Intro to James

This book of the Bible is named after its author, James. It is believed that themost likely author of James is the brother of Jesus. The recipients of this letter were Jewish believers who had been dispersedmost likely from the martyrdom of Stephen. James' focus in his writings was ongodly behavior, much like Proverbs. This book is a call to action. As you read through this book and study it in your huddle this semester, wechallenge you to take these practical life lessons with you and live them out inyour daily life and in your walk with the Lord. James holds nothing back andyou will be challenged. You will be called to action!

The question is:Are you strong enough to follow?

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes scatteredamong the nations: Greetings. 2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of manykinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance.4 Letperseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lackinganything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to allwithout finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe andnot doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by thewind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. 8 Such a person isdouble-minded and unstable in all they do. 9 Believers in humble circumstances ought to take pride in their high position.10 But the richshould take pride in their humiliation—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For thesun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty isdestroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business. 12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the test, thatperson will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.

Scripture:James 1:1-12

Questions:

1. What can trials accomplish in the life of a believer and how should we respond to them? 2. Is there something in your life that you would call a trial or test? What makes it hard to bejoyful in the midst of that difficulty? 3. In what way do trials prove our faith? Have you been proving your faith through the trialyou mentioned in question 2? 4. What does it mean to be double-minded? Give an example, if you can. 5. How would you define endurance as it relates to the Christian life? According to James1:12, why is it important that we persevere?

13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted byevil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are draggedaway by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birthto sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is fromabove, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change likeshifting shadows. 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth, that we might be akind of first-fruits of all he created.

Scripture:James 1:13-18

Questions:

1. What do you learn about God's nature in this passage (vs 13, 17)? 2. Describe the progression from temptation to sin based on this passage. Do you see thisplay out in your own life? 3. In what ways can we be deceived when it comes to temptation? 4. How much are you tempted to blame other people or circumstances for your own sin? 5. Read Ephesians 2:5-6. What has God done in the life of each believer that, in effect,gives them no excuse for sin?

19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slowto speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce therighteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is soprevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you. 22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.23 Anyonewho listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face ina mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he lookslike. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues init—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. 26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on theirtongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless. 27 Religion that God our Fatheraccepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress andto keep oneself from being polluted by the world.

Scripture:James 1:19-27

Questions:

1. How will true believers behave (vs 19-22)? 2. What must we do to properly receive God's Word (vs 21)? How do we do this? 3. Why is humility necessary in hearing and obeying God's Word (vs 21)? 4. Reflect on your life and habits. Do your actions show that you have receivedChrist and are following Him in obedience? 5. Are you aware of any specific situations in your life in which you are not doing what youknow God's Word calls you to do? Why the reluctance to obey? Ask God to bring about Hisdesired transformation in your life.

1 My brothers and sisters, believers in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ must not showfavoritism. 2 Suppose a man comes into your meeting wearing a gold ring and fine clothes,and a poor man in filthy old clothes also comes in. 3 If you show special attention to the manwearing fine clothes and say, “Here’s a good seat for you,” but say to the poor man, “Youstand there” or “Sit on the floor by my feet,”4 have you not discriminated among yourselvesand become judges with evil thoughts? 5 Listen, my dear brothers and sisters: Has not God chosen those who are poor in the eyesof the world to be rich in faith and to inherit the kingdom he promised those who lovehim? 6 But you have dishonored the poor. Is it not the rich who are exploiting you? Are theynot the ones who are dragging you into court? 7 Are they not the ones who are blasphemingthe noble name of him to whom you belong? 8 If you really keep the royal law found in Scripture, “Love your neighbor as yourself,”youare doing right. 9 But if you show favoritism, you sin and are convicted by the law aslawbreakers. 10 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point isguilty of breaking all of it. 11 For he who said, “You shall not commit adultery,”also said,“You shall not murder.” If you do not commit adultery but do commit murder, you havebecome a lawbreaker. 12 Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that givesfreedom, 13 because judgment without mercy will be shown to anyone who has not beenmerciful. Mercy triumphs over judgment.

Scripture:James 2:1-13

Questions:

1. Why is showing partiality incompatible with faith? 2. How does James use the law to explain the problem of partiality (vs 8-10)? 3. Read Matthew 22:34-40. How can obeying these great commands eliminate the sin ofpartiality and favoritism among people of faith? 4. What is the root of favoritism, the cause of showing partiality? 5. Numerous passages in Scripture call on believers to show compassion to the poor.Identify 2 or 3 concrete ways you can begin to obey this command this week.

14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has nodeeds? Can such faith save them? 15 Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes anddaily food. 16 If one of you says to them, “Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,” but doesnothing about their physical needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith by itself, if it isnot accompanied by action, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith; I have deeds.” Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith by my deeds.19 You believethat there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that—and shudder. 20 You foolish person, do you want evidence that faith without deeds is useless?

