The Letter Of James- A Practical Guide on ow to live out our faith-Student
| Table of Contents Overview and Outline……………………………………….…………………………………………………………………1Lesson 1: Do you know what your calling is? - James 1:1 ……….….……………………………………..…..….7 Lesson 2: Count it all joy. What’s your outlook on trials in your live? - James 1:2-12? .……..…….….14Lesson 3: How do you view temptations? - James 1:13-18 .……………………….…………………….……..21 Lesson 4: Are you living by God’s Word?- James 1:19-27…………..……………..………..….……………....29 Lesson 5: Do you behave and act the same to all? -James 2:1-13 …………..……………..................….…..35 Lesson 6: Do you let your life do the talking? - James 2:14-26……….…………………………………...…..41 Lesson 7: Are you controlling your tongue?- James 3:1-12 ……….……………………………………….…..48 Lesson 8: Are you doing things for Christ and not for the world to see?- James 3:13- 4:17 ………..55 Lesson 9: Are you living out your faith daily?- James 5:1-20……….….……………………………………....67 |
Overview
The Book of James is classified with 1 and 2 Peter, 1, 2 and 3 John, and Jude as "catholic" or "general" epistles because they are not addressed to a particular individual or church. Because of its emphasis on common sense Christian living, James has been called the “The Proverbs of the New Testament.” James is more interested in the practice of the Christian faith than the precepts and doctrines of the Christian faith. According to James, faith is real, practical and, most of all; it makes a difference in how you live your life.
Faith makes a difference in:
Ø How you see yourself.
Ø How you face trials and how you handle temptation.
Ø How you respond to the Word of God.
Ø How to live God’s Word daily.
Ø How you respond to people, circumstances and situations.
Ø How you view other people and how you treat other people.
Ø How you speak to people and how you speak about people.
Ø How you use your money and influence and how you regard those less fortunate than you.
Ø How to stay on the path.
Ø How you handle sickness and other life problems.
The Theme of the Letter of James
The book of James shows the proper "behavior of faith". What you say you believe, must to be shown by how you live. Your faith should result in a life that reflects Godly behavior.
Key Verses: James 1:2-4; 1:19-22; 2:14-17
Key Words:
Ø Faith, belief (James 1:3, 6; 2:1, 5, 14, 17, 18, 19, 20, 22, 23, 24, 26; 5:15)
Ø Works/working (James 1:3-4, 20, 25; 2:14, 17-18, 20, 21, 22, 24, 25, 26; 3:13, 16 )
Ø Rejoicing, joy, cheerful (James 1:2, 9; 2:23; 4:9; 5:13)
Ø Patience, be patient (James 1:3, 4; 5:7, 8, 11)
Ø Perfect (James 1:4, 17, 25; 2:22; 3:2)
Unique Characteristics:
Ø The book of James contains 108 verses with 54 commands, about one for every two verses. Some of the commands begin with "Let" or "Let not." Here are some examples.
"Let no man say when he is tempted, `I am tempted by God'" – James1:13
"Let not many of you become teachers, knowing that we shall receive a stricter judgment" – James 3:1
Ø There are references or allusions from 22 Old Testament books.
Ø James referred to many Old Testament characters including Abraham, Rahab, Job, and Elijah as well as the Ten Commandments and the Law of Moses.
Ø There are at least 20 references to the teachings of Christ as embodied in the Sermon on the Mount.
| JAMES (THE EPISTLE) and JESUS (THE SERMON ON THE MOUNT) |
| James | Sermon on the Mount | Subject |
| 1:2 | Matt 5:10-12 (Luke 6:22, 23) | Joy in the midst of trials |
| 1:4 | Matt 5:48 | God's desire and work in us: perfection |
| 1:5 | Matt 7:7 | Asking God for good gifts |
| 1:17 | Matt 7:11 | God is the giver of good gifts |
| 1:19, 20 | Matt 5:22 | Command against anger |
| 1:22, 23 | Matt 7:24-27 | Contrast between hearers and doers (illustrated) |
| 1:26, 27 | Matt 7:21-23 | Religious person whose religion is worthless |
| 2:5 | Matt 5:3 | The poor as heirs of the kingdom |
| 2:10 | Matt 5:19 | The whole moral law to be kept |
| 2:11 | Matt 5:21, 22 | Command against murder |
| 2:13 | Matt 5:7; 6:14, 15 | The merciful blessed, the unmerciful condemned |
| 2:14 - 26 | Matt 7:21-23 | Dead, worthless (and deceiving) faith |
| 3:12 | Matt 7:16 (Luke 6:44, 45) | Tree producing what is in keeping with its kind |
| 3:18 | Matt 5:9 | Blessing of those who make peace |
| 4:2, 3 | Matt 7:7, 8 | Importance of asking God |
| 4:4 | Matt 6:24 | Friendship with the world = hostility with God |
| 4:8 | Matt 5:8 | Blessing on and call for the pure in heart |
| 4:9 | Matt 5:4 | Blessing on and call for those who mourn |
| 4:11, 12 | Matt 7:1-5 | Command against wrongly judging others |
| 4:13, 14 | Matt 6:34 | Not focusing too much on tomorrow |
| 5:1 | (Luke 6:24, 25) | Woe to the rich |
| 5:2 | Matt 6:19, 20 | Moth and rust spoiling earthly riches |
| 5:6 | (Luke 6:37) | Against condemning the righteous man |
| 5:9 | Matt 5:22; 7:1 | Not judging—the Judge standing at the door |
| 5:10 | Matt 5:12 | The prophets as examples of wrongful suffering |
| 5:12 | Matt 5:33-37 | Not making hasty and irreverent oaths |
Ø There are at least 30 references to nature.
Ø There are many figures of speech and analogies.
Ø There are no references to specific individuals who were the original recipients.
Ø There is no concluding benediction.
Outline
Ø Lesson 1: Live out your faith- Do you know what your calling is?- James 1:1
Ø Lesson 2: Live out our faith- Count it all joy, what’s your outlook on trials in your live?- James 1:2-12
Ø Lesson 3: Live out your faith- How do you view temptations?- James 1:13-18
Ø Lesson 4: Live out you faith- Are you living by God’s Word?- James 1:19-27
Ø Lesson 5: Live out your faith- Do you behave and act the same to all? -James 2:1-13
Ø Lesson 6: Live out your faith- Do you let your life do the talking? - James 2:14-26
Ø Lesson 7: Live out your faith- Are you controlling your tongue?- James 3:1-12
Ø Lesson 8: Live out your faith- Are you doing things for Christ and not for the world to see?- James 3:13- 4:17
Ø Lesson 9: Live out your faith- Are you living out your faith daily?- James 5:1-20
Reading Assignment: Read the entire book of James
Notes:
Faith-Walk Action Plan:
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