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Download Straight Up STRAIGHT UP - 2 STRAIGHT UP A GREEK IV BIBILE STUDY STRAIGHT UP - 3 Note to Leader These Bible studies have been written with three goals in mind: 1. In studying the Bible, Greek students will see that the ancient scriptures intersect with their lives today, discovering that God can speak directly to them through the Bible. 2. Interesting conversations will be generated. People would leave the study and say, “Wow that was a really great discussion!” 3. Deeper relationships will be forged. Greeks in the same chapter know each other well, but long to connect in deeper and more significant ways. By asking some probing questions Greeks would find ways to share more deeply. As a leader, feel free to tweak this study to fit your group. This series on the book of James was written to have five studies total, but if you find them to be too long for your group, we designed them in such a way that each of the five studies can easily be broken up into two parts. Also feel free to skip questions. You know your brothers/sisters, and you’ll have a good sense of which questions they will respond to and which ones will generate the best conversation and dialogue. Feel free to print out the questions for your group members or just print out one copy for yourself and read them to the group members. You decide; it’s up to you to adapt the study to the unique needs of your group. STRAIGHT UP - 4 STRAIGHT UP A GREEK IV BIBILE STUDY FROM THE BOOK OF JAMES Introduction to the book of James The book of James is not a feel-good book. James messes with our lives. He has no tolerance for people who claim to be Christians yet show no evidence of a life that has been transformed by the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit. He meddles with our pride, our pocketbook, our gossip, and much more. James would agree with the apostle Paul that we are saved by faith alone, not by good works—but James pushes us to see that the faith that saves never shows up alone. True saving faith manifests itself in our lives; it becomes evident in how we do life 24/7. James was the half brother of Jesus (his mother was Mary and his father Joseph. See Mark 6:3 and Matthew 13:53–55). James spends very little time on doctrine. He rarely quotes the teaching of Jesus or the Old Testament, yet a careful reading of the text will show that the entire book of James is infused with Jesus’ teaching of the Sermon on the Mount and great truths from the Old Testament. In five short chapters, James puts us through a painful diagnostic that uncovers the junk of our lives and the areas in need of the transforming work of God. But, there’s hope! James doesn’t leave us in a devastated state; he shows us how to live out a robust Christian faith. A faith that is straight up. Written by Mindy Meier Edited by Kristen Dalton STRAIGHT UP - 5 James 1 When Tough Stuff Hits: Tests, Trials, and Temptations Ice Breaker What has been the hardest test you have taken in college? What made it so difficult? The book of James has a lot to say about how we relate to the people around us, but before James starts down that road, he wants to make sure we are tight with God--that our relationship with God is in the right place. He pushes us to take a look on the inside. James explodes the myth that new birth in Christ will solve all our problems and that we will be exempt from trials, tribulations, and temptations. While God does not willfully subject us to cruel suffering, at the same time He can work through the hardships of life in a broken and fallen world to bring about a refining process. In reality one of God’s methods of bringing his people to maturity is by allowing them to experience trials. Read James 1:1‒18 1. What trial are you experiencing in your life today? What are we to do when we face trials and why (vs. 2–4)? Is that realistic? 2. How would you view your current trial differently if you really believed it was God’s instrument, developing your maturity in Christ? STRAIGHT UP - 6 3. James 1:5 says, “If any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God who gives generously to all without finding fault and it will be given to him.” This great verse has often been wrenched out of the paragraph and looked at in isolation as people seek God’s will in their life (e.g., “Should I go to grad school?” Should I break up with the person I am seeing?” “Should I get a part time job?” etc), but this instruction “to ask for wisdom” is in the context of seeing life’s trials as God’s method of building maturity. Why would someone in the midst of a purifying trial need to ask for wisdom? 4. Hard stuff in our life can either make us better or bitter. How do you account for the fact that the same difficult experience leaves one person bitter and jaded while another person is better than they were before? 5. How are we to ask God for wisdom (or with what ‘posture’) according to verses 6–8? What happens if we don’t ask God in such a way? 6. In vs. 9–11 the author turns our conventional understanding of wealth upside down. How might wealth and abundant material possessions have an adverse effect on a vital faith in God? What counter-cultural views does James teach about wealth? Has your faith changed your views about money and wealth in the past couple of years? 7. Look at verses 12–14. Verse 12 says, “Blessed is the person who perseveres under trial.” What does the word “blessed” mean in this context? Is persevering different from just passively enduring bad stuff in life? 8. Why are staying power, endurance, stickablity, and steadfastness needed when training for a marathon, hanging in a tough marriage, showing up for a difficult job, pushing through a difficult class, or sticking with your Greek chapter despite problems? 9. When have you felt like giving up? Where do you need God’s staying power in your life today? STRAIGHT UP - 7 10. According to verses 13–14, where does temptation come from? 11. What kind of desire is James talking about in vs. 15? What’s the end result when we give evil desires full reign? Is it wrong to have strong desires? Are all strong desires that we possess built into us by God? 12. According to verses 16–18, what do we receive from God? How does this help us overcome our vision of God as a heavenly scrooge? How can we avoid the temptation to fill our legitimate, God-given longings with illegitimate things? 13. What temptations are you facing that need the help of your brothers or sisters in the chapter? Read James 1: 19‒27 14. Read the list of instructions in verses 19–21. Which command is hardest for you to obey? How could being quick to listen and slow to speak help you manage your anger? 15. Who has been a great listener for you in your life? 16. How does the term “Sunday Christian” illustrate James’ point in verses 22–24? What would James say to Christians who merely attend a one hour service each week to “get their card punched?” 17. In verses 26–27 we find three litmus tests for authentic faith. What is the negative evidence mentioned in verse 26? What two positive evidences are mentioned in verse 27? STRAIGHT UP - 8 18. How are the words we speak an accurate index of what we are at the core of our being? When have you gotten yourself in trouble by not having a tight reign on your tongue? 19. Why is looking after orphans and widows such a radical demonstration of transforming faith? (see Deuteronomy 14:29 and Jeremiah 22:16 for commands regarding the poor, the orphans and widows) Who are the powerless in society today? What might you do in response to their needs? 20. How could someone follow the command “Keep oneself from being polluted by the world” when living in a fraternity or sorority? What could you do as a band of brothers or group of sisters to help each other in this pursuit? Closing Reflection Our highest goals in life are often happiness, peace within, and prosperity. But God has different goals for us. He wants to live His life in and through us. God wants to form Christ in us and His method is often using trials and hardships. God wants us to be “Exhibit A”, a prime example of His radical love to a watching world. May we be straight up; that is, people who do not just listen to the word, but actually live out an authentic faith. STRAIGHT UP - 9 James 2 Who’s Hot? Who’s not... Icebreaker During recruitment, what scores big points for your Greek Chapter? What does it take to be a _______________? (Fill in your Greek affiliation: Sigma Chi, Tri-Delt, Kappa, ATO etc.) What does your Greek chapter look for, value, and esteem in potential new members? Read James 2:1‒13 Then read this updated Greek version… Hey guys—don’t show favoritism.
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