Subscribe: RSS

Lesson Summary:

James encourages believers to stay on our course of life by focusing on heaven, patiently enduring suffering, praying without ceasing, and restoring the wayward.

Focus Passage: James 5

Outline and Lesson Goal

Principles and Applications

I. Purpose to Gain Heavenly Treasure (5:1-6)

Principle: To Stay the Course, Focus on Gaining Heavenly Treasure.
Application: How has your focus on earthly treasure let you down before? How can you use your earthly treasure to store up heavenly treasure?
Scripture Reference

¹⁹ Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal.
²⁰ But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys, and where thieves do not break in or steal;
²¹ for where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.
Matthew 6:19-21 (NASB)

II. Patiently Endure Suffering (5:7-12)

Principle: To Stay the Course, Patiently Focus on Christ’s Return.
Application: How is the certainty of Christ’s return an encouragement to you as you face difficult circumstances?
Scripture Reference

¹¹ For the grace of God has appeared, bringing salvation to all men,
¹² instructing us to deny ungodliness and worldly desires and to live sensibly, righteously and godly in the present age,
¹³ looking for the blessed hope and the appearing of the glory of our great God and Savior, Christ Jesus,
Titus 2:11-13 (NASB)

III. Pray Without Ceasing (5:13-18)

Principle: To Stay the Course, Pray at all Times.
Application: How can you avoid discouragement in prayer?
Scripture Reference

Now He was telling them a parable to show that at all times they ought to pray and not to lose heart,
Luke 18:1 (NASB)

IV. Pursue the Wayward (5:19-20)

Principle: To Stay the Course, Restore the Wayward.
Application: Who can you help to restore this week?
Scripture Reference

Brethren, even if anyone is caught in any trespass, you who are spiritual, restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness; each one looking to yourself, so that you too will not be tempted
Galatians 6:1 (NASB)