Read the first 4 verses of Obadiah. Think of specific people in your life who are marked by pride and self-reliance. What is the source of their pride?
What is God’s solution to bitterness and spite? See Ephesians 4:31 for starters.
Are you facing a “battle” that seems completely overwhelming? Read Romans 8:31-39 for strength.
1) In Chapter 3, Amos begins by telling the people that they were chosen by God. According to Gen 12:1-3 and Isaiah 41:8-10, what was God’s purpose in choosing Israel?
2) In chapters 3-4, Amos explains that because Israel has been chosen, Israel will be disciplined when disobedient, to bring Israel back to God. How did God try to bring the people back in chapters 3-4? How did they react? How do we react to misfortune and suffering?
3) What sins were the people committing according to chapter 5? How were they supposed to respond? See especially 5:11-14.
4) Would you describe yourself as someone who longs for the day of the Lord? What is the day of the Lord in this context? Why does he tell them that their confidence is unwarranted? What does God desire from them?
5) If you use God’s word as a “plumb line” to measure your life, what do you see? What alternative standards are you tempted to use?
6) What is God’s final promise of hope? What does this show us about God’s character?
7) Looking at the book of Amos as a whole, we see God calling his covenant people to honor him with their lives and not just their religious ceremonies. God calls them to turn from idols, from oppressing the poor, and from immorality. What applications does this have for us today? For a powerful comparison of what we who live under the new covenant can learn from the lessons of the old, see Hebrews 12:14-29.
When Amos speaks of God’s judgment on the nations (
Amos speaks often of the neglect of the poor (Amos 2:7; 4:1; 5:11-12; 8:4-6, et al). What are we to do about these admonitions?
As believers we look forward to Jesus coming back – to heaven! Amos tells these people that they should not be looking forward to “the Day of the Lord, for they were unprepared to meet God (see Amos 5:18-24). How does this impact you as you read it?
God’s intention is that His people reflect His holy and merciful character to their unbelieving neighbors. God’s people should live such that they attract people to God. In Amos’ day the people of God were living just like their neighbors – perhaps worse. Yet they thought themselves superior and immune to the judgment of God. Think long and hard about this. How do God’s people today (you and me) do the same? What should be our response?
There are many who are truly following after God. They are not frustrating God, they are bringing Him joy. Name some of the people you know who are following God closely and do tow things: (1.) let them know that you see God’s ways reflected in their lives, and (2.) seek to emulate their lives.
Joel 2:28-3:21
1) What does the prophesy in 2:28-29 refer to? What does it emphasize? (Cf Acts 2)
2) How do the themes of judgment and repentance in 2:30-31 relate to this 28-29?
3) What parallels do you see between the judgment in chapter 3:1-16 and other places in scripture where God brings judgment on people? When God sends judgment, how does this reflect the character described in 2:13
4) What is to be result of God’s action? See 3:17 and compare to 2:27. In what ways is the pattern from 3:18-20 repeated elsewhere in scripture?
5) What are the main lessons we should take from the book of Joel? How can we help each other live this out.
What do we know for sure about the context of Joel’s prophesy? What is uncertain?
What do we learn about God’s character from Joel? Which aspects of God’s character are we tempted to ignore or downplay?
What was the locust plague supposed to accomplish? What were the people being warned about?
Reflect on Chapter 2, verse 13. What are instances were we repent outwardly but not inwardly? What does Joel tell us about what God is like to encourage us to repent from the heart?
What does 2:27 tell us about God’s purpose in disciplining his people? How do we respond to hardships? Look at Hebrews 12 for a NT discussion of this concept.
Hosea was a prophet in the 8th Century BC, prophesying to the northern kingdoms, warning them of impending judgment. One of the most interesting aspects of the book is the way God drew parallels between Hosea’s own life and the relationship between God and Israel.
1) Why do Christians often refer to marriage as a “covenant?” What is the difference between a covenant and a mere agreement? In the context of a human marriage, what could break such a covenant? It may be helpful to refer to Matthew 6:31-34 or 19:1-9.
2) What is Hosea commanded to do in verse 2?
Note that there is some ambiguity here. Based on what comes next we can say at a minimum that Gomer was unfaithful to Hosea after the marriage, likely as a prostitute. To see this, note that the children are referred to as children of unfaithfulness or adultery (see 2:4). The whole analogy to Israel is that Israel is already “married” to God, but has committed adultery by going after other gods. In 3:2, she must be bought back out of prostitution. It is possible that she was already a prostitute when he married her initially, and that she went back to her old ways after the marriage.
