Sermon Bible Study Guides

    in James

    James 2:1–13 - 7th November, 2020

    OBSERVATION
    What does it say?

    1. Read James 2:1-13 
    2. Who is addressed and mentioned in the passage?
      1. How does James describe them?
    3. What questions does James ask?
    4. What commands are given?
      1. What reasons are given for the commands? What conclusions are drawn?

    INTERPRETATION
    What does it mean?

    1. What is wrong with "making distinctions" or "showing partiality" between rich and poor? 
    2. How has "God chosen those who are poor in the world to be rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom" (v.5)? What does that mean?
    3. Who are the rich and the poor?
    4. What is the royal law? What is the law of liberty?
      1. What is required?
    5. How are judgment and mercy connected? Who will receive judgment without mercy according to this passage?
    6. What sections do you see in this passage? How would you summarize them? How are they connected?

    APPLICATION
    How should it change us?

    1. How and to whom are you tempted to show partiality? Why?
      1. Who do you show favoritism toward, and/or who do you look down upon or avoid? (Spend time confessing and repenting of this!)
    2. How does the gospel confront the sin of partiality? How does "holding our faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory" (v.1) empower us to "show no partiality"? 
    Posted by Mark Donald with
    Tags: mercy, judgment, poor, rich, partiality, favoritism, law of liberty, royal law
    in Acts

    Acts 5:12–42 - 14th November, 2020

    OBSERVATION
    What does it say?

    1. Read Acts 5:12–42
    2. Who is mentioned?
    3. Where are they?
    4. What are they doing?
    5. Compare and contrast the different groups (apostles and religious leaders).

    INTERPRETATION
    What does it mean?

    1. Why were the high-priest and Sadducees jealous of the apostles (v.17)? 
    2. What are "all the words of this Life" referring to (v.20)?
    3. How would you summarize Gamaliel's advice (v.35–39)? What does he conclude?
    4. Why do the apostles rejoice for being "counted worthy to suffer dishonor for the name [of Jesus]" (v. 41)?
    5. What does it mean that "the Christ is Jesus" (v. 42)?
    6. What sections do you see in this passage? How would you summarize the whole passage? 

    APPLICATION
    How should it change us?

    1. What confidence does this passage give believers?
    2. What truth surprises you most from this passage? How should these truths change the way you live this week?
    3. What ways are you tempted to avoid being dishonored for following Christ?
    4. How can we rejoice when we suffer dishonor for Jesus' sake?
    Posted by Mark Donald with
    Tags: persecution, gospel, life, witnessing, temple, apostles, worthy, rejoicing, opposing god, solomon's portico

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