JAMES-Chapter 3, Part A

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Can you do anything fun with your tongue? What about touching your nose with it? Can you roll it? Could you swallow without it? Try talking without moving it. Yep-I hear you laughing at yourself about now.

Scripture reminds us to tame the tongue due to the power it holds. It can destroy lives and relationships. However, James tells us that man alone cannot tame the tongue. So, how can we keep our words under God’s authority?    

What about your witness? We are all teachers in some form or fashion and Scripture warns us to be careful about the words we say. As we witness and encourage others, we should rely on God’s Word. Remember, it is truth and reliable. Aligning our words with God’s very speech will always produce a tamed tongue.

VIDEOS:

REFLECTIONS & THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

How can you change your speech?

What steps can you take to stop the tongue from acting before the Holy Spirit can guide the delivery?

How can you apply “If you don’t have anything good to say, say nothing at all.”? When might this NOT be appropriate? Silence can be deadly too!

What is the root of our sharp tongue, quick speech, and downgrading tone?

Who is the primary target of your ill “word” behavior?

Stop and pray about it. Ask God to give you direction and alternatives that will exhibit His love, grace, and mercy regardless of the message you may need to convey.

Do you have a “go to word” when trouble happens-you stump your toe-someone make you mad? How can you better prepare for these moments?

JAMES-Chapter 2, Part B

You gotta have faith, faith, faith, baby. Name that artist and the year the song was written. Wonder what the musician meant? You might google the lyrics.

How do you define your faith? Do your works display the fruit of the Spirit? Can your works standalone without God and truly display your faith? Why would someone believe their works will save them?

Why do you do good deeds? What keeps you from doing bad ones?

Cross-References

Ephesians 2:8-10

Luke 3:11

Proverbs 3:27

Luke 6:44-46

VIDEOS:

REFLECTIONS & THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

Read Matthew 7:17 and reflect.

What is the warning here?

Read Matthew 7:21. What is your initial reaction? What does this do to your head and heart?

What is an example of dead faith in your life?

Why cannot a living faith be separated from works?

Name your personal takeaway from Chapter 2. What is the primary verse tugging at your heart strings? What is one way over the next week you can demonstrate living faith differently in your life?

JAMES-Chapter 2, Part A

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Do you favor chocolate or vanilla ice cream? What about a resplendent color you are partial to than all others? Ever favor a person in a group more than the others?

The Bible speaks about favoritism and makes it clear that loving your neighbor means ALL people. Let’s be real-that is not always easy-think about a few of those sandpaper people in your life. YIKES! However, partiality towards others is a breeding ground for sin and trouble.

Read Galatians 3:28 and ponder your thoughts about favoritism of people. Do you have any biases? Does your environment influence your attitude and thinking about others who are different than you?

VIDEOS:

REFLECTIONS & THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

Who do you have a hard time loving well?

How can we see people with God’s eyes rather than our own?

Have you ever been judged because of something in your outward appearance?

How did these verses challenge your thinking? HEAD

Did the passages make you examine how you feel about certain people? HEART

Are you compelled to act differently towards someone or a group of people? HANDS

How can you safeguard your thinking when surrounded by others with strong favoritism? EARS/EYES

JAMES-Chapter 1, Part B

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Yikes! Temptation-how do you define this in your life? Exactly where does it come from? Why is it often hard to resist? What does Scripture say?

CROSS REFERENCES:

1 Peter 5:10

1 Peter 1:7

1 Corinthians 10:13

Proverbs 4:23

Mark 7:21-22

VIDEOS:

James 1:9-20 https://youtu.be/Jdm_mrmFJy4?si=X0308VcZOm2pE9vD

James 1:12-27 https://youtu.be/P-7CubqtvcM?si=0cupNGloUiXnfduC

THOUGHTS TO PONDER:

What steps can we take to protect ourselves against ourselves?

  • Surround yourselves with other believers who can keep you accountable.
  • Get an accountability partner that will check up on you from time to time and ask the tough questions.
  • Avoid places or things we know will tempt us.
  • Pray immediately and make it a habit to ask for help in the moment of temptation.
  • Fill our minds with Scripture.

REFLECTIONS:

What tempts you the most in life?

List the gifts in your life directly from God?

Stop and thank Him for three.

Does the world see you as “set apart”? Why or why not?

What is one way you can be more of a “doer” of God’s Word this week?

Reflect on one verse that stood out the most in Chapter 1.

Read it/Write it/Post it/Dissect it/Pray it out/Live it

JAMES-Chapter 1, Part A

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Welcome to the first week of study on the book of James. Over the years we have focused on empowering believers in their personal interaction with God’s Word. For the next five weeks, we are supporting our online Monday night class through a variety of resources bi-weekly. Below you will find information, questions, videos, etc. to guide your steps in reading, understanding, and applying the Scriptures.

Refining Ministry is committed to help strengthen individualized study skills in practical ways that can become lifetime habits. With each study, we want to empower you to feel confident in spending personal time in God’s Word. As we dive into the book of James, we will share a variety of techniques and tips based on the recent released Beyond Scripture Typography when coming together during the Monday night meetings. If you would like to join our James study, leave us a comment or email us at refiningjourney@gmail.com. We will be happy to send you the Zoom link.

JAMES Study: April 22-May 27, Monday nights from 6:00-7:00 pm (CST)

BACKGROUND:

Audience: Mainly the scattered Jewish believers.

Topic: Practical day-to-day Christian living and how to live a Godly life.

Author:

Compelled to Write: The author might have felt compelled to write this message to . . .

Timeframe:

Why Jewish believers might listen to James: The Jewish believers might listen to James because he is one of them and has authority and understanding of their culture and faith.

VIDEOS:

Overview of James https://youtu.be/qn-hLHWwRYY?si=nLDDirT3XsHxgZyN

James 1:1-8 https://youtu.be/Ta1FEkgxlmQ?si=VCW15Q2zbOVef41O

James 1:1-11 https://youtu.be/cEO8XjVABmQ?si=H-U9pTTjuJy4g8aY

REFLECTIONS:

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