By
O B S E R V A T I O N S
1. What are the good results of facing trials and how does temptation happen? (CHAPTER 1)
2. What is God’s response when we ask for wisdom by faith? (CHAPTER 1)
3. What is the Father’s character who gives us every good and perfect gift? (CHAPTER 1)
4. How do judgment and mercy relate? (CHAPTER 2)
5. Why does James teach that believing in God is not the entire goal? (CHAPTER 2)
6. What analogies does James use concerning taming our tongues? (CHAPTER 3)
7. What are the two contrasting types of wisdom? (CHAPTER 3)
8. What causes quarreling and fighting? (CHAPTER 4)
9. Why is it a problem to boast about what we might do tomorrow? (CHAPTER 4)
10. In what way is Job an example to us? (CHAPTER 5)
11. How is Elijah an example to us in prayer and what how can our prayers be powerful and effective? (CHAPTER 5)
D E E P E R T H O U G H T
How is a rich person in a low position and a person in humble circumstances in a high position? (CHAPTER 1) 1.
How is the word of God like a mirror and how does that help us in what we say and do? (CHAPTER 1) 2
3
How do we keep the royal command of “love your neighbor as yourself,” and not show favoritism? (CHAPTER 2)
4.
How do faith and action relate in a Christian and what does it mean that this was “credited” to Abraham as righteousness? (CHAPTER 2)
5
If we don’t presume to be teachers, but we are wise and understanding, how will people see this? (CHAPTER 3)
6
How do we avoid being double-minded, and how do we make the devil to flee from us? (CHAPTER 4)
Why are we in danger when we judge one another? (CHAPTER 4) 7.
What type of rich people is James rebuking and why? (CHAPTER 4) 8.
9 How do farming and the Lord’s coming relate? (CHAPTER 5)
10 Why is it important to confess our sins to each other and how do we cover a multitude of sins? (CHAPTER 5)
C O N S I D E R A T I O N
C O R N E R
ANSWERS TO LESSON 32 OBSERVATIONS
1. It produces perseverance, which matures us and ultimately we’ll receive the crown of life. Evil desires cause temptation. (1:2 - 4)
2. He gives us wisdom generously without finding fault. (1:5)
3. He is the Father of heavenly lights who does not change like shifting shadows. (1:17)
4. Judgement without mercy is shown to those who are unmerciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment. (2:13)
5. Even the demons believe there is one God - and shudder. (2:19)
6. A bit in a horse’s mouth, a rudder on a ship, a spark that starts a forest fire, taming animals, fresh water from a salt spring, and a fig tree can’t bear olives or a grapevine bear figs. (3:3 - 12)
7. Earthly wisdom produces envy and selfish ambition. Wisdom from God is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial, and sincere. (3:13 - 17)
8. Desires that battle within, which make one covet instead of asking God (4:1 - 2)
9. Our life is like a mist and we do not know what will happen tomorrow. God’s will should be our focus. (4:13 - 16)
10. Job had great perseverance. (5:11)
11. Elijah was a person just like us and prayed earnestly. The prayers of the righteous are powerful and effective. (5:16 - 17)
Consider this:
Martin Luther, whom the Lord used to launch the Reformation, was known for restoring the truth of “righteousness by faith alone ” As a devoted monk, Luther was transformed by this truth and put aside his efforts to earn salvation through works For this reason, he did not like the book of James and said it was an “epistle of straw ” It seems that Luther misunderstood James to say that salvation comes through works However, it becomes clear when one studies James, that he is not saying “works for salvation,” but rather, “works because of salvation ” This means that our salvation and righteousness, which is by faith, empowers us to the action of doing good and thus shows to all around us, that we are indeed saved
QUESTIONS FOR DEEPER THOUGHT
1. Riches fade away like a wild flower in the heat. God gives grace to the humble and lifts them up spiritually. (1:9 - 11)
2. We see how we really are when we look intently into God’s word, which causes us to be blessed in what we do and how to speak. (1:19 - 25)
3. We must look at all people as the same and not give special treatment to the wealthy. We must also remember that God chooses the poor of the world to be rich in faith. (2:1 - 9)
4. Action for doing good is a fruit of true faith. Abraham believed God and was willing to offer his son Isaac, which was credited to him as righteousness. (2:14 - 26)
5. People we see our good life, deeds done in humility from wisdom, and how we tame our tongue. (3:1 - 13)
6. We must draw near to God, wash our spiritual hands, purify our hearts, not covet, and ask God for the right motives. When we submit to God and resist the devil he must flee. (4:3 - 8)
7. When we judge others we are speaking against God’s law and sitting in judgment of it. The Lord is the only true Lawgiver and Judge. (4:11 - 12)
8. He is rebuking the rich who hoard wealth, live in luxury and self-indulgence, and take advantage of the workmen. (5:1 - 6)
9. Farmers are patient for rains and harvest. We must stand firm and be patient for the Lord’s return. (5:7 - 8)
10. When we ask the elders to pray for us, if we confess our sin we are forgiven and healed. A multitude of sin is covered when we turn a sinner away from the error of his ways. (5:13 - 20)