Be a Simple Kind of Man

In one paragraph

The pastor closed out the study of James on Mother's Day by drawing a straight line between the book's direct, loving commands and the kind of advice a good mother gives. The sermon moved through the final passage of James alongside a few unexpected companions: Linda Sue McDaniel, and Lynyrd Skynyrd's "Simple Man." the pastor opened by noting that James 5:13-20 is built from imperatives, as the...

Read together

1. James 5:13-20 the main passage for the sermon, covering prayer for the suffering, cheerful singing, calling the elders for the sick, anointing with oil, and the prayer of faith
2. James 1:2-4 quoted on counting it all joy when falling into various trials and the testing of faith producing patience
3. James 1:12 quoted on the man who endures temptation receiving the crown of life
4. James 1:16-17 quoted on not being deceived and every good and perfect gift coming down from the father of lights
5. James 1:19 referenced as an imperative to be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath
6. James 2:1-7 quoted on not holding the faith with partiality, the man with gold rings versus the poor man in filthy clothes
7. Romans 8:1 cited when saying there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus

Talk about it

1. The pastor pointed out that James puts the responsibility on the sick person to call the elders, rather than leaving it to family or friends. What do you think holds people back from asking the church for prayer, and what would it look like for this congregation to make that easier?
2. The pastor described the prayer of a righteous person as having 'great power as it is working,' suggesting the prayer itself is doing something even before any visible healing occurs. What does that change about the way you approach praying for someone who is sick?
3. The pastor said he had been 'taking the edge off' James in previous sermons, almost apologizing for how hard the book is, but then realized James is giving loving advice the way a mother does. Has there been a passage in James over these weeks that felt harsh to you at first? How does hearing it as a mother's voice change anything?
4. The song 'Simple Man' keeps returning to the same chord progression without ever fully resolving, and the pastor said a mother's advice or James's advice only resolves in a life where it is actually taken. Where in your own life are you aware of biblical instruction you have heard repeatedly but have not yet acted on?
5. James says to forget the lust for the rich man's gold, and the pastor connected that to the passage where James rebukes favoritism toward the wealthy. In practical terms, where do you notice yourself or your community treating people differently based on what they appear to have?