3) What is the significance of the children Gomer had and their names?
Given that the children are referred to as children of unfaithfulness, it may be significant that only the first child is specifically noted as being born to Hosea. The other two children may be by other men. The names, especially the last two, indicate the consequences of the unfaithfulness.
4) What signs of hope do we see in 1:10-2:1?
The judgment of the previous verses is reversed, new names are given. But how can this be? Take time to imagine how surprising these verses might have been.
5) In 2:2, Gomer’s children are probably being addressed, but this serves as a transition to the charge being made against Israel. What are the charges against Israel in 2:2-13 and what are the consequences?
6) What does 2:14-23 indicate about God’s ultimate plan for Israel? What does this tell us about what God is like? Pay particular attention to verse 8. Can we see this sin in ourselves? Everything we have is from God. Do we take what God has given us and then use it to pursue things that are not godly? If so, should we describe our own actions as “adultery?”
7) What command is Hosea given in verse 3:1? How is he supposed to model for Israel the love of God? Try to imagine yourself in his position. What would it take for you to love an adulterous spouse that way? Take time to let this image focus our minds on the depths of God’s love for us and the meaning of grace.
8) In what ways do verses 3:2-4 foreshadow what Christ accomplishes?
He redeems us from our own form of slavery and is the new King who will finally reunify his people. David was from Judah, so talking about the Kingship of David to the people of the northern kingdom was a bold prophecy.
Read Isaiah 58 straight through.
Have you had times of turning away from the poor or the hungry? Why did you?
Sometimes we are skeptical of the "poor" in our culture. What has caused us to have this attitude (whether legitimately or not)?
If God were to write a letter to Cornerstone Church in the same manner as Isaiah 58, what do you think He would point out to us?
As believers we tend to "pick and choose" the things we want to obey in the Bible. Can you think of things that are relatively easy for you to obey? What are the things that are difficult for you to obey?
Over one-half of the chapter is God's promise to restore and reward His people. Sometimes we miss this - we find ourselves focusing on the verses that point out our guilt. God wants to draw us to the truth with promises of joy and refreshment and strength. It is AWESOME to walk with God and obey His Word. Pray for one another to that end.
As we wrap up the book of James, ask yourself, “What have I learned from this book?” Remember, this was an “I:Exam” and James cautioned us not to be merely “hearers of the Word," but “doers” also. What are you “doing” as a result of studying James?
The final sentence of James tells us that we are to pursue those who wander from the truth. What is often our attitude toward “wanderers?”
Have you ever wandered from the truth? What did God do to bring you back?
Go back and read the story of Elijah in 1 Kings 17-19. He was a man “just like us” (Js. 5:17). How does his story encourage you in your walk of faith?
We are about to turn our attention to some OT prophets. Spend some time reading Isaiah 58. What are some themes you find there?
Read through the passage and write down the questions that come to mind.
Now use the knowledge you have gained in your study of James to find possible solutions to your questions. Keep the context (theme of the book, flow of chapter 5, etc.) in mind as you do.
The word "pray" or "prayer" is found often in this passage. Clearly that is James' main point. What does your prayer life look like? Be specific as you describe how, when, and where you pray.
This passage is strong in its appeal to confess your sins to other Christ-followers (either elders or one another). Take this command seriously. If not in the full group, make sure to find a believer who is mature and whom you trust and take them aside to confess your sins.
What are some other passages that teach us the value of confession? Why do we ignore these teachings far too often? What keeps us from confessing our sins as God would have us to?
What will you do this week to strengthen your life of prayer?
Questions for Connection Group Leaders, James 5:7-12
1) How does the main theme of this passage relate to the opening verses of James?
2) In what sense is a farmer “patient” waiting for crops? What are areas of life where we fail to achieve even this level of patience?
3) What type of patience do we see in the prophets and Job?
4) What is the underlying idea in each of these examples?
5) How does the prohibition on swearing fit in with the rest of the passage? What would be practical applications of this in your life? How can we hold each other accountable.
Compare James 4:13-17 and now 5:1-6. There seems to be an abrupt change in audience that James has in mind between these two passages. How so?
Why would James write to unbelievers? Does he think they would actually be sitting in the church where this letter was read? Or why else might he write these words to them?
Read Luke 16:19-31. How does James’ teaching fit with this story that Jesus told?
Is it right that Christians seek comfort in the fact that God will punish those who do us wrong (victimize us)? Should the punishment of unbelievers make a Christian feel comfort? Think about this one. What does the Bible say?
