More Than Enough:
Living a Life Worth Living
Lessons from James
by
Leanna Lindsey Hollis M.D.
____________________
(C) 2017 by Leanna Lindsey Hollis M.D.
All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including electronic, photocopying, or recording without the prior written permission of the publisher. The only exception is brief quotations in printed reviews.
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Published by Pinion Press
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Hollis, Leanna Lindsey
More than Enough: Living a Life Worth Living /Leanna Lindsey Hollis M.D.
All Scripture, except otherwise noted, was taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE (R), Copyright 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission.
Pinion Press
____________________
INTRODUCTION:
James has only five chapters. In comparison to some of the other books in the Bible, it’s
relatively short. The paucity of words, however, belies great truth hidden in these few pages. This
is designed to be a six-weeks-long study, but, as all the Lessons in Discipleship studies,
participants progress at their own pace.
Instead of going verse by verse, we will take the big themes of James and address each one. As usual, we’ll pull in Scripture from throughout the Bible. Some days, there’ll be less from James than from other sources, so that we can more thoroughly cover the current theme.
I haven’t made use of as many commentaries as usual. In Matthew Henry’s commentary1 on
James, he opens with these words. “The word of God should be made our chief study...” Indeed, it should. This study compares Scripture with Scripture more than any I’ve previously written.
We’ll follow links, use an online website or a smartphone app, and search out answers for ourselves. The goal in using this format is to equip us, as learners, to dig in the gold mine of Scripture for ourselves. To allow God to speak directly to us.
With that said, let's get started...
James is as simple as cornbread. As tough as shoe leather. This is a “where the rubber meets the road” primer on living the Christian life. James paints one word picture after another of the life of a disciple, based on a lifetime spent watching his older brother’s life. It’s not a series of suggestions. It’s truth. It’s what we’re to do. It’s how we’re to live.
The life James describes IS how the Christian life looks. If this is not how our own life looks, how we respond to trials, how we exhibit humility, control our tongues, do good works, then we need to take a close look at our faith. Do we have saving faith or not?
This is an invitation to a deeper, highly introspective journey. I hope you’ll come along with us.
There are no detailed history lessons. No kings to sort out. No connections to unravel. James is pure truth, stated so simply that even a child can understand. These five chapters require us to take a careful look at our hearts and lives, compare them to truth, and make a decision.
Will we obey or not?
There’s a closed Facebook Group (Lessons in Discipleship) where you can ask questions, share insights, and connect with like-minded Bible students. If you’re not already a member, friend me on Facebook (Leanna Lindsey Hollis), and ask to be added. I’ll also post corrections there, and clarifications, if needed.
Instead of going verse by verse, we will take the big themes of James and address each one. As usual, we’ll pull in Scripture from throughout the Bible. Some days, there’ll be less from James than from other sources, so that we can more thoroughly cover the current theme.
I haven’t made use of as many commentaries as usual. In Matthew Henry’s commentary1 on
James, he opens with these words. “The word of God should be made our chief study...” Indeed, it should. This study compares Scripture with Scripture more than any I’ve previously written.
We’ll follow links, use an online website or a smartphone app, and search out answers for ourselves. The goal in using this format is to equip us, as learners, to dig in the gold mine of Scripture for ourselves. To allow God to speak directly to us.
With that said, let's get started...
James is as simple as cornbread. As tough as shoe leather. This is a “where the rubber meets the road” primer on living the Christian life. James paints one word picture after another of the life of a disciple, based on a lifetime spent watching his older brother’s life. It’s not a series of suggestions. It’s truth. It’s what we’re to do. It’s how we’re to live.
The life James describes IS how the Christian life looks. If this is not how our own life looks, how we respond to trials, how we exhibit humility, control our tongues, do good works, then we need to take a close look at our faith. Do we have saving faith or not?
This is an invitation to a deeper, highly introspective journey. I hope you’ll come along with us.
There are no detailed history lessons. No kings to sort out. No connections to unravel. James is pure truth, stated so simply that even a child can understand. These five chapters require us to take a careful look at our hearts and lives, compare them to truth, and make a decision.
Will we obey or not?
There’s a closed Facebook Group (Lessons in Discipleship) where you can ask questions, share insights, and connect with like-minded Bible students. If you’re not already a member, friend me on Facebook (Leanna Lindsey Hollis), and ask to be added. I’ll also post corrections there, and clarifications, if needed.
I’m grateful to have you as part of this group of learners. This study has changed my life. I pray
it does the same for you. If you dig in and invite God to do His work in you, He will transform
you in ways you can’t begin to imagine. It will be worth it.
