James 4:13-17
Food for Thought
Ice Breaker: Have you ever told people about big moves you were about to make, only to have it all fall through? Or have you ever made plans with (or promises to!) someone and then have to back out?
What happened? What was it like… for you and for them?
Did you wind up having to eat your words?
What lesson did you walk away having learned (rightly or wrongly!) from that?
Read the whole passage. What harsh realities about our plans, our control, and even ourselves is James exposing in this section?
Remember: James wrote this letter to help us be more than hearers of the Word, but doers of the Word. How does talking about the vanity of our plans, the vapor of our life, and the evil of self-reliance fit into that?
Why does James describe some of our planning as arrogant, boasting, and evil? Is James anti-planning? Why or why not?
What’s the difference between these two statements:
1) “I’m aiming to do such-and-such, Lord willing.”
2) “The Lord does will such-and-such, so I’m going to aim for that.”How might the difference illuminate what James is getting at in verse 17?
Read John 4:34; Matthew 6:9-10; Luke 22:42. How does Jesus both teach us and show us to think about our next minutes, ours, and days?
Is it surprising to think about Jesus not “getting his own way” when praying to the Father? Why or why not?
Because he submitted to the Father’s will in his substitutionary life and it led to his substitutionary death, what all does that mean for us?
Read Ephesians 2:8-10. With these gospel truths and James’ words in mind, what does it look like to…
…make humble plans?
…boast in the right things?
…aim to do the good God has prepared us to do - even when it may not work out the way we think?
Reflection Questions
Where are you clinging to control and living as if you are the master of your own tomorrow?
How does Christ’s perfect surrender on the cross free you from the exhausting burden of self-reliance?
What known good is God calling you to walk in this week with hands open to His will?