It would be easy to dismiss the weight of this text in James (after all, it IS directed at unbelievers). I don’t think James wants us to squirm out from under the weight of it that easily. Look at the indictments again:
§ Hoarding wealth for ourselves (:2-3)
§ Cheating workers out of their wages (:4)
§ Living in luxury and self-indulgence (:5)
§ Murdering innocent men (:6)
Any apply? How so?
If you are a parent, how can you teach your kids to avoid these sins?
What is an action point that you’ll take this week?
This week please consider sharing communion as a Connection Group to “proclaim the Lord’s death until He comes” (1 Cor. 11:26). Here is some help for you:
Connection Group Communion (first week of April – between Palm Sunday and Easter)
Between Palm Sunday (April 1) and Easter (April 8) we ask each Connection Group to consider sharing communion together. How? Plan for a pot luck meal (this is what the first-century believers called a “love feast.”). Go around the table and invite every person to reflect on what Christ has done for them by His death on the cross. Was there bondage to a specific sin that has been broken? Has the promise of heaven transformed their life on earth? Has cold religion been transformed into the warm embrace of our heavenly Father?
Find a passage that you want to share to conclude the sharing. You could read the account of the crucifixion (such as Luke 23:26ff). You could use Day 13 of the Prayer Guide. Or use a passage you have found that uniquely points you to the cross.
Having read the passage, take a single, unbroken loaf (you may want to buy a matzo “cracker” from the grocery store or just use an unsliced loaf of bread) and pass it around the table, allowing each person to break off their portion of the one loaf (each of us receiving our gift of life from the single sacrifice of Christ). Then take a goblet of grape juice (or wine) and pass it around the table allowing each to receive from the single cup.[1] You can refer to 1 Corinthians 11:23-26 (and 10:14-17) as well as Luke 22:7-20.
Consider closing with a song of praise.
If you would like to do a much more elaborate Passover “seder” meal, see…
http://www.cresourcei.org/haggadah.html
[1] If fear of the flu bug makes this unappealing, consider having a single pitcher from which you pour a portion into each individual cup to drink from.
The opening line in this passage has James calling us to attention, “No listen!” Just in case we had “checked out” from his earlier topics, he wants all ears wide open for this one. Why this topic particularly?
What makes businessmen and women especially appropriate as an illustration for this teaching?
How have you experienced the brevity of life (that our days on earth are as a “mist” quickly vanishing)?
James is not encouraging us to simply parrot back the words, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and so this or that” (:15). So, what does this mean? What should this look like in our every day life?
In what ways does this passage fit with the topic of pride that has been running through chapter 4?
In what ways is making plans without submitting them to God akin to “boasting and bragging?”
If this is an issue in your life, confess this to God (and to your group), calling it what God calls it…”evil” and “sin.”
Is it shocking that when James gives the imperative command to ”not slander” it is primarily directed to “brothers” against “one another?” Slander of all kinds and against any person is wrong. But why does James direct his command to the kind of slander that occurs from one Christ-follower to another Christ-follower?
How can we slander even when our words are true?
What motivates us to slander? What is going on in our hearts?
James earlier told us that we often find a secure place in our hearts for bitter envy and selfish ambition (see 3:14-16). How might these things in our hearts flow out in slander from our mouths?
The “royal law” James gives is “love your neighbor as yourself” (James 2:8). If that is “the law” that James refers to in 4:11-12, how does that help us understand what he is saying here?
We need to think about what this passage condemns (slander). But think about how we can proactively do the right thing? In other words, how do the Scriptures guide us to speak the truth about people in an appropriate way? What if we see a brother do something wrong – how can we talk about that person without slipping into slander?
Remember to attend the community Connection Group Leader Training on Sunday, March 25 from 8:30-9:50 am in the Equipping Room.
§ Frazee, Part 2 (chs. 7-10)
§ Grudem, chs. 5-6
1) What does cause fights and quarrels among you? In other words, in what areas of your life are you most likely to experience conflict?
2) Can you identify instances where pride and self-centeredness is at the root of these conflicts?
3) What are instances where pride and self-focus causes us to fail even ask God for help? What are instances were, when we do pray to God, our prayers reflect pride and self-focus?
4) Why do you think James uses such strong language in verse 4? In both the Old Testament and the New Testament, God uses the language of marriage to describe his relationship with the church. What type of friendships in a human marriage would “friendship with the world” be similar to in the church’s marriage to God? How does “envy” function in a healthy way in marriages?
5) What are ways that we have damaged or are damaging our relationship with God through friendship with the world?