Welcome to the journey. Dive deep and enjoy.
Welcome to the journey. Dive deep and enjoy.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
TABLE OF CONTENTS 5
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY: 6
WEEK ONE - TRIALS 7
WEEK TWO - THE TROUBLESOME TONGUE 26
TABLE OF CONTENTS 5
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY: 6
WEEK ONE - TRIALS 7
WEEK TWO - THE TROUBLESOME TONGUE 26
WEEK THREE: SIN AND SMARTS 47
WEEK FOUR: HUMILITY 72
WEEK FIVE: DOING AND BEING 93
WEEK SIX: POWERFUL PRAYER114
WEEK FOUR: HUMILITY 72
WEEK FIVE: DOING AND BEING 93
WEEK SIX: POWERFUL PRAYER114
HOW TO USE THIS STUDY:
This is an in-your-place, at-your-pace, digital study. It’s designed so that you can save it to your computer or to a jump drive and work from that copy. You can print it out, but you’ll lose the benefit of the digital links if you do. You can download it if you want, but it's not necessary. There's a link to the next week's work at the end of every chapter. There are also links in the text. You definitely want to use these, as they're designed to help you learn more. (See below)
How to download it:
Go to the website, www.lessonsindiscipleship.com, and open Part One of the James study. Right click on the page (two-finger click for a MAC). Click on SAVE PAGE AS, then either save to downloads or to wherever you want to save it. You should be able to go back to downloads to find your study again. Be sure to correct the title in downloads if it doesn’t have the James identifier on your file.
How to use the links:
There are multiple links embedded in the text. They should all be in blue text, so just click on the link and it will take you to the online resource you are to use. If you’ve downloaded the study, your document will still be open. If you’re using the online document, you can click “open in new window” and still have both resource windows open.
Reading aloud:
You will be asked to read through numerous passages, then read through again, reading aloud. This may seem strange to some, but using multiple senses (seeing and hearing) helps us to learn better. Give it a try. I think it will be helpful.
This is an in-your-place, at-your-pace, digital study. It’s designed so that you can save it to your computer or to a jump drive and work from that copy. You can print it out, but you’ll lose the benefit of the digital links if you do. You can download it if you want, but it's not necessary. There's a link to the next week's work at the end of every chapter. There are also links in the text. You definitely want to use these, as they're designed to help you learn more. (See below)
How to download it:
Go to the website, www.lessonsindiscipleship.com, and open Part One of the James study. Right click on the page (two-finger click for a MAC). Click on SAVE PAGE AS, then either save to downloads or to wherever you want to save it. You should be able to go back to downloads to find your study again. Be sure to correct the title in downloads if it doesn’t have the James identifier on your file.
How to use the links:
There are multiple links embedded in the text. They should all be in blue text, so just click on the link and it will take you to the online resource you are to use. If you’ve downloaded the study, your document will still be open. If you’re using the online document, you can click “open in new window” and still have both resource windows open.
Reading aloud:
You will be asked to read through numerous passages, then read through again, reading aloud. This may seem strange to some, but using multiple senses (seeing and hearing) helps us to learn better. Give it a try. I think it will be helpful.
WEEK ONE - TRIALS
DAY ONE: READ THROUGH
First things first. Read through the book of James in one sitting. This will give you a birds-eye view of the entire work. Make one pass through rapidly, then go back and read it again, slowly.
On the second pass, you’re not reading to study, but to savor. Take a few notes on the things that call to you. (Just one or two things; not the entire book.)
DAY ONE: READ THROUGH
First things first. Read through the book of James in one sitting. This will give you a birds-eye view of the entire work. Make one pass through rapidly, then go back and read it again, slowly.
On the second pass, you’re not reading to study, but to savor. Take a few notes on the things that call to you. (Just one or two things; not the entire book.)
DAY TWO: IDENTITY
It’s not easy to stand in the shadow of a larger-than-life family member. Both my mother and my grandmother loved to have people around them and to, in a sense, be the center of attention. They loved telling jokes and entertaining.
I didn’t. I preferred study and solitude. I liked to climb into the crook of a tree, book in hand, and escape to a different time. A different life.
I didn’t dislike having people around particularly, but I needed a greater amount of quiet time. People in town would meet me and ask, “You’re Mrs. Thaxton’s granddaughter, aren’t you?”
I’d nod in affirmation and they’d launch into a story of something wonderful she’d done. I was grateful to have a well-respected grandmother, of course, but there were times when I wished someone would notice me for, well, me.
