Let God redeem your speech by thinking before you speak. However, fretting stirs the pot of anger, resentment, bitterness, and an unwillingness to forgive, and when those emotions control your behavior, sin is the result. I’ve found with my groups that each lesson or discussion takes about 45 minutes to go through. Say, “This book was written by James, one of Jesus’ brothers. Lastly, help them complete the craft by punching holes in each end and tying an appropriate length of twine so they may wear their crowns. She believes that through Christ your personal histories don’t have to define your present or determine your future. Ask, “Why do you think James didn’t believe in Jesus until after his resurrection (because they were siblings, so it must have seemed strange that Jesus was the Son of God)?” Explain that James’ book is about maturing as believers, so it gives us spiritual wisdom concerning everyday situations. Would it have been faith if Abraham had waited to obey God before He provided the sacrifice? A changed heart is a heart refined by God’s wisdom, which is what gives us the right words to say at the right time. Be quick to repent and move on. It is HIS divine will that young people come to faith in Jesus Christ and find salvation through the Gospel and the work of the Holy Spirit to bring them to faith. Then write, “Crown of Life” across the length of each crown. James 1:12 reads: Blessed is the man who perseveres under trial, because when he has stood the test, he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. James references Elijah, an ordinary man who God used to accomplish the extraordinary. Typically there are 2 or 3 questions per day. It takes faith to step out into the unknown as an act of obedience. If we want to live from a place of victory, then we must submit to our commander-in-chief, which means that we might actually have to remove certain behaviors or patterns of thoughts from our lives. James BIBLE STUDY LESSON SHEETS. “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting,” but he also followed with encouragement during stressful times, and hope. To prepare, use the crown template (see directions) to draw and cut out a crown out of foam paper for each child. He likens controlling the tongue to a forest set ablaze by a single spark. OPENING PRAYER: “God, help us become stronger and wiser as Christians so we may better serve you. Let God promote, and move you. Who was James (a servant of God and Jesus)? Confession stops shame's power, and the prayer of faith brings healing. Our Christian faith is like that, too. Remember how God has accepted you, and then extend that acceptance to all. James wanted them to grasp a truth taught by Jesus: “A tree is known by its fruit” (Matt. Ministry-To-Children.com helps you tell kids about Jesus by providing age-appropriate Bible study material and Sunday School curriculum – all 100% free online. Sign up for Beliefnet's Bible Reading newsletter. Bible Study Lesson Sheets-- These are lessons designed for either a class or personal study. Amen.” Be aware of the tricks of temptations, and don’t be deceived. ADDRESS: Ministry-To-Children RECAP: Becoming strong and wise in our faith requires trusting God’s plan, persevering through trials, and acting on our beliefs. What does God consider to be “pure” religion (looking after those in need and keeping ourselves from being polluted by the world)? Rejoicing in your trials becomes easier when you can focus on the reason for your hope. … “My dear brothers, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry… (James 1:19).”, Get the word into your spirit as this will help you resist temptation, and other distractions. James tells us that when we show favoritism, we’ve discriminated amongst ourselves and become judges with evil thoughts. Don’t give up. Say, “An analogy is when two things are compared so we can better understand the message. Be humble in your dealing with people. His writings continue to inspire us to grow along with giving us guidelines to avoid pitfalls. Faith comes alive when we exercise trust and joy in God’s presence in our lives. Jesus Prays for Us (John 17) Bible Lesson for Kids, Sunday School Lesson (Matthew 21:33-46) Parable of the Vineyard Tenants. Examine your life for areas where you know you may not be applying God’s principles for living right before him, and as you make the changes to live righteously, your heart will know rest. The acid test of true religion is doing B. Eerdmans, 1985), p. 55. Jesus would visit James after the resurrection changing his brother forever. There is information on stress, putting faith into action, humility, and finding peace during the storms of life. James 3:13 examines inner turmoil, boasting, and jealousy. Please use our childrens ministry curriculum and Sunday School material for any purpose that brings honor to Jesus. Copyright © 2020, iBelieve.com. Desire is a strong motivators in our lives, and temptation plays it like a bow on a fiddle. We need to persevere. Amen.”. James instructs us that living righteously involves getting rid of moral filth and evil in your life. What does glorify God is overlooking an offense instead. Introduction, 1.1 ... you are to read the Book of James from two modern versions (NASB, KJV, NIV,orNKJV). You can connect with her at www.welcomegrace.com  and on Facebook: www.facebook.com/yourJessicaVanRoekel, 10 Books by Diverse Voices You Should Read This Year, Why Jesus’ Plan for Your Child Is so Much Better, Whose Fault Is it that I'm Angry? Please also opt me in for Exclusive Offers from Beliefnet’s Partners, From time to time you will also receive Special Offers from our partners. The early church knew suffering all too well. Jessica lives in a rural community with her husband and four children. She owned her suffering, she entered into it, and didn’t try to numb it away. [James 1:2-4] James calls us to rejoice in our suffering, but it’s easier to fret. We submit to God’s love when we recognize that the only reason we live and move and be is because of His love. All the answers come from the Bible itself. That’s why we never charge for our curriculum or even ask for donations. God resists the proud, and lifts up the humble. James didn’t always believe that … James was the half brother of the Lord Jesus Christ and the leader of the Church of Jerusalem. I might be annoyed at my husband and take it out on my kids, or I wake up with a headache and snap at the nearest living thing. James writes to “Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know that the testing of your faith develops perseverance.” How many times have we gone through trials, and kept looking beyond our inflictions? Jessica Van Roekel is a woman on the journey to wholeness through brokenness. TARGET AGES: 9-12 Children’s Sermon: How Did Jesus Come Back to Life? As we study this entire book, we will learn how to behave and grow as Christ-followers by relying on God.” In 1 Kings 17, Elijah prayed and God answered, stopping any rainfall for three years. If there is anything that takes us away from God, and peace it is hate, anger, and jealousy. We numb our emotions with food, drink, shopping, entertainment, and the pursuit of pleasure. The book of James holds our hand and walks us through the practice of living the Christian faith. Photography is my hobby, and I have spent hours reading about it, but I didn’t start improving until I picked up my camera to use it. Our words have the power to bring life or destruction. Don’t give up when you sinned or have made mistake. See if you can find the analogy in. OPENING ACTIVITY: Ask the children to choose a partner to read James 1 out loud with one another. All rights reserved. If, with your speech, you praise God and curse man, how can you truly say that your faith changes your life? Look to what is pure, and what is above. Resting in God is not passive, but full of action and adventure. What do you do when you meet a cranky person in the store? Persevere in trusting God. Leading a Bible Study of James If you plan to lead a group in studying James, I recommend you look over the handout and scripture verses, and allow yourself some time to delve into the leader’s guide. But when the numbness wears away, we feel the suffering again, so we run back to our vices. We believe that God is the loving Father of all kids. Be patient in suffering. MAIN IDEA: To become a strong and wise believer, we must trust God’s plan, persevere, and obey the bible.