**Bible Study Discussion Guide: The Power of Words and Kingdom Conversation**
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### Bible Reading
**Numbers 13:26–14:9 (ESV)**
> 26 And they came to Moses and Aaron and to all the congregation of the people of Israel in the wilderness of Paran, at Kadesh. They brought back word to them and to all the congregation, and showed them the fruit of the land.
27 And they told him, “We came to the land to which you sent us. It flows with milk and honey, and this is its fruit.
28 However, the people who dwell in the land are strong, and the cities are fortified and very large. And besides, we saw the descendants of Anak there.
29 The Amalekites dwell in the land of the Negeb. The Hittites, the Jebusites, and the Amorites dwell in the hill country. And the Canaanites dwell by the sea, and along the Jordan.”
30 But Caleb quieted the people before Moses and said, “Let us go up at once and occupy it, for we are well able to overcome it.”
31 Then the men who had gone up with him said, “We are not able to go up against the people, for they are stronger than we are.”
32 So they brought to the people of Israel a bad report of the land that they had spied out, saying, “The land, through which we have gone to spy it out, is a land that devours its inhabitants, and all the people that we saw in it are of great height.
33 And there we saw the Nephilim (the sons of Anak, who come from the Nephilim), and we seemed to ourselves like grasshoppers, and so we seemed to them.”
14:1 Then all the congregation raised a loud cry, and the people wept that night.
2 And all the people of Israel grumbled against Moses and Aaron. The whole congregation said to them, “Would that we had died in the land of Egypt! Or would that we had died in this wilderness!
3 Why is the LORD bringing us into this land, to fall by the sword? Our wives and our little ones will become a prey. Would it not be better for us to go back to Egypt?”
4 And they said to one another, “Let us choose a leader and go back to Egypt.”
5 Then Moses and Aaron fell on their faces before all the assembly of the congregation of the people of Israel.
6 And Joshua the son of Nun and Caleb the son of Jephunneh, who were among those who had spied out the land, tore their clothes
7 and said to all the congregation of the people of Israel, “The land, which we passed through to spy it out, is an exceedingly good land.
8 If the LORD delights in us, he will bring us into this land and give it to us, a land that flows with milk and honey.
9 Only do not rebel against the LORD. And do not fear the people of the land, for they are bread for us. Their protection is removed from them, and the LORD is with us; do not fear them.”
**Proverbs 18:21 (ESV)**
> Death and life are in the power of the tongue, and those who love it will eat its fruits.
**James 3:1–10 (ESV)**
> 1 Not many of you should become teachers, my brothers, for you know that we who teach will be judged with greater strictness.
2 For we all stumble in many ways. And if anyone does not stumble in what he says, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle his whole body.
3 If we put bits into the mouths of horses so that they obey us, we guide their whole bodies as well.
4 Look at the ships also: though they are so large and are driven by strong winds, 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 things. How great a forest is set ablaze by such a small fire!
6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness. The tongue is set among our members, staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of life, and set on fire by hell.
7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and sea creature, can be tamed and has been tamed by mankind,
8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.
9 With it we bless our Lord and Father, and with it we curse people who are made in the likeness of God.
10 From the same mouth come blessing and cursing. My brothers, these things ought not to be so.
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### Observation Questions
- In the story of Israel at the edge of the Promised Land, what was the main difference between Joshua and Caleb’s response and the rest of the spies? ([29:28])
- According to Proverbs 18:21, what is at stake in the way we use our words?
- In James 3, what examples does James use to describe the power of the tongue? ([31:47])
- What did Moses and Aaron do first when the people began to complain and rebel? ([48:57])
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### Interpretation Questions
- Why do you think the words and confession of Joshua and Caleb were so important in determining their future, compared to the rest of Israel? ([29:28])
- The sermon says, “The quality of our life is determined by our words.” How does this idea challenge the way we think about everyday conversations and complaints? ([28:58])
- James says that “no human being can tame the tongue.” What does this mean for someone who wants to change the way they speak? What hope does the sermon offer? ([39:18])
- The pastor mentioned that being “slow to speak” can preserve relationships and keep us out of trouble. Why is it so hard to do this, and what does it reveal about our hearts? ([46:56])
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### Application Questions
- Think about a recent situation where your words either built someone up or tore someone down. What was going on in your heart at that moment, and what would you do differently if you could? ([28:12])
- The sermon challenges us to “speak first to God before responding to others.” Is there a specific relationship or situation in your life where you need to practice this? What would it look like to pray before you speak? ([48:57])
- When you are faced with fear, negativity, or complaint, do you tend to speak out of your emotions or out of faith in God’s promises? How can you begin to align your words with God’s truth, even when circumstances are hard? ([56:17])
- The pastor shared a personal story about struggling with his speech and how God changed him. Is there an area of your speech (gossip, complaining, harshness, sarcasm, etc.) that you want God to transform? What step can you take this week to surrender this to Christ? ([27:16])
- The sermon says, “Spiritual maturity is revealed in speech.” What is one practical way you can be “slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to become angry” in your home, work, or church this week? ([32:46])
- Joshua and Caleb spoke God’s promises even when others were negative. Who in your life needs to hear words of faith and encouragement from you right now? How can you intentionally speak life to them this week? ([53:02])
- The pastor said, “No one can master their speech by willpower or self-discipline alone.” Have you tried to change your speech in your own strength before? What would it look like to invite the Holy Spirit to help you in this area? ([39:18])
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