(Mike Flynn - Vicar)
James wants us to have a good life (3:13) but the way to it is through the valley of reprentance. A theme of James’ letter has been the danger of cheap grace. We’ve seen that expressed in having faith without works, words without listening, social preferenes without considering what God values and wisdom that is instincutal (animal) or destructive (demonic) as opposed to spiritual (from above). These passages describe what a life of worldly wisdom looks like and how God opposes it. The point is that God expects it will make a difference to us being Christians, that grace will change us and we won’t continue to live like everybody else does.
These warnings are here to move us to deeds wrought in the humility of wisdom. His rebukes apply in four areas: Desire and prayer. Speaking and judging. Planning and presumption. Wealth and greed.
Q: What is the relationship between 4:1 to 5:6 and James’ description of the two kinds of wisdom in chapter 3?
Q: James uses forceful language to describe divisions in the church (4:2,4), misuse of our tongues (4:11), arrogance in business planning (4:16), and misuse of wealth (5:5). While there are passages in Jesus’ teaching that shed light on James’ passionate language (For example: Matthew 5:22; 7:1-5; 6:25-34; 25:31-46); what is James’ pastoral aim in speaking like this here?
Q: In 4:1-10, why are some prayers not answered?
Q: How are our lives formed by the search for pleasure? What are the right boundaries of that search and how do we know when we have stepped over the line?
Q: In verse 6 James says that God offers us more grace (yay!) – what steps does he go on to say enable us to receive that grace?
Q: What is repentance?
4:11-5:6
Q: What is common between the three topics James describes here?
Q: Why do we judge the law when we slander a brother or sister? (11)
Q: If we are not in the habit of listening carefully (1:19,20) how does that affect the words we use about others?
Q: How could arrogance in making business plans wrong (4:16)?
Q: Would humility and an awareness of God in our business plans produce smarter decisions or not?
We need to be careful not to read James as being against wealth or wealthy people but he says there is a type of wealth that God despises and will bring undone.
Q: What are three characteristics of that type of wealth in 5:1-6?
How can a wealthy person do the opposite of each of the three characteristics described?
These warnings are here to move us to deeds wrought in the humility of wisdom. His rebukes apply in four areas: Desire and prayer. Speaking and judging. Planning and presumption. Wealth and greed.
Q: What is the relationship between 4:1 to 5:6 and James’ description of the two kinds of wisdom in chapter 3?
Q: James uses forceful language to describe divisions in the church (4:2,4), misuse of our tongues (4:11), arrogance in business planning (4:16), and misuse of wealth (5:5). While there are passages in Jesus’ teaching that shed light on James’ passionate language (For example: Matthew 5:22; 7:1-5; 6:25-34; 25:31-46); what is James’ pastoral aim in speaking like this here?
Q: In 4:1-10, why are some prayers not answered?
Q: How are our lives formed by the search for pleasure? What are the right boundaries of that search and how do we know when we have stepped over the line?
Q: In verse 6 James says that God offers us more grace (yay!) – what steps does he go on to say enable us to receive that grace?
Q: What is repentance?
4:11-5:6
Q: What is common between the three topics James describes here?
Q: Why do we judge the law when we slander a brother or sister? (11)
Q: If we are not in the habit of listening carefully (1:19,20) how does that affect the words we use about others?
Q: How could arrogance in making business plans wrong (4:16)?
Q: Would humility and an awareness of God in our business plans produce smarter decisions or not?
We need to be careful not to read James as being against wealth or wealthy people but he says there is a type of wealth that God despises and will bring undone.
Q: What are three characteristics of that type of wealth in 5:1-6?
How can a wealthy person do the opposite of each of the three characteristics described?
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