calvarychurch.us Printed in the United States of America

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1 Calvary Church

2 2016 Calvary Church All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, without the express written permission of the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed to Calvary Church, 2120 Lexington Ave N, Roseville, Minnesota Scripture quotations are from The Holy Bible, New International Version NIV Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. PRODUCTION TEAM Curriculum Developers: Russ Lunak, Lisa Geis, Larry Largent, Matt McClay, Rick Rump, Tucker Anderson Copy Editor: Tucker Anderson Design: Angela Smith calvarychurch.us Printed in the United States of America

3 Table of Contents Faith or Works? (James 2:14-26)...1 Taming the Tongue (James 3:1-12)...5 Seeing Clearly (James 3:13-4:10)...9 Icebergs (James 4:11-17)...13 Money Matters (James 5:1-6)...17 True Power (James 5:7-18)...21 Rescue! (James 5:19-20)

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5 Introduction Restoring Real Religion Peruse social media, walk into a book store, or have a conversation with friends, and you are confronted with many ideas about faith and religion. Is it possible to see clearly in the midst of the fog? James, the brother of Jesus and one of the leaders of the early Church gives us a compass for how to navigate this sphere of confusion. The letter of James is a practical explanation of true faith, and a clear challenge to live Christianly. It is not a defense of the gospel, nor an explanation of complex theological concepts. It is practical and down to earth. James is a proverbial treasure which answers the question of what it looks like to follow Jesus in the world. Join us over the next seven weeks as we seek to restore our understanding of what it looks like to follow Jesus in all of life. This study guide is a tool for you to use in your small group to help you dive into the book of James. Questions are designed to help you understand what the text is saying and integrate it into every aspect of life. Blessings to you as you begin this journey. 1

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7 FAITH OR WORKS? James 2:14-26

8 CONNECT Growing in Relationships Question 1: What characterizes someone you would consider to be a true friend? Question 2: Are actions good indicators of a belief system? Why or why not? EQUIP Bible Engagement Read James 2:14-26 Question 3: Can faith and deeds be separated? Why or why not? Question 4: Describe James argument in vv How is this a challenge to our context? Question 5: What does the affirmation of the oneness of God (see Deuteronomy 6:4-9) have to do with the unity of faith and works? 2

9 Question 6: James uses two Old Testament examples of people with faith. What are the similarities and differences between these two examples (c.f. Genesis 22:1-14; Joshua 2:1-22; 6:23)? What do the similarities and differences tell us about faith? Question 7: Where do you struggle to connect faith and action? What challenge would James provide for you? Question 8: Why does the body serve as a good example of the unity of faith and works? Read Ephesians 2:1-10 and Romans 4:1-5 Question 9: Martin Luther believed that James contradicts the doctrine of justification by faith in Paul s epistles. Paul and James don t contradict each other at all; rather, they are addressing different issues. What are the issues that Paul and James are responding to? Question 10: How do Paul and James help us maintain balance in our thinking about Christian faith and behavior? 3

10 IMPACT Experiencing Transformation Question 11: In your context, which scenario is most common: faith without works, or works without faith? Why? Question 12: By performing deeds of Christian charity and practical expressions of our faith, how do we avoid the pejorative term, do-gooder? How do we avoid giving the impression that we do those things to earn a more favorable standing with God? Question 13: As you consider the relationship between faith and works, where do you feel you have the most need for growth? Question 14: If James cites Rahab as a subtle commentary on Gentile inclusion in the promises of God, what does it mean to be gentile inclusive in 21st century America? Who does the church normally wish to distance itself from? How would James call us to action? Pray Allow at least min for prayer. The following are suggested prompts to guide your prayer time. How does this passage call me to praise God? After studying this passage, what sins do I need to confess? What does this passage show me I need from God? 4

11 TAMING THE TONGUE James 3:1-12

12 CONNECT Growing in Relationships Question 1: What is your preferred way of communicating (e.g. texting, , face-to-face, social media, etc.)? Question 2: What are some ways that words hurt people? EQUIP Bible Engagement Read James 3:1-12 Question 3: Why does James begin this passage with not many of you should become teachers? Question 4: Why does James emphasize the negative example of fire so much more than the positive examples of the horse bit and rudder? What does this say about our speech? Question 5: In v. 8 James says, no human being can tame the tongue. Does this mean we are armed with a deadly weapon that cannot be controlled? Why or why not? 6

13 Question 6: Verses 9-12 use several analogies. What is James saying through these analogies? Question 7: What is James calling us to in vv. 1-12? Is this merely a warning or is he calling us to a certain response? Read Proverbs 13:3; 15:1 and 4; 18:8; 21:23 Question 8: What are some common themes between these verses in Proverbs? Question 9: Why does the Bible talk so much about our speech? 7

