1.  How would you answer this question:  What is the true meaning of Christmas?

2.  How do you keep in balance the two sides of Christmas?

·              Temporal

·              External

3.  In what areas of your life do you need to hear and say, “Comfort, O Comfort my

     People” (vs. 1-2) ?

4.  Who do you know in your circle of family and friends who needs to hear that

      Word?  How could you share it with them?

5.  In preparing for the Lord (Vs. 3-4):

•       Repentance – What crooked ways need to made straight?

•       Hope – What low points do you need lead to raise up?

•       Humility – What areas of pride need to be removed?

•       Renewal – What rough places need to be made smooth?

6.  God declared that “The Glory of the Lord shall be Revealed” (vs. 5, 9-11)

•       How has God’s glory been revealed to you?

•       To whom is God calling you to declare “Here is your God” (vs. 9)?

7.  What commitments do you need to make so that the eternal side of Christmas is more present in your life?

1. What do families and friends commonly fight about?  What does James say is the root cause (4:1-3)?
2. What do you think it means to be a ‘friend of the world’ (4:4)?
3. What does James say are the advantages of being a ‘friend of God’ (4:5-6)?
4. How would you distinguish between pride and having a sense of accomplishment?
5. How are we to respond to the devil’s temptation (4:7)? In what specific ways do you need to resist the devil?
6. What encouragement and instruction does James give (4:8, 10)?  How can you do this?

1. What does James mean by wisdom (1: 5-8.  3:13)?
2. Using the following, discuss practical examples and applications of False Wisdom and Genuine Wisdom.  How can you tell the difference in every day situation and what will help you make right decision?

False Wisdom  (vs. 14-16)                     Genuine Wisdom (vs. 17-18)

    Its Characteristics                               Its Characteristics

        bitter envy                                            pure

                                                                    peace loving

        selfish ambition                                   considerate

                                                                    submissive

        boastful                                                full of mercy & good fruit

                                                                    impartial

        denies the truth                                    sincere

Its Causes                                             Its Causes

        earthly                                                 heavenly

        unspiritual                                           spiritural

        of the devil                                          of God

Its Consequences                                 Its Consequences

        disorder                                              peace

        every evil practice                               righteousness

3. Which type of wisdom does our personal life and community life reflect?
4. How can your life reflect the wisdom from God?

1. How would you explain the difference between knowledge and wisdom?  How would you describe the presence of each in your life?
2. What life experiences have increased your wisdom? 
3. How can you tell when a person is wise according to 3:13?  Would others describe you in this way?
4. What is the contrast of 3:14-16? What damage can bitter envy and selfish ambition do to you?  To others?
5. How is a person’s character related to his/her ability to discern?
6. How is wisdom from God described (3:17)?  What is its result?
7. How can this passage encourage you in a relationship that that been troubling to you?
8. Where do you need to seek God’s wisdom this week?

1. How do you respond to people who talk about faith but don’t put it into practice?  Have you ever found yourself doing that?
2. Which is easier for you - talking about your faith with others, or demonstrating love toward them?
   

3. James contends that saving faith must include actions (2:14-17).  What might that mean for your faith AND actions this week?
4. Discuss how 2:22 is key to this paragraph.  How would you summarize the connection between faith and works?
5. What can we learn from the two illustrations of Abraham and Rahab?

• Abraham (Genesis 15:6, 22:1-18)
• Rahab (Joshua 2:1-21)

6. How can your outward actions more adequately demonstrate your inward faith? What are specific ways your group can encourage you?

1. For what reasons do people sometimes think they are more important than others?
2. When or how have you shown favoritism or prejudice towards others?  Or when have you been the victim of favoritism or prejudice?
3. What practical examples does James give in 2:1-4?  How might these translate into your experience?
4. How does James contrast God’s perspective with conventional attitude and how does that speak to you (2:5-7)?
5. What is the sober word of 2:10 and how is it a corrective for thinking we are better than others?
6. 2:12-13 contains both challenge and encouragement.  How might these verses affect your life this coming week? 
7. We are all sinners in need of God’s mercy.  Where do you need God’s mercy?  To whom is God calling you to be merciful?
8. In what practical ways can you make the Law of Love operative in your life?

1. How would you explain the difference between knowledge and wisdom?  How would you describe the presence of each in your life?
2. What life experiences have increased your wisdom? 
3. How can you tell when a person is wise according to 3:13?  Would others describe you in this way?
4. What is the contrast of 3:14-16? What damage can bitter envy and selfish ambition do to you?  To others?
5. How is a person’s character related to his/her ability to discern?
6. How is wisdom from God described (3:17)?  What is its result?
7. How can this passage encourage you in a relationship that that been troubling to you?
8. Where do you need to seek God’s wisdom this week?

1. What do you hope to gain/learn by participating in this follow up study in James?
2. Where do you need your faith to be more fully lived out in your daily life?
3. Read James 1:1-11.  What is the most prominent statement or promise?
4. How would you define wisdom?  How does wisdom differ from knowledge? How is it the same?
5. What are some of the areas of life where you have doubts?
6. In what specific area of your life do you need/want to ask God for wisdom?  Do you believe He will answer your request? 
7. What is keeping you from asking God for wisdom?
8. What is the paradox of 1:9-11?
9. How can the group/others encourage you to believe God and trust more in Him?