What keeps you from finding joy when the pressure of life feels overwhelming? What emotions did you feel during your most recent trial?

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1 Lesson 1: Pressure of Trials What pressures squeeze the joy out of life? James 1:1-2 NKJV 1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad: Greetings. 2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, Bond servant: This humble title signifies ownership by, absolute obligation to, and readiness to obey a master. Trials: Trials are difficulties and afflictions that can strengthen our faith and prove its genuineness as in 1 1 Peter 1:6-7 NKJV In this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while, if need be, you have been grieved by various trials, that the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ, Discussion Question 1-2 What keeps you from finding joy when the pressure of life feels overwhelming? What emotions did you feel during your most recent trial? James 1:3 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. You are a child of God so you have faith. You have a faith worth developing and refining. God will strengthen and prepare you. You have the assurance of the presence of God. Discussion Question 3 During your most recent trial, how did you see God walking with you? James 1:4 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. P a g e 1 13

2 A. Perfect: Having reached its end; complete; mature; fully developed. B. Complete: Fully developed; running at full capacity with nothing unused. C. Lacking Nothing: Nothing left out or left behind. You are fully equipped and repaired. Discussion Question 4 How have you been encouraged by the endurance of others during trials? Live It Out So what does God want you to do when trials come your way? Choose a joyful attitude. Evaluate how a joy filled attitude could alleviate the pressure you feel from life. Share your story. Explain to someone how, during a previous trial, God strengthened you through the difficult time. Help someone who is struggling. Find someone who is going through difficulty. Be available to listen, encourage, and help them. God is working in you. He is working in every circumstance, both good and bad to bring about the development of His character and power in you so that you may be perfect, complete, and useful for His glory. Despite life s circumstances, God gives us the capability to turn sour into sweet. P a g e 2 13

3 Lesson 2: The Pressure of Temptation James 1:13-18 What food tempts you to say yes to just one more bite? James 1:13 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, "I am tempted by God"; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. Trial/Tempt, these words come from the same Greek word. Context determines whether the word is used for trials (referring to difficulties and hardships as in vs 2) or enticements to sin. Discussion Question 1 If temptations promises good but never deliver, why do we so often say yes to them? James 1: But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death. Evil desires: the single Greek word means a longing to desire. It can be a good or natural desire, but it is usually used to refer to something forbidden. Discussion Question 2 In what ways are we tempted to satisfy a God given desire in a sinful way? James 1: Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures. Discussion Question 3-4 What are some other gifts God has provided that could help you resist temptation? How can you support and encourage someone struggling with temptation? P a g e 3 13

4 Live it out Being tempted isn't wrong. But the longer we consider a temptation, the weaker we get. So choose God's way of escape: Think about the temptations you face. Pray, asking God to help you recognize and do His strategy to overcome each. Memorize Proverbs 4:25. Practice it in moments of temptation. Find a friend you can trust. Ask him or her to hold you accountable as you face temptation. Sin may offer temporary pleasure, but we will experience consequences when we give in to temptation. Put down the fork. P a g e 4 13

5 Lesson 3: The Pressure of Partiality James 2:1-13 Who or what does society value most? James 2:1-4 1 My brethren, do not hold the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with partiality. 2 For if there should come into your assembly a man with gold rings, in fine apparel, and there should also come in a poor man in filthy clothes, 3 and you pay attention to the one wearing the fine clothes and say to him, "You sit here in a good place," and say to the poor man, "You stand there," or, "Sit here at my footstool," 4 have you not shown partiality among yourselves, and become judges with evil thoughts? Favoritism: This literally means receiving or lifting the face. Ancient subjects would prostrate themselves to seek a ruler s favor. If he lifted their faces, they would be heard. The word came to mean showing favor on improper grounds, often social or political. Discussion Question 1 What kind of experiences affect who we want to be around? James 2:5-7 5 Listen, my beloved brethren: Has God not chosen the poor of this world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom which He promised to those who love Him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor man. Do not the rich oppress you and drag you into the courts? 7 Do they not blaspheme that noble name by which you are called? Discussion Question 2 Why is the heart of God so close to those who are poor and excluded? James 2: If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself," you do well; 9 but if you show partiality, you commit sin, and are convicted by the law as transgressors. P a g e 5 13

6 10 For whoever shall keep the whole law, and yet stumble in one point, he is guilty of all. 11 For He who said, "Do not commit adultery," also said, "Do not murder." Now if you do not commit adultery, but you do murder, you have become a transgressor of the law. 12 So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty. 13 For judgment is without mercy to the one who has shown no mercy. Mercy triumphs over judgment. Discussion Question 3-4 What are examples of showing honor versus playing favorites? What's at stake when I play favorites? Live It Out If you have caved to the pressures of favoritism, make it right. Build a reputation for loving like God loves. Check your attitude. When you treat someone with Partiality, check the attitude of your heart. Confess it to God. Demonstrate God's love in action. Deliberately say a kind word, welcome someone to your table, or build someone up. Go out of your way to care. Build a friendship. Spend time with someone you wouldn't typically relate to. The pastor of a church who moved the wedding regretted his decision. He worked to make it right. No matter what happens around you, refuse to play favorites. Value what God values and love indiscriminately. P a g e 6 13

