Bonus Lesson-Summary and Review
Summary and Review
Notes for Small Groups: This session is a summary and review of this book. Because of that, it is shorter than the previous lessons. If you are using this in a small-group setting, consider combining this lesson with a time of fellowship or a shared meal.
Before you begin …
• Pray for the Holy Spirit to reveal truth and wisdom as you go through this lesson.
• Briefly review the notes you made in the previous sessions. You’ll be referring to previous chapters throughout this bonus lesson.
Looking Back
1. Over the past eight lessons, you’ve been examining what it means to grow in maturity. Now that you’ve spent lots of time with James’ words, how would you define Christian maturity? Has your definition changed at all from when you first started this study? Why or why not?
2. What is the most significant personal discovery you’ve made from this study of James?
3. What surprised you most about the book of James? What, if anything, troubled you?
Progress Report
4. Take a few moments to review the “Going Forward” sections of the previous lessons. How would you rate your progress for each of the things you chose to work on? What adjustments, if any, do you need to make to continue on the path toward spiritual maturity?
5. In what ways have you grown closer to Christ during this study? Take a moment to celebrate those things. Then think of areas where you feel you still need to grow and note those here. Make plans to revisit this study in a few weeks to review your growing faith.
Things to Pray About
6. James packs a lot of challenges in his letter. You may feel overwhelmed at times when considering all that he writes about. Take a few minutes to pray for a greater understanding of God’s truth and that God would reveal to you just what He wants you to discover among all the wisdom and admonition.
7. Taking a step or two toward maturity is a great thing. But like so much of life, you may sometimes feel like you’re taking two steps back for every step forward. Take a few minutes to ask God to help cement the learning in your heart so it becomes your new nature.
8. Whether you’ve been studying this in a small group or on your own, there are many other Christians working through the very same issues you discovered when exploring James. Take time to pray for each of them, that God would reveal truth, that the Holy Spirit would guide you, and that each person might grow in spiritual maturity according to God’s will.
A Blessing of Encouragement
Studying the Bible is one of the best ways to learn how to be more like Christ. Thanks for taking this step. In closing, let this blessing precede you and follow you into the next week while you continue to marinate in God’s Word:
May God light your path to greater understanding as you review the truths found in the book of James and consider how they can help you grow closer to Christ.