With Obedience Believers Respond to Jesus’ Work in Their Lives with Obedience and Compassion

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

With Obedience Believers Respond to Jesus’ Work in Their Lives with Obedience and Compassion Session 9 With Obedience Believers respond to Jesus’ work in their lives with obedience and compassion. JAMES 1:19-27; 2:1-4 MEMORY VERSE: JAMES 1:22 READ James 1:19–2:13, First Thoughts (p. 94), and Understand the Context (p. 94). Highlight the actions James encouraged his readers to take, and mark each command with an H (Heeding), a D (Doing), or an L (Loving). STUDY James 1:19-27; 2:1-4, using Explore the Text on pages 95–99. Pay close attention to James’s use of word pictures and illustrations. For further insight, consult the Explore the Bible Commentary, found in both print and digital format at LifeWay.com. PLAN the group time using the ideas under Lead Group Bible Study (pp. 100–101), More Ideas (p. 102), ideas included in QuickSource, and ideas online at Blog.LifeWay.com/ExploretheBible/ Adults/LeaderExtras to customize the plans according to the needs of your group. Look for new ways to use the Suggested Music Idea (p. 102). GROW from expert insights on weekly studies through the Ministry Grid (MinistryGrid.com/Web/ ExploretheBible). GATHER the following items: Personal Study Guides; and Index cards and pens for each group member. Prepare to display the following Pack Items: PACK ITEM 2 (Outlines of Galatians; James); and PACK ITEM 5 (Poster: Pairs in Galatians and James). For More Ideas (p. 102), gather: Several types of mirrors; and Someone to speak on care for the homebound. Date of My Bible Study:_________ 93 © 2018 LifeWay Christian Resources FIRST THOUGHTS KEY DOCTRINE When the only option for communicating with someone long distance was Salvation a letter, people waited days before expecting a response. The telephone, Repentance is a genuine turning email, texting, and social media have all changed our expectations. Most from sin toward God. Faith is people today can’t imagine what it was like waiting for a return letter the acceptance of Jesus Christ to arrive! and commitment of the entire personality to Him as Lord and (In PSG, p. 82) What is a realistic expectation for receiving a response to Savior (Mark 1:15). an email, text, or social media post? How does the source of the message impact your response speed? BIBLICAL ILLUSTRATOR For additional context, read “The Social Elite in the First Century” in the Fall 2018 issue UNDERSTAND THE CONTEXT of Biblical Illustrator. Available at LifeWay.com/BiblicalIllustrator. JAMES 1:19–2:13 James began his letter with a call to persevere during trials. Genuine Christian faith at work in difficult times produces spiritual maturity. James the shifted his focus in 1:19–2:13 to introduce a high expectation for maturing believers. A growing faith influences how Christians live day by day. Believers need a trustworthy guide for how to go about putting faith BIBLE SKILL into action. James pointed out that God’s Word is that guide (1:19-21). He instructed believers to listen, speak thoughtfully, and avoid anger as Memorize a verse and apply it to a specific ways to heed gospel truth. A humble Christian relinquishes those real life situation. attitudes that hinder a relationship with God. The believer turns to God’s Memorize James 1:21 in your Word, which has the power to change lives. preferred Bible translation. Then Believers are to learn from and then do the Word (1:22-25). James write the verse in your own used an illustration about a person who peered into a mirror and promptly forgot what he looked like. Obedience results when believers do what the words. Finally, write a couple of Word says. God bestows favor on those who do the Word. sentences here or in a journal, James explained that genuine Christians take on godly character stating how the verse can help expressed as compassionate love and moral purity (1:26–2:4). James you make a tough decision or addressed the problem of favoritism in the church, which negates any face a difficult situation. claim to compassion. Practitioners of pure religion take care of orphans and widows. They refuse to discriminate against the poor. They determine all persons to be of equal value in God’s eyes. James saw a solution to discrimination and favoritism in the church. He explained that God expected obedience to the royal law (2:5-13). James defined the royal law as loving your neighbor as yourself. Failure to love one’s neighbor goes against God’s highest intentions for Christians. 