#BibleStudy Thoughts on Study Questions from James Ch 3/4 on 08/23/2020
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 4
V11-17
What should we do if we hear someone being slandered in our presence?
- Stand up for the person.
- Eg. “Are you sure that’s true? It doesn’t sound like the person I know.”
Why does James equate slander with judgment against God's Law?
- “Do unto others as you’d have them do unto you.”
How does this illustrate our pride?
- If we are slandering someone, we’re saying we are better than they are.
If we slander and accuse brothers and sisters in Christ, who are we like?
- Satan is described as “the Accuser.”
According to James, is it wrong to plan for the future? Explain.
- It’s a warning against self-confidence.
- Sometimes God shuts doors.
- You have to plan, but with good motives and flexibility.
- Planning is important. Jesus said, “When you go building a building consider the cost.”
If not, which kinds of planning are wrong, and which are not?
- When planning for the future, remember to ask yourself, “Did I ask God to be part of this plan?”
- God wants to be involved in our planning.
What is the "right" way to plan for the future?
- Involve God from the start.
- Hold onto your plans loosely.
Does adding "God willing" to our plans automatically bring God's blessing?
- NO.
What should our attitude be?
- When making plans we should include God.
- Stay close to the Lord.
How does v17 relate to vv13-16?
- Planning with God’s involvement is the theme of verses 13-16.
- Verse 17 adds doing what we know is right.
- Together they warn against overconfidence versus relying on God.
How can we sell out to the world without knowing it?
- By not staying in God’s Word and not having regular communication with God and not having fellowship with believers.
- Not even realizing what’s happing.
- Little steps at a time.
- Accepting and being conditioned to the world.
- BE CONSCIOUS, it happens easily.
How can we avoid this sell-out?
- Stay in connection with believers.
- Read God’s Word.
- Pray.
- Stay aware of being in God’s will for you.
WE GOT THIS FAR THIS WEEK.
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