Practical Teaching From James Week 1 - Holy Trinity Cambridge

PracticalTeachingFromJames

Week1-IntroductiontoJames(1:1-4)

Week2-SeeingtheTrialsofLifeinaDifferentLight(1:5-8)

Week3-Satan'sPlayground(1:9-18)

Week4-Words,Words,Words(1:19-27)

Week5-Don'tPlayFavourites(2:1-13)

Week6-FaithWithoutWorksisDead(2:14-26)

Week7-Oh,thePowerofWords!(3:1-12)

Week8-TwoKindsofWisdom(3:13-18)

Week9-AHolyWar(4:1-10)

Week10-AProperPerspectiveonLife(4:11-17)

Week11-WarningtoRichOppressors(5:1-6)

Week12-BePatientandStandFirm(5:7-12)

Week13-ThePrayerofFaith(5:13-20)

Lesson1-IntroductiontoJamesReadJames1:1-4

Welcome/PrayerSomehavecalledJamesthemostpracticalbook intheNewTestament,abookthat empathetically calls us as Christians to a radically different lifestyle thanthoseintheworld.

ThemessageGettingrealwithyourfaith.JamesbelievedthatChrist-followersshouldnotonlyweartheoutfit,buttheymustruntherace!Theymustwalkthetalk!Beprepared.Jamesisharshanddogmatic.Youwillfeelthestingofhiswords.Expectthisstudytobedifficult;notbecauseitishardtounderstandbutbecauseitisalltooeasytounderstand.

WhowasJames?Twomen intheNewTestamentnamedJameswhowereprominentenoughtohavewrittenthisletter:

1. JamesthebrotherofJohn,oneofthetwelveapostles2. JamesthebrotherofJesus.

ThefirstasLuketellsus,wasexecutedbyHerodAgrippaIinA.D.44(Acts12:2)andthisletterwasprobablynotwrittenthisearly.SoweareleftwithJamesthebrotheroftheLordasthemostlikelyauthor(Matthew13:55;Mark6:3).ThisJamesdidnotatfirstbelieveinJesus'messianicclaims(John7:5),butwasapparentlyconvertedasaresultofJesus'resurrectionappearances(1Corinthians15:7).HebecamealeaderoftheearlychurchinJerusalem.

WhowasJameswrittento?Jamesdescribesthepeopleheiswritingtoverygenerally:"thetwelvetribesscatteredamongthenations"(1:1).JamesiswritingtoJewishChristianswhohadbeenscatteredacrossmanynations.ItispossibleJamesiswrittentoChristiansingeneral,bothJewandGentile.Acts11:19tellsushowtheseChristianshadbeenscattered,"ThosewhohadbeenscatteredbythepersecutioninconnectionwithStephentravelledasfarasPhoenicia,CyprusandAntioch,tellingthemessageonlytoJews."Withthisscenario

then,theJewishChristiansJamesaddressesarelivingasexilesinareasnearPalestinebecauseoftheirfaithinJesus.TheirstatusasexilesexplainswhytheyareexperiencingsomeofthetrialsJamesmentions:

1. theyarepoor(5:1-11)2. theyarehauledintocourtbywealthypeople(2:4-6)3. theyareoppressedbylargelandowners(5:5-6).

James1:1-7—TrialsandTemptationsJamesjumpsrightintotherealitythatChristianswillfacetrialsandtemptations.Fromaworldlypointofviewitseemsstrangetoconsideritpurejoywhenyoufacethetrialsof

life.Isjoyanemotionyouhaveeverexperiencedinthemidstofastorm?Whatisthe"joy"heistalkingabouthere?

Thatwecanhavejoyinthefaceoftrialscanonlybeunderstoodbytheversesthatfollow.IntheseversesJamestellsuswhatourtrialsresultinifwehavefaithinGod.WhatdoesJamessayresultsfromthetestingofourfaithin1:3-4?Howwouldthatproducejoyinourlives?

• Thetestingofthebeliever'sfaithproducesperseverance;• Perseveranceproducesspiritualmaturity.

Godisworkinginourlives,oftenthroughtrials,tobuildourfaith,characterandintegrity.Onceweunderstandthat,weareabletohaveperseverance,"becauseyouknowthatthetestingofyourfaithdevelopsperseverance.Perseverancemustfinishitsworksothatyoumaybematureandcomplete,notlackinganything"(1:3-4).

Howwouldyoudefineperseverance?WhyisitimportantinthelifeofaChristian?• Ifwegiveup,nolongerpersevere,itshowswedon'treallybelieveGodis

goingtomakegoodonhispromisesintheend.

HowdoesthisgiveyouanewperspectiveonwhyweasChristiansshouldwelcometrials?

WehavetocooperatewithGod'smaturingprocess.SometimesGodusestrialsanddifficultiestomakeourfaithstronger.Doesknowingthathelpyoudealwiththeproblemsyouarecurrentlyfacing?HowmightGodbeusingsomethingyouaregoingthroughrightnowtogrowyourfaith?

Application:WhatcharacteristicshavewediscussedthatJamessaysareimportantinbecomingamaturefollowerofJesusChrist?

• Faith• Perseverance• Wisdom

Whichchallengesyouthemost?Howwoulditstretchyourfaithtogrowinthatarea?

WhatsituationsinyourlifedoyouneedthegrouptoprayforsoGodcanuseitto

growyourfaithratherthandiminishyourfaith?

Prayer-SpendtimeprayingforeachothersothatGodwillmakeusallmaturefollowersofJesusChrist.

Assignment:ReadJamesbynextSunday

Lesson2-SeeingtheTrialsofLifeinaDifferentLightReadJames1:5-8

Exercise:Allowdifferentonesinthegrouptosharewhathasbeenatrial(anunwantedandun-welcomedexperience)theyhavegonethroughinrecentmonths.

Whenyouhaveundergonetrialsanddifficulties,towhomdoyouturnforhelpandencouragement?

Lastweekwetalkedaboutjoyindifficultcircumstancesanddevelopingperseverance.ThisweekwearegoingtofocusonthewisdomGodgrantsusthathelpsgrowourfaith.NoticethatGoddoesn'tleaveusaloneinthemiddleoftrialsandstrugglestofigurethisout.WhatdoesJamessayweshoulddoandhowwillGodrespondin1:5-8?

• AskGodforwisdomandnotdoubtGodwilldoit• Godwillgiveitgenerously,withoutfindingfault

WhydoyouthinkJamesincludesthatGodwon'tfindfaultinthosewhoaskforwisdom?