94 Explore the Bible | Leader Guide © 2018 LifeWay Christian Resources EXPLORE THE TEXT HEEDING (JAS. 1:19-21) VERSES 19-20 James addressed his readers as dear brothers and sisters. Perhaps these JAMES 1:19-20 gentle words softened the blow of the demands issued in the following verses. The words understand this served as an attention getter. James might have 19 My dear brothers said, “Listen up.” The next few verses contained valuable information for and sisters, understand everyone in the church. Verse 19 contains three crucial admonitions for Christian living. First, this: Everyone should be quick to listen summoned readers to pay attention to the “word of truth” be quick to listen, discussed in verse 18. Christians should listen with eager anticipation to slow to speak, and God’s Word. Second, be slow to speak. “Think before you speak” might be slow to anger, 20 for James’s advice here. The third admonition was to beslow to anger. This word for anger emphasizes a slow-burning anger that is constantly building. human anger does Anger closes one’s mind to the truth of God. These three imperatives, when not accomplish God’s practiced, can save a believer from a great deal of pain. righteousness. James possibly knew about some anger issues between some of the Christians to whom he wrote. Anger short-circuits the accomplishment of God’s righteousness in our lives. The apostle Paul normally used the term righteousness to describe the righteous status that God gives to Christians as a gift (Rom. 5:17). Here, James was emphasizing the fruit of righteousness, or righteous living, as he did in James 3:18. Human anger does not produce righteous living. Anger can undermine God’s purposes. What about the righteous indignation Jesus showed toward the moneychangers at the temple in John 2:13-16? Certainly a place exists for believers to speak up for just causes in strong terms. The anger James described, however, differed from righteous indignation. Anger that rages out of control does not represent God’s way of solving problems. What role does God’s Word play in controlling our emotions? JAMES 1:21 VERSE 21 21 Therefore, ridding James urged believers to rid themselves of all moral filth and the evil that yourselves of all moral is so prevalent. Simply put, take off all forms of sin like you shed dirty clothes. Anger fit into the general sin of moral filth that needed to be shoved filth and the evil that into the clothes hamper. James used the adjective based on this word is so prevalent, humbly translated moral filth to describe the clothing of the poor man in James receive the implanted 2:2. All moral filth represents any sin that taints the spirit of a believer and word, which is able to hinders a right relationship with God. If believers peel off moral filth and … evil, what do they put on in its save your souls. place? James urged his readers to humbly receive the implanted word. Session 9 : With Obedience 95 © 2018 LifeWay Christian Resources Humble reception of something from God means willingly taking it and using it for His purposes. The implanted word represents God’s truth established in your life. A seed must be planted in the soil before it sprouts. First you hear the Word and God plants it in your heart (v. 19). Once heard and grasped, the Word can do its work in a life. The Word produces faith that functions to grow Christians to maturity. DOING (JAS. 1:22-25) JAMES 1:22 VERSE 22 22 But be doers Humbly receiving the implanted word (v. 21) involves a response to the of the word and word: be doers of the word and not hearers only. Jesus affirmed that true not hearers only, blessing from God comes to those who “hear the word of God and keep it” (Luke 11:28). deceiving yourselves. The tense of the Greek verb translated be doers stresses continuous action. This is an on-going lifestyle of practicing the Word of God. We receive the gospel, but we continually and consistently live it out as well. The individual who sees obedience to the Word as optional is JAMES 1:23-24 deceiving himself. 23 Because if anyone is VERSES 23-24 a hearer of the word James elaborated on the person who is a hearer but not a doer. The person and not a doer, he is who listens to the Word of God but does not obey it is like someone looking like someone looking at his own face in the mirror. Mirrors in the first century were made of polished bronze or copper. at his own face in a Even the best mirrors produced distorted reflections. The word looking mirror. 24 For he looks denoted intense observation. The imperfection of the metal required a at himself, goes away, close look to see the reflection. A look in the mirror might suggest the need to clean dirt off the chin or smooth down unkempt hair. and immediately forgets In James’s example, the person looks at himself, goes away and what kind of person immediately forgets what kind of person he was.
