James on Trial
James 1:1-11
WHAT INSIGHT DOES OUR TEXT TODAY GIVE US AS TO THE REASON THIS EPISTLE WAS WRITTEN?
A. What clue does the author’s identity give us?
1. Which James is this?
a. James son of Alpheus?
b. James brother of John?
c. James brother of Jesus? Matt. 13:55; John 7:5; Acts 12:1, Gal. 1:19
B. How could the hard times a Christian goes through be considered joy? 1:2-3
1. What is the worst possible crisis you could ever face in your life?
· Financial crisis, accompanied by the loss of one's savings.
· Loss of employment, with the resulting loss of dignity in being unable to support one's family. Perhaps it might be the announcement of a serious illness in your family
· A fatal car accident
· The manifestation of evil in the form of rape, murder, or robbery.
At least some of those tragic events have touched us or our families in one way or another.
a. How would an unbeliever view the bad things that happen to them?
b. How would a believer interpret the tragedies of life?
c. How can a tragedy be an opportunity?
2. What are some good things that result from the trials of life?
· TRIALS TEST THE STRENGTH OF OUR FAITH
How do we measure how much students have learned in school?
How can you determine the quality of your faith?
What made God's request of Abraham in Genesis 22:2 so difficult?
What was Abraham's response to God's request?
What was Abraham's test designed to show?
Since God knows what's in our hearts, why does he test us?
If a person is facing a trial, what response will indicate that he has weak or strong faith?
· TRIALS HUMBLE US
What was the purpose of Paul's "thorn in the flesh" (2 Cor. 12:7)
· TRIALS MOVE US BEYOND WORLDLY THINGS
Like Abraham, what must we be willing to give up?
What perspective did Moses have that allowed him to forfeit the treasures of Egypt? (Heb. 11:26)
What did Jesus mean by saying that his followers must hate their families (Luke 14:26-27)
·
If you have invested your time and money in eternal things, what kind of
relationship will you have with the passing world?
· TRIALS REVEAL WHAT WE REALLY VALUE
If you have invested your time and money in eternal things, what kind of relationship will you have with the passing world
· TRIALS TEACH US TO SEEK GOD'S BLESSINGS
What does the world tell us to value? What does faith tell us to value?
What blessings resulted from Jesus' obedience to do the Father's will? (Heb. 5:7-9; Phil. 2:8-9)
· TRIALS ENABLE US TO HELP OTHERS WHO ARE SUFFERING
Explain how trials can result in our greater usefulness to the Lord.
· TRIALS PRODUCE QUALITIES OF ENDURANCE AND STRENGTH
Why was Paul not defeated by the suffering he endured? Rom. 8:18-24; 2 Cor. 4:16-18
Sub-conclusion - How does a disciple become mature and complete (perfect)? 1:3-4
B. Is good decision-making ability important when our faith is being tested?
1. What does God provide to help us make decisions when we are being tested? 1: 5
2. Will God really give us wisdom when we ask for it?
3. How much will he give us? How can we prove that this promise is true?
4. What does it mean that he will give wisdom without finding fault?
C. What is most important when we ask God for something like wisdom? 1: 6
1. Why is belief so important when we are trying to access the grace of God?
2. What does it mean to be “double-minded”?
3. Is it possible for us to sabotage the purpose of God with our lack of faith?
D. What does being poor and rich have to do with a Christian’s position? 1: 9-10
1. Why does a poor person have a greater advantage when it comes to tests and trials of this life?
a. Is it easier for a poor person to go through trials? Why or why not?
b. Are trials more productive in the life of a poor person?
2. Is it better then to get rid of our stuff and be poor?
3. What are the humble circumstances of the rich person?
Conclusion - verse 12