BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 27, Day 5: James 5

Summary of passage:  James addresses the rich saying their misery is coming in the form or rotted wealth and clothes and corroded silver and gold because they have cheated workmen out of wages, lived in luxury and self-indulgence, fattened themselves while others starved, and condemned and murdered innocent men.

Be patient like the farmer is for his crops for the Lord’s coming and stand firm.  Don’t grumble against each other or you will be judged.  Have patience when suffering like the prophets did and persevere.  Wait for what the Lord will bring about. Do not swear oaths. Your word is enough.

Pray when in trouble or happy.  Have others pray for you when you are sick.  A prayer offered in faith will make you well and you will be forgiven.  Confess your sins and pray for each other.  Prayer is powerful and effective like Elijah’s prayer.  Those who turn sinners who have wandered from the truth back will be blessed.

Questions:

14a)  The wages they failed to pay the workmen, lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence, fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter, condemned and murdered innocent men.

b)  Yes because James is speaking to them and writing to them in this letter.  In Chapter 1, he opens with, “to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations” so they are at the very least Jews (God’s chosen people) and I would say they are new Christians.

c)  Human nature has not changed since Adam and man is inherently selfish and greedy. This includes Christians.  Men cheat others who work for them and pay them sub-par wages for the work they do.  People live in luxury and self-indulgence and extravagance. We over-indulge (look at the obesity rates in this country).  Christians condemn and murder innocent men (or in some form such as slander that we talked about yesterday–severely hobbling people to the point they cannot support themselves, etc).

Despite our best intentions, the devil can still cause us to choose him instead of God.  I do not see this ever changing in the future for we are human.

15)  Stand firm, don’t grumble against each other, persevere, and do not swear

16a)  We should pray when we are in trouble, happy, or sick.  Prayer in faith will result in healing, forgiveness for sin, and be powerful and effective.  If you pray earnestly, your prayer will be answered.  Have others pray for us especially when sick. Confess our sins to others and pray for each other so we may be healed.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  Probably every facet of my life.  I’m trying to pray more and more and I think if I do, I will see more prayers answered.

c)  We are saved from death and our sins if we turn towards the truth (i.e. God).

Conclusions:  I like how James tells us not to be grumblers or complainers, a habit we all battle at points in our lives.  I like how James tells us not to swear oaths.  Our word should be enough.

I love the prayer part.  As you know, prayer has been a theme for me throughout the second half of Acts and this is just another great passage on the power of prayer.

I believe we can’t pray enough.  I think of the monks who devoted their lives to Christ and spent most of the day in prayer.  Obviously, most of us are not called to such a life but we do need to follow their example and pray in everything as much as possible.

BSF Study Questions Acts Lesson 27, Day 2: James 3

Summary of passage:  James begins by stating that teachers are judged more strictly. We all stumble in our walk with God.  Small things can control big objects:  a bit controls a horse, a rudder controls the ship.  The tongue can as well.  A tiny spark can burn and destroy the whole forest.  So can the tongue:  it can corrupt the whole person.  No man can tame it (implying only God can).  It is evil.

For out of the same mouth come praises to God and curses to men.  This should not be.

The wise are shown by a good life and deeds done in humility.  Earthly wisdom harbors bitter envy, selfish ambitions, boasting, denying the truth, disorder, and evil.  Heavenly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial, and sincere, leading to righteousness.

Questions:

3)  They have more opportunity to sin due to the authority they have over others.  Teachers should set the example and stumble less in their walk with Christ.

4a)  Control:  A small bit can control a horse, a rudder turns the whole ship.  Destroy:  a small spark can burn a whole forest.  The tongue can be either.  It can boast or corrupt the whole person.

b)  Personal Question.  My answer:  I don’t like this question so I’m going to hold my tongue in answering it.  I’m not sure how re-living others’ past hurts can help us improve our walk with the Lord.  I think we are all mature enough to realize what we say to others is powerful.  This question would have been great if it had focused on the positive aspect of hurtful words: overcoming and forgiving the person who said them.

c)  Hold it

5)  Wisdom is knowledge of what is right.  When you act out of what is right, you are humble.  For pride is not wisdom.  You do good works because it is the right thing to do, leading to humility.  You know pride is destructive; therefore, you are wise to be humble.

6a)  Earthly wisdom is bitter envy and selfish ambition, boasting, denying the truth, disorderly, and evil.  Heavenly wisdom is pure, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere and thus righteous.

b)  Pray.  To turn your heart.  To heal your wounds.  To know Him more.  Read the Word. Soak in its truths so you are more able to push out the evils of this world.  And act.  Be more pure, peaceful, considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial, and sincere in your life towards others and your wisdom will grow.  Practice makes perfect!

Conclusions:  Holding of the tongue has been repeated throughout this study, which I like.  Something I need to hear.

My overarching theme this year seems to be prayer.  In every personal answer, I have been answering prayer.  For God promises He will answer our prayers.  I am constantly striving to pray more in my daily life.

I also like how judging is repeated this year as well.  It’s important to remember that we will be judged and what we do matters.  The reminder that we are held to a higher standard should be paramount in our minds.  We are examples to others in all things.