Sunday, February 5, 2023
Lesson Text: James 1:1-8, 12-18
King James Version (KJV)
I. FACING TRIALS WITH WISDOM (James 1:1-4)
1. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.
2. My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;
3. Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.
4. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.
II. THE MEANS OF OBTAINING WISDOM (James 1:5-8)
5. If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.
6. But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.
7. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.
8. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.
III. PERSEVERING IN TRIALS (James 1:12-15)
12. Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.
13. Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:
14. But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.
15. Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.
IV. PERFECT GIFTS FROM ABOVE (James 1:16-18)
16. Do not err, my beloved brethren.
17. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.
18. Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
New International Version (NIV)
I. FACING TRIALS WITH WISDOM (James 1:1-4)
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.
II. THE MEANS OF OBTAINING WISDOM (James 1:5-8)
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.
III. PERSEVERING IN TRIALS (James 1:12-15)
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.
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.
IV. PERFECT GIFTS FROM ABOVE (James 1:16-18)
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 firstfruits of all he created.
PRACTICAL POINTS FOR DISCUSSION:
It is our Christian duty to find joy in difficult and trying circumstances (James 1:1-2).
The key to accepting afflictions in a positive way is knowing that afflictions can produce something good in us (James 1:3-4; Romans 5:3-5).
In the middle of difficult circumstances, it’s best to specifically ask God how to turn them into a blessing (James 1:5).
Genuine faith takes hold of God’s promises with a steadfastness of mind and heart (James 1:6-8).
It is love for God that enables us to endure whatever He allows in our lives (James 1:12).
We must be careful not to confuse our lusts with God’s will (James 1:13-15).
A godly life begins with a proper understanding of the nature of God (James 1:16-18; Hosea 4:6).
***The Sunday School Lesson; Union Gospel Press Curriculum**
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