Youth 4th quarter 2024
December 1, 2024
MAIN TEXT
“A word fitly spoken is like apples of gold in settings of silver.” (Prov. 25:11)
LESSON SUMMARY
Speech accompanied by gentleness, pleasantness, and temperance reveals wisdom that comes from above.
WEEKLY READING
MONDAY – Mt 5.9 Using language in a soft and gentle manner
TUESDAY – James 3:3-5 Appropriate language
WEDNESDAY – Mark 7:20-23 Language consistent with action
THURSDAY – CI 4.6 Words seasoned with salt
FRIDAY – Jas 1.19 Quick to listen and slow to speak
SATURDAY – Mt 23.1-3 Our living should reveal our speech
OBJECTIVES:
TO SHOW the differences between the mouth of a fool and that of a wise person;
TO RECOGNIZE the characteristics of a foolish person’s language;
TO BECOME AWARE of the need to protect one’s tongue.
INTERACTION
Teacher, in this lesson, we will study, according to the book of Proverbs, the wise way to use our mouth. What we say says a lot about who we are. We live in difficult times and we need, more than ever, to learn to guard our tongue. Through this small organ of our body, we can bless and edify the lives of many, but we can also hurt and even “kill”, including ourselves. Ask the Lord to grant you and your students wisdom to have a sound, irreproachable and edifying language. Protecting the mouth is as important as guarding the heart, because the mouth speaks from what the heart is full of. May we seek wisdom from above, taking care of our tongue, always seeking to glorify the Lord in everything. Remember: the way you speak to your students reveals what you think, feel and desire.
TEACHING GUIDANCE
Teacher, reproduce the table below on the board and see, together with the students, when our speech is motivated by God and when it is motivated by the Devil.
| WHEN SPEECH IS MOTIVATED BY GOD | WHEN SPEECH IS MOTIVATED BY THE DEVIL |
| Pureza | Bitter jealousy |
| Peace | selfish ambition |
| Consideration for others | Concern and earthly environments |
| Submission | Non-spiritual thoughts and ideas |
| Compassion | Disorder |
| Sincerity, impartiality | Males |
| Kindness | Sadness and pain |
BIBLE TEXT
Proverbs 10.11-14; 15.1-4,7,14; 17.27,28.
Proverbs 10
11 The mouth of the righteous is a well of life, but violence covers the mouth of the wicked.
12 Hatred stirs up strife, but love covers all transgressions.
13 Wisdom is found on the lips of the wise, but a rod is for the back of one void of understanding.
14 Wise men hide wisdom, but the mouth of fools brings destruction.
Proverbs 15
1 A soft answer turns away wrath, but harsh words stir up anger.
2 The tongue of the wise adorns wisdom, but the mouth of fools pours out folly.
3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
4 A wholesome tongue is a tree of life, but perverseness in it breaks the spirit.
7 The lips of the wise will pour out knowledge, but the heart of fools will not do so.
14 The wise heart will seek knowledge, but the mouth of fools will feed on folly.
Proverbs 17
27 He who has knowledge restrains his words, and a man of understanding is of a precious spirit.
28 Even a fool, when he keeps silent, is considered wise; and he who closes his lips is wise.
INTRODUCTION
In this lesson, we will study what the Word of God teaches us about the way we use our mouth. What we say to another person says a lot about who we are, which is why the Bible gives great importance to the way we should speak to others. Yes, there is great biblical teaching that aims to teach us how to proceed with our tongue. Through it, we can bless and edify the lives of those around us, but we can also bring irreparable harm, including to ourselves. May God give us wisdom to speak in His name.
