Don’t be a dumb sheep, be a shepherd

Have you ever watched sheep?  If you have, you quickly realize that sheep are dumb!  They really are.  It is not uncommon for a sheep to wander off from the flock.  What the sheep does not realize is that when they are apart from the flock, they are vulnerable to attack by other animals, in particular, the wolf.  That is why the Shepherd will leave the flock to go after the one lost sheep.  Did you know that the Bible refers to us as sheep?  Yep.  You guessed it.  We are dumb too.  From time to time, we wander off from where God wants us to be.

Today’s Verses:
James 5:19-20

James is talking to Christians here.  When we see another believer not following the path of righteousness and wandering from the truth, we need to go to them and do whatever it takes to bring them back to the fold.  In doing this, you will save them from death.  This is not a spiritual death, but a physical death.  Remember what Paul said, “For the wages of sin is death…”.  Sin always leads to death.

Discussion Questions:
1.  Have you ever wandered from the truth?

2.  What did it take to bring you back?

3.  Who do you know that has wandered from the truth?

4.  What can you do to encourage them to come back to the fold?

5.  What danger are they in if they continue in the direction they are going?

We are no different

Have you ever read about a character in the Bible and realize that you are really no different than they are? Today, James says that Elijah was a man just like us?  How can that be?

Today’s Verses:
James 5:17-18

Sometimes when I read the Bible, I have a hard time believing that I could ever be like Paul, Daniel or even Moses.  I mean, could I really lead a nation to follow after God?  Would I be willing to be thrown into a fiery furnace for my faith?  Could I still praise God while being in prison for my faith?  To be honest, I really believe I could…and so could you.  You see, the reason these men did great things for God was not because of their own abilities.  Remember, Paul hated Christians before God saved him and changed His heart.  Moses was terribly afraid of going to King Pharoah, but God spoke through Him.  Daniel was just a young boy, yet he and his two friends stood up to the King and put their life in God’s hands.  You see, when we really look at it, the people in the Bible are a lot like you and me.  They have fears, doubts and weaknesses too.  God doesn’t want our ability…He wants our availability.  Each of these men were willing to be used by God.  That’s the type of person God can use in a mighty way.

Discussion Questions:
1.  What person in the Bible do you identify most with?

2.  Do you believe you can accomplish great things for the Lord like they did?

3.  What area of your life do you consider a weakness?

4.  How can God use you through your weakness for His glory?

Power of Prayer

Prayer is the key to the heart of God.  Some of us wonder why we do not feel God’s presence as much as we think we should.  This could be because we do not take the time to get alone with God to speak to Him and allow Him to speak to us through prayer.

Today’s Verses:
James 5:13-16

The prayer of a righteous man is powerful and effective!  When we are in a right relationship with God, we can know that our prayers will be heard and they will be answered.  Because of the New Covenant, we are able to come “boldy before the throne of grace with our prayers and petitions”.  It still amazes me that you and I have access to the God of the Universe!  What an amazing thought.  I can know Him…intimately.  And He knows me.

Discussion Questions:
1.  How much time do you spend each day in prayer?

2.  Has God ever answered a huge prayer in your life?

3.  Do you think God is really concerned with the small things in our life?  Should we only go to Him with big concerns and problems?

4.  How have you seen God work in your life as a result of prayer?

Let your yes be yes…

Long are the days when business was done with a firm handshake.  Agreements were made merely with the confirmation of our word.  What happened to those days?  Why is it that someone can tell you something but unless it was in writing, it is not binding and they are not held accountable to it?

Today’s Verses:
James 5:12

We have all probably been guilty of this at times.  We really don’t believe someone so we make them swear to God that they are telling the truth.  James says that we should not swear but instead let our yes be yes, and our no be no.  This goes back to an integrity and a character issue.  Why should we have to swear to ensure that we are telling the truth about something.  Shouldn’t we always be telling the truth?

Discussion Questions:
1.  If you tell someone you will do something, can they really count on you to follow through with what you said you will do?

2.  What does this say about your integrity and character?

3.  Do you catch your self swearing to others that you are telling the truth?

4.  What does that say about the times that you do not swear you are telling the truth?

Patience in Suffering

Patience and Suffering…two words that most of us do not like, much less when they are used in the same sentence.  James reminds us to look at the lives of the prophets for strength and encouragement.

Today’s Verses:
James 5:10-11

When we suffer for the Lord, James says that we can draw strength from knowing that the Lord is full of compassion and mercy.  There is nothing that you will ever go through in this life that will catch God by surprise.  He knows everything and is fully aware of your circumstances.  Most of the time, we focus on the immediate when we are going through a difficult time.  But God wants us to look into the future.  We can have confidence that He will bring something good out of a bad situation.  He will reward you if you are faithful to serve Him through your struggles.  God’s will isn’t to always make sure that we are comfortable and without problems.  His will is to supply us with our needs and to be there to help us through the situation.  The Lord is teaching me about patience through the process of building our first home.  Unfortunately, the only way to develop patience is to experience situations that require patience.  There are no shortcuts.

