Jas 5:1-6 NASB  Come now, you rich, weep and howl for your miseries which are coming upon you.  (2)  Your riches have rotted and your garments have become moth-eaten.  (3)  Your gold and your silver have rusted; and their rust will be a witness against you and will consume your flesh like fire. It is in the last days that you have stored up your treasure!  (4)  Behold, the pay of the laborers who mowed your fields, and which has been withheld by you, cries out against you; and the outcry of those who did the harvesting has reached the ears of the Lord of Sabaoth.  (5)  You have lived luxuriously on the earth and led a life of wanton pleasure; you have fattened your hearts in a day of slaughter.  (6)  You have condemned and put to death the righteous man; he does not resist you.

• What is James predicting for the rich?
• Read verses 1-3 alone.  What does do these verses mean you you?
• What emotion do you read in James’ verses here?
• What do you understand if you just read verses 1-3?
• What new understanding of James’ words do you see when you read verses 4-6?
• What does this tell you about James?

Jas 5:7-11 NASB  Therefore be patient, brethren, until the coming of the Lord. The farmer waits for the precious produce of the soil, being patient about it, until it gets the early and late rains.  (8)  You too be patient; strengthen your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is near.  (9)  Do not complain, brethren, against one another, so that you yourselves may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing right at the door.  (10)  As an example, brethren, of suffering and patience, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord.  (11)  We count those blessed who endured. You have heard of the endurance of Job and have seen the outcome of the Lord’s dealings, that the Lord is full of compassion and is merciful.

• What is James’ advice for the brethren in light of this injustice?
• Is this what you would have expected after reading the first 3 verses?
• What image do you see in the farmer waiting for the early and late rains Deu 11:14? What does each rain do?  What happens if one of these two rains doesn’t happen?  So is there anticipation and maybe anxiety in waiting for these rains?
• What does this teach you about God and our role as Christians?
• What is the theme of these verses?

Jas 5:12-16 NASB  But above all, my brethren, do not swear, either by heaven or by earth or with any other oath; but your yes is to be yes, and your no, no, so that you may not fall under judgment.  (13)  Is anyone among you suffering? Then he must pray. Is anyone cheerful? He is to sing praises.  (14)  Is anyone among you sick? Then he must call for the elders of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord;  (15)  and the prayer offered in faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up, and if he has committed sins, they will be forgiven him.  (16)  Therefore, confess your sins to one another, and pray for one another so that you may be healed. The effective prayer of a righteous man can accomplish much.

• The Jews frequently swore an oath by people, names, places or even body parts.   This was now discouraged.  The phrase “fall under judgment” can also be translated as “fall into hypocrisy.”
• Does verse 12 seem to fit?
• What is the role of faith in praying for healing?  Does James stipulate who should have the faith?  How do you know?
• If we pray and nothing happens, what does that mean about faith?
• What are we asked to do in the last verse?
• What two criteria is placed on prayers that accomplish much?
• Is this focusing on healing prayer?

Jas 5:17-20 NASB  Elijah was a man with a nature like ours, and he prayed earnestly that it would not rain, and it did not rain on the earth for three years and six months.  (18)  Then he prayed again, and the sky poured rain and the earth produced its fruit.  (19)  My brethren, if any among you strays from the truth and one turns him back,  (20)  let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save his soul from death and will cover a multitude of sins.

• What kind of a man was Elijah?
• What prayer example does James use?
• Do we pray these kinds of prayers often?
• What other kind of prayer is mentioned here and what is its benefit?

What teachings of James touched you most?

Character of God revealed by James?

What can you apply to your life from this study of James?