I- THE MOUTH OF THE WISE AND THE MOUTH OF THE FOOL
1- The way of speaking of the wise and the foolish. Chapter 10 of Proverbs presents a contrast between the wise and the foolish. Verses 11 to 14 present the most specific contrast between the wise and the foolish way of speaking. For example, while the fool speaks undisciplined, earthly and contentiously, the wise speaks disciplined, heavenly speech that promotes life (Prov 10:11). Therefore, it is proper for the wise to tolerate slander and forgive those who do them harm (Prov 10:12), but the foolish do not forgive. Quite the contrary, they become inflamed and produce vile words that set the environment on fire and lead to confusion (Prov 10:13, 14).2- What do the lips speak and the heart seek? Chapter 15 of Proverbs, specifically verses 1 to 20, shows what the tongue of the wise is like. First, a gentle word from the lips of the wise will turn away wrath (v. 1). This word reveals a humble, more tender spirit, which is why the language of the wise is always adorned with wisdom, thoughtfulness, and good sense, while the tongue of the fool is full of anger and foolishness (v. 2). In this way, the eyes of the Lord see both the evil and the good, especially the way we use language (v. 3). So, knowing that God sees them, the wise pour out knowledge through their language, because their hearts sincerely seek wisdom; and unlike the wise, the fool pours out foolishness and crookedness through their language, because their hearts are completely indifferent to the search for what is good for the soul and elevates thought (v. 7, 14).
3- It is possible to control the tongue. Proverbs 17:27, 28 shows us the value of thoughtful, disciplined, and careful speech. Knowing how to keep quiet, especially in this present century, is one of the most important disciplines for those who seek to develop a gentle, mild, and peaceful spirit (Matthew 5:9). That is why the wise man says: “He holds fast his words” (v. 27). Thus, it is part of the language of a person with good understanding to use the tongue at the right time and in the right environment, because this is related to a precious spirit (v. 27). And the practice of keeping quiet is so “powerful” that even a fool is considered wise if he does so (v. 28). Knowing how to use language appropriately is an act of wisdom (James 3:3-5).
THINK!
The wise man's way of speaking is thoughtful, disciplined and polite.
IMPORTANT POINT!
The speech of a fool is inflammatory, destructive, and blatant.
TEACHER 1
Teacher, explain to your students that Solomon had much to say about what we say. In fact, tongue, mouth, lips, and words appear approximately 150 times in the book of Proverbs. On average, a reference to speech appears five times in each of the thirty-one chapters. This strikes me as a subject that often requires additional attention in examining the book of Proverbs. You may recognize that this is a contrastive copy: it mentions “wise men” in contrast to “fools.” Interestingly, both types of people reveal themselves to others by the way they use their tongues. You and I can see, of course, that the problem is not in the mouth but in the heart of the person, deep within us. Jesus taught, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Just as a bucket draws water from a well, so the tongue dips in and draws forth whatever is filling the heart. If the well is clean, that is what the tongue conveys. If it is contaminated, the tongue will make it known.”
(Adapted from SWINDOLL, Charles R. Living Proverbs. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2013. p. 83.)
2- The tongue of the fool. The texts we studied reveal the language of the fool as words that, instead of building, destroy; instead of encouraging meekness, they stimulate anger; instead of bringing peace, they produce violence; instead of encouraging prudence and good sense, they stimulate foolishness and uncontrolled action. Therefore, in the Letter of James, the tongue is presented as being full of “deadly poison,” that is, poison, malice, and perversity (James 3:8). Now, the tongue has an immense capacity to cause harm to people. Therefore, it is up to those who seek wisdom from above to be fully aware of the harm that can be caused to others through the misuse of speech.
3- What happens when we communicate foolishly? When we communicate something, we address someone or communicate about someone. This means that the other person is before our speech. We communicate to someone who is before us. This is why our Lord said that whoever called a brother “fool,” as an act coming from anger or rage, would be arrested and held in judgment (Matthew 5:22). This is because, through words, we can sadden or hurt another person; Through words, we can create a heavy, dark and unbearable environment: through words, people can become sick and fragile. However, through words, all of this can happen in the opposite way, starting by living seriously what the apostle Paul advises in his letter: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col 4:6).
THINK!
