"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God,
and the Word was God."
John 1:1
Study Questions for Grace Under Pressure wk5
Pray Like You Mean It!
Read James 5:13-20
God’s story
1. James 5:13-14 asks three questions. What questions does James ask?
2. What kind of prayer saves sick people, raises people up and brings the forgiveness of sins according to James 5:15?
3. James encourages Christians to do something together in James 5:16. What does James encourage us to do?
4. In James 5:17-18, James mentions someone from the Old Testament as an example of what Christians should do. Who does James mention as an example?
5. In James 5:19-20, James concludes his letter with a strong promise for wandering people and those who serve the wandering. What is that promise?
1. James 5:13-14 asks three questions. What questions does James ask?
2. What kind of prayer saves sick people, raises people up and brings the forgiveness of sins according to James 5:15?
3. James encourages Christians to do something together in James 5:16. What does James encourage us to do?
4. In James 5:17-18, James mentions someone from the Old Testament as an example of what Christians should do. Who does James mention as an example?
5. In James 5:19-20, James concludes his letter with a strong promise for wandering people and those who serve the wandering. What is that promise?
My Story
1. What’s the first thing you tend to do when you are suffering? When you’re cheerful? When you’re sick? How might prayer help you in those situations?
2. Why is faith required for prayer to work?
3. Why might it be important for us to confess our sins to another person? What role does confession play in your healing?
4. If James were to mention you as a Christian example to another person. What might he say about you?
5. Why might it be important for Christians to be tasked with bringing back people who wander from God?
1. What’s the first thing you tend to do when you are suffering? When you’re cheerful? When you’re sick? How might prayer help you in those situations?
2. Why is faith required for prayer to work?
3. Why might it be important for us to confess our sins to another person? What role does confession play in your healing?
4. If James were to mention you as a Christian example to another person. What might he say about you?
5. Why might it be important for Christians to be tasked with bringing back people who wander from God?
Answers to Last Week's Study Questions (September 19)
Grace Under Pressure: Wisdom Road! - James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a
1. James 3:13 suggests that we show our good life. How are we encouraged to show our good life?
Answer: With wisdom and understanding
2. James 3:14-15 talks about envy and selfish ambition. Where does this come from according to the passage?
Answer: The earthly, unspiritual, and devilish.
4. What is the outcome of envy and selfish ambition according to James 3:16?
Answer: Disorder and wickedness
5. James 3:17-18 speaks of a harvest of righteousness. What is such righteousness sown in according to the passage?
Answer: Peace
6. James 4:1-8a speaks of where conflicts and disputes come from. What is the source of conflicts according to the passage?
Answer: Cravings within us
Grace Under Pressure: Wisdom Road! - James 3:13 - 4:3, 7-8a
1. James 3:13 suggests that we show our good life. How are we encouraged to show our good life?
Answer: With wisdom and understanding
2. James 3:14-15 talks about envy and selfish ambition. Where does this come from according to the passage?
Answer: The earthly, unspiritual, and devilish.
4. What is the outcome of envy and selfish ambition according to James 3:16?
Answer: Disorder and wickedness
5. James 3:17-18 speaks of a harvest of righteousness. What is such righteousness sown in according to the passage?
Answer: Peace
6. James 4:1-8a speaks of where conflicts and disputes come from. What is the source of conflicts according to the passage?
