8/3/09 Leader's Guide

Uncertainty

James 5:13-20

The Week of August 3, 2009

Getting Started

1) Augustine once said, "The same fire that causes gold to glow brightly causes chaff to smoke." How do you reflexively respond to fiery crises: Do you glow with faith or smoke with anxiety? Do you pray fervently or feverishly panic? Do you get on your knees before you get to work, or get to work before you get on your knees?

Digging Deeper

2) What do you suppose the difference is between those who are “in trouble” in verse 13 and those who are “sick” in verse 14? How do different kinds of hardship present unique challenges to prayer? Are there particular challenges in your life that you find especially difficult to pray about?

It appears that “trouble” refers to the environmental hardship of persecution (cf. 1:2-4; 5:1-11), and that sickness refers to bodily ailments. They both present different challenges to prayer. For example, someone suffering from cancer may find it more difficult to pray than someone persecuted in India. The latter looks to have some purpose behind it, the former is far tougher to figure out (Romans 8:26).

3) In verse 13, a person who is suffering “must pray?” This prayer could either be “remove me from this trouble” or “preserve me in this trouble.” Do you think that God is more interested in changing you or your circumstances? How does your answer inform how you should pray? Give examples from the Bible and your life in which God used good and bad circumstances to sharpen your character?

God seems more interested in establishing heaven in our heart than on earth (cf. 1 Peter 1:3-9). God certainly does use good circumstances to cultivate virtues like gratitude and humility. Yet, he also uses bad circumstances to do the same. Perhaps you can discuss various ways that a bad environment can reveal a bad character, as well as how bad environments may be used by God in creating good character. For example, patience seems to be a virtue that can only be forged on this side of heaven. Patience then assumes a less than congenial environment. Can you think of other examples? All of this implies that prayer is sometimes more about changing us than it is about changing God or circumstances.

4) In verse 13, those who are cheerful are instructed to praise God. Is there a difference between praise and prayer? If so, what is it? What does James’ instruction to praise God tell us about how we tend to respond when there is little or no trouble in our lives? How can we cultivate the activity of praising God in our lives?

Praise seems to be a certain kind of prayer. For instance, prayer can consist of petition (asking God for something), confession (admitting fault), and proclamation (declaring God’s greatness or promises.) Praise seems to be an activity in which we thank God for who He is in light of blessings we are experiencing. James’ instruction suggests the ease with which we forget about God when circumstances are good (Proverbs 30:8-9).

5) Verse 14 encourages people who are sick to “call the elders of the church.” Do you think it’s okay for fellow members to pray for each other when sick, or should only elders pray for sick people? Do you think God uses the prayers of the elders in a special way?

There seems to be certain people through which God chooses to dispense healing more than others (1 Cor. 12:9&10; James 5:14). With that said, these people are not the sole channels of healing, as we are all encouraged to pray for one another (vs.16). Error to avoid: making too much between the clergy and laity.

6) Verse 15 makes a statement, “the prayer offered in faith will make the sick person well”. Does that mean if a person isn’t healed, the person praying lacked faith? What is the connection between answered prayer and faith?

There can be a relationship between answered prayer and one’s level of faith. Elijah is given as an example of a man who earnestly prayed and stopped up the heavens (vss. 16-18). We also have examples of people who prayed faithless prayers that accomplished nothing (Matthew 17:14-21). At this point, you could discuss some tactics for elevating the quality of one’s prayers: recognizing the power and kindness of the God we are praying to (Matt. 6:9), praying consistently (Matt 7:7-9), praying expectantly (Mark 11:24), and praying biblically (Matt. 6:10).

With that said, unanswered prayer isn’t always (or even mostly) due to a one’s faith level; it is sometimes due to God saying “no” to the request. All prayers must be prayed with a submission to God’s will. Jesus prayed that the cup of suffering would pass from him (Luke 22:42), but submitted to the will of God to take the cup. Paul prayed that a “thorn in the flesh” (possibly some illness) would be removed, and yet God said “no” to the request (2 Cor. 12:7-10). Remember that James curbs any presumption that we might have about the future by reminding us that all of our plans and prayers should be submitted to the will of God (James 4:15).

7) Verse 15 talks about praying for someone who is sick, and then it adds “if he has sinned, he will be forgiven”. What is the connection in this passage between sickness and sin? Can sin and sickness be connected? Can the prayer of another person cause your sins to be forgiven?

There is always a relationship between sin and sickness, but we want to avoid the error of ascribing all or most sickness to particular sins in a person’s life. There are clear cases of personal sin being linked to one’s sickness (1 Cor. 11:29-32). Yet, sickness seems to be due to the general condition of sin that everybody is in (Gen. 3:19; Romans 8:22; 1 Cor. 15:22).

8) Verse 16 says, “Confess your sins to each other.” In what way can “confessing” sins to another human be difficult? What is the value in confessing our sins to another person, as opposed to just confessing them to God?

9) Verse 16 says that a prayer of a “righteous” man is powerful and effective. How “righteous” does a person have to be in order to have their prayers answered? What is the connection between the spiritual conditions of our hearts, and the spiritual effectiveness of our prayers?

