Endures All Things

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May 27, 2007 - 1 Corinthians 12.31-13.7d. This study guide is based on James 5:7-12 that emphasizes patient endurance in the face of trial or hardship.

Open It

  1. What kinds of experiences try your patience?

  2. What good things in life are worth waiting for?

  3. How can you tell if a person is telling the truth or making a promise that he she will keep?

Explore It

  1. What do we need to do as we wait for the Lord's return to earth? (5:7)

  2. What illustration did James use to describe the kind of patience we need? (5:7)

  3. When will the Lord's coming occur? (5:8)

  4. Why should we be patient about Christ's return? (5:8)

  5. Why should we avoid judging others or grumbling against them? (5:9)

  6. What will happen to Christians who grumble against their fellow believers? (5:9)

  7. What people serve as good examples to us? How? (5:10-11)

  8. In what ways does God help us when we must endure suffering? (5:11)

  9. What warning did James give concerning swearing? (5:12)

  10. What is the alternative to swearing? (5:12)

Get It

  1. How does God use others to build patience in our lives?

  2. What makes it hard to wait on God's timing?

  3. What kind of changes does God want to make in us over an extended period of time?

  4. How have you suffered as a Christian?

  5. What blessing or reward came to you for suffering as a Christian?

  6. How will God reward us if we are patient?

  7. What does it mean to stand firm as a Christian?

  8. What lessons from Job's experience can we apply to our lives?

  9. For what kinds of reasons do Christians judge each other?

  10. What causes us to grumble against each other?

  11. What does God think about Christians fighting among themselves?

  12. What can a Christian do to be trusted with his word and promises?

Apply It

  1. With what situation or problem can you ask God for help and patience this week?

  2. What steps will you take this week to avoid judging others in your home? workplace? church?

  3. What promise do you need to keep? How?

Notes

James 5:7-8: The farmer must wait patiently for his crops to grow; he cannot hurry the process. But he does not take the summer off and hope that all goes well in the fields. There is much work to do to ensure a good harvest. In the same way, we must wait patiently for Christ's return. We cannot make him come back any sooner. But while we wait, there is much work that we can do to advance God's kingdom. Both the farmer and the Christian must live by faith, looking toward the future reward for their labors. Don't live as if Christ will never come. Work faithfully to build his kingdom-the King will come when the time is right.

James 5:9: When things go wrong, we tend to grumble against and blame others for our miseries (see the second note on § Genesis 3:11-13). Blaming others is easier than owning our share of the responsibility, but it can be both destructive and sinful. Before you judge others for their shortcomings, remember that Christ the Judge will come to evaluate each of us (Matthew 7:1-5; Matthew 25:31-46). He will not let us get away with shifting the blame to others.

James 5:10-11: Many prophets suffered and were persecuted, such as Moses, Elijah, and Jeremiah.

James 5:12: A person with a reputation for exaggeration or lying often can't get anyone to believe him on his word alone. Christians should never become like that. Always be honest so that others will believe your simple yes or no. By avoiding lies, half-truths, and omissions of the truth, you will become known as a trustworthy person.

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