others with withholding words or using cutting words and actions. In a diet, one can simply give up something like sugar or carbs and accomplish something.
Is there ONE thing you’d consider doing or giving up beginning your “diet of words“? Here are a few suggestions if something doesn‘t come to mind at first: withholding kind words or relational information, yelling, cursing, finger pointing, criticism, words that tear down, accusing, belittling, reacting instead of pausing to consider, harsh tone of voice, blaming.
Remember that most “all or nothing” diets fail, and that it is okay to begin again immediately after recognizing failure. Also, consider that having a friend hold you accountable by having them ask you, “How‘s it going on your ‘word and action’ diet?”.
