James 1

A letter quite possibly from James, the half-brother of Jesus (Mt 13:55), most likely written before AD 44

Audience

Scattered groups throughout world

Primarily Jewish

Content

Encouragement to live out faith when times are tough

ALL IS WELL WHEN GOD IS GOOD

You are at the doctor’s office. The doctor tells you that you need a shot. What questions or concerns would come into your mind?

GOOD COMES FROM SUFFERING

James 1:1-12

Rejoice, Pray & Boast

Read James 1:1-4

What temptations will Satan bring us in the middle of life’s difficult tests?

Agree or Disagree and Explain When we are suffering, our first priority is to escape the suffering.

God says that endurance must complete its work, in order that we might be “finish line crossers” and ones who receive “every part of God’s inheritance,” lacking nothing. If we feel that suffering is automatically bad for us, what good things can we miss out on?

Read James 1:5-8

“Wisdom” refers to skill and ability. What skills and abilities might we want from God in connection with suffering?

Explain how James 1:6-8 is related to 1 John 5:14-15.

Read James 1:9-12

To see that the Lord is powerful to bring good even from suffering is to have a different attitude toward individual economic circumstances. How is a Christian’s perspective on wealth different from that of an unbeliever?

In what way is the earthly testing we Christians experience like the testing conducted by Underwriters Laboratories?

ALL GOOD COMES FROM GOD

James 1:13-18

He’s not evil; He knows our evil;

He gives life through the Word

Read James 1:13-15

God does test Christians (Hebrews 11:1). What doesn’t God do (the Greek word for “tempt” is the same word that is translated “test”)?

How might you use these verses when speaking to someone who tells you that they really hate a certain person?

Read James 1:16-18

When difficulty comes into our lives, we might feel that God has let us down. What words from this section can encourage us?

What is the very best gift that God has given us, a gift that is ours even if our earthly lives are most difficult?

HUMBLY DO GOOD FOR THE GIVER

James 1:19-27

Get rid of evil, receive the Word, and do the Word

Read James 1:19-21

Describe a time when it was hard for you to keep quiet.

Why are we so eager to talk?

What’s the connection between talking and anger?

Read James 1:22-27

Instead of longing to speak our words, the Lord invites us to focus on his words. Not only can they save us; they are the perfect guide. Yet so often we don’t follow God’s word. Why, then, are we still interested in hearing it?

Agree or Disagree and Explain The more you obey God, the happier (more blessed) you will be.

The word translated “religion” pictures people in a relationship of humble service to a greater being. Explain how helping others and keeping ourselves pure fits that picture.

All Is Well When God Is Good

Good comes from suffering.

All good comes from God.

Humbly do good for the Giver.

Passport to the Scattered Tribes