Cf. 1 Peter 3:7; Job 42:8; Matt. 5:23-24.

10) Verse 17 tells us to remember that if we wander from the truth and someone turns us back to the truth, they have saved us from death and covered a multitude of sins. What does it mean to “wander from truth?” What are the consequences of departing from the truth? How does remembering the consequences of straying help you with staying in the truth?

Putting into Practice

11) Spend some time praying that God might change your circumstance, enhance your character, and use you to reach others.

7/27/09 Leader's Guide

Uncertainty

James 5:7-12

The Week of July 27, 2009

Getting Started

The word “patience” occurs four times in verses 7, 8, and 10. It comes from two Greek words: Makro – large or long and Thumeo – anger. To have patience in essence means that one has a “long-fuse.” Would those closest to you say that you have a “long-fuse” or a “short-fuse?”

What are some specific things that you tend to be especially impatient with?

Digging Deeper

In verse 7 James refers to two specific circumstances in which his readers were to exercise patience? What were these circumstances (vs.1-5, 9)?

Verses 1-6 is a diatribe against a corrupt upper class who had used their power to oppress the poor in general, and the church in particular (cf.2:1-6). In verses 7-12 James turns his attention to believers in order to encourage them to persevere in the midst of injustices committed against them.

Verse 9 is correction of relational tension within the church.

Suggestion: It might be interesting to look at the relationship between external and internal stresses. How do external stresses reveal and magnify internal problems? How does internal harmony help to alleviate external stresses and problems? These two questions relate both to churches and individuals.

Since James seems to speaking of troubles that are unique to believers, spend some time discussing the challenges that are unique to you as a believer that requires patience. How are they different/similar to everyone else’s challenges?

You might want to carefully distinguish between hardships that are true of all people given the condition of creation (James 5:7; Romans 8:18) and those that are unique to Christians (John 16:33; 2 Tim. 3:12). For example,

We Have Unique Spiritual Challenges: Satan and his minions have made us their specific target (1 Peter 5:8; Rev. 12:10; Zech. 3:1; Luke 22:31).

We Have Unique Cultural Challenges: Given that our values are from the Kingdom of Heaven, they will constantly clash the world’s (James 4:4; 1 John 2:15). Some examples may include how we view truth, tolerance, gender, authority, government, sexuality, abortion, etc…

We Have Unique Moral Challenges: The Bible teaches us that upon regeneration, a civil war takes place in our souls (something unique to believers). Our new nature wars against our old nature. As a result, we are never fully satisfied sinners or saints (Gal. 5:17). Also see: Civil War of Soul: Some Thoughts on the Inner Battle of the Believer.

In verses 7, 8, and 9, James reminds the church of Christ’s soon coming as judge. How does a keen sense of Christ’s coming help to cultivate our patience with tough people and though circumstances? How do we cultivate that expectation daily?

“The New Testament contains over 300 references to Christ’s return—one of every thirteen verses” (Kent Hughes, James, Faith that Works [Crossway Books], p. 222).

Cf. Rom. 13:11-4; 2 Peter 3:10-13;1 John 3:3.

There’s a direct connection between what you are eagerly expecting and one’s behavior. For couples expecting a child, their hearts and homes begin to look dramatically different in the months preceding the delivery. For workers expecting layoffs, life becomes very different in the days leading up to termination. In both of these cases, the seriousness of the event evokes a corresponding preparation.

How does the illustration of the farmer waiting for harvest help to exemplify the patience James desires from his readers? What are some points of commonality between the farmer, James’ readers, and us?

During a considerable portion of a year a farmer (1) doesn’t see crops, (2) doesn’t experience the environment favorable for growing crops (this was especially true in their agricultural environment), and (3) yet is faithful to work the land and expects results.

What the harvest is to the farmer, justice and vindication is to the follower of Jesus. For the follower of Jesus (1) there may be no immediate reward for their devotion (2) or anything that suggests a future reward, and (3) yet they are faithful to God and expectant of reward.

James appears to have believed that Jesus was coming back in his lifetime and uses this conviction to move the church to face suffering well. Does this create any challenges for how we understand Scripture?

Some might conclude that if James believed and taught that Jesus would come back in his lifetime, and Jesus didn’t, therefore James was in error. By extension the book of James is in error. Here are some different ways Christians have wrestled with this topic:

1. James wasn’t referring to the second coming of Christ. James was referring to Jesus coming back in judgment against Jerusalem in 70 AD.

2. James wasn’t referring to the second coming of Christ, but to the rapture (which it is asserted, could take place at any moment).

3. James was referring to the second coming of Christ. Every believer in every age should psychologically expect his coming, even though it is a real possibility that he won’t actually return.

4. James was referring to the second coming of Christ. James was wrong in his expectation, but this doesn’t affect the inerrancy of Scripture because James (and the other authors of the New Testament) did not intend to give us inerrant proclamations about timetable of Christ’s coming.

In verse 9 we are told not to grumble against our brothers and sisters, otherwise God might judge us. Assuming that there might have been some legitimate relational issues, why would God judge us for grumbling against our brothers and sisters?

See Matthew 18:21-35 for one possible angle.

