Tara-Leigh goes so fast through James, and I want to slow down and see James’ connection to Jesus and to Acts, since we are doing this chronologically. It will be a fresh perspective for this very grounded group, many of whom have been through James with Paige and others in the past.
Remember how last week we saw the word “religion” only occurs once in the Bible? That’s beca.use Christianity is not like the other religions, which work their way, supposedly to heaven. James uses it a bit sarcastically. He is addressing those who say they are Christians, but show no fruit. One of James big themes is that we are saved by faith alone, but faith shouldn’t stay alone. Remember how the Puritans, when asked if someone who had just professed Christ was a Christian would say, “We’ll see.” In the early church they waited three years to make sure there was consistent fruit.
The word “religious” also has a deserved stigma, which Bev pointed out remembering Fritz Ridenaur’s commentary on Romans called “How to Be A Christian Without Being Religious.”
Tara-Leigh pointed out James being the half brother of Jesus, and, and how his letter often parallels the Sermon on the Mount. We will look at that first, and then to some of James activity in Acts, and finally to Acts 3. This is a mature group that I think will enjoy diving deeper for new riches.
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the love, wisdom, or presence of God this week?
Monday: James and The Sermon on the Mount
James was the half brother of Jesus. He heard the Sermon on the Mount, yet it probably didn’t penetrate his heart until the resurrection.
2. Read 1 Corinthians 15:7. Why do you think Jesus tells them to go specifically to James after He rose from the dead?
3. What parallel do you see between James comment on religion and the Sermon on the Mount in Matthew 5:20?
4. In the close of the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus gives three pictures to show the difference between the gospel and religion. Find them in Matthew 7, meditate on the Scripture through observations, and explain the peril of mere religion in each case.
A. Two paths in Matthew 7:13-14
B. Two Trees Matthew 7:15-23
C. Two houses Matthew 7:24-27
4. What light does this shed on James 2:27 and the whole book of James?
5. Share one way that you see the power of God changing you for the better in the last few years?
Tuesday: James in the book of Acts
6. Read Acts 1:14 and make observations using the when, who, where, and why questions of journalists.
7. How does the above show a transformation in James?
8. Read Acts 12:17 and make observations using the when, what, who, and why questions?
We know this was James the brother of Christ because James the son of Zebedee was executed in Acts 12:12.
9. How do you see Peter’s personal desire to strengthen James’ faith?
10. Share a way a sister or brother in Christ has strengthened your faith recently.
Wednesday: James, Galatians, and Acts
11. The book of Galatians is all about not turning to another gospel, which is faith in Jesus plus something. Paul was continually meeting with James, the brother of Jesus, Peter, and John. They were indeed the four pillars of the church. How do you see this in:
A. Galatians 1:18-19?
B. Galatians 2:7-9?
12. Back then the Jews were adding circumcision to the gospel. What do people add today that turns it into a false gospel?
13. The following passage has always confused me, but with the help of commentators, I think I understand it. But you see what you think. Read Acts 15:19-20 and list the three things that James tells the Gentiles to abstain from in order not to offend their Jewish brothers. Since we are free from the ceremonial law, how do you explain why they were to abstain? (I’ll tell you what I found tomorrow — but try to answer without looking ahead!)
Thursday: James 3 and Proverbs (Part I)
What I found concerning Acts 15:19-20 is that there was a moral part to his first two “judgments.” (Therefore this was his judgment, not a command from God.) Eating meat offered to idols could be seen as supporting idolatry. Sexual immorality was indeed morally wrong, and particularly repugnant. (We have discussed that some sins are more grievous than others) The meat that came from strangling was not morally wrong – -but so repugnant to the Jews it was best just to avoid it to keep them from stumbling. James, as a Jew, would be sensitive to what really bothered his Messianic brothers.
4. Thoughts on the above?
5. Read James 3:1-12. Find some proverbs that teach the same thing.
6. What part of the Sermon on the Mount seems similar to James 3:11-12?
7. Where do you need to reign in your tongue?
Friday: James 3 (Part II)
8. Make observations on James 3:13-18
9. Again, I see two choices as with the paths, the trees, the houses. Find them in 15-17.
Saturday:
10. What is your God shot?