James Study Guide

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James Study Guide

“A Faith that Saves is a Faith that Works”

Introduction

As we pursue Jesus Christ together, we gather to hear God’s Word preached weekly in community. In order for God to fully transform our lives, we must prepare our hearts to hear and respond to His Word. This James Study Guide will help you become a “doer of God’s Word.”

Each week, please read and complete the following sections:

1. Before the Sermon
2. During the Sermon
3. After the Sermon

You may complete these on your own, or with your small group.

May God comfort and convict your heart, by the power of His Holy Spirit, as you interact with the His infallible, living Word!

A Sure Sign of Life
The book of James, controversial because of its emphasis on “good works,” is perhaps best understood through the analogy of movement. In both the physical realm as well as the spiritual realm, where there is life there will be movement.
When a person becomes a Christian, new life begins, and inevitably that life must express itself through “spiritual movement,” or good deeds. In James' words, “What good is it ... if a man claims to have faith but has no deeds?” (2:14)
Movement does not cause life, but it does inevitably follow life. It is a sure sign that life is present. Similarly, genuine faith in Christ should always result in actions that demonstrate faith.
Does James Contradict Paul?
James is not writing about how to become a Christian, but rather how to act like one. Having all the correct beliefs about God will hardly suffice: even demons believe in God. Real, life-giving faith should produce movement, and James minces no words in describing the specific spiritual actions expected of Christians.
Christian thinkers, notably Martin Luther, have struggled to reconcile the message of James with that of Paul, who so firmly warned against slavish legalism. But Paul never belittled holy living. When he wrote to carousers, such as his letter to the Corinthians, he railed against immorality as strongly as James.
Evidently, James' readers were not even flirting with legalism. They lived at the other extreme, ignoring the laws that God had clearly revealed. James had a simple remedy: "Do not merely listen to the word .... Do what it says." (1:22)
Straight to the Point
Unlike the apostle Paul, James was no urbane man of letters. He was a simple, homespun preacher, perturbed at people who were not living right. His letter covers a wide range of topics, applying the Christian faith to specific problems, and commanding readers to live out their beliefs.
Be humble! James orders. Submit to God! Stop sinning! James is as forthright as an Old Testament prophet; it is hard to miss his point.
Modern readers of James face the same dilemma as the first recipients of this unsettling letter. His words are easy enough to understand, but are we doing as he says? What kind of movement characterizes our spiritual lives? As Luther himself said, "You are saved by faith alone, but if faith is alone, it is not faith."
As leader of the headquarters church in Jerusalem, James knew how to speak with authority. You don't have to look for hidden meanings in this book. James tells you clearly how you should act in 54 direct commands. Note that many of these have parallels to Jesus' Sermon on the Mount. As you study these verses, keep in mind the diverse audience he was addressing which included the rich and the poor. Also, notice his "asides" to specific groups.

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Week #1 – James Overview

“A Faith that Saves is a Faith that Works”

Before the Sermon

Scripture: Please read the entire book James and familiarize yourself with the main themes of the book.

Observation: Write out any verses or ideas that initially jumped out at you…

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Application: Write out any specific ways you can apply these observations to your daily life…

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Pray: Conclude your time with God in prayer—thanking God for what you have learned and plan to put into practice this week…

During the Sermon

Today’s Passage: Overview of the book of James

Sermon Notes:

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Big Idea: A faith that saves is a faith that works

Today I am walking away with:Write an application/challenge from today’s sermon

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After the Sermon

1. Who was the author of this letter? (Matt 13:55, Mark 6:3, Luke 24:10, Gal 1:19)

1. When did James become a disciple of Jesus? (1 Cor. 15:7)

1. What stature did he have in the early church? (Acts 1:13-14, 12:17, 15:13, 21:17-19)

1. To whom was he writing this letter? When? Why?

1. What are the main themes of James letter?

Week #2 - James 1:1-12

The Purpose of Trials / The Testing of Faith

Before the Sermon

Scripture: Please read James 1:1-12 and familiarize yourself with passage

Observation: Write out any verses or ideas that jumped out at you…

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Application: Write out any specific ways you can apply these observations to your daily life…

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Pray: Conclude your time with God in prayer—thanking God for what you have learned and plan to put into practice this week…

During the Sermon

Today’s Passage: James 1:1-12

Sermon Notes:

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Big Idea: Christians should welcome trials (since they deepen our faith and produce maturity), ask God for wisdom with trusting confidence, and beware of the illusion of material wealth.