• Sometimeswejustdon'twanttobotherGodorthinkwejusthavetofigureitoutourselves.JamesistellingusthatGodreallydoeswantustoaskandHereallydoeswanttoanswerthatprayerbecauseGodwillgiveit"generously".

Haveyoueverprayedforwisdom,didGodprovide?

HowdoyouthinkGodwillprovidetheanswers?• ThroughhisWord,theBible• Throughothers• Throughsituations,doorsopenedandclosed

AndthenJamessays,"Butwhenheasks,hemustbelieveandnotdoubt,becausehewhodoubtsislikeawaveofthesea,blownandtossedbythewind.ThatmanshouldnotthinkhewillreceiveanythingfromtheLord:heisadouble-mindedman,unstableinallhedoes"(1:6-8).Underpressure,howdoesthematureChristian(vv.5-6a)contrastwiththepersondescribedinverses6b-8?

Whatdoesitmeantobeadouble-mindedperson?• Weask,asifGodwouldanswer,butthendon'treallybelievehewill...thatis

double-minded.Well,thenwhyaskinthefirstplace.• Eitherweaskandbelievehecaresorweshouldrealizejusthowsillyitisto

askifyoufigurehewon'tansweryouanyway.

Whatwillwisdomdotohelpuswiththedifficultieswefaceinlife?

Hisencouragementwasforbelieverstoenduretrials faithfullyandstandsteadythroughthestormsoflife.Whensuchsteadfastnesshasitsfulleffect,thenGod'sfaithfulpeoplewillbe"mature,notlackinganything."

Whyisitimportanttoseethetrialsoflifethatweexperienceasbeingapartofthematuringprocess?

HowdothetrialsthatweexperienceexposeourneedforGod'swisdom?

Application:Howwouldtheseverseschangeyourprayerthenexttimeyouarehavingdifficulty?

• Wetypicallyaskforawayout.Maybeweneedtoaskforawaythroughthestorm.Butfirstweneedtoaskforwisdom.

InwhatareaofyourlifedoyouneedwisdomfromGodrightnow?Fromthisdiscussion,whatarethosethingsyoufeelcompelledtoprayabouttonight?Closeprayingforthesethings

Lesson3-Satan'sPlaygroundReadJames1:9-18

Afterunveilingamoreappropriatewayoflookingattrials,Jamesthenjumpsstraightintoadiscussionoffinances.Hereagain,heturnsthingsupsidedown.Fromtheverybeginningofhisletter,Jamesseemsdeterminedtohighlightourself-relianttendencies!Andnowthepenetratingquestionis"Isfinancialstatusagoodmeasureofaman?"Tokeepeverythinginthisletterinitspropercontext,thewholethrustofJames'letterishisemphasisonspiritualmaturity.Hewantedpeopletoknowhowtohaveanauthenticfaith.

ConsiderforaminuteyourChristianityasifyouwerebuildingaspiritualportfolio.Howcanhandlingatrialwithjoyandfaithfulnessresultinadepositinouraccount?Canmaintainingaproperattitudetowardthestewardshipofmoneycountasadepositinouraccount?

Thepoor:WhatsurprisingthingdoesJamessayaboutthoseinhumblecircumstances?

• Theyareactuallyinahighposition

Whatmakessomeonewhohaslessmaterialpossessionsmorelikelytobeinahigherspiritualpositionthanthewealthy?

• TheyrecognizetheirneedtorelyonGodinsteadofself

TheworldgivesmorecredibilityandattentiontotherichbutGodisnotarespecterofpersons."Thegroundatthefootofthecrossislevel!"Richorpoor,Godwantsustotrusthim.Itdoesn'tmakebeingpooranymorerighteousthanbeingrichbutJamesdoesmakeusawarethatitisourrelianceonGodthatwillseeusthroughinlife.

Therich:TherichandthestrongaretorejoicethatGodhashelpedthemdownfromtheirricketyladderofself-relianceandself-love.JamestoldtherichthattheyneedtohumblethemselvesagainstthetemptationoftrustingintheirwealthratherthanplacingtrustinGod.

Whyisitfoolishtoplaceourtrustintemporarythings?(1:11)

Jamescouldbespeakingoutaboutinjusticeoftherichagainstthepoorintheir

communities.Thisisnotsomethingthatisamodernphenomenonbuthastakenplaceamongallgenerationsandissomethingwehavetoresist.

FacingTemptation:Next,Jamesraisesanimportantquestion-Howaretemptationsdifferentfromtrials?(1:12-13)

• Trialscomefromoutsideofourselves.Theyareaninevitablepartoflivinginafallen,sin-cursedworld.

• Temptations,however,springfromwithinwhenapersonistemptedbyhisorher"ownevildesire"(v.14).

Temptationtosinistheoperationofevilforcesandthedevil.Withoutquestion,JamesiscombatingafalsenotionthatGodisthesourceoftemptation:

• Godisthesourceof"everygoodandperfectgift"(v.17).• Godallowsforustoexperiencethetrialsoflifeandtheseprovetobetest

ofourfaith(vv.2-8)

Satantemptsustodowrong.WhattooldoesSatanusetogetthatdone?(1:14)• Noticethatevildesiresoriginatefromwithinthebeliever.• Whatdoyouthinkaboutthat?

DoyouthinkSatanidentifiesinusourweaknessesandvulnerabilitiesinordertomakehistemptationsmoreeffective?

BecausetemptationcomesfromSatanluringusbyourownevildesireswecannotblameGodforanythingbadthathappensasaresult.

WheredoesJamessaysincomesfrom?

Whatistheultimateresultoftheseevilthings?

Itisagoodlessontolearnagain...sinhasconsequences.EvilhasconsequencesandwhatwedoreallydoesmatterinlifeandmatterstoGod.

HowisGodtheultimateexampleofgoodnessanddependability?

Atfirst1:16-18seemoutofplacebuttheyreallydofitsowellhere.Godistheoppositeofthesethings.SinresultsindeathbutGodbringsusbirthandlife.EvildesiresresultinacursebutGodgivesallgoodgifts.

TheanswertosinisGod.HowdoesGod'sWord,theBible,playaroleinourhavinglives?(1:18)Application:Whathaveyoufoundhelpfulindealingwithtemptation?

Jamestellsusthatscriptureisagoodstartingpointfordealingwithsin.TakesometimeeverydaythisweektomeditateonsomeversesorachapteroftheBible.AskGodforwisdomasyoudoso.

