Happy, Happy, Happy Tuesday! Welcome back to afaithtalk.com for the final chapter in James. And ooh is it a doozy. Not to worry though, there are encouragements and life lessons in here too. Before you wonder, is this it? I want to reassure you that come next Tuesday another study will begin. This is my favorite thing to do and I have no intention of ending the weekly study post.
If you just found me, and you’re afraid you missed something, don’t fear, every thing we’ve studied since afaithtalk went live is still here. Just look around, you’ll find them. Every Tuesday Bible Study is named Bible Study – and whatever book/chapter we’re in. Like this one is named Bible Study – James 5. Yet every post I’ve ever made is also a bit of study in itself. Because the main thing is always the main thing and that is Faith. Hence the name, afaithtalk.com. Always about faith.
So let’s get started with James 5. We’re still in the Message with perhaps a bit from the NIV. If you don’t have a Message Bible, never fear, bible gateway to the rescue!
Navigate to James 5 MSG
Let’s pray:
Dear Lord Jesus, we’re here to study what might be a difficult to hear chapter. So I ask you for words to write, and wisdom and revelation to understand it for each and every one of us. Make us all yours, Lord. In your holy and precious name. Amen.
James 5 in the NIV is subtitled: Warning to Rich Oppressors
Destroying Your Life from Within
Read James 5:1-6
These are mostly the unfaithful he’s talking about. But there are rich among the faithful too. If you are one of them, pay special attention to how you use what God has blessed you with. It’s all His anyway. And He is very trustworthy.
Verse 5 in the NIV
5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter.
It’s also about how to treat those you hire.
Read verses 7-8
Patient like a ______________. Stay _________ and ____________
The Master, our Lord Jesus Christ, could _____________________________________________________.
He will. One day He will. Be ready. Be Expectant.
Verse 8 in the NIV
8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near.
Nearer now than it was just a minute ago. Live expectantly.
Read verse 9
9 Friends, don’t complain about each other. A far greater complaint could be lodged against you, you know. The Judge is standing just around the corner.
Verse 9 in the NIV
9 Don’t grumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge is standing at the door!
Yes, acting like you don’t have faith, living not by the Spirit, complaining and judging one another, forgive us now, Lord.
Because you are among the faithful and our job is to grow the kingdom by acting like we are who God says we are, if we don’t, a far greater complaint could be lodged against us. Live faithfully.
Read Verse 10-11
Name an “old prophet” ___________________________
What do you know about that prophet you named?
____________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________
Yes, I want you to write out things you know about that prophet’s way of life. How does he live by faith? What about his way of life can you emulate?
Read verse 12
Let your language show how he _________ _____ ______.
Read verses 13-15
Prayer to Be Reckoned With
The NIV subtitles this section
The Prayer of Faith
If you’re hurting?
Pray.
If you feel great.
Sing.
Are you sick?
Believing-prayer will heal you. Maybe not today. Maybe it’s not His will. But you will be saved when it really matters.
And if you’ve sinned, _______ ___ __________ -healed _________ and ______.
Read Verses 16-18
The prayer of a person living right with God is something _____________ to be ______________ ______.
Live right with God. Powerful prayer is audacious, tenacious, big and believing. Most of us can’t imagine such prayer. That is why praying Scripture is a good way to learn.
Read Verses 19-20
Life is precious. If you know anyone who has wondered off from God’s truth, don’t write them off. Go after them.
If you are able to rescue them, you will have saved them from ______________ and prevented an epidemic of _______________ ___________ from God.
And you, please get with and stay with God. Don’t wander away.
Trust and Obey, for there’s no other way,
to be happy in Jesus, than to trust and obey.