Today I am walking away with:Write an application/challenge from today’s sermon

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After the Sermon

Memory verses: James 1:2-3

1. Notice the three themes; hardship, perseverance, and wisdom. What does James say is the purpose for hardship? (James 1:2-3, Romans 5:1-5, 1 Peter 1:3-9)

1. What does he tell us about perseverance? (Romans 2:7, 8:24-25, 2 Cor 6:3-7, 2 Peter 1:3-9)

1. Where does he tell us to seek wisdom? (James 1:5, Job 28:28, Ps 111:10, Prov 2:6 and 29:15, 1 Cor 12:8, Col 3:16. Also see first four chapters of Proverbs)

1. How should we treat doubt? (Ps 33:4, Matt 21:21-22)

1. What is the "spiritual contradiction" raised in vs. 9-11? (See the parable of the sower in Mark 4:3-20 for Jesus' words on this subject.)

1. In what should we take pride? (vs 9, Romans 15:17, Gal 6:4)
   

Week #3 - James 1:13-18

Pedigree of Trials / Source of Temptation

Before the Sermon

Scripture: Please read James 1:13-18 and familiarize yourself with the passage

Observation: Write out any verses or ideas that jumped out at you…

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Application: Write out any specific ways you can apply these observations to your daily life…

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Pray: Conclude your time with God in prayer—thanking God for what you have learned and plan to put into practice this week…

During the Sermon

Today’s Passage: James 1:13-18

Sermon Notes:

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Big Idea: God is the truth and light; he does not tempt, rather our own lusts produce temptation, sin, and death.

Today I am walking away with:Write an application/challenge from today’s sermon

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After the Sermon

Memory verse: James 1:17

1. What is the difference between God's view of wealth and the world's view?

1. What is the difference between a "trial" and a "temptation"?

1. Where do temptations come from? (Matt 4:1, 18:7-9, Mark 9:42-50, 1 Cor 7:5)

1. How should we deal with temptation? (Matt 4:1-11, 26:41, Luke 22:40, 46, 1 Cor 10:13, Heb 4:15, 2 Tim 2:22, 1 Peter 5:8)

1. What is the difference between the "birth description" in verse 15 and verse 18?

1. How would you summarize the first 18 verses of James? What actions are called for?

Week #4 - James 1:19-27

Listening and Doing

Before the Sermon

Scripture: Please read James 1:19-27 and familiarize yourself with the passage

Observation: Write out any verses or ideas that jumped out at you…

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Application: Write out any specific ways you can apply these observations to your daily life…

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Pray: Conclude your time with God in prayer—thanking God for what you have learned and plan to put into practice this week…

During the Sermon

Today’s Passage: James 1:19-27

Sermon Notes:

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Big Idea: Christians should be slow to speak, but quick to listen to, abide in, and live out God’s word.

Today I am walking away with:Write an application/challenge from today’s sermon

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After the Sermon

Memory verse: 1:22

1. What is the wisdom expressed in Verse 19? (Proverbs 10:19, 10:32, 12:18, 13:3, 15:31-32)

1. What are some characteristics of a wise person who you know?

1. In verse 1:19 is James saying that anger is wrong?

1. What does anger lead us into? (Proverbs 14:17, 29:22, Psalm 37:8, Colossians 3:21)

1. How does that resonate with you personally?

1. What is the command in verse 1:21?

1. How do we shed "moral filth and evil" (NIV)? (See 1 John 1:9)

1. In verses 1:21, 22 and 23, James refers to the "word." To what does that refer? (James 1:18, Jeremiah 31:33-34)

1. How are we to react to that ‘word’ and what are are we to do with it?

1. What does being a doer of the word prove about us? (Acts 26:20)

1. What is the 'law' that James refers to in verse 1:25 and why is it perfect?

1. How does obedience provide freedom? (Isaiah 55:7-9, Luke 6:46-49)

1. What is the difference between knowing and doing God's will?

1. What freedom or liberty does doing God's will provide? (Romans 8:2)

1. What does the world think that the word 'religion' means? When someone is described as 'religious' on the street or in a movie, what is meant?

