James 3:1-12

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

James 2:14-26

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.

James 2:1-13

1. What are examples of favoritism that you have witnessed? Have you seen it in the church?

2. Can you think of ways that we may practice favoritism in our culture without realizing it?

3. Are we as a church guilty of favoring people with wealth or special talents? How would our church look different if we did not?

4. Why does James equate favoritism with adultery and murder? Is it really that bad?

5. How does James use favoritism to help us understand God’s mercy?

6. Jesus modeled true mercy and perfectly kept the “royal law.” Consider the parable of the Good Samaritan (Luke 10:25ff). How did Jesus model the instruction we find in James 2 (in His teaching and in His practice)?

7. What are some practical ways to remind yourself of God’s mercy as you interact with others?

Leadership Training

Community Connection Group Leaders – don’t forget the training session on Sunday, February 11 from 8:30 – 9:50am in the Equipping Room.

 

 

James 1:19-27

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?

James 1:13-18

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.

James 1:5-12

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.

James 1:1-4

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