Memory Verse: “Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much” (James 5:16)
Scripture Reading: James 5:10-20 / Matthew 18:15-20
Introduction: Prayer in adversity is sometimes difficult. It seems that certain types of adversity, such as economic adversity, are depressing and it is difficult to fan the sparks of faith into a flame.
On the other hand, some types of adversity draw us quickly and deeply into travail in our prayers. It is at such times easy to get “under the burden” and more often than not, we see God undertake. Such a time is the severe illness of a young person whose life is before them. The tragedy of seeing such a one snatched away is appalling and so we pray with fervor.
Extreme adversity such as danger often blocks out all other thoughts so that we are able to come directly before the throne. The men on the USS Pueblo were denied religious privileges. This adversity far from causing them to fall farther away from God caused them to draw closer. Men trapped in mines or adrift at sea often turn to God in their plight. God knows what is necessary to arrest our attention and provides us such adversity as we need.
Adversity drove the Pilgrim Fathers to America. They probably did a good deal of praying during their hardships, and the whole episode seemed pretty rough; but it helped shape a nation for God. We owe them much and much more to Him who sent their adversity.
“Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peacable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).
Now not everyone is “exercised thereby” or do they take heed to what God has to say. The major theological issue in this Book of James is faith and works, and for James works is a natural result of faith. To heed what we believe is our wake-up call to all Christians from James: Get your life in line with what you believe.
Lesson Questions:
- Whom does James give as examples of suffering affliction and of patience? James 5:10; Matthew 5:12.
- What folks does James speak of as being happy or blessed? James 5:11; Matthew 5:10. Who is considered as an outstanding example of patience? Job 1:21-22; Job 2:10; Matthew 24:9-14.
- What does James say about emphasizing with oaths? James 5:12. Lest we fall into condemnation, should we not be careful to speak the plain truth? Matthew 5:33-37. Note: James is not forbidding a believer from taking an oath in court or invoking God as witness to some significant statement (see 1 Thessalonians 2:5), instead he is prohibiting the ancient practice of appealing to a variety of different objects to confirm the veracity of one’s statement. This practice was extremely close to idolatry for it implied that such objects contained spirits (The Nelson Lesson Bible, NKJV. Copyright 1997 by Thomas Nelson, Inc).
- What should the afflicted do, or those that are merry? James 5:13; Ephesians 5:18-19; Psalm 47:1, 6-7; Psalm 40:3-5; Psalm 33:1-4.
- Whom are we told to call when we are sick? James 5:14. Note: As church officers elders were responsible for pastoral supervision and spiritual leadership.
- What assurance is given to those who have the faith to obey the instructions? James 5:15. What leads us to believe that the sick should confess their sins before being prayed for? May failure here hinder healing? Matthew 9:2-7; Isaiah 33:24.
- Discuss what further instruction is given concerning prayer for the sick. Are all prayers equally effectual? James 5:16; 2 Corinthians 1:6-7.
- What example if given, of a man whose prayers were effectual? James 5:17-18. Other examples are Deuteronomy 9:16-19, 24-27; 1 Samuel 12:14-24; 1 Kings 17:17-24; 2 Kings 4:25-37; 2 Kings 19:14-20; 2 Kings 20:1-6.
- What does James desire the brethren to know? James 5:19-20; Matthew 18:15; Psalm 32:1-2; 1 Peter 4:8-7.