James 4

Submit Yourselves to God v1-12

• Do you find yourself irked at others? Upset over small things? Peaved or impatient and you're not sure why? James reminds us of Jesus admonitions in the Beatitudes (esp. Matthew 5:21-48) that urge us to change our attitudes, to consider what's going on inside of us in order to affect our outer behaviors. Who do you blame when you get upset with someone else?

• If our adverse reactions towards others comes from not getting "what we want" then what do we do about it? What needs repair in us? Why is it that we might pray but with the wrong motives? What needs to change in us?

• How does our experience in "the world" turn us away from God and the attitudes that He wants for us (i.e., how is our "friendship with the world, hatred toward God")? Why is the Holy Spirit jealous of our attention?

• Ever feel like your battle to focus on godliness is unending? ...that the temptations around you and your own habits or urges present a constant struggle for you? What solace can you gain from verse 6? What is it asking of you? How does verse 6 explain verse 7 (i.e., how do we "resist"?)

• If this battle makes you feel like grieving and feels gloomy, what hope is there in verse 10? Recall some times when you have experienced that "uplift" of the Holy Spirit.

• Verse 11-12: Above we've considered how we apply our attention. What happens to our attention and attitude when we jusge or gossip about others? Why is that called out so often in scripture?

Boasting About Tomorrow: v13-17

• Who controls the circumstances of our lives? To avoid challenging God, we need constant reminders of His power and of how little actual power we have. What are some ways you remind yourself of that?

James 3

Taming the tongue: v1-12

• Why would teachers be judged more strictly? What is your image of yourself when you are teaching? What is your attitude?

• If you're perfect, you have nothing to worry about. Otherwise, you've got a problem...your tongue! Ever "wish you hadn't said that?" Ever let your emotion escape out your mouth before you realized you were feeling so strong?

• How do you keep your tongue in check? Jesus suggests that it doesn't start with the tongue. (See Matth 23:25-28; also Luke 11:39) "First clean the inside of the cup and dish and then the outside also will be clean." How do we do that? What does it mean for us to be "clean" inside?

• James paints a dark picture of the havoc we can cause with our tongue. If it is so impossible to tame, what are we to do? What are steps you need to take?

Two kinds of wisdom: v13-18

• James contrasts how we may think of ourselves as wise, as understanding, but that may not jive with our deeds. How does this relate to his earlier discussion of "those who are teachers"?

• Why is humility better for us than what people ("the world") consider wisdom? What are the risks of thinking you are wise or superior in some way? How might that affect your actions towards others?

• What are the characteristics of "wisdom from heaven"? How important to you is that? Can you envision it? What steps can you take to get there?

Book of James: Chapter 2

Study Questions from a Small Group Study of James

James 2

• Do you ever have discriminatory, critical thoughts about others -- even those that you do not know? (Come on, tell the truth!)

• James is accusing us of judging others, of behaving toward others sometimes, based on shallow outward appearances. Do your petty discriminations towards others ever affect your behavior? Ever show special attention to the attractive, to the popular, to the rich/successful?

• Why might God choose the poor "in the eyes of the world" to inherit his kingdom? What does that tell us about trusting ourselves to those who are "rich" in the eyes of the world?

• Those "of this world" seek after the rich, the successful, the famous, the attractive. What does that say about what is important to us if we follow suit?
  

• What would it really look like to "love your neighbor as yourself"? To care for those around you with the same care you place on yourself? Remember that when he was asked (Luke 10:29) who we should consider as our neighbor, Jesus did not describe our best friend but the man in most need (by the roadside).

• What are some opportunities you might have to show loving mercy to those in need?

• What are some examples of others who's deeds have impressed you with their faith?