Answer: Cravings within us
Previous Study Questions
Songs of Faith: Meditations on Psalms
(downloadable files)
Week 1: How Great Thou Art! - Psalm 104:24-35
Week 2: Holy, Holy, Holy! - Psalm 29
Week 3: Blessed Assurance! - Psalm 138
Week 4: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! - Psalm 20
Week 5: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God! - Psalm 9
Week 6: O God, Our Help in Ages Past! - Psalm 130
Week 7: Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory! - Psalm 48
Week 8: Crown Him with Many Crowns! - Psalm 24
Week 9: There is a Balm in Gilead! - Psalm 89:20-37
Week 10: Rock of Ages! - Psalm 14
Week 11: Amazing Grace! - Psalm 51:1-12
Week 12: What a Friend We Have in Jesus! - Psalm 34:1-8
Week 13: Just As I Am! - Psalm 111
Week 14: O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing! - Psalm 84
Week 2: Holy, Holy, Holy! - Psalm 29
Week 3: Blessed Assurance! - Psalm 138
Week 4: Leaning on the Everlasting Arms! - Psalm 20
Week 5: A Mighty Fortress Is Our God! - Psalm 9
Week 6: O God, Our Help in Ages Past! - Psalm 130
Week 7: Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory! - Psalm 48
Week 8: Crown Him with Many Crowns! - Psalm 24
Week 9: There is a Balm in Gilead! - Psalm 89:20-37
Week 10: Rock of Ages! - Psalm 14
Week 11: Amazing Grace! - Psalm 51:1-12
Week 12: What a Friend We Have in Jesus! - Psalm 34:1-8
Week 13: Just As I Am! - Psalm 111
Week 14: O, For a Thousand Tongues to Sing! - Psalm 84
Witnesses: The Evidence of New Life
(downloadable files)
Week 1: We are Witnesses! - Mark 16:1-8 and Acts 10:34-43
Week 2: 2nd Sunday of Easter - 1 John 1:1-2:2
Week 3: The Beloved Witness - 1 John 3:1-7
Week 4: The Generous Witness - 1 John 3:16-24
Week 5: The Compassionate Witness - 1 John 4:7-21
Week 6: The Overcoming Witness - 1 John 5:1-6
Week 7: The Eternal Witness - 1 John 5:9-13
Week 2: 2nd Sunday of Easter - 1 John 1:1-2:2
Week 3: The Beloved Witness - 1 John 3:1-7
Week 4: The Generous Witness - 1 John 3:16-24
Week 5: The Compassionate Witness - 1 John 4:7-21
Week 6: The Overcoming Witness - 1 John 5:1-6
Week 7: The Eternal Witness - 1 John 5:9-13
Hard Times, Unshakable Faith Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
The Plan for Life Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
O Come, Immanuel! Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
The Greater Way Study Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
Week 1: Welcome the New! - Hebrews 1:1-14
Week 2: Pioneer - Hebrews 2:5-18
Week 3: Builder - Hebrews 3:1-16
Week 4: Sabbath - Hebrews 4:1-3, 9-13
Week 5: Priest - Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Week 6: Perfection - Hebrews 6
Week 7: Faith - Hebrews 11:1-6,8,13-16
Week 8: Covenant - Hebrews 8:1-13
Week 9: Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:13-28
Week 10: Holiness - Hebrews 10:11-25
Week 11: King 12:1-7, 18-28
Week 2: Pioneer - Hebrews 2:5-18
Week 3: Builder - Hebrews 3:1-16
Week 4: Sabbath - Hebrews 4:1-3, 9-13
Week 5: Priest - Hebrews 4:14-5:10
Week 6: Perfection - Hebrews 6
Week 7: Faith - Hebrews 11:1-6,8,13-16
Week 8: Covenant - Hebrews 8:1-13
Week 9: Sacrifice - Hebrews 9:13-28
Week 10: Holiness - Hebrews 10:11-25
Week 11: King 12:1-7, 18-28
Summer of Love Study Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
Week 1: Love is a Verb! - Amos 5:1-17
Week 2: Let it Roll! - Amos 5:18-27
Week 3: The Measure of Love! - Amos 7:1-17
Week 4: Summer Fruit - Amos 8:1-14
Week 5: A Match Made in Heaven - Hosea 1:1-11
Week 6: The Scandal of Redeeming Love - Hosea 2:2-23
Week 7: Finding the Way Home - Hosea 4:1-19
Week 8: What Am I Going to Do with You? - Hosea 5:1-15
Week 9: Third Day Love - Hosea 6:1-7:16
Week 10: The Heart of a Parent - Hosea 11:1-11
Week 11: Free Love at Last! - Hosea 14:1-9
Week 2: Let it Roll! - Amos 5:18-27
Week 3: The Measure of Love! - Amos 7:1-17
Week 4: Summer Fruit - Amos 8:1-14
Week 5: A Match Made in Heaven - Hosea 1:1-11
Week 6: The Scandal of Redeeming Love - Hosea 2:2-23
Week 7: Finding the Way Home - Hosea 4:1-19
Week 8: What Am I Going to Do with You? - Hosea 5:1-15
Week 9: Third Day Love - Hosea 6:1-7:16
Week 10: The Heart of a Parent - Hosea 11:1-11
Week 11: Free Love at Last! - Hosea 14:1-9
Holy Trinity Sunday
(downloadable file)
April 19 - May 31, 2020
Exile and the Kingdom Study Questions for All Weeks
(downloadable files)
We are a church whose unity is in Jesus Christ, who gathers us around word and water, wine and bread. We believe that people meet God in Scripture, where God’s relationship to — and intention for — humankind is revealed.
