JAMES 5:
verses 1-4:
verses 5-6:
Read James 5:1-6
When have you experienced a lack of rain? Of too much rain?
Instead of retaliation or vengence what are the poor to do? Why?
What lesson are provided by the farmer? By the returning Judge? By the prophets? By Job? By the call to integrity (v12)?
verses 7-8:
verse 9:
verses 10-11:
verses 12:
verses 13-15:
verses 16-18:
verses 19-20:
Read James 5:7-20
As a child, what did you pray before you went to bed at night?
What lessons about prayer is James highlighting in verses 13-18? How is the example of Elijah meant as an encouragement to those addressed in verses 13-16?
From this book, what are some ways “wandering from the faith” has been demonstrated in this community? What has James done to try to bring them back?
When you experience hardship, what helps you to be patient and wait for God? What has really tested that? When have you come the closest to wandering from the faith? Who helped bring you back? How would you help someone else come back to the faith?
Overall:
The book of James can polarize those who grapple with it. Which way do you find yourself leaning: Guilty or inspired? Resistant or repentant? Passing the buck to the rich, or passing out bucks to the poor?
How do you want to be a “doer” of the truth you have heard in James?
What is your biggest takeaway from James? What is your biggest takeaway from studying the Word in this particular way?
The Sermon On The Mount
(Matthew 5-7)
This week: Read Matthew 5
How would you describe the opposite of each quality listed in verses 3-10?
Is Jesus describing who his followers are? Or prescribing what they must do?
How do these promised blessings compare with what most people in the world prize? Would kingdom people be admired in your society? In your social circles? Why or why not?
How does the righteousness of the Pharisees contrast with that described in verses 3-11?
Measure yourself on these mental attitudes—1 being LOW and 4 being HIGH
POOR IN SPIRIT: I have come to the place where I feel accepted by God when I feel most unacceptable to myself. I recognize my need for God and know that I do not have to earn His love with wealth, status, or spiritual sophistication.
LOW 1 2 3 4 HIGH
MOURN: I have come to the place where I can really feel the empty places in my life. I can let others know when I am hurting and share the grief of others without embarrassment. I can weep like Jesus did.
LOW 1 2 3 4 HIGH
MEEK: I have come to the place where I don’t have to be the strong one all the time. I can be tender and gentle with people. I’ve given the control of my life to God and I don’t have to “win” all the time.
LOW 1 2 3 4 HIGH
SPIRITUAL HUNGER: I have come to the place where I want to know God and His will for my life more than anything. I am more excited about God’s will for the world than my own financial gain, success in my career, or acceptance by my peers. I long for God’s perspective in my decision-making.
LOW 1 2 3 4 HIGH
MERCIFUL: I have come to the place where I can enter into the feelings of someone who is hurting, lonely, or distressed and feel alongside them in their pain. God has given me a senstivitiy for the suffering of others.
LOW 1 2 3 4 HIGH
PURE IN HEART: I have come to the place where I can be completely open and honest with God and others—transparent because I have nothing to hide. I don’t have to put on “airs” or pretend to be what I’m not.
LOW 1 2 3 4 HIGH
PEACEMAKER: I have come to the place where I really work at keeping the channels of communication open between me and those around me. I deal with anger and disagreements immediately and don’t allow them to fester. I encourage those around me to work out their differences without hurting one another.
LOW 1 2 3 4 HIGH
PERSECUTION: I have come to the place where I know what I am living for, and for this cause I am not afraid to suffer and, if need be, die. I am willing to “take the heat” and stand alone for what is right. I can take criticism without feeling self-pity or self-righteousness.
LOW 1 2 3 4 HIGH