The Third Week of September
We Read…
Have you ever heard the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me”? I wonder what our passages from today would say about this. James spends this whole section in chapter 3 devoted to our words. He uses these pictures of bridles, rudders, and flames to show how small things can make a huge difference. I think that James would strongly disagree with that saying because he recognizes the power in how we use our tongues/words. What we say and how we say it matters big time. We reveal where our hearts are at when we speak! And that’s why Jesus reacts so strongly to Peter’s rebuking in Mark 8.
Peter freaks out after Jesus talks about the suffering he’ll endure soon - maybe it’s because Peter refuses to believe that Jesus will leave him, maybe it’s because Peter is so confident in their mission, maybe it’s because Peter is not a fan of these things Jesus is saying. He pulls Jesus aside and tells him to stop talking too negatively, and Jesus tells him, “Get behind me, Satan.” Oof! How would you feel if a friend said that to you? I would be pretty embarrassed and confused. But Jesus knows the power that words have, and these words from Peter are not what he needs to hear now. He doesn’t need Peter to try and talk him out of what’s coming, to try and take the comfortable route; he needs Peter to support and walk with him. How might our words impact the people around us? Are our hearts aligned with God’s so that our words match God’s heart?
Proverbs 1:20-33
20 Wisdom cries out in the street;
in the squares she raises her voice.
21 At the busiest corner she cries out;
at the entrance of the city gates she speaks:
22 “How long, O simple ones, will you love being simple?
How long will scoffers delight in their scoffing
and fools hate knowledge?
23 Give heed to my reproof;
I will pour out my thoughts to you;
I will make my words known to you.
24 Because I have called and you refused,
have stretched out my hand and no one heeded,
25 and because you have ignored all my counsel
and would have none of my reproof,
26 I also will laugh at your calamity;
I will mock when panic strikes you,
27 when panic strikes you like a storm,
and your calamity comes like a whirlwind,
when distress and anguish come upon you.
28 Then they will call upon me, but I will not answer;
they will seek me diligently, but will not find me.
29 Because they hated knowledge
and did not choose the fear of the Lord,
30 would have none of my counsel,
and despised all my reproof,
31 therefore they shall eat the fruit of their way
and be sated with their own devices.
32 For waywardness kills the simple,
and the complacency of fools destroys them;
33 but those who listen to me will be secure
and will live at ease, without dread of disaster.”
Psalm 19
To the leader. A Psalm of David.
1 The heavens are telling the glory of God;
and the firmament proclaims his handiwork.
2 Day to day pours forth speech,
and night to night declares knowledge.
3 There is no speech, nor are there words;
their voice is not heard;
4 yet their voice goes out through all the earth,
and their words to the end of the world.
In the heavens he has set a tent for the sun,
5 which comes out like a bridegroom from his wedding canopy,
and like a strong man runs its course with joy.
6 Its rising is from the end of the heavens,
and its circuit to the end of them;
and nothing is hid from its heat.
7 The law of the Lord is perfect,
reviving the soul;
the decrees of the Lord are sure,
making wise the simple;
8 the precepts of the Lord are right,
rejoicing the heart;
the commandment of the Lord is clear,
enlightening the eyes;
9 the fear of the Lord is pure,
enduring forever;
the ordinances of the Lord are true
and righteous altogether.
10 More to be desired are they than gold,
even much fine gold;
sweeter also than honey,
and drippings of the honeycomb.
11 Moreover by them is your servant warned;
in keeping them there is great reward.
12 But who can detect their errors?
Clear me from hidden faults.
13 Keep back your servant also from the insolent;
do not let them have dominion over me.
Then I shall be blameless,
and innocent of great transgression.
14 Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart
be acceptable to you,
O Lord, my rock and my redeemer.
James 3:1-12
Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers and sisters, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness. 2 For all of us make many mistakes. Anyone who makes no mistakes in speaking is perfect, able to keep the whole body in check with a bridle. 3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we guide their whole bodies. 4 Or look at ships: though they are so large that it takes strong winds to drive them, yet they are guided by a very small rudder wherever the will of the pilot directs. 5 So also the tongue is a small member, yet it boasts of great exploits.
How great a forest is set ablaze by a small fire! 6 And the tongue is a fire. The tongue is placed among our members as a world of iniquity; it stains the whole body, sets on fire the cycle of nature, and is itself set on fire by hell. 7 For every species of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by the human species, 8 but no one can tame the tongue—a restless evil, full of deadly poison. 9 With it we bless the Lord and Father, and with it we curse those who are made in the likeness of God. 10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring pour forth from the same opening both fresh and brackish water? 12 Can a fig tree, my brothers and sisters, yield olives, or a grapevine figs? No more can salt water yield fresh.
Mark 8:27-3827 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?” 28 And they answered him, “John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29 He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Messiah.” 30 And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.
31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
We Think…
What stands out to you in these verses? Does anything confuse you or not make sense?
How do these verses compare to your own experience in life or in the church? What are you considering? What questions come to mind?
How can creation show us God’s wisdom?
We Feel…
What emotions are you experiencing today? How are you making space for these feelings?
Where have you seen God today or this week? What is pointing you to God (maybe it is something in creation, a friend or adult that cares for you)?
What has God made new in your life? In your heart?
When have you experienced someone using their words to build you up? When have you experienced someone using them to bring harm?
We Believe…
Who do we say that Jesus is? Just like Peter in Mark 8, we believe Jesus is the Messiah - the promised savior! Many believe that Jesus existed as a real human but struggle to affirm that he is God. They think he was a good prophet or a well-known religious teacher, but the gospel writers (and Jesus himself) make it clear that Jesus is more than that. We believe that Jesus is one of the three persons of the Trinity and that he truly is God (alongside God the Father or Creator and God the Holy Spirit). Jesus did a lot of great teachings and pointed towards what was coming, but he also did so much more than just those things. God came down to walk alongside us, to experience life as 100% human (while still being 100% God, I know; the math gets a little funny), and to offer us a way to have a full life through him.
We Practice…
Take time this week to intentionally practice using your words to uplift the people around you. Make a list of people you want to encourage, and then send them a text, give them a call, or tell them this encouragement in person if you can! Notice how they react when you choose to use your words in this way.
Take time to reflect on moments when you struggle to use your words well.
What causes you to lose control in these moments?
What could help you in the future?
Talk to your small group or a trusted adult about this so they can hold you accountable.
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