A REFLECTIVE JOURNEY THROUGH THE BOOK OF JAMES

THE BOOK OF

JAMES
Overview of the book of James
The book of James is a General Epistle (Apostolic Letter). James the
half-brother of Jesus wrote it approximately 48-49 A.D. It was likely the rst
New Testament book (letter) to be written. The key personalities of this book
are James and Persecuted Christians. James wrote this book to Jewish
believers to encourage them to endure and live bold Christian lives. James is
a book about practical Christian living that re ects a genuine faith that
transforms lives. In many ways, it is similar to the OT book of Proverbs.

For James, faith was no abstract proposition but had effects in the real world.
James offered numerous practical examples to illustrate his point: faith
endures in the midst of trials, calls on God for wisdom, bridles the tongue,
sets aside wickedness, visits orphans and widows, and does not play
favorites. He stressed that the life of faith is comprehensive, impacting every
area of our lives and driving us to truly engage in the lives of other people in
the world.
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The Bible tells us what God is like and offers
us wisdom. You might not understand
everything you read in the Bible, but don’t let
that discourage you.

#1 Remember that the Bible is God’s Word

Whenever you pick up the Bible, remember that it is God’s voice speaking directly
into your life. Acknowledge this truth, and thank God that He speaks to you through
His Word.

#2 Expect God to move when you read

Be open to the movement of the Holy Spirit in your heart as you read the Bible.

#3 Pray as you read

Take a moment when you sit down to read it to pray that God will minister to your
spirit as you read.

#4 Read with your heart open

Open up your heart to what God is telling you through His Word, and you can
discover the riches of His love and His will for you.

#5 Understand the context

It is very easy to take a single verse out of context, and give it a meaning that is far
from what is actually intended.
Meeting God through the Bible
There are many ways to meditate upon and study Scripture, but we have
suggested a Head–Heart–Hands format to use in re ecting on the daily
Scripture passages.

Preparing to Listen:
It is important that we prepare ourselves to encounter God in His Word. Find
a place free from distraction where you can be alone with God. Spend a few
seconds in silence before you begin.

HEAD (Think)
As we come to each time of reading we ask the question: What do I learn in
this passage? Consider: What does the passage teach about God? The
Human Condition? Our Purpose? How to live (or not live)? What are the
promises made, commands given, or warnings to be heeded? As you read,
be alert for words or phrases that grab your attention and talk with God about
why He highlighted them to you.

HEART (Feel)
Read through the passage slowly and pay attention to your affective response
to what you read. What are your emotional responses to the various phrases
you read? Do you feel encouraged? Convicted? Guilty? Sorrowful? Anxious?
Comforted? Confused? As you acknowledge your emotional responses, talk
with God about WHY you feel this way. Why did you feel encouraged by the
passage? Why did you feel anxious in response to the words? Allow God to
use your emotions to reveal the issues in your heart in a deeper way.

HANDS (Act)
Lastly, we read again, and consider the question: What might I do in response
to the passage? More importantly, what is God inviting you to do in response?
Is there an action to take? A truth to meditate on? A confession to make? If
how we are living is not in alignment with what we read, we ask for God’s help
as we begin the process of change.
Conclude your time by thanking God for meeting with you! You may nd it
helpful to re ect upon your time with God and summarize your conversation
into a short phrase to carry with you through the day.
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Consider it pure joy, my
brothers and sisters,
whenever you face trials
of many kinds, because
you know that the testing
of your faith produces
perseverance. Let
perseverance finish its
work so that you may be
mature and complete, not
lacking anything.

James 1:2-4
 JAMES CHAPTER ONE

HEAD (Think)

HEART (Feel)

HANDS (Act)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
v 2-4 Do you nd you experience the most growth in times of ease or times of
trial? Share one time in your life that you have seen growth through a trial.
What might it look like to be able to ‘consider it pure joy’ when you face trials?
Share about someone you know who embodies this.

v 5-8 When is a time that you have asked God for wisdom and He has given it
to you? Why is it hard to believe that He will give us wisdom when we ask for
it?

v 9-11 What things does the world consider valuable? What does God say
about those things? What does God consider valuable?

v 19 “Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become

angry.” Which of these is hardest for you? At work? In your marriage? In your
parenting? In your neighborhood? In your car?

v 22-25 Are you taking responsibility for what you hear in God’s Word? Are you
allowing it to change how you live? What has changed in your life as a result of
reading God’s Word?
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 JAMES CHAPTER TWO

HEAD (Think)

HEART (Feel)

HANDS (Act)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
v 1-9 James is challenging the believers of his day on this point of favoritism.
That said, favoritism is something we all struggle with! Who do you have a
hard time loving well? How do we see people with God’s eyes rather than our
own? Have you ever been judged because of something in your outward
appearance? Name a time that you bene ted by stepping out in a place
where it was hard or not your instinct with somebody.

v 12 “Speak and act as those who are going to be judged by the law that
gives freedom.” We often feel like the law restricts us rather than giving us
freedom. What could it mean to follow a law that gives freedom?

v 14-26 Faith is an action word - we often think of it as a thinking word, but it

is a doing word. Faith is acting on what we believe in - therefore, “faith by
itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead”. Is there something God is
calling you to ‘do’ based on what you believe about who God is and/or who
He says you are? What often stops us from acting on our beliefs?
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But the wisdom that
comes from heaven is
first of all pure; then
peace-loving,
considerate, submissive,
full of mercy and good
fruit, impartial and
sincere. Peacemakers
who sow in peace reap a
harvest of righteousness.

James 3:17,18
 JAMES CHAPTER THREE

HEAD (Think)

HEART (Feel)

HANDS (Act)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
v 3-6 James uses the examples of a bit in a horse’s mouth and a rudder on a
ship to describe the impact our tongue can have on our lives. How have you
seen someone’s life affected by their speech? Has there been a time that your
life (work, a relationship, etc) has been affected by your speech? Whether
spoken or written?

v 9-12 Have you paid attention lately to your speech? Is there a disconnect
between your praise to God and how you interact with others? What aspect of
your speech is God inviting you to change? How are you representing your
faith through your speech to your spouse, your children, your coworkers, or on
social media?

v 13-18 When/where do you nd yourself being drawn into the ‘wisdom’ of this
world?

Pray together:
God, give us the wisdom that comes from heaven! Your wisdom that is rst of
all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good
fruit, impartial and sincere. God may we be peacemakers who sow in peace
that we may raise a harvest of righteousness. Amen
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 JAMES CHAPTER FOUR

HEAD (Think)

HEART (Feel)

HANDS (Act)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
v 1-2 It is commonly acknowledged that our behavior usually stems from
deeper heart issues. ‘What causes ghts and quarrels among you? Don’t they
come from your desires that battle within you?’ When you notice more anger or
frustration or have less patience, do you know where that is coming from? How
do you do the work of tracing it back to a root desire? How has that helped you
in your relationships? What is true humility versus setting yourself up to be
taken advantage of?

v 3 As you look back at some asks you’ve made of God, what has been your
attitude in the ask? What wrong motives have you seen in yourself as you ask
of God?

v 4-5 How could being a friend to the world make you an enemy of God? What
areas of your life are you living as an enemy of God rather than a friend of
God?

v 6-10 As you read these verses, identify the things that are hard for you to do.
What bene ts do you see from living a life of humility and purity?

v 12 We all sometimes struggle not to judge others. Who is the ‘neighbor’ you
are struggling with? If you are in a small group or cohort take a moment and
pray together for these relationships.

v 13-17 Why is it so hard for us not to be in control? How do you feel when you
have a ‘next week, next month, next year, next 10 years’ plan in place? How
do you feel when that plan gets changed by things outside of your control?
What area of your life do you tend to start trusting your own plans, rather than
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Therefore confess your
sins to each other and
pray for each other so
that you may be
healed. The prayer of a
righteous person is
powerful and effective.

James 5:16
 JAMES CHAPTER FIVE

HEAD (Think)

HEART (Feel)

HANDS (Act)

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
v 1-6 Just as we talked about holding our plans and time with open hands, we
need also to hold our money with open hands. What is the hardest about this
for you? Is God talking to you about a speci c area of your nances that He
wants you to change?

v 7-11 ‘Be patient...stand rm...be patient in suffering.’ We are living in a time

when being a follower of Jesus may bring suffering. James is encouraging the
church to stand rm and be patient, trusting that God is moving and working in
it all. Is there a way that you feel as if you are suffering because of being a
Jesus follower right now? What does it look like to stand rm? (reference
James 4: 6-12)

v 12 Is your yes, yes? Is your no, no? At work? At home? In your

relationships? What do you need to do to shift to a place of deeper integrity
with your yes and no?