Recommended publications
  • With Perseverance Believers Can Endure Trials, Knowing God Is at Work in All Things
    Session 8 With Perseverance Believers can endure trials, knowing God is at work in all things. JAMES 1:2-15 MEMORY VERSES: JAMES 1:2-3 READ James 1:1-18, First Thoughts (p. 84), and Understand the Context (p. 84). As you read, identify the directives James gave in this passage. Review the Introduction to James (p. 11) and watch the video introduction by James Merritt at Blog.LifeWay.com/ExploretheBible or on the Leader Pack CD-ROM. STUDY James 1:2-15, using Explore the Text on pages 85–89. Underline any statement that functions as a command, directive, or prohibition given by James. Highlight any verses that support the summary statement: “Believers can endure trials, knowing God is at work in all things.” PLAN the group time, looking for a way to help your group be encouraged to memorize Scripture as part of their day. Be prepared to share what works for you. Use the ideas under Lead Group Bible Study (pp. 90–91). Tailor the plans for your group using More Ideas (p. 92) and Leader Extras included on Blog.LifeWay.com/ExploretheBible/Adults. GROW with other group leaders at the Groups Ministry blog (LifeWay.com/GroupMinistry). GATHER the following items: Personal Study Guides. Prepare to display the following Pack Items: PACK ITEM 1 (Map: The First Missionary Journey of Paul); PACK ITEM 2 (Outlines of Galatians; James). Make copies for the group of: PACK ITEM 7 (Handout: Galatians; James Time Line); PACK ITEM 8 (Handout: Memory Verses Bookmark); PACK ITEM 12 (Handout: James, Jesus’ Half-Brother); and PACK ITEM 13 (Handout: Analogies in James).
    [Show full text]
  • The Wisdom of James
    The Wisdom of James The Letter of James, reverberating with themes of biblical wisdom from ancient Israel through the traditions of Jesus and Paul, calls us to be a wise community that walks and talks the “wisdom from above.” Christian Reflection Prayer A Series in Faith and Ethics Scripture Reading: James 1:1-5, 17-27 Meditation James calls wisdom the cause of perfection. He knows that faith is tried and tested in affliction. There is no need to ask God for perfect people. What we need are wise people. This is why he Focus Article: encourages those who want to be on top of their afflictions to ask The Wisdom of James God for wisdom. (Where Wisdom Is Found, Oecumenius (10th Century), Commentary on James pp. 27-37) Reflection What would Christian wisdom look like, and how could we obtain and maintain it, if the conventional views of goodness and the practices of life in the empire around us are corrupt? That is the focus of the Letter of James, written to “the twelve tribes in the Dispersion [diaspora],” a metaphor for faithful disciples who experience life as “exiles, dislocated and marginalized within an alien world because of their faith,” Robert Wall suggests. Those early disciples faced many hardships which could lead them toward joyful confidence and a steady allegiance to God (1:2-3), or “give birth to sin…and to death” (1:14-15). The outcome in each case would depend very much on how one responded to the test and the state of one’s hearts (1:13-14).
    [Show full text]
  • James Study Guide
    Community Groups DISCOVER | CONNECT | SERVE “Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. 24And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. 25Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.” – Hebrews 10:23-25 (NIV) Why Community Groups? Because God created us to live life in the context of relationships! A Community Group is an opportunity for you to connect with others as you experience real life-change in your Christian walk. What is a Community Group? A “small group” of 6-10 people who “do life” together as they grow in their love for God, His word, and others. Community Groups encourage folks to take their next step spiritually as they: (1) Discover God and His grace, (2) Connect with others in life- transforming relationships, and (3) Serve the church and the world. Thus, a Community Group is an environment where we are transformed more and more into the image of Jesus Christ (Romans 8:29-30). Our conviction is that “real life-change only happens in the context of biblical community.” In addition to this, a Community Group is also a place for folks to have fun as they celebrate and share life together! Come join us! Our journey begins with a study of the epistle (or letter) to the James. The following Study Guide is intended to immerse you into God’s word so that you will grow closer to Him in the context of life-transforming relationships.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 & 2 Peter and Jude (Macarthur New Testament Commentary)
    Table of Contents 1 Peter 2 Peter & Jude 1 PETER MOODY PUBLISHERS/CHICAGO Contents CHAPTER PAGE Preface vii Introduction to 1 Peter 1 1. The Elements of Election (1 Peter 1:1–2) 13 2. The Believer’s Eternal Inheritance (1 Peter 1:3–5) 29 3. Salvation Joy (1 Peter 1:6–9) 39 4. Salvation’s Greatness (1 Peter 1:10–12) 49 5. The Believer’s Response to Salvation (1 Peter 1:13–17) 61 6. The Wonder of Redemption (1 Peter 1:18–21) 71 7. Supernatural Love (1 Peter 1:22–25) 87 8. Desiring the Word (1 Peter 2:1–3) 95 9. Spiritual Privileges—Part 1:Union with Christ and 103 Access to God (1 Peter 2:4–5) 10. Spiritual Privileges—Part 2:Security in Christ, 119 Affection for Christ,Election by Christ,and Dominion with Christ (1 Peter 2:6–9b) 11. Spiritual Privileges—Part 3:Separation to Christ, 127 Possession by Christ,Illumination in Christ,Compassion from Christ,and Proclamation of Christ (1 Peter 2:9c–10) 12. Godly Living (1 Peter 2:11–12) 135 13. Submission to Civil Authority (1 Peter 2:13–17) 143 14. Submission in the Workplace (1 Peter 2:18–21a) 155 15. The Suffering Jesus (1 Peter 2:21b–25) 165 16. Winning an Unsaved Spouse (1 Peter 3:1–7) 175 17. Living and Loving the Good Life (1 Peter 3:8–12) 185 18. Securities Against a Hostile World (1 Peter 3:13–17) 195 19. The Triumph of Christ’s Suffering (1 Peter 3:18–22) 205 20.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 the New Birth James 1:18 of His Own Will He Brought Us Forth by the Word of Truth, That We Should Be a Kind of Firstfruits
    The New Birth James 1:18 Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creation. Introduction: Main Point: God cannot be blamed for our temptations because it would violate his very nature and character. He does not tempt anyone with evil nor can he be tempted by evil. We are the ones to blame for our temptations and our sin. It is the product of our fallen nature and evil desires. Our evil desire produces temptation that produces sin that produces death. God, however, is the opposite of that. His nature is good and produces good desires and out of his good desire he produces good and perfect gifts for his people. The climax of that argument for James is 1:18. “Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creation.” By way of introduction I want to make some connections for you to the context of James’ argument so that we can be certain of what James intended this verse to mean to his recipients. Then I want to spend the bulk of this message talking about the implications of what this verse means to Christians of all ages, and particularly to us today. Contextual flow: - “Of his own will”, serves as a contrast to our own will, which is born out of our own fallen nature, and produces evil desires. James teaches us that this is the cause of our temptations and subsequent bouts with sin, not God.
    [Show full text]
  • The Epistle of James
    Page 1 of 7 The Epistle of James Lesson # 13 Submit, Resist and Be Humble James 4:7-10 Date: June 21, 2015 I. Submit James 4:7a As we saw in our last lesson, submission to God and to His authority is a major key to living the Christian life. Note these introductory verses: Rom. 1:1; Phil. 1:1; Titus 1:1; Philemon 1:1; James 1:1; II Pet. 1:1; Jude 1:1 [ HCSB ] – see what they all have in common? Other epistles begin like II Cor. 1:1. My point is this; godly men, exemplified by those who wrote our NT, considered themselves not to be great towers of authority on their own, but they realised that they were slaves ( bond-servants in other versions ) of God, doing His bidding. I would argue that most of the problematic [ ie. wrong ] decisions we make result from our resistance to the Lordship of Christ in our lives. We simply do not see ourselves as slaves of Christ! We tend, instead, to see ourselves as ‘partners’ with Him in the gospel and we are; capable of independent thinking and decision making that too often results in either direct sins of commission or omission or at least sketchy versions of something sub-obedient. Note Jesus words in JN 15:1-11 - “apart from Me you can do nothing.” “In Me” refers to union with Christ. Look with me at Romans 6:1-23. Do you notice here in this chapter that there are more references to slavery than any other chapter in any other NT book? ( 9 x )The predominant theme in Romans 5-6 ( and some would argue, 7 also ) is our sanctification.
