Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events):

ALL LOCATIONS:

Life Group Leader Training Session on Monday, October 21 at 5:45 online.  Here is the link for your apprentices ready to leade a group: Life Group Leader Training

NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS

WE NEED MORE TRUNKS! 

LETS MAKE THIS FUN AND ENGAGING FOR OUR COMMUNITY!  YOU NEVER KNOW WHO WE WILL REACH!  THERE WILL BE A PRIZE FOR BEST DECORATED TRUNK!

TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 26, 11:00a to 1:00p: REGISTRATIONS FOR TRUNKS IN NA AND WOONSOCKET ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR EVENTS PAGE.   GET WITH YOUR GROUP AND COME UP WITH A THEME (NO SCARY STUFF PLEASE) AND DECORATE YOURSELF AND YOUR TRUNK!  BRING LOTS OF CANDY TO GIVE OUT TO THE LITTLES!  

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COMEDY SHOW CANCELED: Smokin’ Hot Life Tour feat. Jaron Myers & Shama Mrema

Please get your refund at our Merch Shop.  Sorry for the inconvenience.

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Reminders:

✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well.  This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!

Waters Class Schedule:

• 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
• 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
• 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
• 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service

Waters Help: Need marriage and family care  or have a group member in need of marriage and family care?   Click here:  help resources page  or visit waterschurch.org/help

Location Text Alerts:

LEADER: PLEASE NOT EACH POINT HAS A PRACTICAL APPLICATION TO SHARE WITH YOUR GROUP AND 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS AT THE END OF THE STUDY.

Key Verse: James 3

Ice Breaker:

Q. What’s the most unusual food you’ve ever eaten, and would you eat it again?

Opening Prayer:

“Lord, we come before You today, asking for Your guidance and wisdom. Help us understand the power of our words, to use them wisely and in a way that builds up rather than tears down. Speak to our hearts as we dive into Your Word, and help us leave here changed for the better. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”

We are all carrying around a concealed weapon.  The weapon is our tongue.

It is dangerous, especially for those who preach.

James 3:1-2 ESV

Psalm 14:13 ESV; Proverbs 21:23 ESV

James describes the tongue (our speech) in colorful analogies throughout creation. He uses six analogies:

Bit, Rudder, Fire, Untamed animal, Spring, and Tree.

These can be split into three categories:

The Potential, The Problem, and The Prescription.

The Potential:

1. My Tongue Determines the Course of My Life

A. The tongue as a Bit – Directs my moments.

James 3:3 (ESV)

• A Short word can Determine a Day of my Life.

Proverbs 15:1 (ESV)

Words like “I’m sorry, I messed up “can end tension in a relationship. Words like “I really like that sweater” could start a romantic relationship that leads to marital bliss. Words like “I believe in you” could prepare your child for great things. 

– A Stupid word can Destroy a Day in my Life.

Proverbs 12:18 (ESV)

Words like, “Why can’t you be more like….” can destroy your child’s confidence. Words like, “You  ALWAYS let me down!”… can ruin your marriage.  Words like “Go to hell” put your soul in danger! 

Matthew 5:22 (ESV)

B. The Tongue is a Rudder – Determines my future.

James 3:4 (ESV)

James speaks here about another small device that determines course. But in the case of a large ship, the effect takes much longer to see. 

1 Peter 3:10 ESV

WORDS CHANGE WORLDS.

Ephesians 4:29 (ESV); Matthew 112:36-37 (ESV)

Q. Can you think of a time when a word or phrase you said or someone said changed the direction of your day or even your Life?

Practical Application:

This week, make a conscious effort to speak positively in every situation, especially when faced with difficult conversations. Reflect on how this influences your relationships and outcomes.

The Problem: 

2.  My Tongue Can Destroy the Chronicle of My Life

James 3:5b-6a (ESV): 

Our words can cause significant damage, like a spark that ignites a forest fire. Rash words leave lasting scars, and their impact often extends beyond the moment, staining our character and relationships.

1. My Speech creates a System for my Life. 

James 3:6a – And the tongue is a fire, a world of unrighteousness…

It’s amazing how fire can do things nothing else can do. Water cannot multiply, but fire can. • A tiny spark can torch a forest.  • A small drop of water can never flood a city.  • That’s the “stain” James is talking about… leaves a lasting effect. 

B. My Speech Strains My Life.

James 3:6b – …staining the whole body, setting on fire the entire course of Life, and set on fire by hell.

Q. When have you witnessed or experienced how destructive words can be in your life or someone else’s life?

Practical Application: 

Make it a habit to pause before you speak, especially in emotionally charged situations. Ask God for wisdom and self-control before responding.

The Prescription:

3. My Tongue Needs the Direction of Christ.

James 3:7 (ESV)

We can go to the zoo and see lions in cages, to the aquarium and see killer whales perform in humans’ presence, and to the circus and see people put their heads in the mouths of lions. 

BUT

James 3:8 (ESV)

My tongue is the Thermometer of my Heart.

Matthew 12:34 (ESV)

James 3:11-12 (ESV)

These are impossibilities. James is dealing with what cannot happen because of the nature of our problem. We cannot change what we are inside; our mouths reveal it.

Q. How can we invite God to help us control our words daily?

Practical Application: 

Begin each day with a prayer asking God to guide your words. Be intentional about speaking Life, encouragement, and truth, especially in difficult moments.

Scripture Meditation:

Psalm 141:3 (ESV): “Set a guard, O LORD, over my mouth; keep watch over the door of my lips!”

Key Takeaways

1. Our words have the power to shape our lives and the lives of those around us, for good or for harm.

2. We cannot control our tongues alone; we need the power of Christ to guide our speech and align it with His will.

Closing Prayer:

“Father, we thank You for the wisdom You’ve given us through Your Word today. Help us to be mindful of the power our words carry. We ask that You guide our tongues to speak Life, healing, and encouragement. May our words reflect Your heart and bring glory to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”