Responding to the Book of James: A Faith That Matters
“Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says.”
What is one topic in which you sense a prompting or conviction from the Holy Spirit?
JAMES 1:1–18 | THE TRIAL OF FAITH
When we surrender in trust, God can use our suffering and trials to make us mature and whole. Admit your helplessness, seek wisdom, don’t compare your life to others, remember God’s goodness.
JAMES 1:18–27 | HEARING AND DOING
The key to a transformed life is your relationship to the Word of God. Humbly listen to God’s Word, and then seek to live in costly obedience, which always brings freedom.
JAMES 2:1–13 | A NEW COMMUNITY
When we show favoritism, or use earthly standards to determine one another’s worth, we oppose the gospel and violate God’s grace. Jesus blesses the poor and the weak. Learn to see people as Jesus sees them.
JAMES 2:14–26 | GENUINE FAITH
We’re saved by faith alone, but never by faith that is alone. True faith is accompanied by a transformed life. The true quality of your faith is demonstrated by your daily commitment to follow Jesus and become more like him.
JAMES 3:1–12 | TAMING THE TONGUE
If we seek spiritual transformation, we have to wrestle with our words. The sins of our speech reveal the depravity of our hearts. We need God’s mercy to heal our hearts and to help us use our words to encourage and love.
JAMES 3:13–18 | TRUE WISDOM
True wisdom is revealed not by knowledge but by a life well lived. The wise person chooses the way of Jesus (“my life for yours”) over the way of self (“your life for mine”)
JAMES 4:1–12 | DIVIDED HEARTS
At the heart of our problems is the problem of divided hearts. When we don’t give our full allegiance to God alone, we cause harm to ourselves and others. The path of healing is through confessing our spiritual adultery and receiving grace anew.
JAMES 4:13–5:6 | THE DANGER OF WEALTH
Wealth and possessions easily lead us into presumption, self-indulgence and injustice. With God’s help, we can address this threat through humility, simplicity, and generosity, mirroring God’s own sacrificial generosity to us in Christ.
JAMES 5:7–12 | ACTIVE PATIENCE
We can endure patiently in hardship because of the imminent return of Jesus. We actively wait for Jesus to come and renew all things, which gives us strength to respond wisely in the midst of trouble.
JAMES 5:13–20 | THE PRAYER OF FAITH
A transformational faith is a praying faith. Prayer reflects a dependence on the Father, an admission of need, and a trust in God’s power to act.