Bible Reading
James 4:6 “But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.”
[27:45]James 4:7 “Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.”
[28:28]James 4:8 “Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.”
[38:20]James 4:9 “Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.”
[45:19]James 4:10 “Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.”
[47:11]Matthew 4:4 “But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God.”
[35:29]Matthew 4:5 “Then the devil taketh him up into the holy city, and setteth him on a pinnacle of the temple,”
[35:35]Matthew 4:6 “And saith unto him, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down: for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee: and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.”
[35:35]Matthew 4:7 “Jesus said unto him, It is written again, Thou shalt not tempt the Lord thy God.”
[35:41]Matthew 4:8 “Again, the devil taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and sheweth him all the kingdoms of the world, and the glory of them;”
[35:54]Matthew 4:9 “And saith unto him, All these things will I give thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.”
[35:54]Matthew 4:10 “Then saith Jesus unto him, Get thee hence, Satan: for it is written, Thou shalt worship the Lord thy God, and him only shalt thou serve.”
[35:54]Luke 15:20 “And he arose, and came to his father. But when he was yet a great way off, his father saw him, and had compassion, and ran, and fell on his neck, and kissed him.”
[40:29]Luke 15:21 “And the son said unto him, Father, I have sinned against heaven, and in thy sight, and am no more worthy to be called thy son.”
[40:39]Luke 15:22 “But the father said to his servants, Bring forth the best robe, and put it on him; and put a ring on his hand, and shoes on his feet:”
[49:52]Luke 15:23 “And bring hither the fatted calf, and kill it; and let us eat, and be merry:”
[49:52]Luke 15:24 “For this my son was dead, and is alive again; he was lost, and is found. And they began to be merry.”
[49:52]Observation questions
- What six commands are given in James 4:7-10, and how do they describe a response to God’s grace? [28:28]
- In James 4:8, what two areas need cleansing or purification, and what does each one reveal about a person’s life? [42:16]
- What repeated words does Jesus use when Satan tempts Him in Matthew 4, and what source does Jesus appeal to in each answer? [35:29]
- In Luke 15:20-24, what actions show the father’s compassion and joy when his son returns home? [40:39]
Interpretation questions
- Why does James place “submit yourselves therefore to God” immediately after the promise that God gives grace to the humble? How does grace lead a believer away from self-rule and toward willing submission? [29:22]
- What does James mean by being “double minded”? Why is it not possible for a believer to hold tightly to both God’s ways and the world’s ways? [43:48]
- Why is knowing and trusting Scripture necessary for resisting the devil, rather than simply relying on good intentions or personal strength? [35:58]
- How do the prodigal son’s confession and the father’s welcome help explain the difference between true repentance and merely wanting relief from sin’s consequences? [48:57]
Application questions
- In what area of life is self-rule most tempting right now—attitudes, money, relationships, entertainment, speech, or plans for the future? What would willingly submitting that area to God look like this week? [31:00]
- What temptation or recurring sinful desire most often pulls the heart away from God? What specific verse could be learned, trusted, and used as a biblical answer when that temptation comes? [37:04]
- If there is distance in a person’s relationship with God, what habits or choices may have caused that distance? What would it look like to draw near to Him honestly instead of hiding or drifting further away? [39:35]
- Are there any “unclean hands”—outward actions—that need to change? Are there also heart motives, loves, or desires that need to be brought before God? [43:04]
- Is there a sin that has been treated too casually, excused, or laughed about? What might sincere grief and repentance over that sin look like before God? [45:45]
- Where might pride be showing up through defensiveness, blame-shifting, comparison, or refusing correction? How can humility make room for God’s grace in that situation? [47:20]
- God’s grace is not only forgiveness for the past but strength for daily victory. What practical choice can be made this week to yield oneself to God as an instrument of righteousness? [53:22]