I suspect JAMES, the author of this epistle, felt the same way, too. He was the half-brother of Jesus. As a younger brother, he’d have been compared to His older, sin-free brother all his growing-up years.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, James was not a disciple. He’s always mentioned in the company of their mother, Mary, before the resurrection. I’ve often wondered how he felt when, at the crucifixion, Jesus assigned the care of His mother to John. (John 19:26,27) From that day forward, Mary lived with “the disciple Jesus loved” instead of her other children.
Something changed after Jesus’ resurrection. James was no longer an onlooker. He was a disciple, and became a leader in the early church. He died a martyr’s death in 62 AD.
1) How did things change for James when Jesus rose from the dead? See 1 Corinthians 15:7.
James 1:1 is the introductory statement of the letter and identifies both the writer and the intended recipient.
2) How did James describe himself and his credentials of faith? Compare this with Paul’s introduction in Titus 1:1.
During Jesus’ earthly ministry, James was always identified as the brother of Jesus. Note the
dramatic change in introduction here. There’s no mention of his biologic relationship now.
Matthew Henry (a 17th century theologian) notes that James was a “prime minister” in the early church, yet his description of himself gives no hint of his high rank. The only status he claims is as bondservant. (You can access Henry’s commentary on James at https:// www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Jam/Jam_001.cfm)
3) We would be remiss if we fail to take note of the humility evidenced in James’ introduction. How might we introduce ourselves? What do we consider our own “credentials of faith?”
3) To whom is James writing?
Although James addresses his letter to “the twelve tribes,” he is writing specifically to those of the twelve tribes who have embraced the Christian faith and were scattered because of persecution.2
4) Follow the link to Blue Letter Bible and scroll down to the Thayer Greek Lexicon, #3. What surname was given to James by the church?
James has an interesting style of writing. He begins a topic by giving an instruction on the subject, then elaborating on it. See James 1:2
5) What topic does he introduce in this verse?
6) What instruction does James give concerning our response to trials? (James 1:2)
Matthew Henry (a 17th century theologian) notes that James was a “prime minister” in the early church, yet his description of himself gives no hint of his high rank. The only status he claims is as bondservant. (You can access Henry’s commentary on James at https:// www.blueletterbible.org/Comm/mhc/Jam/Jam_001.cfm)
3) We would be remiss if we fail to take note of the humility evidenced in James’ introduction. How might we introduce ourselves? What do we consider our own “credentials of faith?”
3) To whom is James writing?
Although James addresses his letter to “the twelve tribes,” he is writing specifically to those of the twelve tribes who have embraced the Christian faith and were scattered because of persecution.2
4) Follow the link to Blue Letter Bible and scroll down to the Thayer Greek Lexicon, #3. What surname was given to James by the church?
James has an interesting style of writing. He begins a topic by giving an instruction on the subject, then elaborating on it. See James 1:2
5) What topic does he introduce in this verse?
6) What instruction does James give concerning our response to trials? (James 1:2)
7) Using your BLB app (Blue Letter Bible app or go to www.blueletterbible.org), look at the
interlinear/concordance tab and scroll down to “all”. There is an important truth in this little
word that’s worth learning.
The Greek word here is pas. Click on it in the Greek Reverse Interlinear tab. Review the outline of Biblical usage (1) and Strong’s definition. What does this tell you about how much of your trial you are to count as joy?
8) The NASB version that I use translates this verse as “when you encounter” but KJV translates it as “when ye fall into...” Using your BLB app, look at the meaning of “fall into”. How is the encounter to which James refers described?
Also note hotan the word translated as “when”? How long is the duration during which we are to count our trial as joy?
9) Now let’s look at the word translated as temptation or trials. In the BLB app, click on the interlinear tab. Find the Greek word peirasmos and click on it. Click on the root word, then click on the root word again. We find a beautiful word picture by tracing back the meaning of temptations or trials. Write the base word here.
This truth is a profound game-changer for going through trials. There’s a tendency to resent the trial, rebuke the trial, and try to avoid the trial. Instead, James says, when we encounter the various trials that come our way, we are to consider it all joy. Every single part of the trial.
We are to recognize that the trial is, in a way, a piercing that will have a good result in our lives. I believe God uses the piercing of trials in our lives as a kind of divine sieve, so that those things that are not like Jesus can trickle out. After the piercing is done, that which remains is more like Christ than before.
PRAYER PAUSE:
Take a moment to consider the trials you’ve encountered, especially the ones that have encompassed you on all sides. How did they work as “piercings”? How did God use them to filter out the ungodly and make you more like Christ?
The Greek word here is pas. Click on it in the Greek Reverse Interlinear tab. Review the outline of Biblical usage (1) and Strong’s definition. What does this tell you about how much of your trial you are to count as joy?