TEACHER 1
Teacher, explain to your students that Solomon had much to say about what we say. In fact, tongue, mouth, lips, and words appear approximately 150 times in the book of Proverbs. On average, a reference to speech appears five times in each of the thirty-one chapters. This strikes me as a subject that often requires additional attention in examining the book of Proverbs. You may recognize that this is a contrastive copy: it mentions “wise men” in contrast to “fools.” Interestingly, both types of people reveal themselves to others by the way they use their tongues. You and I can see, of course, that the problem is not in the mouth but in the heart of the person, deep within us. Jesus taught, “A good man out of the good treasure of his heart brings forth that which is good; and an evil man out of the evil treasure of his heart brings forth that which is evil. For out of the abundance of the heart his mouth speaks” (Luke 6:45). Just as a bucket draws water from a well, so the tongue dips in and draws forth whatever is filling the heart. If the well is clean, that is what the tongue conveys. If it is contaminated, the tongue will make it known.”
(Adapted from SWINDOLL, Charles R. Living Proverbs. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2013. p. 83.)
II- THE LANGUAGE OF A FOOLISH PERSON
1- What does language reveal? The texts we meditated on (Prov 10; 15; 17) in the previous topic make a clear contrast between the language of the wise and that of the fool. The Word of God shows us that the language we express reveals what is inside, on the inside, that is, it reveals what we are thinking, feeling and desiring (Mark 7.20-23). This fact can be seen in the discussion about the functions of a language in which “the communication of thought” is revealed as a basic function. Therefore, when a person is foolish, he reveals himself through language, whether in verbal or non-verbal manifestations.2- The tongue of the fool. The texts we studied reveal the language of the fool as words that, instead of building, destroy; instead of encouraging meekness, they stimulate anger; instead of bringing peace, they produce violence; instead of encouraging prudence and good sense, they stimulate foolishness and uncontrolled action. Therefore, in the Letter of James, the tongue is presented as being full of “deadly poison,” that is, poison, malice, and perversity (James 3:8). Now, the tongue has an immense capacity to cause harm to people. Therefore, it is up to those who seek wisdom from above to be fully aware of the harm that can be caused to others through the misuse of speech.
3- What happens when we communicate foolishly? When we communicate something, we address someone or communicate about someone. This means that the other person is before our speech. We communicate to someone who is before us. This is why our Lord said that whoever called a brother “fool,” as an act coming from anger or rage, would be arrested and held in judgment (Matthew 5:22). This is because, through words, we can sadden or hurt another person; Through words, we can create a heavy, dark and unbearable environment: through words, people can become sick and fragile. However, through words, all of this can happen in the opposite way, starting by living seriously what the apostle Paul advises in his letter: “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Col 4:6).
THINK!
What does the fool express in words?
IMPORTANT POINT!
The fool expresses in words what dominates his thoughts, feelings and desires.
SUBSIDY 2
“Verbiage is the habit of talking too much while saying too little. People who are verbose usually feel compelled to comment on anything and everything, either because they fear silence or because they sincerely believe that meaningless conversation is better than none at all. So they fill the blessed silence with empty talk. They interrupt without hesitation. They speak first and think later… if they think at all! And with all that they talk, they do not listen. Some years ago I discovered that it is practically impossible to learn anything while I am talking. This is certainly true of anyone. So instead of filling a conversational void with unnecessary chatter, use the time you have with others to listen well, to understand more about them. Ask open-ended questions until you find a topic that excites them. Very often, the conversation will take a significant turn when people describe their field of interest and explain why they find it exciting and stimulating. As they allow you into their world, you will have the opportunity to learn and gain insight into some area of their knowledge and experience. After a while, you will not have merely conversed; you will have connected. We hope that the examination we are doing about the tongue will encourage you to exercise greater control over this powerful muscle in your mouth.” (Adapted from SWINDOLL, Charles R. Living Proverbs. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2013. p. 83.)
2- The relationship between speaking and listening in the wise. In James it is written: “This you must know, my beloved brothers: but let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to become angry” (James 1:19). One of the characteristics of a wise person is knowing how to listen. This listening is not about passive listening, just for “politeness,” but active, present and conscious listening. Before speaking, we need to listen in order to correctly interpret what is being communicated to us. In a distracted age like ours, many speak without listening. When we speak without listening, there is noise in communication. Thus, we run the risk of being misinterpreted. Misunderstandings arise from the unwillingness of many to listen in order to understand. Humility is needed for this. Thus, a wise person is always ready to listen and understand; they only speak after they are completely sure that they have understood. Listening and speaking are essential movements for good communication.