1. What does James say is the key characteristic of religious behavior?

1. What does James say is the 'religion' that God accepts?

Week #5 - James 2:1-13

Favoritism Forbidden

Before the Sermon

Scripture: Please read James 2:1-13 and familiarize yourself with the passage

Observation: Write out any verses or ideas that jumped out at you…

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Application: Write out any specific ways you can apply these observations to your daily life…

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Pray: Conclude your time with God in prayer—thanking God for what you have learned and plan to put into practice this week…

During the Sermon

Today’s Passage: James 2:1-13

Sermon Notes:

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Big Idea: Christians must not discriminate against anyone because such behavior is inconsistent with God’s choice of the poor, the conduct of the rich, and the law of love.

Today I am walking away with:Write an application/challenge from today’s sermon

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After the Sermon

Memory verse: 2:10

1. To who was James writing and how does he describe them? What was their economic situation?

1. Where is James prohibiting discrimination specifically (vs 2:2)?

1. How does the world treat the wealthy vs. the poor?

1. Why would first-century believers find James' concept revolutionary? (Deuteronomy 7:12-14)

1. How does one inherit God's Kingdom? (John 1:12)

1. Do we experience what James describes in Verses 2:6 and 7?

1. If we show partiality or favoritism based on worldly measures of worth, what do we risk? (Matthew 7:13-14)

1. Do Verses 2:12 and 13 remind you of any of Jesus' teaching? (Matthew 5:21-26)

1. Are Christians under the Law?

1. What was the purpose of the Law?

1. If the Law restrains us out of fear, what does grace inspire in us?

Week #6 - James 2:14-26
Faith and Deeds

Before the Sermon

Scripture: Please read James 2:14-26 and familiarize yourself with the passage

Observation: Write out any verses or ideas that jumped out at you…

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Application: Write out any specific ways you can apply these observations to your daily life…

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Pray: Conclude your time with God in prayer—thanking God for what you have learned and plan to put into practice this week…

During the Sermon

Today’s Passage: James 2:14-26

Sermon Notes:

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Big Idea: A faith that saves is a faith that works

Today I am walking away with:Write an application/challenge from today’s sermon

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After the Sermon

Memory verse: James 2:26

1. In verse 14, James speaks of a person having faith without deeds and asks, "Can such faith save him?" Can it?

1. Is this part of James a "Saving" text or a "Sign" text?

1. What does Jesus say about faith and works (Matthew 7:26)?

1. Proper motivation is important in understanding the value of our works. What are we being asked to do and why? (1 John 3:16-18)

1. Give a modern example of the situation described in verses James 2:15-16.

1. Doesn't James 2:18 contradict Paul in Romans 3:28 when he writes "man is justified (saved) by faith without the deeds (works) of the law"?

1. Was Abraham saved by faith or works? (Genesis 15:3-6, Romans 4:3).

1. Chronology is an important word when it comes to faith and works. Explain this example noting the sequence (Eph 2:8-9 and Eph 2:10).

1. Was there a similar sequence in Abraham's story in James 2:21-24?

1. Summarize the story of Rahab the prostitute in James 2:25 (Joshua 2:1-24 and 6:17-27, Hebrews 11:31).

1. Explain the "job description" God gives us in Colossians 3:23-24.

1. Do Paul's words in Colossians 3:23 and 2 Corinthians 5:10 provide motivation for letting your deeds demonstrate your faith?

1. What are some examples of works that pass through the fires of God's judgment and are rewarded as described in 1 Corinthians 3:10-15?

1. Think about:
   1. Improper motives that get you involved in doing good works.
   2. Excuses you have given the Lord for not being more involved in His service.
   3. Does your life prove (or lack evidence) that you believe the statement: "Only one life, t'will soon be past, and only what's done for Christ will last."

