Bible Study Guide: James 4: 11-12

1. Verse 11

• What does James mean by "speaking evil" against one another?
• How can James connect speaking against a brother with judging a brother?
• What does James mean by "law"?
• What does James mean by "judging the law"?

2. Verse 12

• Why do you think James mentions the "one lawgiver"?
• How do you think these believers were judging their neighbor?

"The Hypersocialized Generation" by Al Mohler

Mohler makes the following comment in his commentary on the problem of hypersocialization amongst America's young people: "Among young Christians, what space is left for the development of a devotional life? Do their lives contain any space for extended quiet and reflection, for prayer, or for reading anything longer than a text message?" The same question could be asked of the believing adults of our nation.

God- Entranced Worldview: Jonathan Edwards' Religious Affections

What are your affections? Some of the believers that James was writing to had affections for worldly things. Edwards would have considered such consistent affections as a sign of unbelief. What do you think?

Note: The link to the article will always be located in the body of the post.

"Anti-creationist Professor Inadvertently Reveals the Truth of Scripture" by Bodie Hodge

In this article Hodge points out the contradiction in one atheist's worldview concerning morality. While arguing that there is no such thing as right and wrong, he provides an argument for the moral rightness of criticizing atheism.

Bible Study Guide: James 4:7-10

Note: If you need the links to those Bible Study websites you can use the ones provided in the last Bible Study Guide.

1. Verse 7

• What are the key words and key verbs (verbal phrases) in verse 7?
• What are the two things that James tells these believers to do?
• What does James mean by "submit" in verse 7?
• What does James mean by "resist" in verse 7?
• What does it mean for the believer to submit to God?
• Do we find in the Scriptures a way to resist the devil? What is the result of this resistance?
• Based upon what we have studied so far in chapter 4 do you think these believers have a problem with resisting the devil?

2. Verse 8

• What are the key words and key verbs (verbal phrases) in verse 8?
• What does James mean by the verbal phrase "draw near to God"?
• How does God draw near to the believer?
• What does it mean to "cleanse your hands"?
• What does James mean by "double-minded"?

3. Verse 9

• What are the key words and verbs (verbal phrases) in verse 9?
• What does James mean by "be wretched"?
• What does James mean by "mourn"?
• What does James mean by "weep"?
• Why does James mention these believer's "laughter" and "joy"?

4. Verse 10

• What are the key words and key verbs (verbal phrases) in verse 10?
• What does James mean by "humble yourselves"?
• Where should these believers "humble themselves"?
• What is the result them "humbling themselves" before the Lord?

"Mysticism For Kids" by Lynn Vincent

School time meditation moments.

"Strange Collocation" by John Piper

In this article Piper ponders atheist Bertrand Russell's "unyielding despair" filled worldview.

Bible Study Guide: James 4:4-6

Remember the Three Phases of Inductive Bible Study:

1. Observation: What do I see?
2. Interpretation: What does it mean?
3. Application: How does it work?

***Here are some links to a couple of good Bible Study websites:

1. Study Light
2. Crosswalk
3. Search God's Word

***I would encourage you to get a notebook to record your responses to the questions.

Bible Study: James 4:4-6

1. Read through James 4 at least twice to get the full context.
2. Focus in on verse 4:

• What are the key words and key verbs (verbal phrases) in verse 4?
• Why does James call these folks adulterous?
• How do you think these believers would have understood James' judgement of them having a friendship with the world?
• How does friendship with the world bring enmity with God?
• How should we characterize a "friend of the world" according the Scripture?

3. Focus in on verse 5:

• What are the key words and key verbs (verbal phrases) in verse 5?
• Why did James use this quote: "He yearns jealousy over the spirit that He has made to dwell in us?"
• What "spirit" is the quote referring to?

4. Focus in over verse 6:

• What are the key words and key verbs (verbal phrases) in verse 6?
• What does James mean by the "proud"?
• What does James mean by the "humble"?
• God gives grace to the humble. Is this a granting of grace for a work?