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James Week 7 James 4: 1-10


Week 7! This week, James takes another look at why we don't get what we want.





Study Questions for Week 7:


  1. James says in verse 2 that we desire but don't have so we kill. Do you see others as competition? Does jealousy mark your relationship with those that have things that you desire for yourself?
    1. How can you start to see the relationship differently if you were to see others as fellow travelers instead of competition?
  2. James calls us adulterous people. Have you ever thought of your relationship with God to be like a marriage? If so, are you being faithful to Him or are you walking out every now and then?
    1. What small things do you seek from the world instead of God? Can God provide you with those small things?
    2. What is one area of your life that you can give up looking for answers in the world and turn to God instead?
  3. In verse 7 we are called to submit ourselves to God. We talked about Godly wisdom being submissive last week. Is submission something that you struggle with? 
    1. What is one way that you can submit to God this week?
  4. James shows us that relying on God involves: submission, washing our hands, purifying our hearts, grieving, mourning, wailing, and humbling ourselves. Can you think of a time that you have experienced these actions? Have they brought you closer to God?
    1. None of them can be faked, each is an effect of the first, submission. If you struggle with submission then all the rest will difficult if not impossible to truly experience. 
  5. Weekly Challenge: Take a day and fast. In that fasting, see what God has to say about your desires, ambitions, and motives. If you discover something that is married to the world, take time to humble yourself, resist the devil, wash your hands, purify your hearts, grieve, mourn, wail, and humble yourself so that you may be lifted up.

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