02: The Perfecting of Our Faith – Lesson Plan
Key Thought: James shows us how trials and difficulties help us to strengthen our faith and purify our lives…
[Lesson Plan for The Perfecting of Our Faith October 6, 2014]
1. Have a volunteer read James 1:2,3 and Ephesians 4:13.
a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. How does the testing of our faith bring patience or endurance?
c. Personal Application: Has you faith been tested lately? How did you respond to the testing? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “How many people do you know that rejoice in their trials? The normal reaction is to complain, question, or be resolutely silent in trials. How can we be happy in trials?” How would you respond to your relative?
2. Have a volunteer read James 1:5,6.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. What is the difference between wisdom and knowledge? How does God give us wisdom? Is there a connection between knowledge and wisdom?
c. Personal Application: How can having wrong doctrine be detrimental to one’s walk with God? Does having sound doctrine strengthen your faith? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I believe in God and that He answers prayers, but I really am not sure He’ll answer mine when I pray. I usually don’t see answers to them.” How would you respond to your neighbor?
3. Have a volunteer read James 1:6-8.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. If a person doesn’t have a strong faith when they prayer, is this saying God doesn’t answer them?
c. Personal Application: What does it mean to have perfect faith? How do we get it? Share your thoughts..
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What is a double-minded man? One who asks without faith? One who says he knows God, but doesn’t obey or follow Him? One who is right one day and wrong the next?” How would you respond to your friend?
4. Have a volunteer read James 1:9-11.
a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Why does the Scripture tell us not to trust in riches?
c. Personal Application: Does having or not having money or goods affect your self-esteem and your ability to stay strong in your faith in well-being? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: Think of one person who needs to hear a message from this week’s lesson. Tell the class what you plan to do this week to share with them.
(Note : “Truth that is not lived, that is not imparted, loses its life-giving power, its healing virtue. Its blessings can be retained only as it is shared.” MH p. 149.
