Tuesday, June 3, 2008

JAMES 1:1-18 | Lesson # 1 | TRIALS AND TEMPTATION

                                                                        JAMES

1:1-18                                               Lesson # 1

                                                            TRIALS AND TEMPTATION

 

I.    Greetings:

            (I would handle briefly any greetings here, etc.)

            Note:  Two words of caution about this type of study.  1.  Do not worry about asking questions and nobody answers, let silence envelope

the group, a whole thirty sections if necessary.  Someone will eventually answer.  Once they get used to talking, and you do not put them down but

encourage them, then they will grow confident.  This style is to help them teach themselves.  They must talk.  2.  Also, just letting the others read the

text gets them involved.  Be sure to compliment their effort.  Find the good no matter how good or poorly they read.  After all they are part of us, and we

are super glad they are there...our responses to their reading and answers shows them our hearts.

 

II.   Introduction:

            Note:  Our study this year is going to be in the book of James, and it is our hope to let James direct the topics of our discussion.  We want

to focus our thoughts on what agendas this book of the Bible (as God's divine and holy Word) wishes to bring up.  I must warn you that this book is a

convicting one to read.  It has been a very convicting book to study and prepare, but it is our confidence that as we look at and obey God's Word that we

will never be the same, but be more blessed and a greater benefit to all we love.

            Q Does anyone know who James is?

               An = Tradition says he was Jesus Christ's blood brother.  He was a leader in the early Christian church.  So we are going to listen to

one of Jesus' own brothers on what is important in the spiritual life.

>>>> Ask someone to read James 1:1.

            Q To whom is James writing? 

               An = He is writing to the "twelve tribes scattered among the nations" which could mean he is writing to Jewish Christians who live

outside of Palestine or to Christians (the new Israel) who are all over the known Western world.  Though we are not certain which group could be referred

to, what becomes very clear in this book is James is writing from a Hebrew mind-set.   Also, it is certain is James is writing to believers. 

These words are for us who believe.  It guidance is for us who know and worship Jesus Christ as Lord.  

            Note:  James will repeatedly call his readers "brothers".   He is saying he and his readers have a something in common:  they are "sons"

of the same Father.  You need to remember this as we read on this year, as he will say some pretty convicting things, but they are always to his

"brothers", those people he accepts and cherishes as fellow brothers in Christ.  You could even count how many times James uses this phrase "brothers"

through the book and see how important this is to remember.  By the way, this term "brother" also includes ladies, as the Hebrew word (remember James

has a Hebrew mind-set) behind James calling us "brothers" is the word "son" (ben) which in Hebrew also means daughters unless otherwise specified in

the context.

            Q How does James regard himself or title himself?

               An = He saw himself as a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.  James viewed his brother as Lord, in the same category as God. 

He also saw himself as a "servant", one who obeys and listens to his "Lord".  

            May we be like James this year, and be true servants of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

            (Could bow for a word of prayer and ask one of the other ladies to ask the Lord to bless our study and help us become

"servants of God".)

            Now lets see the first thing our friend James wishes to tell us....

 

III.  The Proper View of Trials:  James 1:2-4.

>>>> Have someone read James 2:1-4.

            Q How are we to view trials according to verse 2?

               An = As pure joy (notice the word "brothers").

            Q What is our normal way of reacting to trials and hardships that come our way?

               An = We get discouraged, upset, annoyed, and wonder:  "why us", or "what have we done to deserve such bad fortune".  We can settle into

bad moods, etc.

            Q Why does James say we should consider trials as "joy"?

               An = He believes in an active loving God who is involved in our daily lives if we will but see it.  James believes things

are not "hap-hazard" but that God is in control and that there is purpose to the trials Christians go through.  The trial of our faith by these difficulties

can produce "perseverance", "maturity" and "completeness".

            Q Do children develop perseverance if everything is handed to them easily?

               An = See if they will think here and share their thoughts about child raising.  Do not comment.  Let them do the talking, just see that

everyone has a chance to speak.

            Q Do our children "mature" if they never have to face any difficulty?

               An = Again, let them comment.  Perhaps they will see that children who never face any trials (are always pampered and always kept

from any difficulty) when young usually fold when difficulties come to them as adults.  We often, as parents, want to see our children learn to handle

adversity and difficulty when they are still with us so that they can grow but not be "blown out of the water" or totally discouraged and crushed.  God is

our "Father" and wants us to experience trials but not be totally crushed by them.

            Q What would happen to our attitude if we saw trials as "means of blessings"?

               An = It would certainly affect our attitude towards God.  We would see that He only wants our good when He allows trials.  He only

wants our best and our maturity.

            Q What kind of parent is it that resents letting their children grow up strong and mature?

               An = A poor parent.  Certainly, God is a "good parent" (He created parenthood and is the source of goodness), and He sees trials as our

blessings.

            Q How many of you can think back on a trial you experienced that you see as a source of great strength to you now?

               An = Again, let them share and let them share.  The more they talk the more they will get out of the lesson. 

 

IV.  Wisdom Come From Faith:  James 1:5-8.

            Q Are the mature or immature usually the ones with wisdom?

               An = Wisdom is usually a trait the mature have.