8) The NASB version that I use translates this verse as “when you encounter” but KJV translates it as “when ye fall into...” Using your BLB app, look at the meaning of “fall into”. How is the encounter to which James refers described?
Also note hotan the word translated as “when”? How long is the duration during which we are to count our trial as joy?
9) Now let’s look at the word translated as temptation or trials. In the BLB app, click on the interlinear tab. Find the Greek word peirasmos and click on it. Click on the root word, then click on the root word again. We find a beautiful word picture by tracing back the meaning of temptations or trials. Write the base word here.
This truth is a profound game-changer for going through trials. There’s a tendency to resent the trial, rebuke the trial, and try to avoid the trial. Instead, James says, when we encounter the various trials that come our way, we are to consider it all joy. Every single part of the trial.
We are to recognize that the trial is, in a way, a piercing that will have a good result in our lives. I believe God uses the piercing of trials in our lives as a kind of divine sieve, so that those things that are not like Jesus can trickle out. After the piercing is done, that which remains is more like Christ than before.
PRAYER PAUSE:
Take a moment to consider the trials you’ve encountered, especially the ones that have encompassed you on all sides. How did they work as “piercings”? How did God use them to filter out the ungodly and make you more like Christ?
What trials are you currently encountering? How might God be using them in your life?
How have you embraced the entirety of your trial?
How have you resisted the trial?
How have you embraced the entirety of your trial?
How have you resisted the trial?
What might God be trying to teach you through it?
Before we leave this topic today, let’s pause to remember that James addressed his letter to the people of the diaspora (those dispersed abroad). They had fled their homeland because of the persecution they encountered as a result of their faith in Christ.
Before we leave this topic today, let’s pause to remember that James addressed his letter to the people of the diaspora (those dispersed abroad). They had fled their homeland because of the persecution they encountered as a result of their faith in Christ.
Consider what a blessing his words must have been to them. Their trials would not be wasted.
They would be more like Christ afterward than they had been before. No matter how hard their
circumstances, God would keep His promises to them.
Those early martyrs are not the only ones who have been persecuted for their faith. People are being persecuted for their faith around the world, in ways we, in this country, can’t begin to imagine.
One organization that does a good job of providing support and encouragement to the persecuted church around the world is Voice of the Martyrs. Take time to look at Voice of the Martyrs’ website and consider signing up for their newsletter. Click on the tool bar at the top and explore “about VOM” and “Get involved.” You, too, can send hope and encouragement to those who suffer because of their faith. You, too, can join in praying for them.
Why not choose a persecuted believer or an area of the world that’s hostile to the cause of Christ as a personal prayer project?
Those early martyrs are not the only ones who have been persecuted for their faith. People are being persecuted for their faith around the world, in ways we, in this country, can’t begin to imagine.
One organization that does a good job of providing support and encouragement to the persecuted church around the world is Voice of the Martyrs. Take time to look at Voice of the Martyrs’ website and consider signing up for their newsletter. Click on the tool bar at the top and explore “about VOM” and “Get involved.” You, too, can send hope and encouragement to those who suffer because of their faith. You, too, can join in praying for them.
Why not choose a persecuted believer or an area of the world that’s hostile to the cause of Christ as a personal prayer project?
DAY THREE: TRIALS
I’ve encountered quite a few trials in my life. They’ve never been easy or comfortable, but they’ve always been worth it. I didn’t realize it, of course, until much later, but God used those trials to refine me. To burn out the dross of my life and purify my heart.
When I closed my very busy medical clinic at the end of 2003, I felt I’d heard a clear direction from God. I imagined a God-adventure that would somehow be exciting and easy at the same time.
My imagination had nothing at all to do with my coming reality.
I thought I was to write. And I was. And I did. I also had to make a living. I wonder now that I had the audacity to do this after a single series of pottery lessons, but I hung out my shingle as a potter and went to work in the mud. Truthfully, I was terrible. I find it hard to believe people bought my early work, but they did.
Eventually, I became a fair potter, specializing in hand-thrown items and mold-cast work. It put food on my table and helped keep the lights on, but it was a very slim living.
Two short months after I left medicine to write (supposedly) and do pottery (in actuality), my farm manger had a medical emergency that propelled me from overseer to hands-on-farmer. I scooped a mountain of manure, learned to drive a tractor, loaded hay bales by hand in the field, fed cattle and horses in the snow.
It was backbreaking work, and God used it to burn out the sense of entitlement that was so deeply entrenched in my heart. It took years. Long, hard, years.
