The Book of James Small Group Bible Study Coordinated with Sermons by Pastor Steve LoVellette Evangelical Free Church of Green Valley, AZ Autumn 2017 Lessons prepared by Dave McCracken Table of Contents Sermons on the Book of James Topic Lesson Page Introduction iii James 1 1 1 Warning Against Prejudice, James 2:1-13 2 3 Faith Without Deeds is Dead, James 2:14-26 3 5 Controlling the Tongue , James 3:1-12 4 7 True Wisdom Comes From God, James 3:13-18 5 9 Resist Evil, Come Close to God, James 4:1-12 6 11 Warning About Self Confidence, James 4:13-17 7 13 Warning to the Rich, James 5:1-6 8 15 Patience in Suffering, James 5:7-11 9 17 Patience in Suffering, James 5:7-11 10 19 -ii- Introduction to the Book of James The man who wrote the epistle of James has been assumed to be va rio u s h i s t o rical figures, yet modern researchers have come to agreement that the author of this book is likely the same James who became the first Bishop of Jerusalem. He is said by some to have been the brother of Jesus. Interestingly enough, James was thought to have been an unbeliever before the crucifixion. Later in 1 Corinthians 15:7 as well as in some references in documents still extant from the early church we find that Christ (after he had risen) appeared to James and there was a conversion. Soon James became a force in the Jewish branch of the church. He was notable for supporting Paul in his efforts to convert the Gentiles. It is known that James was martyred sometime between 62 and 66 A.D. It is likely he was stoned to death much in the manner of Stephen because of the political machinations of some local authorities and because he vigorously preached the law of Christ. The text in the Book of James comes down to us in a bullet format as if it were the distillation of a lifetime of thoughtful sermons. The subject matter is universal and timely for it is made up of some of the highest concerns of the earliest Christians. However, the book seldom mentions Christ and does not refer to the resurrection. In fact, Martin Luther said that the book was "full of straw" because it contained little or nothing that was evangelical. Nevertheless, the book is loaded with good advice about how to live a good and Christian life. A person who closely follows James's imperatives cannot go wrong. Although James does not teach us how to come nearer the Lord through salvation, he does tell us how a just man orders his daily existence. James, throughout his life, was known as James the Just, because of the correctness of his actions, the uprightness of his demeanor and the strength of his character. His book will help us to be like him...Just. -iii- -iv- Lesson 1 Discussion Guide, James 1:1-27 1. Read James 1:1. Who is the letter from? How does James describe himself? To whom is the letter written? 2. Read James 1:2-8. What is to give us joy? Why? What should one do when one lacks wisdom? What should one never do when one asks of God? Why? How is a doubter described? 3. Read James 1:9-11. Describe the appropriate responses for the rich and the poor. How should each view their circumstances? 4. Read James 1:12. What is a person to receive if he or she perseveres under trial? Based on the pastor’s message on this portion of scripture, what rewards come to the believer who is faithful? 5. Read James 1:13-18. What causes us to be tempted? What is the result of sin? Who is the giver of good and perfect gifts? In what way can we be described as firstfruits? 6. Read James 1:19-21. When are we to be quick, to be slow? Can anger make anything right? Why or why not? What are we to get rid of? What are we to humbly accept? Describe the strength of messages received from God. 7. Read James 1:22-25. What seems to be the focus of these verses? Why is obedience to God so important? -1- 8. Discuss what has been learned from the pastor’s messages on James to date. What question do you have that you would like to discuss further? What is pure religion? The heart of religion is what we find here in James. You say you're religious? Show me. Pure religion is keeping a tight rein on my tongue. True religion is the life we live; not the creed we profess. Anyone can show up at church; anyone can sing songs and participate, anyone can listen to the sermon. Anyone can appear religious, but in order to be religious, one needs to go from listening to the word inside the church to going and doing the word outside of the church. 9. Read James 1:26. "I have often regretted my speech, never my silence." (Publius, a Greek sage) When might we fool ourselves? What makes our religion worthless? 10. Sticks and stones may break my bones but words can never hurt me. Do words hurt? Absolutely, yes they do!!! Words can build and uplift, bridge gaps and restore relationships But they can also destroy and be harmful and cause a lot of pain. What we say matters. Words can not only be hurtful but can define us in the eyes of a lost and dying world. Words can destroy our witness to unbelievers. Discuss present day issues concerning the tongue. 11. Read James 1:27. What is the expectation in this verse? In what way can we be corrupted by the world? How should we treat the less fortunate? What should we do in and around our community to apply this verse? 12. What, from the messages by the pastor, have you learned from this study in the first chapter of James? What challenges have you faced? In this first chapter text we have found the thrust of James' entire letter: calling upon Christians to live with moral urgency, serious holiness and unconditional obedience to the word of God. We are to have complete confidence in and reliance upon the grace of God. It is the thorough purity of God (never tempted, never tempting, never changing) that calls us to holiness; it is the generous giving of God (giving wisdom without finding fault, giving the crown of life, giving every good and perfect gift, giving us birth) that moves us to holiness. Furthermore, going back to the very beginning of James' message, this pursuit of holiness is not an oppressive burden but a task of joy, because of the great worth of the goal that God's grace has made possible. God has called Christians to become mature and complete, as firstfruits of all he created. This is so high a calling and so valuable an attainment that we may consider even trials along the way pure joy! -2- Lesson 2 Warning Against Prejudice, James 2:1-13 1. Prejudice affects life for all of us. So often, we are victims of it. But probably, if we're honest, we dish it out to others too. Do you think God takes notice if we allow our prejudices to influence our dealings with others? Does He even care? Why are our churches often segregated, not only by ethnicity, but also by socioeconomic status? 2. Read James 2:1. Why is James questioning the faith of some in the church? What was their sin? Are we ever guilty of the same sin? There is no place for partiality in church. We don't have different classes. When we accept people, we accept them unconditionally. Fellowship with another Christian can never be based on the color of their skin, the size of their bank account, their gender, their status, how old they are, how tall they are, how good-looking they are. If we want to be like Jesus, we have to see as God sees. And look right past the externals. 3. Read James 2:2-4. What two people are described? How might they be treated differently? Why? What wrong motives can we exercise? What we have to remember is that God's measuring stick is vastly different from ours. Let's not get caught up in the world's system of values. Let's not judge people based on the things that are unimportant to God. We are children of the Kingdom of God, with a different culture, different values, and different vision. And we need to keep ourselves impartial. 4. Read James 2:5-7. Does God judge the poor as a lower class of people? How are they described? How are the rich viewed by James? Which group is more likely to honor our Lord? -3- The value of faith is placed in uncompromised opposition to the value of riches by the transferring of the very term plousioi to the believing poor. They are the ones who are truly rich, by being rich in faith. This phrase refers not to an abundant quantity of faith (as if that were their wealth instead of the kingdom) but to the value of faith. With faith set grammatically in contrast to the world, this is a denial that the world's material wealth constitutes true riches at all.