            Note:  We are often so worried that young people will make mistakes when they are young that will mar or permanently damage their

entire lives.  It seems that wisdom is needed before we are able to gain full maturity.  Were we fully mature before we made our choice for marriage?

            Q If wisdom is a trait of the mature how do the immature gain wisdom?

               An = We have to start somewhere.  People are not born mature.  That is one reason trials are to be valued because they will aid the

process of maturity.  But if we need wisdom before trials have borne their good fruit what are we to do?  James has a further word for us....

>>>> Have someone read James 1:5.

            Q Where is the believer to go for wisdom?

               An = We are to go to God.  We are to pray.  Notice that James anticipates our fear that God will not answer our prayers because we are

not worthy to be heard.  We are not fully mature and great believers yet.  So James reminds us that God will answer not because we deserve the

answer, but because of it is God's generous nature to answer.  We are to ask for wisdom with confidence because of God's character.

            <

generous character of the person being asked.>>

            However, even though we are not fully mature we must, even in our maturity, approach God with the proper attitude.  <

sentence the right attitude you had in approaching the authority in the story you just gave.>>

>>>> Have someone read James 1:6-8.

            Q What should be our attitude when we ask for wisdom if we want to hear from God?

               An = We must believe, not doubt and be "double-minded".

            Q What does it mean to be double-minded?

               An = We do not really believe.  We pray but we are only going through the motions and not really praying.  We are to be single

minded and really trust that God is going to give us the wisdom that we ask for.

            Q Can you give an example of "single-minded" faith that someone had and you saw God give wisdom as a result of that faith?

               An = Try to get them to give the example.  Sometimes they need to "see" something in another's spiritual life before they are able to

understand what it really is.  It would be best if someone besides yourself gave the example.  If no one give an example, then move on.  It does not

hurt a group to realize that they do not have faith.  You might have helped them, or they might talk to you later privately.

            Note:  Some of you may not feel too comfortable right now because James' discussion of faith has made you feel uncomfortable about your

own faith.  That is OK...listen to what he says next....

 

V.  Humility And Faith Is The Lasting Glory, Not Riches:  James 1:9-12.

>>>> Have someone read James 1:9-11.

            Q If we are in a low position of faith should we be discouraged?

               An = No we should not.  When we know we are weak in faith then we can grow.  If we have a lot of faith then we should be happy that

we realize that we need to continue get new faith for we cannot live on "past" or "old" or "former" faith.

            Q What does this text mean if we apply riches not to faith but to money?  What is James attitude towards money?

               An = Much like his brother Jesus' attitude.  Jesus had a special love and appreciation for the poor and strongly spoke of the harm of

riches.

>>>> Have someone read Luke 6:20-21 and then 6:24-25.

            Note:  Jesus is not like the rest of the world.  He does not favor the rich over the poor.  Jesus is fair.  Jesus is God (remember the

Trinity), and God is fair.  If we are rich then we need to take pride in our low position because we realize that riches will soon pass away.

            Note:  Humility is our glory.  If we are poor then we can glory in our poor condition and if we are rich we can glory in our poor

condition because human riches do not last, they are temporary and will soon pass away.  We should be happy if we are poor because special blessings

come with being poor and if we are rich our hope of happiness is knowing that money is nothing.

            Real wealth, real riches is equally open to all, let us see what James thinks is real wealth...

>>>> Have someone read James 1:12.

            Q What will give someone a real, lasting crown of life?

               An = When that person has stood the trial, then they will receive a crown of life.  Rich or poor, maturity and strength comes from

standing firm under trial.  

            We stand firm because we love God.  It is how we show our love for Him.  We do not berate God or complain because of trials but stand

firm.

 

VI.  How To View The Real Source of Our Temptations:  James 1:13-15.

            Note: James now turns towards something a little different from trials, he opens the subject of temptations.  Trials can bring maturity

and completeness but sometimes our troubles in this life come from our actions and decisions.  We often fall to temptation and sin.  So James

brings this up...

>>>> Have someone read James 1:13-15.

            Q What is the source of our temptations?

               An = It is not God, but rather our own evil desires.  Notice the progression....

            Q What is the progression of temptation?

               An = One is tempted by one's own evil desires, then when desire is acted upon, it gives birth to sin, then sin when it has grown, brings

death.  

            Our own evil desires James says can bring about death and destruction in our own lives, and it is not God's fault.

            Q Do you know people who are blaming God for their misfortunes when it was their own stupid actions that led to their downfall?

               An = Let others share.  It is good to get them to verbalize this truth.  What we sow we reap (Romans 2:6).

 

VII.  How To View The Real Source of Our Blessings:  James 1:16-18.

            Note:  James wants to let us know the real source of evil and good in our lives.  He seems to think that to get this clear will not only

straighten out our thinking but bless us.  He spoke about the source of evil and now he broaches the subject of blessing.

>>>> Have someone read James 1:16-18.

            Q What is the source of good gifts?

               An = It comes from above, it comes from God.

            Q What does this tell us about God?

               An = That He is faithful, unchanging, trustworthy in a changing world.

            Q According to 1:18 what will these truths produce?

               An = It gives birth to our spiritual life and growth and so we could be the first of many more truths that are yet to come.

            If we will learn the truths here, we could be the beginning of great spiritual growth.  

0 comments: