Study Questions for Groups
By Michael C. Mack
1. How did you do last week as you sought to tame your tongue and speak with civility and in praise of God?
2. What challenge did you face last week?
Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read James 4:1-17 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions.
Ask the third person to summarize the main points of the passage.
3. What wisdom does this passage provide for us as Christ’s church to follow him more closely and carry out his mission more effectively?
4. Let’s dig deeper into this Bible passage:
• How would you describe James’s demeanor toward the recipients of this letter by the words he used to describe them (adulterous people, sinners, double-minded)?
• What impact do attitudes and motivations—both positive and negative—have on the condition and capability of the church?
• Verses 7-11 provide a list of directives; three of them are conditional statements that promise an outcome if we obey the command. What do these teach us about how we submit to God and how he responds to that submission?
• What perspectives on life, especially the life of a Christ follower, does this passage provide?
5. What do you learn about God from this passage?
6. What do you learn about people from this passage?
7. Pick one thing from this passage you will commit to obeying . . . and then share it with the group. (When everyone finishes sharing, read James 4:17 as an exhortation and reminder of the vitality of obedience to God’s Word.)
8. Now pick one thing from this passage you will share with/teach to someone outside this group. What is it, with whom will you share it, and when and where will you plan to share it? (As a reminder, be sure to seek God’s will and direction as you plan to do this. Partner with him as his ambassador.)
9. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
10. What challenges do you anticipate this week as you submit yourself to God?
For Next Week: Read and reflect on Proverbs 1:7; 2:1-8; 8:22-26; 9:10 as we begin a new unit from Proverbs on “the Pillars of Wisdom.” You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
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