See and Hear

(Back to Study Home Page)   (Sermon December 16, 2007)
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December 16, 2007 - James 5:7-12

Open It

  1. What kinds of experiences try your patience?

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

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)

Get It

  1. .How does God help us 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?

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?

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

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