Lesson 13 The Secret to a Happy Life James 4:13-17 Introduction All to Jesus, I surrender, Lord, I give myself to Thee, Fill me with Thy love and power, Let Thy blessing fall on me. I surrender all, All to Jesus, my blessed Savior, I surrender all. - Hymn Chapter 4 began by talking about war with God and now it ends by talking about the will of God. Believe it or not, these two themes are directly related. When a Christian woman is out of the will of God, she becomes a troublemaker and consequently, she is at war with everyone. The best attitude for a woman who wants to grow in her faith is that of complete surrender to the will of God. Begin your lesson with a prayer expressing your desire to put the Lord first, surrendering all your plans to your blessed Savior. Memory Scripture I delight to do Your will, O my God; yes, Your law is within my heart. Psalm 40:8 Commentary In this section of his letter, James points out three attitudes toward the will of God. We can ignore God s will. We can disobey God s will. Or we can choose to delight in and obey His will. Of course, only the third option is the one for the woman who wants to grow in her relationship with the Lord. When you and I get out of God s will, we are miserable. God s desire is to bring us back to His will. The secret to a happy life is to delight in doing His will. God s will is not some horrible thing, but rather it is good, and acceptable, and perfect for your life. Homework Questions 1. Read James 4:13-14. James continues his teaching on humility by addressing those who were making their own plans without considering God. James is not against planning, but he is against man s planning for the future with no regard of God s will. Why is this so foolish and dangerous? 2. Even though we may have a full and wonderful life here on earth, it doesn t compare to eternity! In verse 14, what does James compare our time here on earth to? Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
3. Read James 4:15-16. James warns us in these verses not to neglect including God in all our plans. When we forget our dependence upon God, how does James describe this kind of boasting? 4. Finish this chapter by reading James 4:17. Sin is not only doing something wrong, it is not doing something right. In light of this, what is the believer s responsibility according to verse 17? 5. The Christian woman who knows, loves, and obeys the will of God will enjoy God s blessing. Her life may not be easier, but it will be holier and happier. If the Lord wills is not just a statement on our lips; it ought to be the constant attitude of our heart. From the verses below, what do you learn that influences your desire to do the will of God? a. Romans 12:2 Do not be conformed to this world (this age), fashioned after and adapted to its external, superficial customs, but be transformed (changed) by the entire renewal of your mind by its new ideals and its new attitude, so that you may prove for yourselves what is the good and acceptable and perfect will of God, even the thing which is good and acceptable and perfect in His sight for you. b. I John 2:15-17 15 Do not love or cherish the world or the things that are in the world. If anyone loves the world, love for the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world the lust of the flesh, craving for sensual gratification, and the lust of the eyes, greedy longings of the mind, and the pride of life, assurance in one s own resources or in the stability of earthly things these do not come from the Father, but are from the world itself. 17 And the world passes away and disappears, and with it the forbidden cravings, the passionate desires, the lust of it; but he who does the will of God and carries out His purposes in his life abides (remains) forever. c. I John 5:14-15 14 And this is the confidence (the assurance, the privilege of boldness) which we have in Him: we are sure that if we ask anything (make any request) according to His will in agreement with His own plan, He listens to and hears us. 15 And if (since) we positively know that He listens to us in whatever we ask, we also know with settled and absolute knowledge that we have granted us as our present possessions the requests made of Him. Reflection Question Share one thing from the teaching that spoke to your heart and why.