Scripture:James 2:14-20

Questions:

1. What 2 examples does James cite to show the futility of faith without works (vs 15-16,19)? How are these good examples of dead faith? 2. What did James mean when he said that the "demons believe"? How does thisemphasize the difference between dead faith and genuine saving faith? 3. What have you learned about the dangers of only doing good works? What about onlyhaving a head-knowledge faith? 4. If you were on trial for being a Christian, would there be enough evidence to convict you?What undeniable proof of God's saving and sanctifying work do you see in your life? 5. Martin Luther wrote, "If works and love do not blossom forth, it is not genuine faith, thegospel has not yet gained a foothold, and Christ is not yet rightly known." Stop and reflecton this. Has the gospel gained a foothold in your life? How can you blossom forth in loveand good works this week?

21 Was not our father Abraham considered righteous for what he did when he offered hisson Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that his faith and his actions were working together, andhis faith was made complete by what he did. 23 And the scripture was fulfilled that says,“Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness,” and he was calledGod’s friend. 24 You see that a person is considered righteous by what they do and not byfaith alone. 25 In the same way, was not even Rahab the prostitute considered righteous for what shedid when she gave lodging to the spies and sent them off in a different direction? 26 As thebody without the spirit is dead, so faith without deeds is dead.

Scripture:James 2:21-26

Questions:

1. What 3 illustrations does James give to continue illustrating his point that faith withoutworks is dead? 2. Paul tells us we are justified by faith alone. James tells us our works prove our faith. Thisseems contradictory. How do you explain this seeming contradiction? 3. How would you answer the person who argued for James 2:21 that our works (orbehavior) do play an important role in our salvation (look to Ephesians 2:8-9 for help)? 4. In the overall pattern of your life, do your actions vindicate that you do, in fact, possessaving faith? Explain your answer. 5. What are some simple but concrete "faith steps" you could take today to force yourselfout of your "comfort zone" and into a position where you have no choice but to rely on God?

1 Not many of you should become teachers, my fellow believers, because you know that wewho teach will be judged more strictly. 2 We all stumble in many ways. Anyone who is neverat fault in what they say is perfect, able to keep their whole body in check. 3 When we put bits into the mouths of horses to make them obey us, we can turn the wholeanimal. 4 Or take ships as an example. Although they are so large and are driven by strongwinds, they are steered by a very small rudder wherever the pilot wants to go. 5 Likewise,the tongue is a small part of the body, but it makes great boasts. Consider what a greatforest is set on fire by a small spark. 6 The tongue also is a fire, a world of evil among theparts of the body. It corrupts the whole body, sets the whole course of one’s life on fire, andis itself set on fire by hell. 7 All kinds of animals, birds, reptiles and sea creatures are being tamed and have beentamed by mankind, 8 but no human being can tame the tongue. It is a restless evil, full ofdeadly poison. 9 With the tongue we praise our Lord and Father, and with it we curse human beings, whohave been made in God’s likeness. 10 Out of the same mouth come praise and cursing. Mybrothers and sisters, this should not be. 11 Can both fresh water and salt water flow fromthe same spring? 12 My brothers and sisters, can a fig tree bear olives, or a grapevine bearfigs? Neither can a salt spring produce fresh water.

Scripture:James 3:1-12

Questions:

1. According to James, where does the root of the problem of speech lie? 2. What types of evils are caused by the tongue? 3. What are the metaphors James uses to describe the tongue? How do they apply to life? 4. Are there any people you have publicly slandered or maligned? How can you "fix" thissituation? What do you need to do (see Matthew 5:21-24 for help)? 5. Using what you've learned, what 2 ways can you avoid sins of speech this next week?

13 Who is wise and understanding among you? Let them show it by their good life, bydeeds done in the humility that comes from wisdom. 14 But if you harbor bitter envy andselfish ambition in your hearts, do not boast about it or deny the truth.15 Such “wisdom”does not come down from heaven but is earthly, unspiritual, demonic. 16 For where youhave envy and selfish ambition, there you find disorder and every evil practice. 17 But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving,considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial andsincere.18 Peacemakers who sow in peace reap a harvest of righteousness.

Scripture:James 3:13-18

Questions:

1. How do we show that we are wise? 2. How is godly wisdom described and defined in this passage? 3. What does it mean that God’s wisdom is pure (vs 17)? 4. What is the source of true wisdom? How do we get it? 5. What are 5 concrete ways a Christian can acquire God’s wisdom? Identify the ones youpractice regularly. Discuss those that need to become part of your daily experience and howyou plan to make that happen.

1 What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don’t they come from your desires thatbattle within you? 2 You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot getwhat you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not askGod. 3 When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that youmay spend what you get on your pleasures. 4 You adulterous people, don’t you know that friendship with the world means enmityagainst God? Therefore, anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes anenemy of God. 5 Or do you think Scripture says without reason that he jealously longs forthe spirit he has caused to dwell in us? 6 But he gives us more grace. That is why Scripturesays: “God opposes the proud but shows favor to the humble.” 7 Submit yourselves, then, to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.8 Come nearto God and he will come near to you. Wash your hands, you sinners, and purify yourhearts, you double-minded. 9 Grieve, mourn and wail. Change your laughter to mourningand your joy to gloom. 10 Humble yourselves before the Lord, and he will lift you up. 11 Brothers and sisters, do not slander one another. Anyone who speaks against a brotheror sister[d] or judges them speaks against the law and judges it. When you judge the law,you are not keeping it, but sitting in judgment on it. 12 There is only one Lawgiver andJudge, the one who is able to save and destroy. But you—who are you to judge yourneighbor?

