A study of the book of James
Icebreaker
- What do you think of as “the good ole days” in your life?
- Were they really that good?
Going deeper
- In light of this week’s sermon, what was new information, challenged, or stood out to you?
Read James 5
- What is James saying about wealth:
- Is it sinful?
- Is it illusory?
- Hazardous to your health?
- A burdensome responsibility?
- A way to heaven?
- A way to hell?
- Who is James addressing as “rich people”:
- Christian businessmen (as in 4:13-17)?
- Secular landowners?
- Today’s multi-national corporations?
- Instead of retaliation or vengeance, what does James urge the poor to do?
- Why?
- What lessons are provided to the Christian by the farmer?
- By the returning judge?
- By the prophets?
- By Job?
- How does honesty without oath-taking (v.12) relate to perseverance without grumbling (vv.7-11) and to health through prayer (vv.13-18)?
- What is the connection between the spiritual, emotional, physical, vocational, and relational areas in our lives?
- Can you be sick or sinful in one area and completely whole in the others?
- Why or why not?
- How does the Body of Christ participate in the ministry of healing for one another?
- If the prayer of a righteous person is so effective (v.16), why do more people go to the bartender than the church to confess their sins?
- In faith healing, is there a right way to pray (see also 1:5-8 and 4:3)?
- A right person to pray (prophet, saint, or “a man just like us”, vv.16-17)?
- A right answer to such prayers (vv. 15-18; 4:15)?
- Why or why not?
Reflect
- Have you ever gone through a period when you doubted God’s presence in the midst of hardship and suffering? Explain.
- When have you come the closest to wandering from the faith?
- How did it happen?
- Who helped bring you back?
- How would you go about helping someone else who has wandered from the faith?
Application
- Complete Step 5 of the Spiritual Growth Plan
- Share about your spiritual growth plan and what you hope it will do for you to grow strong in heart and mind.
