Scripture Passage: James 5:13-18

The book of James concludes with practical instruction about prayer. Prayer is a powerful force! Christian pastor and writer Andrew Murray (1828−1917) said, “In relation to his people, God works only in answer to their prayer.”

The Apostle Paul said, “Devote yourselves to prayer; stay alert in it with thanksgiving” (Col. 4:2). This exhortation is to the church. God has invited us (collectively) to pray for each other, for our neighbors, and for His will to be done. Evangelist R.A. Torrey (1856−1928) said, “Nothing lies beyond the reach of prayer except that which lies outside the will of God.”

Key Attributes of Prayer

1. Integrity (James 5:16)

James admonishes us to confess our sins to one another. Confession of sin and answered prayer go hand in hand. Sin always hinders fervent prayer.

• Read Psalm 66:18. Take a moment to confess your sin.



2. Community (James 5:14)

James instructs us to call for the elders, or leaders, of the church. There is power in praying together and in having others pray for us. James also affirmed the value of anointing with oil, a symbol of our dependence on the Holy Spirit.

• This week, set aside time to pray with your family or friends.

3. Anticipation (James 5:16)

We should pray expectantly. James said, “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.” The keyword is “working.” In Colossians 4:2 Paul admonished that we should stay alert in prayer.



• Read Psalm 5:3. Determine to have this attitude of the psalmist when you pray — pray expectantly and eagerly watch.

Scripture Passage: James 4:13-17

Someone wisely noted that to fail to plan is to plan to fail. There is much to be said about being intentional when it comes to making plans. The Scriptures offer great advice on how to plan.

1. Careful Planning



How would you describe your plans? Do your plans take into consideration the purposes of God and how He can use you to advance the interests of His kingdom?

Isaiah 32:8 notes, “But a noble person plans noble things; he stands up for noble causes.”



2. Flexible Planning



Are you flexible and available for whatever door of opportunity God opens for you?

Scripture talks much about doors of opportunity. A door represents opportunity and challenges us to decide whether we will accept or reject that opportunity.

Revelation 3:8 notes, “I know your works. Look, I have placed before you an open door that no one can close because you have but little power; yet you have kept my word and have not denied my name.”



3. Dependent Planning



Is God factored into your plans? Is He an afterthought? Do your plans show that you are dependent on Him?


Deuteronomy 8:11 cautions against forgetting the Lord: “Be careful that you do not forget the Lord your God by failing to keep His commands, ordinances, and statutes that I am giving you today.

Scripture Passage: James 3: 9-12: 9

The Nature of a Curse
The word for “curse” is literally “wishing evil.” Sometimes we think of cursing as synonymous with cussing, but it’s more than that. It might be done with eloquent words, but the curse drowns out even the good things said. Also, the absence of a blessing is a curse.

Table Talk: Share with others how you might have suffered by someone “wishing evil” upon you through words spoken. How did that make you feel? Will that help you to speak blessings instead of cursing?

The Power of a Blessing
To give a blessing is to give honor by intentionally ascribing God’s promise to another.

This definition talks about intentionality. It doesn’t happen by accident. We must be intentional with our blessing. Remember though that the blessing of people flows from our blessing the Lord.

Two important conclusions:
• Every one of us needs to receive by faith the blessing God has for us. He made you to love you. And he saved you to bless you.
• You were made to bless others. You were given the power to bless.

Table Talk:
• Share how God blesses you. Can you speak of His love?
• Who would God want you to bless today? Talk about your habit, or lack of a habit to bless those around you.
• Talk about the correlation between loving God and loving people. (See Matthew 22: 36-40)

Scripture Passage: James 1:12-15

“Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. No one undergoing a trial should say, ‘I am being tempted by God,’ since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death.”

The Components of Compromise

• Anonymity – When you are emboldened to sin because you know that no one is watching.

• Availability – When you are emboldened to sin because of the things available at your disposal.

• Appetite – We all have hungers and desires of the flesh (Galatians 5:17-21)

The Defense Strategy for Victory over Temptation

• The Defense for Anonymity is Access

Conversation: Around your table today share who has access to your heart, home, personal time, and tech devices. Or, who might God direct you to give access to these areas? If you’ve not done so already then be intentional about making your personal life open to a close and trusted Christian relative or friend.

• The Defense for Availability is to create Boundaries

Conversation: Share with your group what boundaries you have in place that keeps you from crossing the line? Or, discuss what boundaries you might create for your stage of life. The goal is to have a plan!

• The Defense for Appetite is Contentment

Conversation: Be open with your group, or special friend, about the level of confidence and contentment in your life, relationships, and marriage. What changes do you feel you might need to make? Is your confidence on your relationship with Jesus Christ, or in your abilities, education, status, finances, etc.? The LORD is calling you to look to HIM.

How we look at a problem makes a difference in how serious we are about dealing with it. Open conversation about these temptation defenses is the first step in managing these temptations that we all face in our life. While your group is together spend a few minutes in prayer asking the LORD to give each of you wisdom in defending yourself against temptation.

Scripture Passage: James 1:2-4 2

3 Priorities That Are Necessary for Hard Times

1. In Hard Times, Facts Are More Important Than Feelings

Many people inadvertently build strongholds in their mind. We must run to the Word of God during a crisis. We need to reprogram our mind to see things as God sees them, or we’ll be crushed by the emotions of hard times.

2. In Hard Times, Trusting is More Important Than Understanding

Ask for wisdom, not just deliverance when you go through a trial. Remember what faith is: Believing God will do what He says He will do and acting on it regardless of the circumstances.

3. In Hard Times, Growth is More Important Than Comfort

Begin to recognize that God is doing something significant in you in the midst of the hard time. The goal is for you to be more like Christ. When you face inevitable trials, make the decision to trust God through the trial.

Discussion Questions

• What connections in your brain need to be reformed? (Romans 12:2)

• Do you find yourself only asking for deliverance during trials? Why or why not?

• Who is God? How does your answer affect your expectations of your prayers?

• Will you take the challenge to memorize James 1?