Lesson 14 Money Matters James 5:1-6 Introduction What shall I give Thee, Master, Thou Who didst die for me? Shall I give less of what I possess, When Thou gavest all to me? - Hymn You and I may possess many things, but we do not own them. God owns everything and we are simply His stewards. That means we have a tremendous responsibility to use our riches wisely. How we use our money does matter especially to God. James does not condemn riches or rich people; he condemns the wrong use of riches. Our joy in this life should not be in what we have, but in our dearest friend Jesus. Begin your lesson with a prayer asking the Lord to help you hold on loosely to the riches of this world and hold on tightly to what matters most eternity with Him. Memory Scripture For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also. Matthew 6:21 Commentary In no way was James implying that it was a sin to be rich. After all, Abraham was a wealthy man who walked with God and was used incredibly by God. The problem James was addressing was the selfishness of the rich. Apparently, the rich were acquiring their wealth by illegal means. They were persecuting the poor by holding back their wages and using their money to control the courts. There is a serious reminder for all of us to heed regarding our money matters. Let s be sure we are laying up treasure in heaven rather than hoarding or misusing money that really belongs to God. Never forget what we keep, we lose and what we give to God, we keep and He adds interest to it. Homework Questions 1. Money is not evil. It is the love of money that is evil. The evil lies within our hearts. James begins chapter 5 by addressing the rich who are not using their wealth and resources for good. In verses 1 through 3, what miseries does he say will come upon them? 2. The way we make our money matters to God. What does James say about this in verse 4? Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
3. In verse 5, James turns our attention to how the rich spent their money without God s counsel. Describe what it says in verse 5. 4. The behavior of the rich people described in James 5:1-6 is appalling. What does this passage persuade us to avoid? 5. How we use our money in these last days is vitally important. Our checkbook reveals where our heart truly lies. As you study the following verses about stewardship, share how they help you to keep an eternal perspective. a. Matthew 6:31-34 31 Therefore do not worry and be anxious, saying, What are we going to have to eat? or, What are we going to have to drink? or, What are we going to have to wear? 32 For the Gentiles (heathen) wish for and crave and diligently seek all these things, and your heavenly Father knows well that you need them all. 33 But seek, aim at and strive after, first of all His kingdom and His righteousness (His way of doing and being right), and then all these things taken together will be given you besides. 34 So do not worry or be anxious about tomorrow, for tomorrow will have worries and anxieties of its own. Sufficient for each day is its own trouble. b. I Timothy 6:17-19 17 As for the rich in this world, charge them not to be proud and arrogant and contemptuous of others, nor to set their hopes on uncertain riches, but on God, Who richly and ceaselessly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. 18 Charge them to do good, to be rich in good works, to be liberal and generous of heart, ready to share with others, 19 In this way laying up for themselves the riches that endure forever as a good foundation for the future, so that they may grasp that which is life indeed. c. Hebrews 13:5 Let your character or moral disposition be free from love of money including greed, avarice, lust, and craving for earthly possessions and be satisfied with your present circumstances and with what you have; for He (God) Himself has said, I will not in any way fail you nor give you up nor leave you without support. I will not, I will not, I will not in any degree leave you helpless nor forsake nor let you down (relax My hold on you)! Assuredly not! Reflection Question Share one thing from the teaching that spoke to your heart and why.
Lesson 15 You Have Need of Patience James 5:7-12 Introduction Lord, please show me every day, As You're teaching me Your way That You do just what You say, In Your time - Hymn James isn t finished with us yet! He continues his practical instruction in the section of Scripture we are studying this week. He encourages us to be patient in times of suffering. James urges us to look for opportunities to share the truth of God in the midst of our trials just like the prophets of old did. He also reminds us to wait, like Job did, for the Lord to fulfill His loving purpose, knowing that He will never cause His children to suffer needlessly. Begin this lesson with a prayer asking the Lord to help you seek Him and stand on His Word. Memory Scripture He hath made every thing beautiful in His time Ecclesiastes 3:11 Commentary Satan wants us to get impatient with God, for an impatient Christian is a powerful weapon in the devil s hands. When Moses was impatient, it robbed him of a trip to the Promise Land. Abraham s impatience led to the birth of Ishmael. When we are impatient, we run ahead of God, taking matters into our own hands, and the results are always disastrous. During difficult times, we must learn to trust God for His grace to see us through. You and I have need of patience. Patience works in us while God works for us. May this week s lesson remind you that the Lord has a purpose in all He allows to touch your life. In His time, He promises to make all things beautiful. Homework Questions 1. In verses 7 and 8, James uses the example of a farmer to illustrate his exhortation. What does he encourage the Christian woman to be according to these verses? 2. Notice the phrase the coming of the Lord in verses 7 and 8. How does Christ s soon return motivate you to be patient? Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
3. Consider the phrase, Impatience with God often leads to impatience with God s people. What is a sign of impatience according to verse 9? 4. James reminds us that we are to count them happy which endure. He also reminds us to honor those who endure under great suffering. As you read verses 10 and 11, what blessing does the Lord bestow on those who endure? 5. One reason we go through suffering is to strengthen and build our Godly character and faith. As you study the following verses, what do you learn that will help broaden your understanding of suffering? a. Psalm 119:67 Before I was afflicted I went astray, but now Your word do I keep hearing, receiving, loving, and obeying it. b. 2 Corinthians 4:16-18 16 For which cause we faint not; but though our outward man perish, yet the inward man is renewed day by day. 17 For our light, momentary affliction (this slight distress of the passing hour) is ever more and more abundantly preparing and producing and achieving for us an everlasting weight of glory beyond all measure, excessively surpassing all comparisons and all calculations, a vast and transcendent glory and blessedness never to cease! 18 Since we consider and look not to the things that are seen but to the things that are unseen; for the things that are visible are temporal (brief and fleeting), but the things that are invisible are deathless and everlasting. c. 1 Thessalonians 3:1-3 1 Therefore, when the suspense of separation and our yearning for some personal communication from you became intolerable, we consented to being left behind alone at Athens. 2 And we sent Timothy, our brother and God s servant in spreading the good news, the Gospel of Christ, to strengthen and establish and to exhort and comfort and encourage you in your faith, 3 That no one of you should be disturbed and beguiled and led astray by these afflictions and difficulties to which I have referred. For you yourselves know that this is unavoidable in our position, and must be recognized as our appointed lot. Reflection Question Share one thing from the teaching that spoke to your heart and why.