14 IMPACT Experiencing Transformation Question 10: What does taming the tongue look like for us today? In what ways do you need to tame your tongue? Question 11: When James says in 3:2 that we all stumble in many ways, how does that make you feel? Relieved? Entitled? Discouraged? Read 1 John 1:8-9. What does this say about how we should respond? Question 12: How can you give affirmation to those you come into contact with? Pray Allow at least min for prayer. The following are suggested prompts to guide your prayer time. How does this passage call me to praise God? After studying this passage, what sins do I need to confess? What does this passage show me I need from God? 8

15 SEEING CLEARLY James 3:13-4:10

16 CONNECT Growing in Relationships Question 1: Name some people you think are wise. Why do you think this way? Question 2: A medical doctor can make a diagnosis for an ill patient. How does one make a diagnosis of spiritual health? EQUIP Bible Engagement Read James 3:13-4:10 Question 3: James describes two kinds of wisdom. What are they? Question 4: What is James test for true wisdom? How is this countercultural to how people normally try to determine wisdom? Question 5: James says that fights and quarrels come from within (James 4:1). How is this different than how most think about the source of conflict? 10

17 Question 6: James calls his readers adulterous people. In what sense are they adulterous? Question 7: What do vv teach us about winning the battle with our desires? How do you submit to God? Read 1 John 2:15-17 Question 8: How is love of the world described in 1 John 2:15-17? In what ways are you susceptible to these desires? Question 9: How are these related to the worldly wisdom that James talks about? 11

18 IMPACT Experiencing Transformation Question 10: Based on James teaching in this text, what are some steps we can take to diagnose our own spiritual health? Question 11: James is not saying Christians must disassociate themselves from unbelievers (v. 4). How do we remain in the social and cultural context of real life without being guilty of friendship with the world or becoming an enemy of God? Question 12: What are you going to do when quarrelsome desires arise? How is James challenging you to respond differently? Pray Allow at least min for prayer. The following are suggested prompts to guide your prayer time. How does this passage call me to praise God? After studying this passage, what sins do I need to confess? What does this passage show me I need from God? 12

19 ICEBERGS James 4:11-17

20 CONNECT Growing in Relationships Question 1: How do you feel about the future? Does it excite you? Frighten you? Both? Question 2: Do you like to plan for the future or do you prefer to just go with the flow? EQUIP Bible Engagement Read James 4:11-17 Question 3: How are vv connected to the previous section (vv. 1-10) which talks about where our desires come from? Question 4: James 4:11 warns against judging" and slandering fellow Christians. How do we determine if our attitude is one of sinful judgment or commendable discernment? 14

21 Question 5: When James speaks of the law (v. 11) he is either referring to Leviticus 19:16-18 or more generally to Jesus teaching. With this in mind, how is judging your neighbor a direct result of your view of God? Question 6: How would you describe the two attitudes found in vv ? Question 7: Why is the boasting described in vv regarded as evil? Are you surprised by this description? Why or why not? Read Luke 12:16-24 Question 8: What does Jesus parable in vv say and how does this relate to James 4:11-17? Question 9: How are boasting about tomorrow (James 4) and worrying about the future (Luke 12) similar? How are they different? 15

22 IMPACT Experiencing Transformation Question 10: How can one battle the sin of cynical criticism? Question 11: If you knew you were going to die tomorrow, what would your attitude about today be like? Question 12: What areas of your life, especially future related, do you need to give to God? Pray Allow at least min for prayer. The following are suggested prompts to guide your prayer time. How does this passage call me to praise God? After studying this passage, what sins do I need to confess? What does this passage show me I need from God? 16

23 MONEY MATTERS James 5:1-6

24 CONNECT Growing in Relationships Question 1: Suppose you received a million dollars. How do you think access to wealth would change you? Question 2: The church should look at wealth differently. Do we or don t we? Why do you feel this way? EQUIP Bible Engagement Read James 5:1-6 Question 3: Who are the "rich" James is referring to? Looking at the context, are they part of the church or not? Question 4: In v. 1, James tells the rich to weep and wail because of the misery that is coming on them. What is that misery (give scriptural support) and what attitude is James looking for? Question 5: In vv. 2-3, James emphasizes the transitory nature of wealth. What does he mean by their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire? 18

25 Question 6: James implies that the wealth of the people addressed was acquired wrongly. It is easy to see the injustice (v. 4). What does James mean by, You have fattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. (v. 5)? Question 7: James equates the wrongful acquisition of wealth (vv. 4-6) with condemnation and murder of innocent victims. How can such an extreme comparison have validity? What is the point? Read Matthew 6:19-21 Question 8: What does Jesus say about wealth in these verses? What is the underlying issue Jesus is addressing? Question 9: Why is it so difficult to take Jesus teaching to heart? Question 10: How does fixating upon the kingdom of God as Jesus talks about help reorient our hearts away from temporary treasures? 19

26 IMPACT Experiencing Transformation Question 11: How would James and Jesus address the average income, middle-class person in the U.S. today? Question 12: As a believer what should be our attitude toward the wealthy? If we are wealthy believers, what should be our attitude toward our possessions? Question 13: How has the passage from James and Matthew challenged you? What are you going to do as a result? Pray Allow at least min for prayer. The following are suggested prompts to guide your prayer time. How does this passage call me to praise God? After studying this passage, what sins do I need to confess? What does this passage show me I need from God? 20