7 Lesson 4: The Pressure of Words James 3:1-18 When does your mouth get you into trouble? James 3:1-8 1 My brethren, let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment. 2 For we all stumble in many things. If anyone does not stumble in word, he is a perfect man, able also to bridle the whole body. 3 Indeed, we put bits in horses' mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body. 4 Look also at ships: although they are so large and are driven by fierce winds, they are turned by a very small rudder wherever the pilot desires. 5 Even so the tongue is a little member and boasts great things. See how great a forest a little fire kindles! 6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity. The tongue is so set among our members that it defiles the whole body, and sets on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire by hell. 7 For every kind of beast and bird, of reptile and creature of the sea, is tamed and has been tamed by mankind. 8 But no man can tame the tongue. It is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison. Discussion Question 1-2 How have you seen words act like fire or as poison? Why do we remember negative words more than positive words? James 3: With it we bless our God and Father, and with it we curse men, who have been made in the similitude of God. 10 Out of the same mouth proceed blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not to be so. 11 Does a spring send forth fresh water and bitter from the same opening? 12 Can a fig tree, my brethren, bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Thus no spring yields both salt water and fresh. P a g e 7 13

8 Discussion Question 3 How do our words define who we are? James 3: Who is wise and understanding among you? Let him show by good conduct that his works are done in the meekness of wisdom. 14 But if you have bitter envy and self-seeking in your hearts, do not boast and lie against the truth. 15 This wisdom does not descend from above, but is earthly, sensual, demonic. 16 For where envy and self-seeking exist, confusion and every evil thing are there. 17 But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, willing to yield, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality and without hypocrisy. 18 Now the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace by those who make peace. Discussion Question 4 When has your life been changed by wise and gentle words? Live It Out Here are three ways to choose and use only words filled wisdom and gentleness: Pray before you open your mouth. Put James 3:13-18 into practice. Seek God's wisdom in what to say and how to say it. For a week, keep a log of family conversations. Were your words more a "blessing" or a "curse?" Apologize. If your words have gotten you into trouble, contact the person and use a different set of words: an apology. Your words have power to nourish or to destroy. It's your choice. Choose to keep your mouth out of trouble. P a g e 8 13

9 Lesson 5: The Pressure Of Conflict James 4:1-10 What conflicts and competitions do you find compelling? James 4:1-5 1 Where do wars and fights come from among you? Do they not come from your desires for pleasure that war in your members? 2 You lust and do not have. You murder and covet and cannot obtain. You fight and war. Yet you do not have because you do not ask. 3 You ask and do not receive, because you ask amiss, that you may spend it on your pleasures. 4 Adulterers and adulteresses! Do you not know that friendship with the world is enmity with God? Whoever therefore wants to be a friend of the world makes himself an enemy of God. 5 Or do you think that the Scripture says in vain, "The Spirit who dwells in us yearns jealously"? Discussion Question 1-2 What cravings most often lead you into conflict? How do motives relate to conflict? James 4: But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: "God resists the proud, But gives grace to the humble." 7 Therefore submit to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. 8 Draw near to God and He will draw near to you. Cleanse your hands, you sinners; and purify your hearts, you double-minded. 9 Lament and mourn and weep! Let your laughter be turned to mourning and your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and He will lift you up. Discussion Question 3-4 What is involved in resisting the devil? What helps you draw near to Christ and humble yourself before Him? P a g e 9 13

10 Live It Out When the pressure of conflict begins to rise in your life, take action. Based on the principles in James 4:1-10 consider these steps: Check your motives. Evaluate your desires to determine if they are self centered or Christ centered. Submit to Christ. Give up every thought and desire to the Lordship of Christ. Keep a prayer journal. Keep the proper focus by identifying how each request can specifically honor Jesus. Conflict may be compelling in the sports arena, but not in your life. Quit competing with God and live humbly under Jesus Christ. P a g e 10 13

11 Lesson 6: The Pressure of Retaliation James 5:1-11 What makes you want to get even? James 5:1-6 1 Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries that are coming upon you! 2 Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are moth-eaten.3 Your gold and silver are corroded, and their corrosion will be a witness against you and will eat your flesh like fire. You have heaped up treasure in the last days. 4 Indeed the wages of the laborers who mowed your fields, which you kept back by fraud, cry out; and the cries of the reapers have reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.5 You have lived on the earth in pleasure and luxury; you have fattened your hearts as in a day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned, you have murdered the just; he does not resist you. Discussion Question 1 P a g e 11 13

12 What emotions do you feel when you read James' words to the rich? James 5:7-8a 7 Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, waiting patiently for it until it receives the early and latter rain. 8 You also be patient. Discussion Question 2 How can we work for justice without veering into retaliation? James 5:8b-11 8b Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. 9 Do not grumble against one another, brethren, lest you be condemned. Behold, the Judge is standing at the door! 10 My brethren, take the prophets, who spoke in the name of the Lord, as an example of suffering and patience. Discussion Question 3-4 What does patience offer that Retaliation or revenge never will? How do you lead someone to take his or her finger off the button of Retaliation? Live It Out Carl Ericsson was sent to prison in But he had been in prison since the event first happened in the 1950s. Consider some ways you can live free: Let it go. Learn about the different cultures of the people in your community. Ask about their customs, heritage, and beliefs. Become a student of different cultures in an effort to start discussions. Repay with kindness. Follow Paul's example by attending a worship service within a different culture. Seek out common ground in order to build bridges between that culture and Christ. Work for Justice. Get involved with a Christ centered organization that works on behalf of an oppressed group. Instead of getting even, get free. P a g e 12 13

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