Worship videos, and Scripture

Video: “Praise Adonai” by Paul Wilbur. 

Deep affection expressed in praise, music, and dance unto the Lord God.

JAMES BIBLE STUDY

 

INTRODUCTORY MATTERS

Author:  James, the brother of Jesus, and leader of the Jerusalem church.

Provenance: based on James 1:1, “To: Jewish Christians, the twelve tribes that are scattered everywhere.” There is no support given to the identity of location for James’s writing.

Date: Around A.D.62

Audience: Because of James title, “a bondservant of God, and of the Lord Jesus Christ”, he is writing to the Jewish-Christians outside of Palestine.

Purpose: The focus is on trials and temptations during the persecution of the early church, to encourage them to count their suffering as joy.

Contribution:

1. The book of James contributes to the Bible, a written work of faith united with works.
2. Illustrates patience, prayer, and receiving wisdom of God to those who ask in faith.       
3. Warns against partiality of favoring the rich because God has chosen the poor in this world to inherit His kingdom.

Outline of Contents

1. The Body of Christ, Exhortation, and Instruction (James 1:1-18)

1. • Salutation (James 1:1-27)
   • Faith without works is dead (James 2:1-26)
   • The tongue, an unruly evil (James 3:1-18)

2. The Lord Gives Grace to the Humble (James 4:6)

1. •  Wars and fights among saints (James 4:1-1)
   • Asking amiss (James 4:2-6)
   • Drawing near to God (James 4:7-17)

Lesson One:  James 1: 1-27, “The body of Christ, Exhortation and Instruction” 

Important Consideration: The theme of the body of Christ, exhortation and instruction begins with a greeting from James to the Jewish Christians who are spread out, outside of Palestine. James sends the Christians a letter of wisdom, encouraging them to persevere in faith knowing that the testing of their faith will produce patience (James 1: 1-3). 

Study Questions:

1. Read James 1:1. How does James address himself?

2. Read James 1:2-4.

• • What does James mean when he says count it all joy?
  • What produces patience? 
  • How are the Jewish Christians instructed on going through trials and temptations?

3. Read James 1: 5-8.

• • How is wisdom given?
  • Why should a Christian ask for wisdom in faith?
  • What is the result of not asking in faith?

4. Read James 1:9-11.

• • Who considered poor?
  •  Why should the rich man glory in humility?  
  •  What happens to the rich man who exalts himself?

5. Read James 1: 12-16.

• • How does a blessed man receive the crown of life?
  • What should a man not say, when he is tempted?
  • What tempts a man?
•  

6. Read James 1: 17-18.

• • Where does good, and perfect gifts come from?
  • What does first fruits mean?

7. Read James 1: 18- 27.

• • What does the word of truth mean?
  • Why should we be slow to speak, quickly to hear, and not yield to anger
  • How should we be doers of the word?
  • What is the meaning of bridling the tongue?
  • How can a man keep himself unspotted from the world?

Lesson Two:  James 2: 1-26, “Faith Without Works is Dead”

Important Considerations: The discussion of making provisions for the rich, and not for the poor is showing partiality. James explains the judgment of the law of liberty to the saints. He describes how faith without works is dead.

Study Questions:

 1. Read James 2: 1-4.

• • Why is showing partiality or favoritism forbidden?
  • Who has God chosen to be rich in this world?

2. Read James 2: 5-10.

• • How does a person fulfill the royal law according to scripture?
  • With what degree is a man guilty for not keeping the whole law?

3. Read James 2: 11-13.

1. • How does a man become a transgressor of the law?
   • How should a man speak concerning transgressions?

4. Read James 2: 14-16. Is faith by itself profitable?

5. Read James 2: 17-18. How is faith dead without works?

6. Read James 2: 19-23. What does the passage say about Abraham?

7. Read James 2: 24-27. How did works of faith justify Rahab?

Lesson Three:  James 3: 1-18, “The Tongue, an Unruly Evil”

Important Considerations: Teachings on how to control one’s speech to be a blessing instead of cursing. Conflicts in the church resulted from friendships with the world, and alliance with the world caused strife internally, and socially. Submission to God and resisting the devil will purify a man’s heart.

Study Questions:

1. Read James 3:1-2.

• • Why should not many people become teachers?
  • What makes a perfect man to not stumble?

2. Read James 3: 3-5.

1. • How is the tongue controlled?
   • What happens when the tongue boasts?

3. Read James 3: 6-7. How is the course of nature set on fire?

4. Read James 3: 8.  Can a man tame the tongue?

5. Read James 3: 9-12. Is the tongue a two-fold problem?

6. Read James 3: 13-15.

• • What does wisdom show in a man of good conduct?
  • Where does heavenly and earthly wisdom come from?
  • What are the repercussions of earthly wisdom?

7. Read James 3: 16-18.

1. • What is produced by envy and self-seeking?
   • What does heavenly wisdom in a man produce?





Lesson Four:  James 4:1-17, “The Lord Gives Grace to the Humble”

Important Considerations: In this section of the letter the writer discusses wars and fights among the believers. James tells them that friendship with the world is opposed to God. Speaking evil and boasting in arrogance should not be done.

Study Questions:

1. Read James 4:1-1. Who are the people doing the wars and fighting’s?

2. Read James 4:2-3. What are the results of asking amiss?

3. Read James 4: 4. What is enmity with God?

4. Read James 4:5-6. Why does being in friendship with the world make a man an enemy with God?

5. Read James 4:7-10.

• • Why should a saint draw close to God?
  • What are the results of humbling oneself before the Lord?

6. Read James 4:11-12. What happens when a man takes over God’s role as judge?

7. James 4: 13-17. Why does James urge the church to humbly focus on God?






Lesson Five:  James 5: 1-20, “The Prayer of Faith”

Important Considerations: James warns the rich against oppressing the poor. Tells the poor saints who are waiting on the Lord to be patient, and to pray in faith. The saints should pray for the healing of the sick and have patience in suffering, using the prophets as examples to follow because the prophets trusted in the Lord.

Video: “A Resting Place “ by Paul Wilbur

Having faith in God and being a doer of faith, brings rest in His love. 





Study Questions:

1. Read James 5:1-3. How does James describe the forthcoming miseries of the rich who  oppress the poor?   

2. Read James 5: 4-6. What did the rich do to the poor saints of God?

3. Read James 5: 7-8. What are the oppressed poor to do in the face of mistreatment?        

4. Read James 5: 9. Why should the saints establish their hearts?

5. Read James 5: 10-12. Who should the poor saints look to as examples?     

6. Read James 5: 13-16. What performances are the elders responsible for, when called upon to minister to the sick?

7. Read James 5: 17-20.

Conclusion: What does the prayer of faith, and turning a wayward soul back from wrong conduct cover?