Key Thought : Meaningful relationships, job satisfaction, and a purposeful life gives one more happiness than wealth.

[Lesson plan for Weep and Howl December 1. 2014]

1. Have a volunteer read James 5:1-5.

a. Ask class members to share a thought on what the most important point in this text is.
b. What kind of wealth is James speaking of here? Why does he warn people who have riches to weep and howl?
c. Personal Application: What injustices cause you to burn with anger and outrage about? How can we learn to trust in God’s promises to make things right? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your relatives states: “What kind of attitude are we supposed to have toward money and things? Does our attitude towards these things affect our attitude toward others?” How would you respond to your relative?

2. Have a volunteer read James 5:4.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the most important point is in this passage.
b. Can poor people be just as guilty as rich people in loving riches? How do we know whether we serve money, or it serves us?
c. Personal Application: How do you deal with others when it comes to money? What do these dealings say about your Christianity? Share your thoughts.
d. Case Study: One of your neighbors states, “I think it’s just as much a sin for a person to spend more money than they have, going into debt and then worrying about money and payments all the time. Also banks, financial institutions, and credit card companies are guilty of usury and making money on other people’s debts.” How would you respond to your neighbor?

3. Have a volunteer read James 5:5.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. How can we show, through the management of our resources, the belief that all we possess comes from God?
c. Personal Application: How do you handle the resources God has given to you? Have you amassed more things than you need, while over 70% of the world goes hungry every night? What is your perspective? Share your thoughts..
d. Case Study: One of your friends states, “What does being “wanton” on the earth mean? Because God has blessed me with financial security, a good home, health, and good family, should I be concerned because I live in America and not in some poor third world country?” How would you respond to your friend?

4. Have a volunteer read James 5:6.

a. Ask class members to share a short thought on what the main idea of this text is.
b. Does this mean that we are not to resist those who accuse or condemn us? How do we balance letting people walk all over us with not causing quarrels by resisting?
c. Personal Application: Have you ever condemned someone else only to realize later that you were the one who was wrong? 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.

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