    [Show full text]
  • Taming the Tongue the Things That We Say Or Fail to Say Serve As a Barometer of Our Christian Character, According to James
    Taming the Tongue The things that we say or fail to say serve as a barometer of our Christian character, according to James. The ability to master our words is both a metric for and a mark of spiritual maturity. Prayer Christian Reflection O God, your word to us is the good news of Jesus Christ. Yet too A Series in Faith and Ethics often our words to others are not good news. We use your gift of speech to boast about our accomplishments. We use our words to speak harshly and to criticize. We put down other people who are different. Forgive us, O Lord. Help us to choose our words carefully and faithfully, and to use them for the good. Focus Article: May our words be like fresh water from a spring that gives life, Taming the Tongue health, and joy. Amen. (The Letter of James, Scripture Reading: James 3:1-12 pp. 30-37) Reflection To underscore how central to James’s ethical instruction is taming the tongue, Todd Still notes “some forty-six of the letter’s one hundred and eight verses—an arresting forty-three percent of them!—touch upon ‘speech matters’ in one fashion or another.” If anyone childishly believes “sticks and stone may break my bones, but words will never hurt me,” James begs to differ. Believers must be “quick to hear” and “slow to speak” (1:19), and should back up their careful chosen words with deeds. The famous teaching on faith and works begins: “What good is it…if you say you have faith but have not works?” (2:14, italics added).
    [Show full text]
  • James and His Readers James 1:1
    Lesson 1 James and His Readers James 1:1 An Epistle On Christian Living The book of James has most often been placed in a group with 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John and Jude. The seven books, as a group, are often called the general epistles. This title comes from the fact that they all are written to the church in general or a wide section of the church, instead of to a church in a specific city. In many ways, this epistle could be called a commentary on the sermon on the mount. James reveals the very heart of the gospel. He tells Christians how to live daily for the Master. Coffman says, "There is no similar portion of the sacred scriptures so surcharged with the mind of Christ as is the Epistle of James." Shelly titles his book on James What Christian Living Is All About and suggests James 1:27 sounds the theme of the book, which is pure and undefiled religion. James, The Lord's Brother The author identifies himself as James (James 1:1). Four men in the New Testament are called James. One was the father of Judas, not Iscariot (Luke 6:16; Acts 1:13). It seems unlikely that this is our author since we know so little of him. The author of this book was so well known to the early church that he only signed his name. James, the son of Alphaeus, was one of the Lord's apostles (Acts 1:13; Luke 6:15; Mark 3:18; Matthew 10:32).
    [Show full text]
  • James 5:1-12 Riches and Suffering
    James 5:1-12 Riches and Suffering James has been talking about very practical things: dealing with trials and temptations, showing favoritism, controlling the tongue, submission to God, boasting, and this is his third reference to the rich! This is important. Verses 1-6 What is the misery James is warning the rich people about? Eternal misery. Judgment. Why? Because they’re rich? No, because of what they were doing with their riches.. Are there examples of rich people in the Bible? Yes! Abram (Genesis 13:2), Solomon (1 Kings 3:13), Job (Job 42:10), the rich young man (Matthew 19:16-22), and Joseph of Arimathea (Matthew 27:57) Did God criticize or condemn them for being rich? Only the rich young man because he wasn’t willing to give up his riches. What are the specific criticisms James levels against these rich people? 1. Hoarding wealth—the Bible does not discourage saving, or even investing; but it does condemn hoarding 2. Acquiring wealth by wrong means—withholding pay, dishonesty, insensitivity to people’s needs 3. Luxurious living—self indulgence 4. Condemned and murdered innocent people—stepped on people on their way up the ladder Is it wrong to be wealthy? Riches present a stewardship challenge. Those whom James indicts are ignoring/abusing their stewardship responsibilities. You and I may possess many things, but we do not own them. God is the Owner of everything. We are His stewards. Wouldn’t we all like to be wealthy? Most rich people are happy they are rich, but they may not be happy with the state of their lives.