Prayer:Arethereareasofdesireinyourlifethatareunhealthyandneedtobeaddressed?Spendsometimeinsilentprayerforthosethings.Ifanyonehasonetheywantthewholegrouptoprayforofferthattothegroup.

Lesson4–Words,Words,WordsReadJames1:19-27

Wealldoit.Whilesomeoneelseistalking,we'rethinkingaboutwhatwe'regoingtosaynextinsteadoflisteningtothepersontalkingtoyou.Weknowothersareworthmorecareandattention.Godwantsustoslowdownandlisten.

Anyonehadaconversationthisweekthatyouwouldacknowledgeyouarenotpleasedwithhowyoulistened?

Jamesstateshisconvictionin1:18thatGodchosetogiveus"spiritualbirth"sothatwecanbecomea"kindoffirstfruitsofallhecreated."Godwantsustobenewanddifferent.Fromthispointforwardinhisletter,Jamesspecificallyaskedhisreadersto"takenote"ofthreethings:

1. Bequicktolisten2. Beslowtospeak3. Beslowtoanger

Howcanbeing"quicktolistenandslowtospeak"helpustobe"slowtobecomeangry"(vs.19)?

Listeningispowerful,butitisalearnedcommodity.Weshouldlistenmorethanwespeak.It'sprettyobvious;Goddesigneduswithtwoearsandonlyonemouth.Butsomanyofusjustdon'tlistenwell.IsitpossiblethisreallyallstartswithourfailuretolistentoGod?

Exercise-Trysomething.Inyourprayerlifethisweek,insteadoftalkingtoGodsomuchaboutyourownstuff,trylisteningtoGod.Thatmaytakeyoutoscripture.ItmaydemandyoujustbestillandlistenforGod'sgentlevoice!

Haveyouevertriedtohavearelationshipwithsomeonewhotalksallthetime?Asmuchasyoutry,itishardtogetclosetosomeonewhereonlyone-waycommunicationistakingplace.SomeofusarethatwayinourrelationshipwithGodandweneverreallygettoknowHim!

Howdoyoufeelaboutthethoughtthatmaybewedon'tlistentoGodaswellasweshould?

Whatdoesangertellusabouttheinnerqualityofaperson'sheart?

WearetouprootangeranddisrespectforothersandreplaceitbyplantingGod'sWordinourlives(vs.21)

Howdoyouactuallydothatinreallife?

Read1:22-25-InyourownwordsexplainhowthepersonwhomerelylistensisdifferentfromtheonewhoputsGod'sWordintopractice.

LookintheMirror:1:23-25givesusakeytounderstandingthissectionofJames'letter.Jamesimpliedtwomistakesthatoccurwhenthebelieverfailstoactupontheword:

1. thebelieverdoesn'ttreatthetruthofthewordasreality2. thebelieverignoresthemessageoftheword.

Accordingtoverses26and27,howdopeoplewhothinktheyarereligiousdifferfromthosewhoaretrulyreligious?

• Itissometimesmucheasiertofollowarulethantoloveyourenemyorpursuejustice,mercy,andtheweightiermattersofthelaw.

Could it be that someone could actually feel secure and righteous whilepursuinganunrighteouslife?

• Theevidenceofthisisoverwhelming,aspeoplebehaveunjustly,unmercifully,andun-lovingly.

Rulefollowingcanopenthedoortopeoplebecomingdesensitizedtotheirarrogant,selfish,mean-spiritedbehaviourthatevidencesitselfinthejunkthatcomesoutofourmouths.Weshouldalwayscheckourselvesandmakesurethatpursuingjusticeandmercyareprimaryactsof"religion".

Application:Howareyoudoingonthe"slowtospeak"thing?Whatwouldhelpyouaccomplishthat?

Ifyoufindyourselftalkingwaymorethanlistening,whatisthereasonyoutalktoomuch?

Haveyoueverletrulekeepinghidedeeperissuesinyourheart?Forexample,someonemightrationalizedoingthingsthatareevilbecausetheydomoregoodthantheydobadorbecausetheywenttochurchtwiceinaweek.

Haveyoueverdeceivedyourselfonsomething?Howcanyoukeephonestwithyourselftoavoidthatinthefuture?

Last,Jamesusedagraphicword,"pollution,"tomakehisfinalpointinthissectionaboutthecontaminantsofungodlyactionsandattitudesthatweallowintoourlives.Whyistheideaofpollutionanappropriatewordpicture?

Lesson5-Don'tPlayFavouritesReadJames2:1-13

Let's all behonest aboutourselves,mostofushaveothers theywouldprefer tospendtimewithandsometheywouldrathernot.

Whatkindofthingsmakeyoufavouronepersonmorethananother?

ReadJames2:1-13

Jamestellsusplainly-"Don'tshowfavouritism."Favouritismisprobablytheleasttalked about sin there is. If youdoubt it is a sin look at 2:4, 9.Howdoes Jamesdescribethatkindofthinking?

Sowhyisfavouritismsuchaseriousproblem?Theissueisalludedtoin2:1wherehesaysthosewhobelieveinourgloriousLordJesusshouldnotshowfavouritism.Bottomline-favouritismrunscountertowhatJesusChristmodelledinhislifeonearth.

BeforeyoujumptotheconclusionthatonemoretimetheScripturesareslammingrichpeople.That'snotthepoint.Jamesisnotcriticizingtherich.Heisbeingcriticaltowardthosewhoreactandsalivateandstumbleandfumblealloverthemselvestoimpressandhangoutwiththerichfolks.

Whyarewepronetoshowpreferentialtreatmenttothosewhohavemoney?WhyisthisoffensivetoGod?Jamesgivesusfourresultsofshowingfavouritism;findtheminthefollowingverses:

• 2:4-youbecomejudgeswithevilthoughts• 2:6-youinsultthepoor• 2:9-yousinandbecomealawbreaker• 2:13-youwillbejudged

Wearesopronetothinktherichareontopandthepoorareatthebottom.Weoftenportrayourbeliefthatleadersareimportantandthatservantsareless.ThroughouttheGospels,Jesusisconstantlytalkingaboutanupside-downkingdom:

• Ifyouwanttobegreat,you'vegottobecomea_____________• Ifyouareweak,thenyou'llbe__________ • Thepoorwillbe __________• Thefirstwillbe__________

WhattwogiftsdoesGodgivethepoor(v.5)?

WhatdidJamesidentifyasbeingthe"royallaw"(v.8)?