Week #7 - James 3:1-12

An Unruly Tongue

Before the Sermon

Scripture: Please read James 3:1-12 and familiarize yourself with the passage

Observation: Write out any verses or ideas that jumped out at you…

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Application: Write out any specific ways you can apply these observations to your daily life…

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Pray: Conclude your time with God in prayer—thanking God for what you have learned and plan to put into practice this week…

During the Sermon

Today’s Passage: James 3:1-12

Sermon Notes:

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Big Idea: Believers must control their speech because the tongue has an influence on life for good and bad that is all out of proportion to its size.

Today I am walking away with:Write an application/challenge from today’s sermon

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After the Sermon

Memory verse: James 3:2

1. In Verse 3:1, who was James warning about becoming a teacher? And why?

1. Does (or should) James' admonishment about judging teachers more strictly still apply today? (Luke 12:48)
   
2. In Verse 3:2, James says, "if anyone makes no mistakes in what he says, he is a perfect man." Is anyone a perfect man?

1. Why is James emphasizing being perfect in Verse 3:2 and also back in Verse 1:4 ("be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing")?

1. How can we move closer to perfection?

1. In Verse 3:2, is James talking about what we do say or what we don't say?

1. James gives four examples of a small thing controlling or overpowering a large one. What are they?

1. Why does he emphasize the negative example of the fire so much more than the positive examples of the horse's bit or ship's rudder? (Matthew 15:11, 18-19)

1. What are some examples of an untamed tongue? (Proverbs 12:18-19, 13:3, 16:27, 17:7, 18:8, 25:18, Matt 7:15, Eph 4:25, Philippians 2:14)

1. There's an old saying, "Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words can never hurt me." Is it true?

1. If no human being can control the tongue (Verse 8), why bother trying? (Psalm 140:1-3)

1. Have you ever said contradictory things as in Verses 9-10? Which speech pattern represents your true identity?

1. How is the power of words used by the Holy Spirit within a person of faith?

1. To think about:
2. Do your words more often help than hurt?
3. Do they reveal your true self, or do they conceal you from others?
4. Do they hide God, or do they praise him?
5. Do you say the same words when someone is present as when she's absent?
6. Are you more likely to wield your tongue as a weapon of your flesh, or employ it as an instrument of the Spirit?

Week #8 - James 3:13-18

Two Kinds of Wisdom

Before the Sermon

Scripture: Please read James 3:3-18 and familiarize yourself with the passage

Observation: Write out any verses or ideas that jumped out at you…

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Application: Write out any specific ways you can apply these observations to your daily life…

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Pray: Conclude your time with God in prayer—thanking God for what you have learned and plan to put into practice this week…

During the Sermon

Today’s Passage: James 3:13-18

Sermon Notes:

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Big Idea: By their good conduct, Christians should demonstrate heavenly rather

than worldly wisdom.

Today I am walking away with:Write an application/challenge from today’s sermon

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After the Sermon

Memory verse: 3:13

1. How has James described wisdom previously? (James 1:5-8)

1. What does he say is the evidence of wisdom in Verse 3:13?

1. How does he characterize 'earthly wisdom?'

1. What is the result of 'earthly wisdom?'

1. How does he describe 'heavenly wisdom? What does it produce?

1. What is the similarity that James shows between 'faith' and 'wisdom' (or understanding)? (Compare James 3:17 with Galatians 5:22)

1. In Verse 4:1, who is fighting and quarreling?

1. If you experienced fighting and quarreling in your family or where you lived, how would you be tempted to explain it?

1. How does James explain it?

1. Where does the spiritual battle take place?

1. What is James criticizing in Verses 4:2-3?

1. In Verse 4:4, why does James use the phrase 'adulterous people?' (Jeremiah 31:31-34)

1. What did Jesus say about God and the world? (Matthew 6:24, John 15:18-19)
   

Week #9 - James 4:1-12

Submit Yourself to God

Before the Sermon

Scripture: Please read James 4:1-12 and familiarize yourself with the passage