Scripture:James 4:1-12

Questions:

1. How do you define “worldliness”? Give some examples of what you would consider“worldly”. 2. What does it mean to be friends of the world? What does it mean to be at enmity withGod (vs 4)? 3. Summarize the remedy James gives for being restored to God (vs 6-10). 4. Using vs 8-9 as well as Psalm 24:3-4, what are the prerequisites to drawing near to God?How do we do this? 5. How do your actions reveal where your true affections lie? In what ways are you tooenamored with the things of this world?

13 Now listen, you who say, “Today or tomorrow we will go to this or that city, spend a yearthere, carry on business and make money.” 14 Why, you do not even know what willhappen tomorrow. What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and thenvanishes. 15 Instead, you ought to say, “If it is the Lord’s will, we will live and do this orthat.” 16 As it is, you boast in your arrogant schemes. All such boasting is evil. 17 If anyone,then, knows the good they ought to do and doesn’t do it, it is sin for them.

Scripture:James 4:13-17

Questions:

1. How does James characterize our lives (i.e., the length of our lives)? Why is it significant? 2. Why does James insist that we preface our plans by saying, “If the Lord wills...”? Whatdoes this mindset indicate? 3. What are some things in your life you know are the will of God? What are some thingsyou know are not? 4. How do you become more focused on knowing and doing the will of God? 5. Where do we find what is good? Are you holding these good things as serious as Jameswhen he said it is a sin if you do not do them?

1 Now listen, you rich people, weep and wail because of the misery that is coming onyou. 2 Your wealth has rotted, and moths have eaten your clothes.3 Your gold and silverare corroded. Their corrosion will testify against you and eat your flesh like fire. You havehoarded wealth in the last days. 4 Look! The wages you failed to pay the workers whomowed your fields are crying out against you. The cries of the harvesters have reached theears of the Lord Almighty. 5 You have lived on earth in luxury and self-indulgence. You havefattened yourselves in the day of slaughter. 6 You have condemned and murdered theinnocent one, who was not opposing you. 7 Be patient, then, brothers and sisters, until the Lord’s coming. See how the farmer waitsfor the land to yield its valuable crop, patiently waiting for the autumn and springrains. 8 You too, be patient and stand firm, because the Lord’s coming is near. 9 Don’tgrumble against one another, brothers and sisters, or you will be judged. The Judge isstanding at the door! 10 Brothers and sisters, as an example of patience in the face of suffering, take theprophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. 11 As you know, we count as blessed thosewho have persevered. You have heard of Job’s perseverance and have seen what the Lordfinally brought about. The Lord is full of compassion and mercy. 12 Above all, my brothers and sisters, do not swear—not by heaven or by earth or byanything else. All you need to say is a simple “Yes” or “No.” Otherwise you will becondemned.

Scripture:James 5:1-12

Questions:

1. What charges does James bring against the rich? Why was he so harsh (vs 6)? 2. Does James teach that it is a sin to be wealthy? How do you support your answer? 3. Which do you have to watch out for more in your own life: acquiring money ruthlessly orunjustly, hoarding money uselessly, or spending money self-indulgently? What needs tochange in your view of money and how to handle it? 4. How does James counsel his readers to respond in times of trouble? 5. Why do we struggle with just letting our “yes” be “yes” and our “no” be “no”? Ask God tohelp you honor Him this week by speaking with integrity.

13 Is anyone among you in trouble? Let them pray. Is anyone happy? Let them sing songsof praise. 14 Is anyone among you sick? Let them call the elders of the church to pray overthem and anoint them with oil in the name of the Lord. 15 And the prayer offered in faith willmake the sick person well; the Lord will raise them up. If they have sinned, they will beforgiven. 16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that youmay be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective. 17 Elijah was a human being, even as we are. He prayed earnestly that it would not rain,and it did not rain on the land for three and a half years. 18 Again he prayed, and theheavens gave rain, and the earth produced its crops. 19 My brothers and sisters, if one of you should wander from the truth and someone shouldbring that person back, 20 remember this: Whoever turns a sinner from the error of theirway will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins.

Scripture:James 5:13-20

Questions:

1. How can prayer make a real difference in the life of someone who is struggling? 2. What do you learn from Elijah’s example of faithful prayer? 3. To what group does James give the label “sinner”? Read Acts 3:19. What does it teachabout the necessity of sinners turning from sin? Salvation requires what? 4. We can’t pray for each other if we don’t share our struggles and needs. Take a fewminutes to share what is going on in your life with your group so you can all be praying foreach other. 5. As we come to end the book of James, what core truths will you take away from thisstudy?