Key Thought : Our attitude towards law affects how we relate to others and to God. Law governs how we relate to others.

[Lesson plan for One Lawgiver and Judge November 24, 2014]

1. Have a volunteer read James 4:11,12.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. Is this saying that when we speak against another person, we are judging them? How can we keep ourselves from being judgmental?
c. Personal Application: Have you ever judged anyone? Was that a good or a bad thing? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “If a person in the church is doing something wrong, doesn’t Paul say a spiritual man judges all things? If they tell you you’re not supposed to judge them, what do you say?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read James 4:13.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. How do we balance planning for the future with our need to live each day as if Christ could come?
c. Personal Application: How fast have the years gone by in your life? Did you always focus on what God wanted you to do and what priorities in your life were according to God’s plan? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “Is Jesus saying here that we shouldn’t plan for the future? Are we supposed to just go day by day without financial planning in our lives? What is this saying?” How would you respond to your neighbor?

3. Have a volunteer read James 4:14.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Do you have any goals or things you want to do, or know you should do, that you have put off until later? What are the positives and negatives of delaying to do those things?
c. Personal Application: Does following or not following God’s will for you in your life change things in your life or in other’s lives? Share your thoughts..
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “I’ll come to God, get baptized, and start going to church when I’m older and my situation changes. Right now isn’t a good time. I’ve got some things I need to do first before I give up everything for Him.” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read James 4:15-17.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. So is this saying that we can be guilty of sin by not doing something we know we should?
c. Personal Application: Have you ever not done things you know you should have, or done things you know you shouldn’t? Have you confessed and asked God to forgive you for those sins? 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.

Print/PDF/Email