    [Show full text]
  • 1 Peter 1:1-12 ~ Praise to God ~ Discussion Questions
    1 Peter 1:1-12 ~ Praise to God ~ Discussion Questions 1. To what do people often turn in times of sorrow or suffering? 2. To whom did Peter address the letter? (1 Peter 1:1-2) 3. Peter refers to his readers as aliens or strangers. What does he mean by this? (1 Chronicles 29:15, Psalm 39:12, Hebrews 13:14) Do you ever feel like a stranger in the world? When? What are the circumstances? 4. How and for what reason had Peter’s readers been chosen? (1 Pet 1:2, Genesis 25:23, Romans 9:10-13, Psalm 115:3, Romans 8:29) 5. So it’s good if God chooses you. What if he doesn’t? Are you forever lost because God did not choose you? (Ephesians 2:10, John 1:12, Romans 10:13) 6. Which persons of the trinity are involved in redemption of the elect? What is the “sanctifying work” Peter speaks of? (1 Pet 1:2) 7. What did Peter say God had given his people? (1 Pet 1:3-4, Hebrews 9:15) 8. By what are believers shielded? For how long? (1 Pet 1:5) 9. What exactly is salvation? When does it happen? 10. What did Peter tell his readers they may have to suffer or endure? What benefit, if any, is there in trials and suffering? (1 Pet 1:6-7, James 1:2-4, Romans 5:3-5) 11. What did Peter say the result of having faith would be? (1 Pet 1:7) 12. What did Peter hope his readers had done even though they had not seen Christ? (1 Pet 1:8) Did Peter himself hear Christ speak similar words after the resurrection? (John 20:29) 13.
    [Show full text]
  • Community Group Discussion Guide Week of October 9, 2011
    Community group discussion guide Week of October 9, 2011 This Week’s Text: 1 Kings 18:41-46. This Week’s Focus: The prophet Elijah’s humble and effective prayer that brought rain to a dry land. Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed fervently that it might not rain, and for three years and six months it did not rain on the earth. Then he prayed again, and heaven gave rain, and the earth bore its fruit. James 5:16-18. The promises are the ground of faith, and faith, when strengthened, will make thee fervent, and such fervency ever speeds and returns with victory out of the field of prayer. The mightier any is in the Word, the more mighty he will be in prayer. William Gurnall. “Life is full and running over with opportunities to see God’s hand in little things. Only the most sensitive of His servants see them, smile and live on tiptoe. Charles Swindoll. Related Texts: Joshua 23:14, James 5:16-18. Observations and Questions for Discussion: What has God spoken to you about regarding the sermon? Share with your community group your earliest memories of prayer. What are some of the “universal” promises of God that are an encouragement to you? According to 1 Kings 18:1, Elijah knew that God would send rain. If God had promised to send rain, then why did Elijah need to pray earnestly for it? o Read also James 5:16-18.
    [Show full text]
  • James 1:1–12
    SESSION 1 JAMES 1:1–12 Quick Start Read Print Watch Take some time in advance to Before class, make enough Make sure everyone can see read and consider the Bible copies of this session’s handout the screen and the audio is at a Study questions and come for your entire group. (The comfortable level. up with personal examples to handouts came with your encourage discussion. Read download.) through the Go Deeper sections and determine which ones you will use. Note: For more detailed information, please see the Note to Leaders document. OPEN What’s the best food you prepare? (Or, for some, what’s the only food you prepare?) What are the ingredients? How do you prepare it? Can you bring some next week? Leader: Yes, this is just a casual icebreaker question, but it ties into a point Francis Chan will make in the video. So listen for some details that you can refer back to later. READ Read James 1:1–12. Leader: Here in the first session, it’s best to read it aloud yourself, or ask someone you know who is a confident reader. Ask the others to listen carefully and/or follow along. WATCH Show Session 1: James 1:1–12 (8 minutes) DISCUSS According to verse 1, who was the author of this letter? Who was James? How does he describe himself? According to tradition, this James was also the half-brother of Jesus, a son of Joseph and Mary. (NOTE: Roman Catholic teaching maintains that James was a cousin of Jesus.) GO DEEPER Learn more about James in the following set of Bible verses.
    [Show full text]