We had very little money, so we stretched the little we had as far as we could, and God helped us. We did without many of the things we wanted, but we always had what we absolutely needed. I learned the truth that God will provide for His own. I could have returned to the practice of medicine and ended my lean times, of course, but I’d have been disobedient to the call of God in my life. I’d also have missed some vital life lessons that, in the end, radically changed my life for the better.
Some years later, after I had returned to the practice of medicine and it’s relative prosperity, I realized a startling truth.
I missed the lean times.
I missed the utter reliance on God. The clarity that every bit of provision came straight from God, and not from my own abilities. It took a little longer to realize that I needed the lean times again.
I’ve encountered quite a few trials in my life. They’ve never been easy or comfortable, but they’ve always been worth it. I didn’t realize it, of course, until much later, but God used those trials to refine me. To burn out the dross of my life and purify my heart.
When I closed my very busy medical clinic at the end of 2003, I felt I’d heard a clear direction from God. I imagined a God-adventure that would somehow be exciting and easy at the same time.
My imagination had nothing at all to do with my coming reality.
I thought I was to write. And I was. And I did. I also had to make a living. I wonder now that I had the audacity to do this after a single series of pottery lessons, but I hung out my shingle as a potter and went to work in the mud. Truthfully, I was terrible. I find it hard to believe people bought my early work, but they did.
Eventually, I became a fair potter, specializing in hand-thrown items and mold-cast work. It put food on my table and helped keep the lights on, but it was a very slim living.
Two short months after I left medicine to write (supposedly) and do pottery (in actuality), my farm manger had a medical emergency that propelled me from overseer to hands-on-farmer. I scooped a mountain of manure, learned to drive a tractor, loaded hay bales by hand in the field, fed cattle and horses in the snow.
It was backbreaking work, and God used it to burn out the sense of entitlement that was so deeply entrenched in my heart. It took years. Long, hard, years.
We had very little money, so we stretched the little we had as far as we could, and God helped us. We did without many of the things we wanted, but we always had what we absolutely needed. I learned the truth that God will provide for His own. I could have returned to the practice of medicine and ended my lean times, of course, but I’d have been disobedient to the call of God in my life. I’d also have missed some vital life lessons that, in the end, radically changed my life for the better.
Some years later, after I had returned to the practice of medicine and it’s relative prosperity, I realized a startling truth.
I missed the lean times.
I missed the utter reliance on God. The clarity that every bit of provision came straight from God, and not from my own abilities. It took a little longer to realize that I needed the lean times again.
I didn’t want the leanness of pocketbook, but I hated the leanness of spirit that prosperity gave me. One day, still crystal-clear in my mind, I confessed my need and asked God to give me what I knew would help. And He did.
When I left medicine the second time, there was no doubt in my mind that some of the times would be hard, that my pocketbook would be light, and that I’d have to rely on Christ to meet every need.
The refining of the first fire prepared me for this time in my life.
Being a missionary isn’t a trial, of course. It’s a privilege, but, every day, there are opportunities for improvement in my heart. I have daily mini-piercings. Repentance. Change. I’m being made into the image of Christ. I still have a long way to go, and a lot of refinements to make, but God is steadily at work in me.
Trials and tests are a normal part of the Christian life. We’re either in a time of testing, just completing a testing, or heading in to one. Testing will come to us all. Our response to those tests will determine how effective they are in making us more like Christ.
Read through James 1:2-4.
1) These verses give three specific things we are to do:
a)
b)
c)
2) When James writes, “Consider it all joy,” he is writing to people who have encountered a variety of very difficult trials. Sorrow and sadness over their circumstances might be the expected emotions, but joy is the choice they were to make instead. We, too, are to choose joy in every situation, no matter how difficult. Follow the link and scroll down to Strong’s definition. How does it describe the joy we should have?
3) Use your BLB app (or blueletterbible.org) to look at the meaning for the word translated as
“knowing”. What did you learn about the depth of the knowledge we are to have about the
results of our trials?
4) Do the same BLB evaluation for the word translated as “testing” . What did you learn?
5) The word translated as “testing” is a reference to a crucible. See Proverbs 27:21 and 17:3. What is the purpose of the crucible?
6) Here’s a link to a dictionary definition of crucible (Merriam Webster online dictionary) What is a crucible?
7) Compare the “piercing” from verse 2 with the crucible testing of verse 3.
8) Look at the BLB lexicon for the word translated as “endurance”. What other characteristics are also indicated by this word?
9) How are those characteristics evident in your life?
10) What changes might God be making through your testing and refinement?
4) Do the same BLB evaluation for the word translated as “testing” . What did you learn?