Discussion Questions:
1.  What area of your life do you need more patience?

2.  How can your suffering bring about patience in your life?

3.  How can the life of Job help you get through the difficult times in your life?

4.  Do you believe that God knows what you are going through and really cares about your needs?

5.  How can struggles increase your faith?

The Return of Christ

Have you ever looked at the corrupt world around you and wondered why Jesus just doesn’t come back now?  We see so much hate, violence, and wickedness that we wonder why God has not destroyed us all for rejecting Him.  James offers some insight as to why Jesus has not come back yet.

Today’s Verses:
James 5:7-9

When you think about a farmer, they spend many months preparing the land, cultivating the soil, planting seeds, watering the ground and nurturing the crop.  This is a long process with countless hours of sweat and tears.  But one day, the crops began to break forth from the ground and soon after, begins to bear fruit.  Once the fruit is ripe and ready to be picked, the farmer begins to harvest.  This is a great picture of our life on earth.  God (the Farmer) is continually preparing the land (the Earth) and hearts (the soil) and planting seeds (the Word of God), watering the seed (with the Holy Spirit) and nurtures the crop (with His love).  One day, the seed (the Word) takes root in our lives and begins to blossom and soon we begin to bear fruit.  One day, God will return and reap the harvest.  If He comes too soon, He will not reap as much harvest (souls).  A good farmer knows when the best time to begin reaping the harvest and God is no different.  He will come exactly when the time is right.

Discussion Questions:
1.  If Christ came today, would you be ready?

2.  If the Lord decides not to return within your lifetime, are you willing to “Stand Firm”?

3.  Do you really believe that the Lord’s return is near?

4.  How does your life reflect this?

5.  If you knew God were coming back this week, what would you do differently in your life?

The Pursuit of the Almighty Dollar

It is interesting that less than 5 minutes ago, I receive September’s Parent Newsletter and it “just happens” to speak much on the subject of materialism.  Our media driven culture pushes the idea that we must buy more stuff in order to achieve “success” and to be happy.  The unfortunate thing is that wealth will not guarantee happiness.

Today’s Verses:
James 5:1-6

James is not condemning those who are rich.  Money is amoral, meaning it is neither good nor bad.  Money takes on the characteristics of the one who’s hand it is in.  Money in a kind and compassionate person’s hand is a blessing to those who are in need.  Money in the hand of a greedy, selfish person becomes a curse to the one holding it.  The world teaches that if you want to have money, you must hoard all that you can and keep it to yourself.  The Bible however teaches that the more we give away, the more we will be blessed.  Most people are naturally selfish, including me.  I have to consciously make an effort to be giving and generous to others’ needs.

Discussion Questions:
1.  Do you find yourself buying to the world’s view on money?

2.  How is this evident in your life?

3.  What areas of your life do you find yourself being greedy?

4.  If all of your money and possessions were taken from you, would you be able to be happy and content with what the Lord has given you?

5.  Do you know someone today that has a need?  What can you do today to be a blessing to them?

Here today, gone tomorrow…

Have you ever stopped to think about how much time you have here on this earth?  Most of the time, we scurry around our busy lives with no thought that today might be my last day.  James helps us to view our lives from God’s perspective.

Today’s Verses:
James 4:13-17

James defines our lives as a mist of vapor.  If you have ever watched vapor, it appears for a brief moment, and then it vanishes.  We tend to think that we have all the time in the world to do this or that.  James reminds us that we are not guaranteed tomorrow.  Bottom line is our lives are short.  We need to make the best of it while we still have time.

Discussion Questions:
1.  At what age do you think you will live to be?

2.  What if you only lived half that long?

3.  Would you be satisfied with the way that you have lived your life for the Lord?

4.  If you knew that you only had one week to live, what would you do to prepare?

5.  If we truly believe that each day could be our last, how would that effect how we live our life?

Judging Others

Have you ever judged someone for something that they have done?  We all have been guilty of this.  James helps us to understand that it is not our place to judge.

Today’s Verses:
James 4:11-12

When we choose to judge someone else, we end up judging ourselves.  James says that God is the only one that should be judging since He is the only one able to save and destroy.  Where do we get off thinking we have the right to judge someone for what they have done?  Are we so holy that we are without sin?  Remember Jesus and the woman caught in adultery?  Jesus said to the Pharisees, “He who is without sin, cast the first stone.”

Discussion Questions:
1.  Why do we judge others?

2.  Have you ever talked bad about someone else?

3.  What does God say about that in these verses?

4.  Is it our place to judge?

5.  What would happen if God chose to judge you like you judge others?

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