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Going Deeper with Our Words: Lectio Divina Bible Study-Week 3
For the month of August, we are excited to begin a 5-week sermon series titled Words Matter. Throughout this series, we will dive into the New Testament Book of James. This small book, reflecting wisdom from Proverbs and Jesus' teachings known as the Sermon on the Mount, repeatedly addresses how we as believers communicate with God, with one another, and with the world around us. Together, we’ll examine common communication hurdles and discover practical, Christ-centered wisdom for our everyday speech. Along the way, we’ll also integrate helpful communication tools inspired by Jefferson Fisher’s book, The Next Conversation: Argue Less, Talk More.
For Week 3 of our series, Words Matter, our spiritual homework was to go deeper into James 3, reading the passage using the ancient Christian practice of Lectio Divina (click button below for guide).
So, how did you do with reading James 3? In what ways did the Holy Spirit speak to you through the text?
This week, our Conversation Challenge was this: Always respond, never react. Your tone communicates as much as your vocabulary. A calm tone reflects wisdom rather than impulse.
When emotions are heightened, our nervous system responds in-kind; blood pressure rises, the heart begins to beat more rapidly, we may feel a pit in our stomach, our breathing can become shallow, we may feel a lump in our throat, and our thoughts can begin to move really fast. That’s a whole lot going on with our bodies! And before you know it, hurtful words spill out that we wish could take back.
This is why pausing is important. That old “take a deep breath and count to ten” is a step to help keep our hearts and mouths in check. Taking it further, deep, intentional breathing settles the nervous system which in turn helps to relax the body, mind, and spirit. With God’s breath, humans became an animated physical being with a spiritual nature (Genesis 2:7). Our breath not only sustains us in this physical body but is also miraculous.
You don’t have to wait until tempers erupt to practice intentional breathing. Try it when you awake in the morning, during your prayer time, when walking, reading your Bible, before you send that email or text, make that call, whenever…and notice how your body and spirit respond.
Jesus modeled intentionality for us; with His words, His tone, and with His presence. He didn’t allow confrontation, confusion, or conflict to determine His response. He was firm, truthful, and compassionate without beating anyone down with His words or tone. Even in His pause, Jesus’s presence was felt. His authority was calm in the boat with the disciples during the storm (Matthew 8:23–27, Mark 4:35–41, and Luke 8:22–25). Jesus led with love. He became God’s love for us. He is love.
A calm tone is a reflection of the fruit of the Spirit.
“But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control. There is no law against things like this.” Galatians 5:22-23 CEB
Was there a situation that came up for you this week in which you made the effort to pause and be mindful of your tone before responding? Verbally and in written word? How did you feel? Is there anything that you would have said or done differently?
Prayer: Gracious God, thank you that we made it through another week. As we reflect on James 3, we are reminded that our words carry power and so does the way we deliver them. Thank You for those times when Your Spirit invited us to pause before speaking, to listen before responding, and to choose wisdom over impulse. Forgive us for the times our reactions were quicker than our discernment, and our tone said more than our words intended. Holy Spirit, lead us in reaching out to repair relationships where we have caused harm.
Give us the wisdom to know when to speak, the humility to listen, and the self-control to remain calm when emotions rise. Holy Spirit, keep working on our hearts before You work through our mouths. Let us surrender to self-control, a fruit of the Spirit. Let our conversations bring healing rather than harm, understanding rather than division, and grace rather than judgment. May our words and the way we speak them reflect who we are becoming in You. In Jesus’s name, Amen.
Join us in practicing to be doers of the word!
Words Matter Lectio Divina Bible Study & Practice: Click HERE to download our Words Matter sermon series Lectio Divina weekly bible study and practice.
Words Matter Sermon Series Replays: Words matter. Catch the series on YouTube and discover the power of what you say.
Grace and Peace,
Rev. Charisse Jones
Director, Office of Communications
St. Andrew's UMC-Brandon
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