5) The word translated as “testing” is a reference to a crucible. See Proverbs 27:21 and 17:3. What is the purpose of the crucible?
6) Here’s a link to a dictionary definition of crucible (Merriam Webster online dictionary) What is a crucible?
7) Compare the “piercing” from verse 2 with the crucible testing of verse 3.
8) Look at the BLB lexicon for the word translated as “endurance”. What other characteristics are also indicated by this word?
9) How are those characteristics evident in your life?
10) What changes might God be making through your testing and refinement?
PRAYER PAUSE:
In the trials of life, joy is not an optional response. “Consider it all joy” means to make joy our mindset, our attitude. How well are you doing? What changes are needed to embrace joy as a lifestyle?
Take a few moments to consider the purpose of the crucible testing in your life. What did God refine? What did He replace?
In the trials of life, joy is not an optional response. “Consider it all joy” means to make joy our mindset, our attitude. How well are you doing? What changes are needed to embrace joy as a lifestyle?
Take a few moments to consider the purpose of the crucible testing in your life. What did God refine? What did He replace?
These next questions are hard. I know they are, but answer them anyway. Do I need another
refining fire? Another crucible? Another piercing?
DAY FOUR: ENDURANCE
When trials come our way, we have a choice. Endure or step away. Walking away from a trial may provide momentary relief, but the blessing of endurance is worth the endurance. As I look back on the trials of my life, there’s not one I regret enduring. The outcome was worth the price. Every single time.
JAMES 1:4
We’ll divide this verse into four sections of study: endurance, perfect result, perfect and complete, and lacking in nothing.
ENDURANCE:
1) First, consider the endurance our trials are designed to produce. Look at the BLB “Greek Reverse Interlinear” Bible and click on “patience” (the word also translated as endurance). Take note of the “outline of Biblical usage” to understand the concept of endurance.
Matthew Henry comments on this topic with surprising words. “‘Tribulation worketh patience.’ (Rom.5:8) Let it work. It is not a stupid, but an active thing.”3
God knows what He’s doing. He hasn’t made a mistake. We haven’t encountered a trial by some sort of cosmic accident or divine confusion. God has a plan. We’re to let it do its work in us.
Hypomone comes from two root words that mean “under” and “to tarry”. The idea here is that we choose to continue in the midst of a trial. The implication is that we have a choice to persist or to remove ourselves from the trial. By persisting, we have the opportunity to gain the desired result. By removing ourselves, we miss the lesson the trial would have taught us.
2) Think back on the trials you’ve experienced. How have you persevered?
3) How have you removed yourself from trials?
When trials come our way, we have a choice. Endure or step away. Walking away from a trial may provide momentary relief, but the blessing of endurance is worth the endurance. As I look back on the trials of my life, there’s not one I regret enduring. The outcome was worth the price. Every single time.
JAMES 1:4
We’ll divide this verse into four sections of study: endurance, perfect result, perfect and complete, and lacking in nothing.
ENDURANCE:
1) First, consider the endurance our trials are designed to produce. Look at the BLB “Greek Reverse Interlinear” Bible and click on “patience” (the word also translated as endurance). Take note of the “outline of Biblical usage” to understand the concept of endurance.
Matthew Henry comments on this topic with surprising words. “‘Tribulation worketh patience.’ (Rom.5:8) Let it work. It is not a stupid, but an active thing.”3
God knows what He’s doing. He hasn’t made a mistake. We haven’t encountered a trial by some sort of cosmic accident or divine confusion. God has a plan. We’re to let it do its work in us.
Hypomone comes from two root words that mean “under” and “to tarry”. The idea here is that we choose to continue in the midst of a trial. The implication is that we have a choice to persist or to remove ourselves from the trial. By persisting, we have the opportunity to gain the desired result. By removing ourselves, we miss the lesson the trial would have taught us.
2) Think back on the trials you’ve experienced. How have you persevered?
3) How have you removed yourself from trials?
4) What was the end result of your decision?
PERFECT RESULT:
1) The word translated as “perfect” is used twice in this verse. Take a moment now to look at BLB for the meaning. Also look at Thayer’s Greek Lexicon for additional insight and write what you learn here:
2) The word translated as “result” is ergon and has an interesting meaning. Use your BLB resources to find the meaning and record it here.
If trials come our way with a pre-determined “perfect result” (or complete work), and, according to James, they do, then those trials are not a temptation from the enemy. Instead, from whom do our trials come?
PERFECT AND COMPLETE:
We’ve already looked at the word translated as “perfect”. In this instance, it indicates a level of complete maturity. Use your lexicon to find the meaning of the word translated as “complete”.