Pray:
God, You know that I carry judgment in my heart for _______________.
Please give me Your eyes to see them rather than my own. Help me to
remember that we are all equal in Your sight, You love each of us the same,
and You died for all of us. Help me to keep my eyes on You rather than on
others. Give me a deep desire to align with you in how I see others!

Thank You for not judging me, but instead for giving Your life for me! Amen!
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 OVERALL SUMMARY QUESTIONS

1. Are you in the midst of a trial today? What is the trial and how can you
nd joy in the middle of the testing of your faith?

2. How do you not only hear and read God’s Word but also put it into action
in your day-to-day life?

3. Christians should not show favoritism based on someone’s wealth or

nice clothing. In what ways do you struggle with showing favoritism and
loving everyone, as God would have you love them?

4. We are reminded that we must show both faith and works throughout
our Christian walk. In what ways can we do this today?

5. The tongue is capable of both blessing God and cursing people. James
says this should not be so. Is your tongue out of control? In what areas do
you need to confess your sin to God and make changes?

6. Wisdom is a gift from God and re ects the character of God. It leads to
godliness. Are you living wisely? In what areas of your life do you need
more wisdom?

7. Do you have a strained relationship with someone close to you in your

life? Why is there tension between you two? In what ways can you
safeguard yourself from confusing your own personal desires with God’s
desires?

8. Is there an area in your life where you know what to do but are not doing
it? What changes do you need to make today to avoid sin in your life?

9. A Christian should be trustworthy and a person of their word. Do you

struggle with keeping your word? Is there a promise you need to follow
through on or someone you need to apologize to for a broken promise?

10. James tells us there is great power in the prayers of a righteous

person. Have you neglected your prayer life? How have you seen the
power of God displayed through your prayers?
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

True faith produces fruit. A faith without

action and without life change is ultimately
a dead faith. The book of James speaks to
the realities of a living faith in Jesus—the
kind of roll-up-your-sleeves and get-your-
hands-dirty discipleship that is borne out of
an authentic relationship with the risen
Lord. James writes to believers who know
suffering, who've faced trials, and who
ultimately desire a deep relationship with
God.

Francis Chan unpacks the dense truth

contained in the book of James in front of
the iconic backdrop of San Francisco, the city where he lives and
ministers. Through 12 sessions, Francis works through James
verse-by-verse, challenging followers of Christ to move beyond a
private, intellectual knowledge of God and His Word, to a vibrant
faith that impacts every square inch of life.

app.rightnowmedia.org/en/content/details/159923

To receive an invitation to
Right Now Media, provided by
Grace Chapel, so you can use
this resource please click the
RightNow Media image or

app.rightnowmedia.org/en/
user/gracechapelwilsonville

Precept Austin is a website that every

student of the Bible should be cognizant
of. From devotionals to verse by verse
and word by word studies of the
Scriptures, we have found Precept Austin
to be a must look when studying the
Scriptures. We hope that you nd this
study resource extremely valuable.

preceptaustin.org
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 ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

James combines the wisdom of Jesus

with the book of Proverbs in his own
challenging call to live a life of devotion
to God.

The introduction to the book

of James summarizes the words and
themes found throughout the book, which
is lled with short, challenging wisdom
speeches that are full of metaphors and
easily memorized one-liners.

While James doesn't teach new theology,

it does challenge believers on how they
should live. When believers listen to and obey God's word, they
show their love for him and others. Their actions match their
words, and their lives are made whole and perfect.

Wisdom For the Ages

Written by Jesus' half brother Jacob (often translated as James),

the book of James shares sage wisdom for all followers of Jesus.
The book is heavily in uenced by Proverbs and frequently
quotes Jesus' famous teaching the Sermon on the Mount.
bibleproject.com/explore/video/james

Bible Gateway is a website that lets you read,

search, and interact with the Bible. We offer
many tools and resources to support you in those
activities--things like Bible reading plans,
devotionals, Bible reference works, and more--but
at its core, Bible Gateway is about engaging with
the text of the Bible. Speci cally, we make the Bible
available in a variety of different languages and
translations for you to read and study
biblegateway.com

BibleStudyTools.com is the free online Bible

website for verse search and in-depth studies of
Scripture. Bible Study Tools offers Greek and
Hebrew Interlinear for the New and Old
Testament, lexicons for original Greek and Hebrew
reading of Scripture, as well as popular Church
history books.
biblestudytools.com
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