The Book of Faith Initiative strives to increase biblical literacy and fluency for the sake of the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to this five-year initiative encouraging members, congregations and synods to dig deeper into our book of faith — the Bible.
For many, the encounter with Scripture is limited to the excerpts that are read on Sunday morning. Many of us — and many of our neighbors — are somewhat intimidated and unsure of how to engage Scripture. We believe all are invited to open Scripture and join the conversation.
In order to delve deeper in the word, the Book of Faith Initiative recommends a four-fold method for reading the Bible: devotional, historical, literary and Lutheran theological reading. It’s up to you and your faith community to decide how the Book of Faith Initiative will become a vital part of your ministry so that together we grow in our deep engagement with the word of God. Get involved To get started, visit www.bookoffaith.org and www.twitter.com/bookoffaith.
Join the conversation. Join the Book of Faith social networking group to find ideas, watch videos, download study guides and discuss Scripture online. Join the conversation online by following @bookoffaith on Twitter, joining the Book of Faith group on Facebook, or signing up to receive Book of Faith resource updates from Augsburg Fortress via e-mail. [link to http://www.augsburgfortress.org/eNewsSignup.jsp]
The Book of Faith Initiative strives to increase biblical literacy and fluency for the sake of the world. The Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is committed to this five-year initiative encouraging members, congregations and synods to dig deeper into our book of faith — the Bible.
For many, the encounter with Scripture is limited to the excerpts that are read on Sunday morning. Many of us — and many of our neighbors — are somewhat intimidated and unsure of how to engage Scripture. We believe all are invited to open Scripture and join the conversation.
In order to delve deeper in the word, the Book of Faith Initiative recommends a four-fold method for reading the Bible: devotional, historical, literary and Lutheran theological reading. It’s up to you and your faith community to decide how the Book of Faith Initiative will become a vital part of your ministry so that together we grow in our deep engagement with the word of God. Get involved To get started, visit www.bookoffaith.org and www.twitter.com/bookoffaith.
Join the conversation. Join the Book of Faith social networking group to find ideas, watch videos, download study guides and discuss Scripture online. Join the conversation online by following @bookoffaith on Twitter, joining the Book of Faith group on Facebook, or signing up to receive Book of Faith resource updates from Augsburg Fortress via e-mail. [link to http://www.augsburgfortress.org/eNewsSignup.jsp]
Free Online Learning Opportunity with Corsera
Free online college level courses on topics of religion are available at Coursera.com. To sign up for courses go to www.coursera.com and register with your email to begin enjoying world-class instruction on great topics of faith. The following current offering is recommended as a supplement to Pastor Frank’s class: Becoming the Book: How the Bible Came to Be.
The Bible’s Prehistory, Purpose and Political Future with Dr. Jacob L. Wright of Emory University Candler School of Theology
A six-week course on the history and origins of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) taught by a renowned professor of Jewish Studies
Course Overview: With its walls razed to ground by Babylon’s armies, Jerusalem joined a long line of ancient vanquished cities—from Ur and Nineveh and Persepolis to Babylon itself. While some recovered from the destruction, others did not. But none responded to political catastrophe by fashioning the kind of elaborate and enduring monument to their own downfall that we find in the Bible. Most conquered populations viewed their subjugation as a source of shame, but the Hebrew people claimed their identity anew storytelling, becoming the People of the Book.
The Bible’s Prehistory, Purpose and Political Future with Dr. Jacob L. Wright of Emory University Candler School of Theology
A six-week course on the history and origins of the Hebrew Bible (the Old Testament) taught by a renowned professor of Jewish Studies
Course Overview: With its walls razed to ground by Babylon’s armies, Jerusalem joined a long line of ancient vanquished cities—from Ur and Nineveh and Persepolis to Babylon itself. While some recovered from the destruction, others did not. But none responded to political catastrophe by fashioning the kind of elaborate and enduring monument to their own downfall that we find in the Bible. Most conquered populations viewed their subjugation as a source of shame, but the Hebrew people claimed their identity anew storytelling, becoming the People of the Book.