LACKING IN NOTHING:
This phrase adds emphasis to the previous “perfect and complete” and stresses that nothing needed is omitted.
PERFECT RESULT:
1) The word translated as “perfect” is used twice in this verse. Take a moment now to look at BLB for the meaning. Also look at Thayer’s Greek Lexicon for additional insight and write what you learn here:
2) The word translated as “result” is ergon and has an interesting meaning. Use your BLB resources to find the meaning and record it here.
If trials come our way with a pre-determined “perfect result” (or complete work), and, according to James, they do, then those trials are not a temptation from the enemy. Instead, from whom do our trials come?
PERFECT AND COMPLETE:
We’ve already looked at the word translated as “perfect”. In this instance, it indicates a level of complete maturity. Use your lexicon to find the meaning of the word translated as “complete”.
LACKING IN NOTHING:
This phrase adds emphasis to the previous “perfect and complete” and stresses that nothing needed is omitted.
Putting all you’ve learned together, what is the expected end result of a trial in our lives?
PRAYER PAUSE:
How have the trials through which you’ve persevered changed you?
How have they caused you to mature as a believer?
How have they equipped you as a disciple?
PRAYER PAUSE:
How have the trials through which you’ve persevered changed you?
How have they caused you to mature as a believer?
How have they equipped you as a disciple?
DAY FIVE: PERSEVERANCE
JAMES 1:12
James 1:2-4 encourages us to endure the trials of life until they have completed their work in our lives. This verse describes the trials of life as a kind of test which we must pass.
1) What is to be our motivation for persevering under trial? (See the end of the verse)
2) What is promised to those who “pass the test” of their trials?
3) Compare and contrast this verse with Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27.
4) What did Paul write in 1 Corinthians 2:9 about the blessings awaiting those who love the Lord?
PRAYER PAUSE:
Consider for a moment the concept that trials (different from temptations) are designed by God to produce a deeper maturity in our lives and that our motivation to endure is our love for our Savior.
How has your love for Christ changed because of your response to trials?
JAMES 1:12
James 1:2-4 encourages us to endure the trials of life until they have completed their work in our lives. This verse describes the trials of life as a kind of test which we must pass.
1) What is to be our motivation for persevering under trial? (See the end of the verse)
2) What is promised to those who “pass the test” of their trials?
3) Compare and contrast this verse with Paul’s writing in 1 Corinthians 9:25-27.
4) What did Paul write in 1 Corinthians 2:9 about the blessings awaiting those who love the Lord?
PRAYER PAUSE:
Consider for a moment the concept that trials (different from temptations) are designed by God to produce a deeper maturity in our lives and that our motivation to endure is our love for our Savior.
How has your love for Christ changed because of your response to trials?
How have you seen the blessings of God in your life after the completion of a trial?
Have you ever failed to persevere through a trial? What happened?
Take a few minutes to thank God for the trials you’ve experienced, for what He taught you, for how He’s used those lessons in your life.
Have you ever failed to persevere through a trial? What happened?
Take a few minutes to thank God for the trials you’ve experienced, for what He taught you, for how He’s used those lessons in your life.
DAY SIX: LESSONS FROM THE PROPHETS
JAMES 5:10 - James commends us to take encouragement from the endurance and patience of the prophets before us, so let’s do that very thing. Before we do, let’s look a little closer at this word, “example”. Follow the link to learn more. Click on Vine’s Expository Dictionary and scroll down to (b).
In James 5:10, how is this word (translated as example) intended? What are we to do with the examples given us by the prophets?
With the understanding that the example of these prophets are not just for our information, but also our emulation, let’s look at Elijah, Hosea, and Jeremiah.
1) ELIJAH: 1 Kings 17-19
a) What did Elijah endure?
b) What blessing did he receive after his endurance?
2) HOSEA: Hosea 1-3
a) What did Hosea endure?
b) What blessing did Hosea receive after his endurance?
3) JEREMIAH: Jeremiah 11:21, 20, 27:1-3, 28:10, 38
JAMES 5:10 - James commends us to take encouragement from the endurance and patience of the prophets before us, so let’s do that very thing. Before we do, let’s look a little closer at this word, “example”. Follow the link to learn more. Click on Vine’s Expository Dictionary and scroll down to (b).
In James 5:10, how is this word (translated as example) intended? What are we to do with the examples given us by the prophets?
With the understanding that the example of these prophets are not just for our information, but also our emulation, let’s look at Elijah, Hosea, and Jeremiah.
