#BibleStudy Thoughts on Study Questions from James Ch 4 on 08/16/2020
I accidentally erased the notes from 8/9. I apologize.
These are the notes from 8/16
For as many Sundays as needed, my Sunday school class will explore the context and content of the practical content of the Letter from James.
This is Wednesday. What follows are bits and pieces of the discussion in class on the questions posted two days ago.
If you miss getting the questions on Mondays, I invite you to go back. Copy, and paste the questions from those posts into a word.docx and fill in blanks or answer questions on your own. You can compare your thoughts to those of my class members each Wednesday. If your answers don’t match my class’s answers, that doesn’t make your answers wrong. If you like more information about what was said in class, email me at the address at the end of this post.
I hope you enjoy exploring this practical book along with us. Each Sunday's discussion ends at the last question in black print. Photos included are of the "whiteboard" list I generated during the discussion and are nothing but time savers for me.
Questions in this print were answered in previous weeks.
I invite you to check this blog site on Friday when my Expressions of Faith posts are from James. Here's last week's link's URL.
You’re also invited back to these "Questions" blogs next week!
Chapter 3
V13-18
Why is friendship toward the world equal to hatred toward God?
- Worldly ways are not God’s ways.
- God commanded us to be holy.
- It’s “the world” vs. “the Bible”
- Your choice of friends determines your enemies.
- Do God’s will or man’s will.
What does James mean when he says "the spirit he caused to live in us envies intensely"?
- God wants us/created us to worship Him.
- Envy is God wanting us to be fully engulfed by the Holy Spirit so we don’t lose out.
- God cannot be satisfied with partial commitment.
God is not human, that he should lie,
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19)
not a human being, that he should change his mind.
Does he speak and then not act?
Does he promise and not fulfill? (Numbers 23:19)
He [God] mocks proud mockers
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. (Proverbs 3:34)
but shows favor to the humble and oppressed. (Proverbs 3:34)
You shall not bow down to them or worship them; for I, the Lord your God, am a jealous God, punishing the children for the sin of the parents to the third and fourth generation of those who hate me, (Exodus 20:5)
In verses 8-10 what do we need to do to come before God?
- Clean hands
- Pure heart
- Lamenting
- Mourning and weeping
- Humbling of self
- Be serious
- Not “playing the field”
- Why?
- God opposes the proud
- He might give us what we deserve.
Then when you realize your worthlessness before the Lord, he will lift you up, encourage and help you. (James 4:10)
V11-17
What two examples of pride are given?
- Judging others - Criticizing while boasting of your own plans
- Speaking evil or against someone/Gossiping - Tearing down another person.
- Only God is above the law. He is judge and jury.
- Don’t have the audacity to criticize/judge others
What does it mean to slander?
- Place yourself above another person.
- Do damage to another person’s reputation.
- “A slanderer goes behind the slandered person’s back but a friend stabs you in front of others.”
- Slander is premeditated
Friends mean well, even when they hurt you. But when an enemy puts his arm around your shoulder—watch out! (Proverbs 27:6)
Is it all right to speak against another person as long as we are speaking the truth?
- No.
- This is a private vs public issue.
- Be careful about how you say things.
- “Show me the data.”
How does constructive criticism differ from slander?
- A person must be willing to take constructive criticism.
Better to correct someone openly than to let him think you don't care for him at all.
- You must earn the right to do things like criticizing.
- Constructive criticism is assumed to be true. Slander is false.
WE GOT THIS FAR THIS WEEK.
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