A Disciplined Faith Lesson 11 Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock A Disciplined Faith Lesson 11

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Introduction A. Chemistry, Character, or Something Else? B. Lesson Background

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Self-Control? Theologian Francis Schaeffer once argued that a certain X-rated movie was essential viewing for Christians! He noted that a world in which morality was forced on lawbreakers with drugs and psychological manipulation was the theme of Stanley Kubrick’s A Clockwork Orange (1971). Right and wrong were made irrelevant! tem number: 477249370 Collection: Mykhailo Ridkous / iStock / Thinkstock® Graphic: Mykhailo Ridkous / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Self-Control? In recent years, advocates of the “It’s not your character; it’s your chemistry” school of thought have emerged. Most addictions, they say, are caused by a deficiency in dopamine, a natural "feel-good" brain chemical. Changing one’s chemistry rather than building one’s character has become a preferred treatment for actions once simply considered to be bad behavior. Click to add notes Graphic: Mykhailo Ridkous / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Self-Control? The issue is complicated, and there is evidence for each position in various contexts. But the idea that behavioral issues do not stem from a lack of learned self-control tends to lessen responsibility for doing or saying what we should not. James points to a much deeper cause. Click to add notes Graphic: Mykhailo Ridkous / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline I. Lack of Control (James 3:1-5a) A. Issue of Qualification (vv. 1, 2) B. Issue of Relative Size (vv. 3-5a)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Dear James The epistle of James offers such practical advice that it reminds us of those who write present-day advice columns. Read the following hypothetical letters to James and portions of today’s text, and then try to answer the questions as you believe James would. tem number: 492727546 Collection: vectorbuttons / iStock/ Thinkstock® Graphic: vectorbuttons / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Dear James Dear James, I want to serve the Lord as a teacher. I really have my life together and would be a great Christian leader. What do you think? Signed, Ahltellya Whattothink Have James respond with ideas from James 3:1-5a. Graphic: vectorbuttons / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Dear James Ahltellya What, Be careful! Presenting yourself as a perfect person is an invitation for others to point out where you are not. A perfect person has perfectly controlled behavior. Graphic: vectorbuttons / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Dear James Let’s look at behavior that only you can control​—your speech. I have yet to meet anyone who is not tripped up by his or her own words now and then. Graphic: vectorbuttons / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What safeguards can we adopt to protect friendships from the negative effects of boasting? Talking Points for Your Discussion In terms of attitudes In terms of prayer In distinguishing between godly and ungodly boasting (2 Corinthians 10:12-18) Considering the warning of Psalm 12:3, 4 11

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline II. Result of Failure (James 3:5b-8) A. It Burns (vv. 5b, 6) B. It Poisons (vv. 7, 8)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Dear James Dear James, My life slogan is “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” Not bad, huh? Signed, Ryno Hyde Have James respond with ideas from James 3:5b-8. Graphic: vectorbuttons / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Dear James Dear Ryno, Not bad—TERRIBLE! Words poison relationships, topple governments, and destroy people from the inside out. History is often witness to the fact that it is words that lead to “sticks and stones.” Graphic: vectorbuttons / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How do (or should) methods of reconciliation change, if at all, after damage caused by the tongue becomes enormous? Talking Points for Your Discussion In the workplace In family life In the church Other 15

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What counsel would you offer someone who is looking for help to tame his or her tongue? Talking Points for Your Discussion In terms of spiritual disciplines to practice In terms of friendships to cultivate and avoid In terms of biblically sound resources Other 16

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline III. Lack of Consistency (James 3:9-12) A. Problem Observed (vv. 9, 10) B. Problem Illustrated (vv. 11, 12)

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Dear James Dear James, I love Jesus through and through, but people at work don’t get it. How can I get them to see the real me? Signed, Miss Understood Have James respond with ideas from James 3:9-12. Graphic: vectorbuttons / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Dear James Dear Miss, Maybe they ARE seeing the real you! Think about it. How much “Jesus talk” does it take to counteract those angry words to a colleague or that bit of gossip you passed along? Graphic: vectorbuttons / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Dear James Just as an apple tree can only produce apples, the one controlled by the Spirit does not spew ungodly words. Concentrate on who controls you, not on how good you think you are! Graphic: vectorbuttons / iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? What specific steps can we take to uphold the image of God in others when we’re tempted to vilify them instead? Talking Points for Your Discussion Regarding those of differing political views Regarding those of differing doctrinal views Regarding those who have vilified us 21

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock What Do You Think? How do you go about using your tongue in a way that you would want others to emulate? Talking Points for Your Discussion When around unbelievers When around fellow believers 22

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Lesson Outline Conclusion A. Think Twice Before Hitting “Send” B. Prayer C. Thought to Remember

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock God’s Return Policy Have you ever bought something you really didn’t need or want? How easy was it to get the store to take it back? When we “buy in” to a “do-it-myself” life, we often get something we don’t want! But God has a great return policy. 598674140 ShamClickAddict / iStock / Thinkstock® Graphic: ShamClickAddict/ iStock / Thinkstock®

Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock God’s Return Policy God wants us to exchange our self-control with the control of His Spirit. Why not ask God to help you make some of the following exchanges? Exchanging worry with prayer Exchanging thoughts of revenge with love for an enemy Exchanging financial woes with gratitude for what you have Graphic: ShamClickAddict/ iStock / Thinkstock®

Horizontal Visual Display this visual as you close in prayer.

Thought to Remember Problems of the tongue are problems of the heart. Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Thought to Remember Problems of the tongue are problems of the heart.

FAITHFUL DISCIPLES Next Week’s Lesson Copyright © 2017 Standard Publishing, part of the David C Cook family, Colorado Springs, Colorado 80918 All rights reserved. Photo: © joebelanger | iStock Next Week’s Lesson FAITHFUL DISCIPLES