27 TRUE POWER James 5:7-18

28 CONNECT Growing in Relationships Question 1: How would you rank your patience on the list of your character qualities? Question 2: If you feel comfortable, share a situation where you are frequently challenged to practice patience. EQUIP Bible Engagement Read James 5:7-18 Question 3: Considering the surrounding context, how does James understand patience? It would be helpful to pay attention to the examples James provides of patience in the Old Testament. Question 4: Why does James use the analogy of the farmer waiting for the harvest? Question 5: In vv James gives four commands. What are they and how do they challenge you? 22

29 Question 6: How do James comments on prayer in vv challenge your perception/understanding of prayer? Question 7: Why does James include Elijah as an example of prayer in vv ? Read Romans 12:9-12 Question 8: How does Romans 12:9-12 compare to James 5:7-18? How does it differ? Question 9: What does it mean to be joyful in hope, patient in affliction and faithful in prayer? 23

30 IMPACT Experiencing Transformation Question 10: What are some ways we can practice patience on a daily basis? Question 11: How does having a long-term view of God s grace change your perspective on your momentary trials? Question 12: Who is one person in your life that you can regularly confess your sins to and who will pray for you? How can this person/ group support you in living out your daily faith by the principles of James 5:7-18 and Romans 12:9-12? Pray Allow at least min for prayer. The following are suggested prompts to guide your prayer time. How does this passage call me to praise God? After studying this passage, what sins do I need to confess? What does this passage show me I need from God? 24

31 RESCUE! James 5:19-20

32 CONNECT Growing in Relationships Question 1: We often see family members or friends make bad choices in their lives. What do you do when that happens? Question 2: When you see a follower of Jesus make poor decisions what do you do? EQUIP Bible Engagement Read James 5: Question 3: How do vv shed light on our understanding of vv ? Question 4: In vv James is referring to a believer who wanders into sin. Thinking back to the earlier chapters in James, why might a believer wander into sin? Question 5: We know that God can only change one s life but in this passage James talks about believers being active agents in God s work. How should we understand our role in the process of restoring one to faith? 26

33 Question 6: What does James mean by, Whoever turns a sinner from the error of their way will save them from death? What kind of death is James referring to? Question 7: What role does wisdom play in how we approach the wayward brother or sister (James 3:13)? Read Galatians 6:1-5 Question 8: Paul would agree with James regarding the restoration of the wanderer; but, he adds some cautions/caveats. How do we accept our God-given role of helping the wanderer? Question 9: What does restoration of a wayward believer look like? 27

34 IMPACT Experiencing Transformation Question 10: How do we handle the inherent human reactions involved when we confront another believer because of sin? Question 11: Is it possible to make judgments without being judgmental? What should be your basis for approaching someone you think is wandering? Question 12: How has this entire study of James challenged you? What are some key takeaways? How will your life look different as a result? Pray Allow at least min for prayer. The following are suggested prompts to guide your prayer time. How does this passage call me to praise God? After studying this passage, what sins do I need to confess? What does this passage show me I need from God? 28

35 Defining Discipleship at Calvary Church The mission statement of Calvary Church is Building relationships, seeing Jesus transform lives. From this mission statement Calvary has identified three core tenets of discipleship which inform everything that we do. Discipleship is relational, Jesus-focused, and transformational. Here are descriptions of each component in greater detail. Relational Discipleship requires a relationship with God and others. The basis of discipleship is a relationship with Jesus Christ established solely due to God s unmerited grace in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus. 1 As a response to this grace we form relationships with other believers 2 to encourage and challenge one another to grow up in Christ. 3 Jesus-focused Discipleship is becoming a life-long student of Jesus and the kingdom of God. Discipleship begins when you respond to Jesus call to follow him. 4 This requires repentance of sin toward new life that he offers. 5 As a response to His call, a disciple is a lifelong student of Jesus Christ 6 and the kingdom of God by studying the Bible and living in obedience to what it teaches. 7 Transformational Discipleship leads to whole-life transformation. The goal of discipleship is to imitate Jesus Christ in every sphere of life 8 through the indwelling power of the Holy Spirit. 9 A life that imitates Jesus Christ in relationship with others is a powerful witness for the kingdom of God. 10 Jesus followers exist to make much of Him, invite others to be His disciples, and to see the Kingdom of God lived out in our spheres of life Ephesians 2:8-9; Titus 3: John 3: Hebrews 10: Mark 1: Acts 3: Philippians 3: Timothy 3: Ephesians 5:1; 1 Corinthians 4:16-17; 11:1 9 John 14:26 10 Matthew 5: Jeremiah 29:7; 1 Peter 2:9-12

36 Roseville Campus / 2120 Lexington Ave N / Roseville, MN White Bear Campus / 4604 Greenhaven Dr / White Bear Township, MN /