James 5:7-12
Food for Thought
Ice Breaker: What’s one thing that — if it takes longer than expected — drives you absolutely nuts?
What about having to wait makes you so mad?
Is there anything that would help you be more patient the next time it happens?
James calls us to be patient in a few specific ways until the Lord comes back. What are they?
(Ex: waiting for good fruit to bear; dealing with frustrations among one another; enduring external suffering)Do any of those scenarios line up with something you have dealt with or are dealing with right now?
How can an impatient response to those things seem fair, normal, or sometimes even productive / helpful? What does impatience “promise to do” for us?
But how does being impatient usually turn out for us?
What do any of these situations have to do with waiting for Jesus’ return?
James calls us to strengthen our hearts so we can patiently wait. How does that happen?
(Ex: being reminded of the nearness of Jesus’ return; the Judge being at the door; God’s compassionate and merciful character)How do those things (Christ’s nearness, character, etc.) make us stronger?
If being made to wait can feel like a curse, how can James count the ones who had to endure as “blessed?”
James tells us not to swear anything by any kind of oath. Why does he say that this, of all things, is “above all?” Why is this a chief concern?
How can doing that bring us under judgment?
What does swearing oaths and making promises have to do with “patiently waiting?”
How can impatient doing and oath-making both find their satisfaction in the past faithfulness, future promises, and present presence of the Lord?
Reflection Questions
Where has the pressure of waiting tempted you to doubt God’s timing, turn on others, or manipulate the truth to stay in control?
How does the certainty of Christ’s return — and the mercy He bought on the cross — steady your soul when life feels completely out of your hands?
Who in your life needs to experience the patient grace, steadfast love, and simple honesty of the King you are waiting for this week?