Pray for One Another

One Another
Written By Drew Kizer

James

OPENING THOUGHT

In a Peanuts cartoon, Lucy demands that Linus change TV channels and then threatens him with her fist if he doesn't. “What makes you think you can walk right in here and take over?” asks Linus. “These five fingers,” says Lucy. “Individually they are nothing, but when I curl them together like this into a single unit, they form a weapon that is terrible to behold.” “What channel do you want?” asks Linus. Turning away, he looks at his fingers and says, “Why can't you guys get organized like that?”

Linus’s question sometimes applies to churches--why can't we get organized? Why can't we cooperate to help each other when we are cheerful or when we fail or when we are sad?

James writes to organize Christians around one another in order for them to help each other through the hardships of life. His words are just as practical and fresh today as they were when they were first written.

EXPLORING GOD’S WORD

James 2:1-13

  • What kind of discrimination was James addressing? Who was being mistreated? (cf. Jas. 5:1-6).

  • How does God feel about partiality? (cf. Acts 10:34-35).

  • What is the “royal law”? (2:8; cf. Lev. 19:18; Matt. 22:39; Rom. 13:9). What does it imply about showing partiality?

  • What’s wrong with a faith that only expresses God’s love without acting on it? (see Jas. 2:15-17).

James 4:11-12

  • Read James 3:2-12. Discuss the power and potential of our words. How do our words affect our fellowship with one another?

  • What “law” is James referencing in 4:11?

  • Why are we unqualified to speak evil against our brothers and sisters in Christ? (cf. 1 Cor. 4:3-5).

James 5:13-20

James discusses how members should relate to one another in four different conditions:

Sorrow

  • What does he say we should do for those who are suffering?

Cheerfulness

  • What does he say we should do for those who are cheerful?

  • Read Romans 12:15. How does Paul's advice compare with these first two conditions?

Sickness

  • What does he say we should do for those who are sick?

  • Why does he tell us to call for the elders? Can others also pray for the sick?

  • Does James mean for his words to guarantee healing? (cf. Jas. 4:3; 1 John 4:14-15).

Sin

  • What does James say we should do when we struggle with sin?

  • What are the results of bringing back a sinner from his wandering?

  • Why are we so reluctant to hold one another accountable?

  • How should we confront the sins of our brothers and sisters? Is there a wrong way to do it? (cf. Matt. 18:15-17; Gal. 6:1).

Drew Kizer
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