Push the Limits Live What You Believe JAMES Push the Limits Live What You Believe Speaking Wisdom James 1:5-8

“A penny saved is a penny earned.” “Early to bed and early to rise makes a man healthy, wealthy and wise.” “Never leave that till tomorrow which you can do today.” “If You Do Not Exceed In Quantity As You Lessen the Times, Half Your Expense in These Articles Will Be Saved”

“Don’t Give Too Much For the Whistle” “Rather Go To Bed without Dinner than To Rise in Debt” “Think What You Do When You Run In Debt: You Give To Another Power Over Your Liberty” “He That Is Of the Opinion Money Will Do Everything May Well Be Suspected Of Doing Everything for Money”

“Never Keep Borrowed Money an Hour Beyond The Time You Promised” “Buy What Thou Hast No Need Of, and Before Long Thou Shalt Sell Thy Necessaries” “The Eyes Of Other People Are The Eyes That Ruin Us. If All But Myself Were Blind I Should Want Neither Fine Clothes, Fine Houses Nor Fine Furniture” “Never Keep Borrowed Money an Hour Beyond The Time You Promised” “Gain May Be Temporary and Uncertain, but Ever While You Live, Expense Is Constant And Certain”

What is the meaning of wisdom? (James 1:5) Seeking Wisdom What is the meaning of wisdom? (James 1:5) How does the Giver of wisdom give? How should the seeker of wisdom ask? (James 1:6-8)

Discussion Guide 1. In James 1, what word connects verses 4 and 5? What does this tell us about the relationship between wisdom and being a person who is “mature and complete?” (James 1:4-5) The word connecting verses 4 and 5 is “lack” or “lacking.” The result of perseverance in the life of a believer is to be “mature and complete, lacking nothing.” James says in verse 5 that if we lack wisdom, we should ask God for it.

When we ask God for wisdom He gives generously. Discussion Guide 2. According to James, how does God respond when we ask for wisdom? (James 1:5) When we ask God for wisdom He gives generously.

Discussion Guide 3. When have you asked God for wisdom? Did you find Him to be generous?

4. For what world problems do we need to seek God’s wisdom? Discussion Guide 4. For what world problems do we need to seek God’s wisdom?

Discussion Guide 5. What conditions did James put on his instructions regarding prayer for wisdom? (James 1:6) James says that the person who prays for wisdom must believe and not doubt.

Discussion Guide 6. How does James describe a person who doubts? (James 1:7) James says that a person who doubts “is like a wave of the sea that is blown and tossed by the wind.”

A doubter should not expect to receive anything from God. Discussion Guide 7. How does doubt affect a person’s prayer? (James 1:7) A doubter should not expect to receive anything from God.

Discussion Guide 8. What does it mean to be a “double-minded person?” How can we avoid being “double- minded?”

Charles Blondin

Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us. Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy set before him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 12:1-2 (NIV)