James L1

Faith That Stands Firm

Welcome ladies and gentlemen to the first lesson of the 2025-26 Youth year!

If you are new here tonight this is something that we do every single week we meet, and that is take some time to study through God’s word, which is the bible, and then break off into small group to discuss what we learned! We do this because although we value goofing around, playing games, chatting and whatnot — what we value more than anything is our relationship with Jesus Christ, the one true God. We are going to be jumping into the first series where we will be studying through together the entire book of James.

The book of James is a wide favourite within the Christian world because of its practicality… James describes so well what to do with your faith. “So you have faith…now what?”

I know a bunch of you have recently got your drivers license. And the rest of you likely will within the next couple years.

Imagine theres a teenager that you know has *just* gotten his G2 License. You know he have it because he brings it up constantly.

Now, the catch is, you never actually see him drive. And after a while you realize, its not just that you never see him drive, he just actually doesn’t ever drive. He has opportunities to, you know he has a car, he just chooses not to drive.

If I were you i’d begin to question… dude its been a year and you’ve never actually driven a car, although you keep saying you have this cool license. What’s up with that?

This is what it is like when someone says they have faith in Jesus, but never does anything with it. They may have passed the test and know all the right answers. They might even show up to youth group and church and wear a cross necklace. But when it comes to actually living out their faith—in their words, actions, and decisions—it’s like they’re sitting in the driveway with the engine off, terrified of the road.

This book of James was written to a group of professing Christians who claimed they had the license, but were not willing to get on the road and drive. James is not at all interested if you have the title or not, he is much more interested if you are actually driving… if you’re actually acting out your faith.

Fun fact about James, the author of this book, he is actually the brother of who? — (Jesus) Mary did not stop having kids after Jesus… although it was kind of unfair. James was born into the only family where it was completely fair and reasonable to have a favourite child… and it was not James.

You can only imagine what it was like for James to grow up with a literal perfect oldest brother. The kid literally never did anything wrong. the only sibling to ever do that.

You can imagine growing up James would would have issues. What do you mean my brother is God, mom? No way! That’s ridiculous. Can you imagine your mom telling you that your older brother is God?

I know I would be messed up by that.

Fast forward to around 40 AD. So Jesus has died, rose from the dead, and ascended to heaven — James writes this letter, and the first thing he says is this, v1 : James 1:1

James 1:1 ESV

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings.

He calls his bro Lord, and Christ.

Joy in Trials? (2-4)

Key Point: Trials develop us—they grow perseverance and spiritual maturity.

Explain: Joy doesn’t mean happiness about pain; it’s about seeing what God is doing through it.

Illustration: Like working out—resistance builds strength. No struggle = no growth.

Ask for Wisdom (5-8)

Key Point: God wants to give us wisdom to navigate hard times.

Discussion Angle: Do you ask God for help, or just try to escape the situation?

Verses 9–11 — True Perspective

Key Point: Trials remind us what really matters. Rich or poor, life is short and our identity isn’t based on stuff.

Apply to students: It’s easy to compare your life to others—faith lifts your eyes above it all.

Verses 12–15 — Temptation Isn’t from God

Key Point: Trials can become temptations—but God doesn’t tempt us. It’s our own desires we need to fight.

Application: Be honest about your struggles. Don’t blame God—draw near to Him.

Verses 16–18 — God Is Good, Always

Key Point: Even when life is hard, God gives good and perfect gifts. He’s not against you—He’s for you.

Reinforce: His greatest gift was bringing us into His family (v.18). — Gospel call