3- The speech and actions of the wise. It is possible that our speech is correct, holy, just and good, but that is not enough. Our Lord showed that it is not enough to just give a speech, but we must live it (Mt 23.1-3). Here is our great challenge to act wisely: to say what is holy, just and good and, at the same time, to practice what is holy, just and good. In this perspective, we are called by the Word of God to present a speech that glorifies the Lord and that is fully consistent with what we believe and do. Therefore, let us be careful to speak pleasantly (Col 4.6), with gentleness and temperance (1 Pet 3.15), so that our actions reveal our temperance, pleasantness and gentleness in Christ.
THINK!
SUBSIDY 2
“Verbiage is the habit of talking too much while saying too little. People who are verbose usually feel compelled to comment on anything and everything, either because they fear silence or because they sincerely believe that meaningless conversation is better than none at all. So they fill the blessed silence with empty talk. They interrupt without hesitation. They speak first and think later… if they think at all! And with all that they talk, they do not listen. Some years ago I discovered that it is practically impossible to learn anything while I am talking. This is certainly true of anyone. So instead of filling a conversational void with unnecessary chatter, use the time you have with others to listen well, to understand more about them. Ask open-ended questions until you find a topic that excites them. Very often, the conversation will take a significant turn when people describe their field of interest and explain why they find it exciting and stimulating. As they allow you into their world, you will have the opportunity to learn and gain insight into some area of their knowledge and experience. After a while, you will not have merely conversed; you will have connected. We hope that the examination we are doing about the tongue will encourage you to exercise greater control over this powerful muscle in your mouth.” (Adapted from SWINDOLL, Charles R. Living Proverbs. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2013. p. 83.)
III- PROTECTING THE LANGUAGE OF A WISE PERSON
1- The speech of the wise. Our society is marked by people who speak in an uncommitted manner. They say one thing and do another. They think one thing and feel another; in other words, they are completely out of step and disorganized. One of the characteristics of Christian wisdom that we find in the chapters of Proverbs under study is that the speech of the Christian must be fully consistent with what he thinks and does (Prov 10:11; 15:4; 17:27). Our Lord was like this, because what he taught could be seen in his actions (Matthew 7:29). Thus, what gives authority to a wise person is not only his speech, but whether his actions are in full agreement with what he says. It is the virtuous Word, combined with virtuous action, that will make the believer a wise person. The wise young man will be tested and proven in his actions with what he says (James 2:18).2- The relationship between speaking and listening in the wise. In James it is written: “This you must know, my beloved brothers: but let everyone be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to become angry” (James 1:19). One of the characteristics of a wise person is knowing how to listen. This listening is not about passive listening, just for “politeness,” but active, present and conscious listening. Before speaking, we need to listen in order to correctly interpret what is being communicated to us. In a distracted age like ours, many speak without listening. When we speak without listening, there is noise in communication. Thus, we run the risk of being misinterpreted. Misunderstandings arise from the unwillingness of many to listen in order to understand. Humility is needed for this. Thus, a wise person is always ready to listen and understand; they only speak after they are completely sure that they have understood. Listening and speaking are essential movements for good communication.
3- The speech and actions of the wise. It is possible that our speech is correct, holy, just and good, but that is not enough. Our Lord showed that it is not enough to just give a speech, but we must live it (Mt 23.1-3). Here is our great challenge to act wisely: to say what is holy, just and good and, at the same time, to practice what is holy, just and good. In this perspective, we are called by the Word of God to present a speech that glorifies the Lord and that is fully consistent with what we believe and do. Therefore, let us be careful to speak pleasantly (Col 4.6), with gentleness and temperance (1 Pet 3.15), so that our actions reveal our temperance, pleasantness and gentleness in Christ.
THINK!
May our words always be seasoned with salt!
IMPORTANT POINT!
That our words reveal a gracious, gentle, and temperate character.
