James in 5: Lesson 1

Good from Bad – James in 5: Lesson 1

628 Wednesdays – January 20, 2012  (Curriculum by Josh Mutter, Download Youth Ministry)

What is one way you hope things will be different for you at the end of this year? Make any New Year Resolutions?

One of the biggest things I hope for is to be closer to Jesus.

So let’s see how that fits with the study of James…

• James was written by James, the brother of Jesus.  There was a time when James did not believe in Jesus.  He even challenged Jesus.  He eventually became a believer and also a leader in the church.
• James was written within a few years of Jesus’ death.
• We are not certain who James was written for, but we do know from chapter 1, vs. 1 that it references the twelve tribes of Israel – this refers to Christians who are Jewish and that had been scattered far from home.
• The Jewish Christians had been scattered because they were being persecuted.  Persecuted means that one is picked on because of their faith in Jesus.

I encourage you to spend some time reading James 1:2-12 and consider these points:

• • Consider it pure joy – Joy is being SURE that God has things under control and CHOOSING to PRAISE GOD no matter what you are going through.
  • Trials – what kind of “obstacles” are you dealing with?
  • Perseverance – Do not give up – the tough stuff in life is not wasted when it draws us closer to God.  What can you see God doing in the situation? How can it grow you closer to Him?
  • Complete – spiritual maturity – God does not cause bad things to happen – Sin does.  Every choice has a consequence.  We do not have to see bad situations in our lives as wasted, trials as wasted.  We can CHOOSE to see how God brings good from it and grow closer to Him through it.
  • God has the answers.  God is always there and will see us through – go to Him when you need answers.  Seek Him, and you will find Him. He can and will help you know how to handle tough situations.

James 1:2-12

² Count it all joy, my brothers,^[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, ³ for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. ⁴ And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.

⁵ If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. ⁶ But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. ⁷ For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; ⁸ he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.

⁹ Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, ¹⁰ and the rich in his humiliation because like a flower of the grass^[b] he will pass away. ¹¹ For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.

¹² Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

No athlete earns success without muscle pain now and then.  Sometimes it is worth the pain to gain what you need most.

What do you need to seek God for today? He has the answers.  Wait.  Trust.  Obey.