March 8

Sermon Outline

Text: James 1:19–21

Title: Receiving the Word

1. Because God has spoken, you should be swift to hear (v. 19a)

·       God has spoken through His Word.

·       Believers must approach Scripture with eagerness, humility, and attentiveness.

·       Listening to God shapes how we listen to others.

2. Because words have moral weight, you should be slow to speak (v. 19b)

·       Words carry moral and spiritual weight.

·       Wise believers restrain their speech and think before responding.

·       Listening first produces wiser, more Christlike communication.

3. Because human anger can't produce righteousness, you should be slow to anger (vv. 19c–21)

·       Human anger does not produce God’s righteousness.

·       Sin and moral “filth” must be put away in order to receive God’s Word.

·       The implanted Word transforms believers as they receive it with meekness.

Small Group Discussion Guide

1. Listening to God First

James 1:19
“Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath.”

Question:
What does it practically look like to be “swift to hear” when it comes to God’s Word in your daily life?

2. Guarding Against Spiritual Dullness

Hebrews 5:11
“Of whom we have many things to say, and hard to be uttered, seeing ye are dull of hearing.”

Question:
In what ways can Christians become “dull of hearing,” and how can we guard against spiritual dullness?

3. Listening Before Speaking

Proverbs 18:13
“He that answereth a matter before he heareth it, it is folly and shame unto him.”

Question:
Why is listening before speaking an important mark of wisdom in relationships?

4. The Accountability of Words

Matthew 12:36
“But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment.”

Question:
How does knowing we will give account for every careless word change the way we speak?

5. Wisdom in Fewer Words

Proverbs 10:19
“In the multitude of words there wanteth not sin: but he that refraineth his lips is wise.”

Question:
What are some situations where speaking less might actually reflect greater wisdom?

6. Why Anger Fails to Produce Righteousness

James 1:20
“For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.”

Question:
Why does human anger fail to produce the righteousness that God desires?

7. Examining the Source of Anger

Genesis 4:6
“And the LORD said unto Cain, Why art thou wroth? and why is thy countenance fallen?”

Question:
When anger rises in your heart, what questions should you ask yourself about its root?

8. Removing Spiritual Filth

James 1:21
“Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.”

Question:
What kinds of sinful habits or influences can prevent us from truly receiving God’s Word?

9. Learning Humble Teachability

Psalm 25:9
“The meek will he guide in judgment: and the meek will he teach his way.”

Question:
Why is humility necessary if we want God’s Word to truly shape our lives?

10. Cultivating Hunger for God

Psalm 42:1
“As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after thee, O God.”

Question:
What practical steps can help cultivate a deeper hunger for God’s Word this week?