SUBSIDY 3
“As James 3:2 states, ‘For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.’ In other words, a controlled tongue is the mark of maturity. Given this, few can truly be called ‘mature’ and wise. Learning how to use words constructively, rather than allowing our tongue to create chaos in our communities and relationships, is an ongoing challenge. Fortunately, the tongue can become a wonderful instrument of grace, peace, love, and kindness. Let’s focus on the positive use of words, allowing Solomon’s sayings to add some oil to the daily gears of an uncontrolled tongue.”
(Adapted from SWINDOLL. Charles R. Living Proverbs. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2013. p. 83.)
TEACHER, “even the purpose of salvation brought by Jesus includes the sanctification of those who are saved by the gospel. Jesus not only sanctified himself to exercise his ministry in this world, but he also showed us the path through which sanctification would occur in our lives: through his Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit in us” (COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Pattern for Christian Life: Walking According to the Teachings of the Holy Scriptures. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024).
CONCLUSION
In this week’s lesson, we will study about protecting the mouth. We saw that the mouth speaks from what the heart is full of. Those who show themselves to be foolish, their language also presents itself to the public in a senseless, uncontrolled and insensitive way. Those who seek wisdom from above must be careful with their tongue, always seeking to glorify the Lord in everything. The way we speak reveals what we think, feel and desire.
TIME FOR REVIEW
1- What does chapter 10 of Proverbs bring?
Chapter 10 of Proverbs brings a contrast between the wise and the foolish.
SUBSIDY 3
“As James 3:2 states, ‘For we all stumble in many ways. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body.’ In other words, a controlled tongue is the mark of maturity. Given this, few can truly be called ‘mature’ and wise. Learning how to use words constructively, rather than allowing our tongue to create chaos in our communities and relationships, is an ongoing challenge. Fortunately, the tongue can become a wonderful instrument of grace, peace, love, and kindness. Let’s focus on the positive use of words, allowing Solomon’s sayings to add some oil to the daily gears of an uncontrolled tongue.”
(Adapted from SWINDOLL. Charles R. Living Proverbs. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2013. p. 83.)
TEACHER, “even the purpose of salvation brought by Jesus includes the sanctification of those who are saved by the gospel. Jesus not only sanctified himself to exercise his ministry in this world, but he also showed us the path through which sanctification would occur in our lives: through his Word and the presence of the Holy Spirit in us” (COELHO, Alexandre. The Biblical Pattern for Christian Life: Walking According to the Teachings of the Holy Scriptures. Rio de Janeiro: CPAD, 2024).
CONCLUSION
In this week’s lesson, we will study about protecting the mouth. We saw that the mouth speaks from what the heart is full of. Those who show themselves to be foolish, their language also presents itself to the public in a senseless, uncontrolled and insensitive way. Those who seek wisdom from above must be careful with their tongue, always seeking to glorify the Lord in everything. The way we speak reveals what we think, feel and desire.
TIME FOR REVIEW
1- What does chapter 10 of Proverbs bring?
Chapter 10 of Proverbs brings a contrast between the wise and the foolish.
2- What is part of the language of a person of good understanding?
It is part of the language of a person of good understanding to use the tongue at the right time, in the appropriate environment, because this is part of a precious spirit (v.27).
It is part of the language of a person of good understanding to use the tongue at the right time, in the appropriate environment, because this is part of a precious spirit (v.27).
3- How is the tongue presented in James?
In the Letter of James, the tongue is presented as full of “deadly poison,” that is, poison, malice and perversity (James 3:8).
In the Letter of James, the tongue is presented as full of “deadly poison,” that is, poison, malice and perversity (James 3:8).
4- According to the lesson, how is our society marked?
Our society is marked by people who speak in an uncommitted way.
Our society is marked by people who speak in an uncommitted way.
5- Why is it not enough to just have a holy, just and good speech?
Our Lord showed that it is not enough to make a speech, but it is necessary to live it (Mt 23.1-3).
Our Lord showed that it is not enough to make a speech, but it is necessary to live it (Mt 23.1-3).
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