Wehaveallheardthatphrasethousandsoftimes.Wedon'tneedtohearitforthe1001sttime.Wejustneedtoputwhatwealreadyknowintopractice.Thereasonwedon'tisbecausewethinkthereissomethinginitforustobeassociatedwiththefinanciallywelloffthanwiththepoor.Whatis"initforus"thatcandrawusawayfrombeinglovingofallpeople?

• Attention• Prestige• Honour-peopletothinkweare"something"becauseofthoseweassociatewith

Let'sgetthisrightsideupagain.Godlovesandblessesthepoor.Ifwewanttohavegoodassociations,wouldn'titmakesensethatwewouldloveandhonourthoseGodlovesandhonours.Thatmeanswe,likeGod,arealsotonotberespectersofpersonsandtoshowequalloveforall,whetherrichorpoor.

Weneedtoloveourneighbourasourselves-richorpoor.Thisdoesnotmeanrich=badandpoor=good.TheseversesareheretochallengethewaymostpeopleviewwhatisvaluableinlifeandgetustohaveamoreChrist-likeview.

Howcantheroyallawguideouttreatmentofothersinallcircumstancesoflife?

Jamesbringsuptwonecessitiesintheclosingversesinthissection(vv.12-13)thatmightbethemotivationweneedtoseehowseriousthisissuereallyis:

• Accountability• Judgment.

JameswarnsusthatGodwillshowtousintheendthesamekindofmercythatweshowedtoothers.

Whenhaveyoubeenhurtbyfavouritism?

Application:AsadiscipleofChrist,howcanyoubettershowmercythisweek?Howmercifulareyouwithyourspouse?Withyourchildren?Aroundyouroffice?Withthecashierinthecheckoutline?

Whoinyourlifedoyoufindyourselfavoidingandhowcanyoublessthemthisweek?

Lesson6-FaithWithoutWorksisDeadReadJames2:14-26

InthissectionJamesdiscussesdeedsastheoutwardexpressionorevidenceofourfaith.James'pointisthatlivingandactivefaithinuswillshowitselfthroughthewaywelive.ImaginebelievinginJesusandclaimingtobeaChristianbuthavingneverchangedthewayyoulivedsinceyouwerebaptized.Whywouldthatnotmakesense?

Jamesisnotsayingthatwearesavedasarewardtoourdeeds.HeisnotsayingGodwillsaveusifwedoenoughgood.Hedoessaythatlivingandactivefaithwillbedemonstratedbyvisibledeedsandadifferenceinthewaywelive.Jamesusestheexampleofmeetingsomeonewhoishungryandneedingclothing.WhatdoesJamessayisanunacceptablewaytotreatthatperson?

WhatmakesthatunacceptableforaChristiantotreatsomeonethatway?

Thewayweactreflectswhatisontheinside.SomeonewhotreatsanotherpersonpoorlydoesnotunderstandjusthowvaluablethatotherpersonistoGodandshowsthattheirfaithisweakornon-existent.WhatdoesJamessaythatfaithwithoutactionis?

Thatwouldimplythataliving,active,andvibrantfaithwouldbeonethatisoutwardlyvisibleandaccompaniedbyaction.Jesuswasnotawellwisher.Jesuswasamanofactionandhisactionwasbasedonhismissionandhowhevaluedothers.Whatdoesitmeantobea"discipleofJesusChrist"?

•Adiscipleissomeonewhofollowsanotherpersontolearnwhattheyknowandacthowtheywouldact.

IfJesuswasamanofaction,thenwearetobepeopleofaction.IfJesusembracedthepoorandhurtingthenwetooneedtoembracethepoorandhurting.Whenourfaithproducesaction,weareshowingthatweunderstandwhatitmeanstohavefaithinChristandbeafollower/discipleofChrist.

Application:Whatareasofyourfaithneedstrengthened?

Inwhatareasdoyoubelieveyourfaithisstrong?

Whatopportunitiesdoyouhavebeforeyoutoletyourfaithshowthroughwith

gooddeeds?

Read2:20-26IntheseversesJamescontinuestotalkabouthowfaithandworksgoeshandinhand.Heusestwoexamples.ThefirstexampleisAbraham.WhatdidGodtellAbrahamtodo?(James2:21&Genesis22:2)

Howwouldthatbeatremendoustestoffaith?

Previously,GodpromisedAbrahamthathewouldhaveasonandthatsonwouldhavechildrenthatwouldeventuallyturnintoagreatnation(Genesis15:1-6).AbrahambelievedthispromisesasitsaysinGenesis15:6.SowhenGodtoldAbrahamtotakeIsaac,whodidnotyethavechildrenofhisown,andsacrificehimAbrahamhadenoughfaithtodowhatGodsaid.WhatwoulditsayaboutAbraham'sfaithifhesaid,"GodIbelieveyourpromisethatIwillhavedescendantsthroughIsaac...butIdon'tbelieveyouenoughtosacrificehimlikeyoutoldmetodo."?

Whatwoulditsayaboutourfaithifwebelievedalltherightthingsbutdidn'tcareaboutchangingthewaywelive?

Actionsserveasathermometerforourfaith.ElsewherewelearnthatAbrahambelievedsostronglyinGodthathefiguredGodwouldraiseIsaacfromthedeadifhesacrificedhim(Hebrews11:18-19).Faithisonlyfaithifitisactive.Faithmustproducenewactionswithinus.

Afewquestionstoaskoutloudforthegrouptoconsiderbutnotnecessarilydiscuss:

• DoyoubelievethepromisesGodhasmadetoyou?• Doyoubelievehewillforgiveyoursins?• Doyoubelievehewillresurrectyoufromthedeadinthelastday?Doyou

believejustinyourhead...ordoescanyourbeliefbeseeninthethingsyoudo?

ThesecondexampleoffaithinactionJamespointstoisRahab(James2:25).WhatdidRahabdothatshowedshehadfaith?

WhatifRahabhadjustthought,"well,Godcansaveyou.Ibetternotinvolvemyselfinthis."ThespiesinJoshua2&6wouldhavedied.RememberwhatJamessaidin2:16—wecan'tjustsaytopoorpeopletobewellfedandclothed.WehavetotakeactionandrealizethatwehaveresponsibilitybecauseofourfaithinGodandChrist.

Application:WhatresponsibilitiesdoyouhavebecauseyoubelieveinChrist?

Whatareashaveyoubeenquicktotakeactioninandwhichareashavebeenslower?

Whatthingsdoyouknowyoureallyshoulddothatyouhavebeenholdingouton?Whatisholdingyouback?Whatwouldmotivateyoutoturnyourbeliefintoaction?