6) What does the passage teach us about the path to restoration? What does it mean to truly humble oneself before God? “Grieve, morn, and wail” is not the sort of phrase that one hears in American Christianity very much. Why not? How can a spirit of genuinely humble repentance better characterize our relationship with God?
7) This passage encourages us to draw near to the cross of Christ, and draw away from the world and the devil. What are practical steps we could take this week to do that? How could we hold each other accountable?
Have you found yourself desperate for wisdom and then listening to the wrong advice (counterfeit wisdom)? What happened and what did you learn?
Our culture often thinks of “humility” as a weakness – not as the foremost quality of true wisdom. Yet men like Moses and Jesus Christ are described as “humble” in the Bible. How do these men help us think rightly about what James describes as “humility?”
What do “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition” look like? What do they look like in you?
When James speaks of counterfeit wisdom as “of the devil,” what does that mean?
Now look at the list of qualities that are found in God’s true wisdom (3:17-18). List each one and define it (use a Bible dictionary or concordance for some help).
What changes need to be made in your life so that true wisdom is what you seek and what you speak?
Pray for your Connection Group and for our church that God would give us a hunger for true wisdom and the discernment to detect and rid ourselves of counterfeit wisdom.
James has much to say concerning our mouth/words. Every chapter speaks to this issue (see 1:13; 1:26; 2:7; 2:12; 3:1-12; 4:11; 5:12).
James must have been a good student of his half-brother, Jesus, as He spoke of the importance of what we speak. See Matthew 12:33-37 for a good example.
When Jesus says “out of the overflow of the heart the mouth speaks,” He tells us something very important. We need to focus on what is going on in our hearts, not simply changing the behavior of our mouth. As you think about the categories from Proverbs (below), ask yourself, “What is going on in my heart when my mouth sins in these ways?”
In going through the OT book of Proverbs, Troy found dozens of verses specifically addressing our words. Proverbs 8:6-9 and 18:21 give some general wisdom on words. Following through the rest of the book of Proverbs we find words of wisdom in at least these categories when it comes to our words:
- Careful words (10:19 ; 17:28)
- Truthful words (12:22 ; 14:25)
- Pleasant words (15:1 ; 16:24)
- Encouraging words (15:23 ; 25:11)
- Productive words (12:18 ; 13:3)
What other passages (Proverbs or otherwise) address our words?
Take some time to read through Proverbs 18. What words of wisdom do you find in this one chapter? Try to find the “heart” that is represented by the words?
What one specific area of your words is God pointing out to you? What is going on in your heart that causes you to stumble in this way? Encourage everyone to contribute to this discussion
What is the main question James is trying to answer in this passage? Check out (:14)
Almost everyone we know claims, “I have faith.” Yet we are quite certain that they don’t have saving faith – because we can see their actions. How are we supposed to think about their “claims” to have faith?
What does it mean to say “I will show you my faith by what I do?”
What kind of “faith” do demons have?
How should we understand the relationship among faith, deeds, and salvation? Can you recall the order these should go in (along with the “+” and “=” signs)? If we mess this up, how does it affect the message of the gospel?
What do we learn from the examples of Abraham and Rahab? Why does James pick these two examples?
How do we understand this passage in the context of the rest of the book of James? How do the parts fit together?
Clearly, this is a passage where we need to talk about “practical application.” Are there areas where you need to demonstrate your trust in Christ through obedience to his commands? Are you now doubting the “justification” that you truly have Biblical faith? Remember – “Mercy triumphs over judgment” (Js. 2:13).
If you really want to have fun – read through Romans 4 in light of James 2. Remember that Paul speaks of how to attain salvation by faith whereas James is teaching us what genuine faith does.
Community Connection Group Leaders – don’t forget the training session on Sunday, February 11 from 8:30 – 9:50am in the Equipping Room.
1) Read the passage (James 1:19-27) from a different translation to the group. Try the NASB or the NKJV. Or if you want a really new perspective, try the Phillips Translation (which is actually a well done paraphrase). All these you can find online without much difficulty (using, for instance, http://www.biblegateway.com/).
2) What is the primary application of James’ instruction that we should be quick to speak and slow to be angry? With whom is James suggesting we might be angry? What instances can you think of where you have not followed this instruction?
3) What is the moral filth and prevalent evil that James is talking about? Why does James speak of theses things in this context? How do we rid ourselves of these?
4) Once we have come to the point of listening to God, what is the next danger that James wants us to beware of (in :22-25)? Why does James describe the person as deceived? How do we avoid being “deceived” as we study the scriptures today?