In verse 10 James implies that patience is strengthened by good examples. Discuss some of the prophets James might have thought of. How did these prophets model patience? Are there people in your life today that have help to model patience in the midst of adversity?

See Hebrews 11:36-40 for a general treatment of enduring saints.

In verse 11 James implies that we strengthen our patience by considering God’s character, purpose, and power. How does Job model this for us? How does a consideration of God’s character, power, and purpose for our lives help us to endure hardship (Romans 8:28)?

Since God’s character is good, then his purposes for us are likewise good. Consequently, his power (viz., God’s control of our lives) will be executed in such away that is faithful to his character and his commitment to us despite trouble in life.

Into Our Lives

Revisit the areas in which you are most impatient. Spend some time discussing with each other some practical ways of lengthening your fuse.

7/20/09 Leader's Guide

Uncertainty

Text: James 5:1-6
The Week of July 20th, 2009

Getting Started

Martin Luther once said, “I have held many things in my hands, and have lost them all, but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, I still possess.”

Share with the group those things that you lost because you never gave them to God. Share with the group those things you gained and/or kept because you gave them to God?

Into the Bible

In verse 1, how is James’ stance on the wealth quite different from most people?

We tend to think that wealth liberates and poverty binds. In reality, for every nine people that can stand firm in the face of affliction, you might find one that can stand firm in affluence. Jesus said it was easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than a rich man to heaven (Luke 18:25). The rich young ruler opts not to follow Jesus because of his wealth (Matthew 19:22). Many of those who receive the gospel turn away due to the deceitfulness of riches (Matt. 13:22).

In verse 1 and 2 James urges the rich to lament their position in life. Why? What are some of the downsides of wealth that should move someone to “weep and howl?” What is an area in your life in which comfort and privilege have become more harmful than helpful.

With greater wealth, there is greater responsibility and greater judgment (vss.1, 3, 5).
With great wealth, there is greater opportunity to give vent to sinful desires (vs. 5; 4:3).
With great wealth, there is great opportunity to grow callous of the poor (vs. 4, 6).

“Money talks, we have been told since childhood. Listen to this dollar speak: “You hold me in your hand and call me yours. Yet may I not as well call you mine. See how easily I rule you? To gain me, you would all but die. I am invaluable as rain, essential as water. Without me, men and institutions would die. Yet I do not hold the power of life for them; I am futile without the stamp of your desire. I go nowhere unless you send me. I keep strange company. For me, men mock, love, and scorn character. Yet, I am appointed to the service of saints, to give education to the growing mind and food to the starving bodies of the poor. My power is terrific. Handle me carefully and wisely, lest you become my servant, rather than I yours.” - Ray O Jones:

Is James condemning everyone who has wealth or those who view it and use wealth in a certain way (cf. 4-6)?

It may be fruitful to discuss the difference between being wealthy and worldly. To be “worldly” means roughly that one is in love with, and therefore dedicated to this world that is opposed to God. As such, we can see that a person can be wealthy, but not worldly, just as a person can be worldly and not wealthy. The question is not whether you have wealth, but whether wealth has you.

The end of verse 3 reminds us that God was not pleased that they “hoarded wealth in the Last Days.” If a person really believed that Christ was returning soon, how might that change their view of money and material possessions? On a personal level, how does your relationship with Christ affect your finances?

Verse 4 shows that God cares for people who are treated unjustly (the workmen and harvesters). In what subtle ways can we treat people as a means to an end rather than an end in and of themselves?

This has been called “altruistic egoism,” treating people well only for personal benefit. Discuss how this can creep in within every relationship.

If James is censuring these particular people for not helping the poor with what they have (vss. 2 & 3) and harming the poor to get more (vs. 4), could this principle be expanded to cover how wealthy nations treat poorer nations? What is our responsibility as Christian citizens of a wealthy nation towards those who are live poorer countries.

You might want to look at the following article at Christianity Today: Hunger Isn't History: The world produces more food than ever. So why do nearly a billion people still not have enough to eat? By Timothy C. Morgan and Isaac Phiri - HERE.

Compare and contrast verses 1-3 with Matthew 6:19-25. Discuss how the following elements relate to these two passage: (1) Worship & Greed (2) Faith & Anxiety.

If you worship money (if mammon is your god and treasure), the by-product is greed. If you worship God, the by-product is contentment.

If you place your trust in money (as the source of provision), the by-product is anxiety. If you place your trust in God, the by-product is confidence.

You might want to discuss how levels of greed and anxiety might be indicators of who and what one is trusting.

Verse five points out that these rich people had fallen into “luxury and self-indulgence”. How can a person tell if they have too much? What are the symptoms to watch for in our lives? As people who live in a relatively affluent country, how do we find the right balance?

In verse 6 we see an example of people who are willing to run over others for the sake of money. Have you experienced (either personally or someone you know) a time when someone treated others bad for the sake of money? In your life and/or job, when do you experience the greatest pressure to compromise for the sake of money? What have you done to help stand strong?

Into Our Lives

Read 1 Timothy 6:17-19. What are some concrete ways for us to (1) sharpen our vision of heaven and (2) increase in good works and generosity this week?