Lesson7-Oh,ThePowerofWords!ReadJames3:1-12

Jamesstartsoffthissectionabouttamingthetonguewiththewarningthatnotmanyofusshouldpresumetobeteachers.Heintensifiesthisstatementwiththisreasoning:"becauseyouknowthatwewhoteachwillbejudgedmorestrictly"(v.1).

What'sthepoint?• Teachersarethemostvocalpeopleinthecongregation.Buttheyaren't

justspeakingontheirown.TheyshouldbetryingtohelppeopleunderstandGod'sWord.ThattakesspecialcareandJamesisremindingthemhowgreataresponsibilitythisreallyis.

ButJames'wordsarenotjustforteachers.Hegoesontosay,"Weallstumbleinmanyways"(v.2)andthemostcommonwaywedothatisthroughourwords.

ListentoPaul'swordsonthissubject.ReadColossians3:8-10,4:6andEphesians4:29-32

WhatdoyoulearnfromreflectingonthesewordsfromPaul?

Someofourbiggestregretshavetodowithhurtfulwordswehavesaid.Wewishwecouldrecallthosewords,butwecan't.Thedamageisdone.Conversely,someofourgreatestjoyscancomefromencouragingwordswehaveheardothersspeaktous.Wordshavethepotentialfordoinggreatharmorgreatgood.Whataresomeofthemostmemorablewordsthathavebeenspokentoyou?Whydoyourememberthem?

Illustrations:Jamesusesthreeillustrationstohelpusseehowpowerfulourtongue(thewordsitproduces)reallyis:

1. Ahorsehasawildnature.Ahorsewantstogohisownway,butamazingenough,abitinahorse'smouthcancontrolthishugeanimal.

2. Asmallrudderistheinstrumentthatsteersaboat.3. Asmallsparkcanstartahugeforestfire.

Havinggiventhesethreeexamples,Jamesthensays,"Likewisethetongueisasmallpartofthebody,butitmakesgreatboasts. . . itisaworldofevilamongthepartsofthebody"(v.5,6).

What'sJames'point?• Ourwordshavepowerandcanbeusedtocontrolourselvesandothers.

Wemustusethemwithcare.

Some people are verbal arsonists. They strike amatch - a little bit of slander;gossip;averbaljab;alie;oraninsultandohthefireitstarts!Jamescallsallthis"arestlessevil,fullofdeadlypoison"(v.8).

Whyareverbalattackslikepoison?

Therearemanywaysourtonguecanbe likeawildanimal.Somestrugglewithcursingorprofanity.Othersstrugglewithgossip.Stillothershavean issuewithboastingaboutthemselves.

Inwhatwayshaveyoufounditdifficulttokeepcontrolofthewordsyouchoosetosay?

Hypocrisy:AsifJameshasn'talreadycalledusout,hethenspeakstothehypocrisyofoneminutefindinguspraisingGodandthennotaminutefromthechurchhouseweareenragedbysomeone'sactionsontheinterstateandwearecursingthem,"Outofthesamemouthcomepraiseandcursing.Mybrothers,thisshouldnotbe"(v.10).

Whyarewesoeasytoloseourfocuslikethis?

Whenwehear"cursing"wethinkprofanity.ItcouldalsobethatJamesissayingpeoplewerequicktopraiseGodandthen"curse"someone,whichwouldmeanaskGodtoharmthem.ThatmakessenseofJamesexamplesofawellthatcannothavebothfreshwaterandsaltwaterorafigtreethatbearsolives(v.11)."Cursing"someoneisaskingGodtodosomethingheisnotgoingtodo.

Revealingwhowereallyare:Hereisthepoint.Ourtonguerevealsourtrueperson.Itrevealsourbitterness,volatility,selfishness,judgmentalattitude,hatefulspirit,evilthoughts,self-righteousness,hardnessofheart,hypocrisy,etc.Itrevealsourspiritualityorlackthereof(Mt.12:33-37;15:16-20;Lk.6:43-45)!

Why is there such a close connection between the heart of aman andwhatcomesoutofhismouth(Ps.34:12-14;37:30;Prov.10:20;20:10)?

Whyiswhatwesaythe"realrevealer"ofourtruespiritualmaturity?

Application:DoesanythingyouhavesaidthispastweektroubleyouafterhearingthesewordsfromJames?

Aretherecertainpeople,times,orsituationswhereyoustrugglewithwhatyousaythemost?Howwouldyouaddressthat?

Lesson8-TwoKindsofWisdomReadJames3:13-18

Describesomeoneyouknowthatyouwouldcharacterizeaswiseandunderstanding?

WisdomissomethingthatisratedveryhighlyintheBible.ItismentionedoveronehundredtimesintheBookofProverbsandmanymoretimesintherestoftheBible.Andsoweshouldn'tbesurprisedtofindJameshavingsomethingtosayonthisimportantsubject.Rightlivingbeginswithrightthinking.Often,wemessupbyconfusingwisdomwithknowledge.

Whatisthedifferencebetweenwisdomandknowledge?• Knowledgegivesusallthedata,allthefacts,andwecanrecitethem

verbatim.Wisdomtakesthosefacts,putsfaithintothem,andgivesthemfeet.

Proverbs,thebookofwisdom,says,"Wisdomissupreme;therefore,getwisdom.Thoughitcostallyouhave,getunderstanding"(Prov.4:7).

Job,whohadsomereasontoknowaboutthissaid,"thepriceofwisdomisbeyondrubies"(Job.28:18).

Youobviouslycan'tpaycashandreceivewisdom(universitycan'tevendothat).Whatistherealcostofwisdom,howdoyou"pay"forit?

Wisdomisworthallyouhave,andtruewisdomwillbringhumility.Wisdomisthepowerofknowledgeapplied,directed,andfocused.

Howcanyoutellthedifferencebetweensomeonewhoiswiseandsomeonewhoisjustknowledgeable?

Godlyvs.worldlywisdom:ThereisavastdifferencebetweenGodlywisdomandworldlywisdom.SometimeswewanttohavealittlebitofworldlywisdommixedinwiththeGodlywisdom,alittlechaoswiththecontrol.Thiswillneverdo!Jamesevensaysthatworldlywisdomis"ofthedevil"(v.15).Howdoyoureacttothis

statement?

Jamesbringsuptwothingsthataresignsofworldlywisdom(3:14):• bitterenvy• selfishambition

Ofallthethingshecouldhavementioned,whydoyousupposehebringsupthesetwoworldlycharacteristics?

WhataboutthesetwoattitudesstandsinconflictwithGodlywisdom?

Read1Corinthians1:26-31.Whatdoesallthishavetodowithourown"boastings"?Noticetheharvestofworldlywisdom:"Forwhereyouhaveenvyandselfishambition,thereyoufinddisorderandeveryevilpractice"(v.16).

LookcloselyateachofthedescriptivetermsthatJamesusestodescribe"thewisdomthatcomesfromheaven"(v.17-18)

• pure• peace-loving• considerate• submissive• fullofmercyandgoodfruit• impartialandsincere

Lookcloselyatthesequalitiesonebyone.Aretheythequalitiestowhichyouhavedevotedyourlife?WhatmakesthelifefilledwithGodlywisdomsoattractive?

AndthenJamesclosesthissectionwiththiscomment:"Peacemakerswhosowinpeaceraiseaharvestofrighteousness."

Howisallthistalkofwisdomrelatedtobeingapeacemaker?• Awisepersonwilllikelyhavelesstroubleandbeabletobringpeacethan

thefoolishone

Application:Whataresomethingsyouaregoingthroughrightnowthatarearesultofunwisedecisionsmadeinthepast?

Whichhaveyouputmoreofapremiumoninyourlife,godlywisdomorworldlywisdom?Howcanwehavemoregodlywisdomtoguideus?

Whatdecisionsdoyouhaveaheadofyouthatyouwillneedwisdomfor?Closethislessonforaprayerforthese.

Lesson9-AHolyWarReadJames4:1-10

TherearethreedifferentwarsthatJamesintroducesinthissection:• Aninternalwar(wefightwithourselves)• Anexternalwar(wefightwithothers)• AHolyWar(meversusGod)

Jamesidentifiesthesourceoftheirconflictsastheir"desires"(probablybettertranslated"cravings").

Jamessaysthesedesireshavethepotentialtoleadtowhat?Whyisthatsuchascarythought?

TheWarWithin:Withinourbodiestherearefeudingdesiresthatcauseinternalwar.Onedesirethatcausesinternalwarisourdesiretocontrol.Howdoesourdesiretocontroltheoutcomeorcontrolothersleadtoawarwithourdesires?

Anotherdesirethatcontributestothewariscovetousness.Howwouldyoudefinecovetousness?

• adesiretopossessthepossessionsofothers.• ThiscomesfrombeingdiscontentwithwhatGodhasalreadyblesseduswith

Whatmightbesomeotherdesiresthatcauseinternalwar?

Jamesgivesusasolutionforthisbattle.Whatdoeshesayweshoulddowhenwefeellikethis?(4:2-3).WhydowesometimesresistorhesitatetoaskGodforwhatwewant?

• WhenweselfishlywantsomethingweknowGoddoesn'treallywantustohaveitsowhyaskHim?

IfweareunabletoaskGodforsomethingmaybethatisasigntousthatwedon'treallyneedit.

Next,Jamesaddressedhisreadersharshlyas"adulterouspeople"(v.4).ThistermisespeciallyusedintheOldTestamentandissynonymouswithunfaithfulness.Bymakingthiscorrelation,Jamesimpliedthathisreaderswerehavingan"affair"

withtheworld.

HowcanourdesiresleadtounfaithfulnesswithGod?

Describeinyourownwordsthenatureofthis"affairwiththeworld."

Therootcauseofallthewarswefightispride.ItispridethatcausesustobeatbattlewithGod,withinourselves,andwithotherpeople.Ifprideissopervasive,whatcanwedotoridourselvesofit?

JamesprovidedtheantidotetospiritualadulterybyquotingfromProverbs:"Godopposestheproudbutgivesgracetothehumble"(Proverbs3:34).

Buildingonthefoundationhelaidinv.6,Jamesgivesusaseriesof4commandsthatarehisrecipeforhumility:

• SubmityourselvestoGod(thisisamilitarytermusedtohighlightapositiononanorganizationchart)

• Resistthedevil• ComeneartoGod(we'vegottorelationallyplaceourselvesnexttoGod)• Washyourhandsandpurifyyourhearts(we'vegottodealseriouslywithsin).

Whichofthesearethemostdifficultforyou?Humilityisimportant-HaveyoueverreallyhumbledyourselfbeforeGod,flatonyourfacekindofprayer,forexample?

WhenwehumbleourselvesbeforetheLord,Goddoessomespecialthingsinourlives.WhatkeepsyoufromhumblingyourselfbeforetheLord?

Application:

Haveyouhadafight/conflictwithsomeoneyouareclosetolately?Ifsomeoneiswillingtoshare,whatcausedit?

InwhatareasofyourlifedoyoustillneedtosubmittoGod?WhatdesiresneedtobebroughtunderGod'scontrol?

Howhasprideplayedaroleinyourlife,howcanyousubmittoGodthisweektogetahandleonyourpride?

Lesson10-AProperPerspectiveonLifeReadJames4:11-17

Howsubtlyweconvinceourselvesthatwecontrolourlives.Whatarespecificwaysthatyoutrytocontrolyourlife?Haveyoubeensuccessful?

Beforewegetintotheactualcontentofthissection,whatisthelinkyouseebetweenJames'instructionagainstslandering(vv.11-12)andthefollowingsectionon"boastingabouttomorrow"(vv.13-17)?

• Bothareaboutpride...whichalsolinksittolastweek'slesson

Whydopeopletrytobuildthemselvesupbycriticizingothers?• Peoplehavebeendoingthisforthousandsofyears.Itisnothingnew!

Howisthisimproperattitudetowardothersreflectiveofanimproperattitudewehaveaboutourselves...andevenworse,ofanimproperattitudetowardGod?

Slander:Toslanderistospeakevilaboutanotherpersonintheirabsenceandthustheyareunabletodefendthemselves.Slandermightcomeintheformoffalseaccusation.Oritmightjustbeharshcriticism.Whenapersonjudgessomeoneelse,itisaviolationoftheroyallawoflove(2:8)!WhyisthisjudgmentalattitudeandactionsooffensivetoGod?

Boasting/Arrogance:Rememberseveralweeksagowediscussedtheproblemof"boasting"andreferenceditwouldcomeupagaininthisstudy.Wellhereitisagain!Boastingaboutwhatwillhappentomorrowisanotherexampleofhumanarrogance.Itisinthesamecategoryasjudgingothers(vv.11-12).