1) ELIJAH: 1 Kings 17-19
a) What did Elijah endure?
b) What blessing did he receive after his endurance?
2) HOSEA: Hosea 1-3
a) What did Hosea endure?
b) What blessing did Hosea receive after his endurance?
3) JEREMIAH: Jeremiah 11:21, 20, 27:1-3, 28:10, 38
a) What did Jeremiah endure?
b) What blessing did Jeremiah receive after his endurance?
PRAYER PAUSE:
1) What can we learn from the lives of the prophets about endurance?
2) What can we learn about the blessings received after the trial is ended?
3) In what ways should I emulate (copy, imitate) the example of Elijah?
4) In what ways should I emulate (copy, imitate) the example of Hosea?
5) In what ways should I emulate (copy, imitate) the example of Jeremiah?
6) Once we know a change is needed, we must make it. (James 4:17) Let’s stop now and confess our need for change and ask God to help us become the kind of enduring disciple He intended us to be. Write your prayer below.
b) What blessing did Jeremiah receive after his endurance?
PRAYER PAUSE:
1) What can we learn from the lives of the prophets about endurance?
2) What can we learn about the blessings received after the trial is ended?
3) In what ways should I emulate (copy, imitate) the example of Elijah?
4) In what ways should I emulate (copy, imitate) the example of Hosea?
5) In what ways should I emulate (copy, imitate) the example of Jeremiah?
6) Once we know a change is needed, we must make it. (James 4:17) Let’s stop now and confess our need for change and ask God to help us become the kind of enduring disciple He intended us to be. Write your prayer below.
DAY SEVEN: LESSONS FROM JOB
James commends the example of Job to us as one who suffered under a great trial but was rewarded after it’s completion. Begin your study today by reading James 5:11 and reviewing Job 1:1 — 2:13 and Job 42:10 - 17
1) What did Job endure? (The word translated as “endurance” is hypomone, which we looked
at on Day 4 this week, so you can review if needed.)
2) Let’s turn to Blue Letter Bible to learn more about the word translated as “outcome”. (follow the link)
In the midst of a trial, it may seem as if it will never end. I’ve been to the point of desperation in a trial before. A wise friend once told me there would be a point at which everything would turn and things would begin to get better. “You’ll only recognize it when you look back.” She was right. There is a point of termination, at which a trial “ceases to be”.
No trial lasts forever, as Job reminds us. On the other side of the trial is a God-designed outcome that will make us more like Him than we were before.
3) What blessing, or outcome, did Job receive after his endurance?
4) What lesson can we learn from the life of Job?
James commends the example of Job to us as one who suffered under a great trial but was rewarded after it’s completion. Begin your study today by reading James 5:11 and reviewing Job 1:1 — 2:13 and Job 42:10 - 17
1) What did Job endure? (The word translated as “endurance” is hypomone, which we looked
at on Day 4 this week, so you can review if needed.)
2) Let’s turn to Blue Letter Bible to learn more about the word translated as “outcome”. (follow the link)
In the midst of a trial, it may seem as if it will never end. I’ve been to the point of desperation in a trial before. A wise friend once told me there would be a point at which everything would turn and things would begin to get better. “You’ll only recognize it when you look back.” She was right. There is a point of termination, at which a trial “ceases to be”.
No trial lasts forever, as Job reminds us. On the other side of the trial is a God-designed outcome that will make us more like Him than we were before.
3) What blessing, or outcome, did Job receive after his endurance?
4) What lesson can we learn from the life of Job?
PRAYER PAUSE:
Look back over the trials of your life.
1) Where do you see clear evidence of a “termination point” of your trial, when things began to turn around?
2) What did you learn from the trials?
3) Thanking God for my trials is not my “default mode”, nor is it the default mode for most of us. We don’t come to gratitude naturally. It’s a choice we make. If we are to give thanks “in all things,” we must also give thanks both in and for the trials God allows. Pause now to thank God for allowing your trials and make a list of the blessings that came after the trial was completed.
Look back over the trials of your life.
1) Where do you see clear evidence of a “termination point” of your trial, when things began to turn around?
2) What did you learn from the trials?
3) Thanking God for my trials is not my “default mode”, nor is it the default mode for most of us. We don’t come to gratitude naturally. It’s a choice we make. If we are to give thanks “in all things,” we must also give thanks both in and for the trials God allows. Pause now to thank God for allowing your trials and make a list of the blessings that came after the trial was completed.
MESSAGE IN THE MARGIN:
When trials come, I am to consider, known, allow, and ask. My main objective in the trial is to endure and look for what God is doing.
Here's a link to Week Two: The Troublesome Tongue
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