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James 3:1-12
1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is never at fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check.

3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the whole animal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strong winds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise, the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a great forest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among the parts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, and is itself set on fire by hell.

7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have been tamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full of deadly poison.

9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, who have been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. My brothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow from the same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bear figs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Questions:
1. According to James, where does the root of the problem of speech lie?

2. What types of evils are caused by the tongue?

3. What are the metaphors James uses to describe the tongue? How do they apply to life?

4. Are there any people you have publicly slandered or maligned? How can you "fix" this situation? What do you need to do (see Matthew 5:21-24 for help)?

5. Using what you've learned, what 2 ways can you avoid sins of speech this next week?

Coach Priscilla Loera Testimony and James Lesson #6

James 2:21-26
21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, and his faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not by faith alone.25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the pr******te considered righteous for what she did when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Questions:
1. What 3 illustrations does James give to continue illustrating his point that faith without works is dead?

2. Paul tells us we are justified by faith alone. James tells us our works prove our faith. This seems contradictory. How do you explain this seeming contradiction?

3. How would you answer the person who argued for James 2:21 that our works (or behavior) do play an important role in our salvation (look to Ephesians 2:8-9 for help)?

4. In the overall pattern of your life, do your actions vindicate that you do, in fact, posses saving faith? Explain your answer.

5. What are some simple but concrete "faith steps" you could take today to force yourself out of your "comfort zone" and into a position where you have no choice but to rely on God?

James 2:14-20
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.19 You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

Questions:
1. What 2 examples does James cite to show the futility of faith without works (vs 15-16, 19)? How are these good examples of dead faith?

2. What did James mean when he said that the "demons believe"? How does this emphasize the difference between dead faith and genuine saving faith?

3. What have you learned about the dangers of only doing good works? What about only having a head-knowledge faith?

4. If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you? What undeniable proof of God's saving and sanctifying work do you see in your life?

5. Martin Luther wrote, "If works and love do not blossom forth, it is not genuine faith, the gospel has not yet gained a foothold, and Christ is not yet rightly known." Stop and reflect on this. Has the gospel gained a foothold in your life? How can you blossom forth in love and good works this week?

James 2:1-13
1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not show favoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes, and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the man wearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “You stand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”4 have you not discriminated among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?

5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyes of the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who love him? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are they not the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blaspheming the noble name of him to whom you belong?

8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”you are doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law as lawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”also said, “You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you have become a lawbreaker.

12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that gives freedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not been merciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Questions:
1. Why is showing partiality incompatible with faith?

2. How does James use the law to explain the problem of partiality (vs 8-10)?

3. Read Matthew 22:34-40. How can obeying these great commands eliminate the sin of partiality and favoritism among people of faith?

4. What is the root of favoritism, the cause of showing partiality?

5. Numerous passages in Scripture call on believers to show compassion to the poor. Identify 2 or 3 concrete ways you can begin to obey this command this week.

James 1:13-18
13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death.16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be a kind of first-fruits of all he created.

Questions:
1. What do you learn about God's nature in this passage (vs 13, 17)?

2. Describe the progression from temptation to sin based on this passage. Do you see this play out in your own life?

3. In what ways can we be deceived when it comes to temptation?

4. How much are you tempted to blame other people or circumstances for your own sin?

5. Read Ephesians 2:5-6. What has God done in the life of each believer that, in effect, gives them no excuse for sin?

Join us as we study the books of James and Philippians in the coming weeks!

JAMES 1:1-12
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scattered among the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.10 But the rich should take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

QUESTIONS:
1. What can trials accomplish in the life of a believer and how should we respond to them?

2. Is there something in your life that you would call a trial or test? What makes it hard to be joyful in the midst of that difficulty?

3. In what way do trials prove our faith? Have you been proving your faith through the trial you mentioned in question 2?

4. What does it mean to be double-minded? Give an example, if you can.

5. How would you define endurance as it relates to the Christian life? According to James 1:12, why is it important that we persevere?