WELCOME ICEBREAKER What was the highlight of the past week? WORSHIP (Suggestion — read this Psalm of David out loud together)
Psalms 103:1-5
Bless the LORD, O my soul; And all that is within me, bless His holy name!
Bless the LORD, O my soul, And forget not all His benefits:
Who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases,
Who redeems your life from destruction,
Who crowns you with loving kindness and tender mercies,
Who satisfies your mouth with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle's. WORD Read James chapter 5 as a group. In this chapter James shifts from his customary —“brothers and sisters”— to address “you rich people” (verses 1-6). His voice sounds like a prophet from the Old Testament as he challenges the rich that were oppressing the people of that time. The readers of the letter were to take instruction from this, for sometimes our greatest lessons come—not from corrections directed at us—but to others within ear shot. - James is telling them that wealth can turn you into an accumulator of things you will never use. What do you have collecting dust today in your house that you could give away to help someone else?
- Discuss what options are available to us today. (Some examples, if needed: UGM, Big Brothers, MCC, our neighbors, fellow home group members, garage sale and money to help others, etc.). Note — leaders stress that, if we give away items to others, we need to ensure that they are clean and in the best possible condition and they genuinely need them. Don't seed junk!
In the midst of the tough times facing these believers, James encourages them to be patient (verses 7-12) for the Lord will return. One of the greatest hopes for the believer is knowing that this life on earth is only a temporary stay, our real home is waiting for us. - Read the following verses and share what they say about heaven.
- Philippians 1:21,23, 3:20
- 1 Corinthians 2:9
- Hebrews 11:13-16
- What do you think heaven will be like?
- Why is it such a hope for the believer?
- In verse 12 James tells us to let our “Yes” be “Yes” and our “No” be “No.” What does he mean by this and how does it tie into the thought of the Lord's return?
Next James lets us know that there is help in this present world when we have challenges. (Verses 13-18) - When do you think we should call for help when we are sick? What stops us from calling the church leaders to pray for us?
Leaders, you may want to share that there are two different words for sick here. In verse 14 the word sick is from the Greek ASTHENO, which means ‘diseased’. In verse 15 the word sick is KAMNO, which means ‘to be weary after much work, or weariness of mind.’ Also used in Hebrews 12:3; Revelation 2:3. There are times when we get weary of fighting the battle against sickness so we should call for help. The last two verses deal with helping those who have drifted away from their faith in God and perhaps the church. - What causes people to stop “doing church?”
- When you see a fellow Christian stray from God, are you prone to watch in disappointment, keep your distance so that your aren't negatively influenced, or seek ways in which God would have you bring that person back?
WORK Please encourage your group regarding water baptism happening August 29. Also keep a bulletin handy and give them a vision for the fall events. Has this lesson helped you? Please let us know! Email home group testimonies with this form! However, as it is written:
“No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.” 1 Corinthians 2:9
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