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Disciple: James

 {Disciples} JAMES_ 

Hating our enemies 

 
Nicknames can be fun or cruel. 
Jesus gave two of his disciples a nickname. He called James and John “sons of thunder” - a reflection of their passionate, zealous, sometimes ‘stormy’ personalities... 

 

[Group discussion starter] Have you ever had a nickname? Did it accurately reflect anything about you? 

 

Even though James was one of the three disciples in Jesus’ inner circle, he’s one of the least familiar of the twelve. James never appears alone in the Gospels. He is always linked with his better-known brother, John. 
We get a glimpse of why James was a “son of thunder” in this account of a journey Jesus and his followers took through Samaria. Jesus sent some of them ahead to find lodging in a Samaritan village... 

 

[Read Luke 9:51-56] 

 

Where was Jesus going and what significant events were on the horizon of his life? 

 

The Jews and the Samaritans were cultural enemies in Jesus’ day, but Jesus had never shown anything but good will toward Samaritans. 
Describe the Samaritans’ response to Jesus and his disciples. 

 
How do you handle it when someone rejects you because of personal prejudice or from some other petty reason? 

 

What does the suggestion from James and John tell you about their normal approach to obstacles or obstinate people? 

 
What kind of spiritual leaders would they have been at this point? 

 

What do you think Jesus rebuked them for? Their zeal? Their attitude? Their own prejudices? Explain. 

 

What was Jesus trying to cultivate in James by his rebuke and his response of moving on to another village? 

 

What attitude or quick reaction in you might Jesus single out for rebuke? 
What would Jesus say to you? 

 

[Read Acts 12:1-2] 

 

James was the first apostle to be killed for his faith. Herod Agrippa I arrested both James and Peter (Acts 12: 3), but Peter was miraculously delivered from Herod’s prison. How would you explain to other Christians why God spared Peter, but not James? 

 

In what ways do you want to be like James? 

 

What aspects of James’ early character do you want to avoid or correct in your life? 

 

Eusebius, an early church historian, passes on this account of James’ death: 

“[The man] who led James to the judgement-seat [for trial], when he saw him bearing his testimony, was moved and confessed that he, himself, was also a Christian. They were both therefore led away together; and on the way he begged James to forgive him. And [James] after considering a little, said, ‘Peace be with thee’ and kissed him. And thus they were both beheaded at the same time.” 

 
What response, do you think, would the “old” James have made to this request for forgiveness? 

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