Usurping the Throne and Buying Tomorrow (James 4:11-17 | Proverbs 16:9)

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Judging our neighbor and presuming to control the future rejects God’s rightful rule over us.


  1. Usurping the Throne (4:11-12)
    a. Talking Down to Your Neighbor (4:11)
    b. One is the Lawgiver and Judge (4:12)

  2. Buying Tomorrow (4:13-17)
    a. Tomorrow’s Presumption (4:13)
    b. You’re Not Promised Tomorrow (4:14-17)
    c. Hope for Tomorrow
    d. A Feast for Tomorrow

Discussion Starters

  1. Monday—How do you feel when you “talk down” to other people? Why do you think it’s easy for us to judge our brothers and sisters? Discuss what it means to judge one another.

  2. Tuesday— Is James saying that we shouldn’t make moral judgments or discern what is right and wrong? If no, what kind of judgment is James talking about?

  3. Wednesday—Are you ever nervous and anxious about the future? Why or why not? Discuss your process and mindset as you plan for the future.

  4. Thursday—How does knowing the fleeting nature of human existence change the way we approach tomorrow? What difference does it make to know that God is in control over your future? How do you or should you live in light of his sovereignty?

  5. Friday—In context, what does James mean when he says, “So whoever knows the right thing to do and fails to do it, for him it is sin”? Why can you trust Jesus with your future? And how does that change the way you treat other people?