5) Why does James move to the discussion of controlling the tongue and helping widows and orphans? What would the applications be for us today? What to our responses in these cases tell us about deception in our heart?
6) Christians often judge the level of devotion someone has to God based on the amount of time spent in the Bible. James is suggesting that this may not be the best indicator. How would James have us evaluate our “religion?”
7) How can we hold each other accountable to put these truths into practice?
Read through James 1:13-18 and ask people for their general observations and questions they have.
So, if we are responsible for our sin (and can’t blame God, Satan, others, etc.), what role do these “outside” influences have on us?
Since it seems clear that we cannot fully disable or remove our “evil desires,” what CAN we do to minimize their influence? Be specific.
Take some time to recall the “good and perfect gifts” God has given you. Now try to include an example or two where these gifts came in the form of a “trial,” but God actually gave you something good and perfect with that trial.
Are you in a trial right now? Is it hard for you to imagine that God is giving you a “good and perfect gift” in the midst of it? Ask the group to help you begin to see what good thing might be yours because of what you’re going through.
Read through James 1:19-27 and make some initial observations (not interpretations or applications – just observations). Purpose to meditate on this passage this week. And take a look at Dave Kovach’s study guide for help.
1) What are contexts in which you are likely to ask for wisdom?
2) What is wisdom? (You could consult James 3:13ff and Proverbs 1:7 and 2:9-16 among other passages). Themes here include correctly differentiating what is good from what is evil, seeing things from God's perspective, and walking in God's path.
3) Proverbs 1:7 states that "the fear of God" is the beginning of wisdom. Why is that?
Ask people to think about the areas where they are ask for wisdom. What is it that they fear in those cases? Often what we fear is some kind of a change in our external circumstances. Those who fear God, on the other hand, are concerned more with who they become. Wisdom is not "inside information" so that our choices always turn out well by the world's standards. These passages in James show us how the point of wisdom is that we can be "mature and complete."
4) What does it mean to say that wisdom will be granted if we are not "double minded?" You could look at Psalm 86 as an example of a prayer in the midst of trials that is by somone striving to be single minded.
5) How does James illustration about money illustrate people who are double minded? Can you think of other examples?
6) Verse 12 returns us to the theme we began with, our reason to rejoice even in trials because we see the end, and the end is good. In your prayer time, thank God for the blessing he has prepared for us in heaven.
As we begin James I want to encourage you to read the whole book through in one sitting with your group. Those who have done this have reported that it did not take as long as they had imagined and was a real blessing. Breaking the reading up into paragraphs (rather than one verse at a time) can help with the continuity and flow. Ask each person to offer one thing that they anticipate learning more on having read it through in this manner. Pray for open minds and responsive lives to the teaching James is about to bring us.
Also…read Dave’s study guide. It will be invaluable to you as you lead discussions. And read it one week ahead - so that you are reading the appropriate section prior to the weekend messages. I think you’ll gain the most in this way.
Soon (once we get through the introduction of 1:1-18) we will have a weekly program insert that you’ll want to make good use of in your group. Based on James 1:22, we are going to encourage everybody to listen to James with a view to DO something as a result of hearing the Word. We will have a small card that each person will receive in their program. It is small enough for a pocket, to put on a dashboard or refrigerator, etc. We want people to write a specific application to each passage and seek to DO it. I think Connection groups will have a great experience as people bring their cards and talk about them each week. Again, that will begin with James 1:19-27 (Feb. 3 and 4 weekend).
Some questions for this week (James 1:1-4)…
James chooses not to offer a long greeting, but get right to the point. He want to talk to them about “trials of many kinds.” Some trials are a result of our sin. Some trials are a result of someone else’s sin. Some trials come by “natural” causes (sickness, flooding, etc.). Ask each person in the group to name one kind of trial they are experienced (or have very recently experienced).
James tells us that we know by experience that trials bring us perseverance, maturity and completeness of faith. Ask everyone to reflect on their trials and give evidence that this is, indeed, true in their lives. Ask them to consider this truth and begin to experience pure joy.
The word “perseverance” assumes that the trial is often with us for a long time. If we choose not to consider it “pure joy” (by taking God’s perspective), how else might we respond to trials?Specifically – how have you negatively responded to trials in the past and what resulted from it?
What other passages of Scripture help us gain God’s perspective on “trials of many kinds?” (Example: Hebrews 12:1-13 or the story of Joseph found in Genesis 37-50).
Have an awesome time in the Word!
Jeff