Lesson 16 Carry Everything to God in Prayer James 5:13-20 Introduction Oh, what peace we often forfeit, Oh, what needless pain we bear, All because we do not carry, Everything to God in prayer! - Hymn By now we are well aware that James was a man of action. But he was also a man of prayer and he believed in taking everything to the Lord in prayer. Likewise, the woman who wants to grow in her faith must be committed to a life of prayer. It is vital to her spiritual stability, patience, progress and maturity. Pause now and turn to the Lord in prayer. Ask Him to encourage you to be fervent in your prayers until you receive His answers. Pray too that the lessons you've learned from the book of James will remain in your heart and help you as you continue to grow in your faith. Memory Scripture Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. James 5:16 Commentary Throughout the book of James, we have heard a great deal about the tongue and this final chapter is no exception. The tongue can be used wrongly for complaining (5:9) or swearing (5:12). It can also be used to glorify God by proclaiming His Word (5:10) and by praying and praising God (5:13). The growing Christian woman is prayerful in all situations of life. Instead of complaining or worrying, she talks to God about her situations. She realizes that prayer is a high and holy privilege that allows her to come freely and boldly to the throne of God. May the Holy Spirit impress upon your heart the power that prayer has and may He convince your mind to take everything to the Lord in prayer. Homework Questions 1. Read James 5:13. Afflicted means suffering through hardship, misfortune or calamity. Think about what you do when you are afflicted. From this verse, what is James solution for those who are afflicted? 2. Unfortunately sickness is part of this life because we live in a fallen world. However, we can find relief, and even healing, when we follow the instructions in James 5:14. What are those instructions? Women s Ministry of Calvary Chapel South Bay, 19300 S. Vermont Ave., Gardena, CA 90248 (310) 352-3333
3. Notice how many times the word pray or some form of that word is mentioned in James 5:15-18. What do these verses say regarding prayer? 4. Read James 5:19-20. James is speaking about the importance of confronting a brother or sister who has wandered from the Lord and restoring them to fellowship with God. He is also speaking about ministering to the lost and turning their hearts towards Christ. When we reach out to others, what is it James wants us to know? 5. The woman who is growing in her walk with the Lord realizes that prayer accomplishes much. The earnest prayer of a righteous man has great power and wonderful results (5:16 TLB). From the verses below, what wonderful things do you learn about the power of prayer? a. Matthew 21:21-22 21 And Jesus answered them, Truly I say to you, if you have faith, a firm relying trust and do not doubt, you will not only do what has been done to the fig tree, but even if you say to this mountain, Be taken up and cast into the sea, it will be done. 22 And whatever you ask for in prayer, having faith and really believing, you will receive. b. Acts 12:5-11 5 So Peter was kept in prison, but fervent prayer for him was persistently made to God by the church assembly. 6 The very night before Herod was about to bring him forth, Peter was sleeping between two soldiers, fastened with two chains, and sentries before the door were guarding the prison. 7 And suddenly an angel of the Lord appeared standing beside him, and a light shone in the place where he was. And the angel gently smote Peter on the side and awakened him, saying, Get up quickly! And the chains fell off his hands. 8 And the angel said to him, Tighten your belt and bind on your sandals. And he did so. And he said to him, Wrap your outer garment around you and follow me. 9 And Peter went out along following him, and he was not conscious that what was apparently being done by the angel was real, but thought he was seeing a vision. 10 When they had passed through the first guard and the second, they came to the iron gate which leads into the city. Of its own accord the gate swung open, and they went out and passed on through one street; and at once the angel left him. 11 Then Peter came to himself and said, Now I really know and am sure that the Lord has sent His angel and delivered me from the hand of Herod and from all that the Jewish people were expecting to do to me. Reflection Question Share one thing from the teaching that spoke to your heart and why.