As discussed earlier in our series on James, we know Jesus had a family just like we do. James was His brother. While Divine in nature, Jesus still had to go through the process of growing and maturing. He had to learn to walk and talk, to understand the right way to act, and to navigate the complexities of human relationships. Sometimes we overlook the natural process He went through.
Read: Luke 2:41-52. Write what it says about Jesus in verse 52.
So it’s no wonder James struggled with Jesus’ Divinity. He watched his brother grow up as he did in almost every way. It’s because of this that he wrote such a relatable book from which we can learn.
Read: James 3:2-12. What does it say can never be tamed by a human being?
In James 3, we find some wisdom for how we speak. But it’s not just about how we speak to one another; it tells of the impact our words have on our children. Whether a mother, father, adoptive parent, bonus parent, one who hopes to be a parent some day, or someone who works with kids, what we say shapes who our children believe they can be and who they become.
It’s a challenging time we’re living in with the ability to communicate always at our fingertips, but every generation has had its challenges. Remarkably, each of those generations has risen to the challenge and is equipped to face it. Every new generation is a signal from heaven that God has not finished, nor given up on us. There are people who have yet to hear the glorious news of the gospel, ground to be taken for the Kingdom, a need for all that we know to be applied to bring that news to a hurt, dying, and godless world; and it starts in our homes.
There is no greater responsibility of a parent, in the process of stewarding a child’s life, than to usher that child into the Kingdom of God. Correction and direction are important; they’re part of nurturing a child through the process of growth and transforming the knowledge into wisdom. The challenge in stewarding principles is understanding that those lessons are more caught than taught. We must lead by example and by consistently living a life that acknowledges a relationship with a very relational God.
Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, by deeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. —James 3:13 NIV
Proverbs 18:21 tells us that death and life are in the power of the tongue. Are we using our tongues to build up our children and those around us or are we tearing them down? Let’s start speaking words of love, blessing, and praise over them today.
Journal: After listening to this week’s message from our series on James, share how you can improve the way that you speak to either your children, spouse, or someone in your life.
Activation: Begin praying prayers of blessing over your children’s lives by inserting their names in scripture [See Prayer]. If you are not a parent, pray this way over your spouse, parents, or others in your life.
Prayer: Use these scriptures to pray over those in your life.
You are loved.
For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. —John 3:16 NIV
You are forgiven.
If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. —1 John 1:9 NIV
You are His workmanship.
For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do. —Ephesians 2:10 NIV
You are never alone.
…And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age. —Matthew 28:20 NIV
You are chosen.
or you are receiving the end result of your faith, the salvation of your souls. —1 Peter 1:9 NIV
You are protected from the evil one.
But the Lord is faithful, and he will strengthen you and protect you from the evil one. —2 Thessalonians 3:3 NIV