Whatmakesjudgmentarrogant?• JudgmentisarrogantbecauseGodistheonlylegitimatejudge• Judgmentofothersoftenassumeswearebetterthantheyare

Whatmakesboastingaboutthefuturearrogant?• Itassumesweareincontroloftomorrow• Godistheonlyonewhoknowswhatwillhappeninthefuture.

Backtolastweek'slesson,sucharroganceistheoppositeofhumility,whichisoneoftheprimaryvirtuesofafollowerofJesusChrist!

LeavingGodoutofourPlans:Jamesletsuslisteninontheplansofagroupofbusinessmen.Theyareplanningforthefuture.Whatarethefouragendasontheirmind(v.13)?

• Wheretheywill_______ • Howlongtheywill_____

• Whattheywill________ • Howmuch__________theywillmake

Incontrasttoprayerfulplanning,Jamesusesthesebusinessmenwhorepresentallthosewhoareveryproudofwhattheydoontheirown.Jamesisnotcondemninginternationaltradeorthewealthitbrings.Whatisheconcernedabout?

• TheonewhodoesallthisinaspiritofboastfularrogancewithoutgivinganycredittoGod'sprovisionsinhislife.

Tocontrastthatworldview,what isJames'perspectiveon lifeandwhat ishiscautionagainstadoptingtheworldlyapproachtolifethathedescribesinthissection(vv.13-17)?

4:17,"Anyone,then,whoknowsthegoodheoughttodoanddoesn'tdoit,sins."

HowdoesthisverserelatetothethissectionofJames?• Takeouttheboastingandbraggingandfillupthatspacewithallthe

goodopportunitiesthatsurroundusdaily.• Yet,muchofwhatdrawsusisbasedonmakingselfgreateroverdoingthe

goodthatisallaroundus.

ThehungertobesignificantisadominantdrivethatGodplacedwithintheheartofeachoneofus.ItwasGod'sintentforthishungertobesatisfiedbylivingincovenantrelationship:firstwithHimandtheninrelationshipwithothersthatHeplacesinourlives.Itwasneverhisintentforoursignificancetobefoundthroughworldlypursuits.

That'sthereasonJamessays,"Asitis,youboastandbrag.Allsuchboastingisevil"(v.16).DON'TMISSTHISPOINT.Thehungertobesignificantcandestroyus.Ifyoudon'tbelieveit,takeaquicklookatwhathappenedtoSaulafterDavidkilledGoliath(1Samuel18:5-10).Welongtohavesignificanceinthisworldandforsomeonetotakenoticeofus.LetthatbefoundandfilledinGod!Everythingelseisemptyandhollow!

Application:Whathaveyoufoundyourselfboastingabout?HaveyoueverboastedaboutGod?

Whatplanshaveyoumadelatelythatdidn'tincludeGodorGod'swill?

HowcanwemoreregularlyremindourselvestobeintunewithGodandprayoverourlivesandoverwhattomorrowholdsforourlives?

Lesson11-WarningtoRichOppressorsReadJames5:1-6

InthissectionJameshassomewordstosaytowardthosewhoexploitotherstomakethemselveswealthyand/orthosewhohavewealthbutfailtouseitinawaythathonoursGod.Remember,letterswerewrittentoaspecificgroupofpeoplewithspecificneedsandissuestobeaddressed.Itislikeweare"readingsomeoneelse'smail"attimes.Soifyouread5:1byitself,withoutconsiderthespecificshegivestofollowyouwouldcometotheconclusionthatrichesareevilandthatallrichpeoplewillfaceseverejudgment.Butifyoureadtherestofthissectionthereismoretothestory:

5:4-6tellswhythatharshjudgmentwillbebroughtuponthem.Let'slookatthesefirstandthenseetheresult:

• 5:4-Oppressingthosewhohaveearnedtheirwages• 5:4-ThosetheyrippedoffcryouttoGodandGodhears• 5:5-Theyhaveplacedahighpriorityonself-indulgenceattheexpenseof

thosewhohavemadethemwealthy(theworkers)

• 5:6-theyweremurderers.Notsureifthisisliteralorfigurativebutitseemsprettyliteralhere.

5:1-3tellwhatwillhappentothewealthofpeoplelikethis:• 5:1-Theywillwailinmisery• 5:2-Theirwealthwillrotaway• 5:3-theythemselveswillbeconsumedjustliketheirwealth

ClearlyJamesisnotteachingthatallrichpeopleareevilorself-indulgent.Whatisheteachingusaboutwealth?

• Jamesistellingusthatwealthhastobeusedethicallyorelseitwilltestifyagainstus.

PuttingitinPerspective:WeoftenthinkofwealthypeopleintheUKashavingahugehome,nicecars,andatleast£1million+inthebank.Butbytheworld'sstandards,eventhepoorestBritiswealthy.IfyouknowhowtoreadEnglishyouareprobablyinthetop5%oftheworld'spopulationwhenitcomestowealth.Sothecallisnotjustonthefew

amonguswhohaveatremendousamountofwealthrelativetotherestofus.Thiscallistoallofustousewhatwehaveethically,wisely,andinawaythatpleasesGod.

Inotherwordswecan'tseetheword"wealth"andthinkJamesistalkingtosomeoneelse.Theseversesshouldbeheardbyusallandappropriateactiontakentokeepourprioritiesincheck.

Noticealso,Jameshastwicesaidthatthosehewaswritingtohadkilled/murderedpeople(4:2&5:6).HaveyouevernoticedthatbeforeinJames.Doyouthinktheyhadreallyphysicallykilledothers?

•Itisimpossibletosay.MaybetheydidormaybeJamesistalkingabouthowextremetheirattitudeshavegottenthathehastodescribethemasamurderousbunch.

Howmightwemurdersomeonewithoutactuallykillingthem?Inwhatwayscanyouusewhatyouhavetobeablessingtoothers?Inwhatwayshasitbeenachallengetoyoutouseyourwealthtoblessothers?Whatishardestforyoutoletgoof,money,time,ortalents?

Application:Whatwouldbethemostdifficultpossessionyouhavetogiveaway?Whatwouldmakeitsohard?

CouldyouifyoureallyfeltGodwantedyouto?

Wewon'thaveanapplicationexercisetogohomeanddothatthisweekbutwedohavetoevaluatewhetherwearetheonespossessingourthingsorifourthingsareactuallypossessingus.

Haveyoueverstruggledwithbeingethicalwithyourfinances?Howdidyoudealwiththis?

Lesson12-BePatientandStandFirmReadJames5:7-12

Wedon'tlikepainandsuffering.We'dliketoescapeit,buttherealityisthattroubleandheartacheisjustapartoflivinghereonplanetearth.Thebigquestionishowtodealwiththepainandsufferingthatcomesourway!Jamesgivesusananswerthatatfirstglanceseemsshallow.Hejustsays,"Bepatient."

Patience?HaveyounoticedthisisaplacewhereyourfaithinGodgetstested?HowhaveyounoticedthatasyoubearthroughthetrialsyouhavefacedwithpatiencethatGodworkedwithinyouandmaturedyouintoHislikeness?Withmanyofhisreadersbeingfarmersandlabourers,James'referencetoafarmerwouldhavebeenaveryappropriateillustration.Whataresomeofthereasonsyoucanidentifythatmakefarmingaprofessionthatdemandspatience?

Wouldyoudowellasafarmer?

Throughallofthesufferingsandtrialsthatweendurethroughlife,whatistheonethingthatwearewaitingfor(v.7)?

WhyshouldweliveourlifewithagreateranticipationoftheLord'scoming?

WhydoyouthinkinthissectionthatJamesmakesapointthatamidstthetrialswefaceweshouldkeepinmindnotonlytheLord'sSecondComing(vv.7-8)butalsothefactthatHeisalsobesideusrightnow(v.9)?

Howdoesimpatienceleadtogrumblingandcomplainingaboutourcircumstances...orabouttheactionsofothers?Areyouagrumbler?

James'referenceinthissectionofthepatienceandperseveranceoftheprophetsandJobareworthyofourimitation.ThecentralmessageisthatthosewhoperseverewillbeblessedbyGod:"theLordwhoisfullofcompassionandmercy"(v.11).

Andthenthereisacommandinverse12thatwedon'tgivemuchattention:"Aboveall,mybrothers,donotswear:notbyheavenorbyearthorbyanythingelse.Letyour'Yes'beyes,andyour'No'no,oryouwillbecondemned."

NotetheemphasisJamesplacesonthesetwopoints:

• Aboveall..."• "...oryouwillbecondemned":meaningtoignoresuchcomeswithstiff

consequences

Oaths/swearing:Sowhatexactlyisswearing?

•Intimesofdistress,ChristianscaneasilyuseGod'snameinacarelessandirreverentway.

Butthebiggerissueisthatoftakinganoathtoguaranteeapromise.ItseemshisprimarypointistocallChristianstoastandardoftruthfulnessandcontrolthatjustsaying"yes"or"no"isabindingpromise,aguaranteeoftruth.SeveraltimesinJames'letterhemadethepointthatthereisnoroomforcareless,half-bakedtalk,orpromisesunfulfilled.

Howwouldyousumupthispassageinonesentence?

Standingfirm:James'instructioninverse8,"Bepatientandstandfirm..."seemstobethecentralmessageofthissection.Whilewe'vegivenmostofourattentioninthisdiscussiontotheideaofpatience,describeinyourownwordswhatitmeansto"standfirm."

DescribesomewaysthatyouhaveseenGodblessyourlifethroughyourperseverancethroughsomesignificanttrialinyourlife.

Application:Howmightyourpatiencebetriedthisweek?

Dopeopletrustwhatyoutellthem?Areyouaman/womanofyourword?Whatmighthelpyouimproveonthatifyouaren't?

WhatthingsinyourlifedoyouneedprayedforsoyoucanstandfirmforGod?

Lesson13-ThePrayerofFaithReadJames5:13-20

ThislastsectionisoneofthemostfamousinJames.InthissectionJamesgivesusaseriesofthingstodoundervariouscircumstancesinordertotakecareofeachother.Howhaveyoubeentakencareofbythechurchinthepast?

Theonethinginthispassagethatcomesupthemostisprayer.WhatthingsdoesJamesencouragethemtoprayaboutintheseverses?

• Ifsomeoneisintrouble• Iftheyaresick• Prayforeachother

Jamesissayingprayeriseffective.Whydoesprayersometimesnotseemsoeffective?

• SometimeswepraytoGodanddon'tseeinstantresults• Sometimeswenevergetananswer.

WhenweprayforsickpeopledowereallyexpectGodtohealthemonaccountofourprayerorisitjustsomethingweare"supposedtodo"withoutreallyexpectingananswer?

• ObviouslyGodcanusedoctorsbutthepointis,ourfaithisinGodandsowepraytohimforhelpandhealing.

James is saying in 5:15 that prayer really doeswork...there can be a visible,physicalresultbecauseofGodansweringourprayersforthesick.

What other kind of healing does he say prayer canbring in 5:16?Do youpraymoreforphysicalhealingorspiritualhealing(fromsin)?Why?

"Theprayerofa righteousman ispowerfulandeffective" (5:16).That isoneofthemostquotedversesinJames.Obviouslythisistrueofwomenaswellandnotjustofmen.

Howdoesitmakeyoufeelthatwhenyoupray,somethingreallyishappening?• YourwordsreallydoreachGod'sthroneroominheaven.Theyaren't

justbouncingofftheceilingnevertobeheardbyGod.• ThisshouldgiveuscomfortthatGodhearsandGodcares.

WhatmakestheprayerspowerfulisGodbecauseGodisallpowerful.ButJamesdoesseemtosaythereissomesortofpartnershipbetweenourfaithfulnessandGod'swhenitcomestoansweringprayers.HaveyoueverconsideredthatyourmoralityandethicsmightimpacthowGodviewssomeofyourprayers?

JamesconcludestalkingaboutbringingreconciliationofotherpeoplewithGod.Whatdoesthewordreconciliationmean?

• Makingthingsright

WhatdiesJamessayistheresultofbringingsomeonetorepentance(5:20)?DoesthismotivateyoutotalktothepeopleyouknowwhoneedGodthemost?Why?Application:WhathasstoodoutmosttoyouinthebookofJames?

WhatissomethingyoulearnthatchangesthewayyouseeGod,others,oryourself?

WhatonethingcanyouputintopracticethatisinlinewithwhatJameshastaughtusinthisletter?

Inansweringthisnextquestion,keepinmindthatitisokaytotalkaboutourstrugglesandourshortcomingswithoneanotherbecausewehaveallstruggledwithsomethingatsomepointandhavetobeconsiderateofeachotherandtakecareofeachotherwhenwemakeourselvesvulnerable.

Isthereanythinginyourlifeyouneedthegrouptoprayaboutinregardtothingsthatneedtobeconfessed?