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8/8/2019 James (Student) Covers

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James connecting the dots

James writes to those in the dispersion those who are dispersed in the

world and away from their true home. This is how we should read it as well,

as those who have set their eyes, not on this present world, but on the

world to come. In the introduction, James provides something of an over-

view of the major themes and issues he is going to address in the exposi-

tion. He begins with a life of joy in the midst of adversity, and ends with a

definition of true religion (highlighting how contrary to the world religion is).

Faith in Jesus Christ entails a reversal of the world, such that Christian wis-

dom understands struggles, faith status, temptation, and values as directly

opposed to the worlds. In the context of this study, connecting the dots

refers to the central Christian truth that our faith in Christ Jesus must per-

meate all areas of our lives.

12 Studies in James

1) 1: 1-12: Getting the right perspective.

2) 1: 13-27: Where is your heart?

3) 2: 1-13: Gods unconditional love in an unjust world.

4) 2: 14-26: Faith in action.

5) 3: 1-12: The power of the tongue.

6) 3: 13-18: Two kinds of wisdom.

7) 4: 1-10: Drawing near to God.

8) 4: 11-12: Repentance: Dont judge each other.

9) 4: 13-17: Repentance: Dont boast in arrogance.

10) 5: 1-6: Repentance: Dont trust in wealth.

11) 5: 7-11: Reason for hope.

12) 5: 12-18: Prayer A way of life.

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Introduction


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The Aim of this book:

The Aim of this book is to understand wisdom as a posture of humility be-

fore God and to call Christians to a life of integrity between word and

deed.

Important themes:

Wisdom wisdom is, for James, a way of life based on anallegiance to the way from above. Christian wisdom en-

tails a dependence upon God from the heart to love him

and our neighbours as ourselves. Main image for lacking

wisdom: being tossed to and fro like the waves.

World the world should not simply be seen as an entity

(earth), but as a structure and value system which seeks

to undermine the gospel by imposing values, judgements

and hierarchies. The churchs response is the wisdom from

above which is the kingdom of God.

Poor the poor have a very strong presence in James writ-

ing, probably because they are the perfect example when

worldliness sets in the poor are undervalued, judged and

neglected. They are seen through worldly eyes rather than

through the eyes of Christ.

Heart this is central to James but can be overlooked. He

weaves it throughout so that is the foundation of the whole.

By ones heart wisdom flows forth, and therefore the world

cannot be blamed as something external to us but evil

flows from us to create the world.

Tongue speech matters. Judging others, teaching falsely,

being quick to speak, claiming your future, are held in con-

trast to prayer, confession and admonishing one other.

Sharp contrasts: above/below, Godly/demonic, humble/

prideful, wise/ foolish, light/darkness, single-minded/double-

minded, perfect/imperfection.

James|connecting the dots

STUDENT GUIDE MOBILISE


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1) How would you define Justice? Give some examplesof injustice that you are aware of both on a small

scale and larger scale.

2) One of the major themes in James is that the poor in

society are most often on the receiving end of injus-

tice (2:2-3). Does God preferentially love the poor?

3) How can our friendships or social structures dishon-

our Gods Royal Law of Love (2:8)? What about our

Church community, what would it look like to love

impartially? (2: 2-4)

4) What parallels do you see in James teaching with

that of Christs?

5) Why does James use our capacity to show mercy to

others as an indicator of the reality of our walk with

God (2: 12-13)?

6) Having identified areas of injustice (Q 1), what do

you think God would have you/us do to address

these areas in such a way that we minister his

mercy?



3: Gods unconditional love in an unjustworld.

[James 2: 1-13]


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1) What is Faith?

2) What is your initial reaction to reading this em-

phasis on works? (2: 14-19)

3) What kind of response is James seeking to elicit?

4) Practically speaking, in what ways does dead

faith manifest? Write down specific areas of your

life in which you see God least at work.

5) Can you think of passages where Paul expresses

a similar sentiment to James?

6) In light of this passage, how would you describe in

simple terms to a non-believer what biblical

faith is all about?



4: Faith in Action[James 2:14-26]


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1) Read 3:1 in parallel with 1:19-20. Think about the

emphasis in the New Testament on unity amongGods people in light of these passages. Have you

seen the damage the tongue can do in the church?

2) How does our speech give insights into the condition

of our heart?

3) Where in your own life does your speech lead to di-

vision and broken relationships?

4) Read Matthew 12:33-37. How do your words helpshape your life?

5) Why do you think the tongue is so hard to tame?



5: The Power of the Tongue[James 3: 1-12]


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1) Hand out a sheet of paper to each person, and have

them draw a vertical line down the middle. On the left

side, have them list specific ways wisdom from above is

currently bearing fruit in their relationships. On the right

side, have them list specific ways wisdom from below is

manifesting in their relationships.

2) How would you sum up James teaching in this pas-

sage? How does it relate to what James says in 1: 18-

19?

3) What are some ways you have seen wisdom from be-

low in your church experience?

4) What do you want church to be like? How could this

become a reality?

5) How would you describe what sort of community group

you are becoming?

6) What needs to change? What needs to stay the same

or develop further? What needs to stop?



6: Two Kinds of Wisdom[James 3: 13-18]


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1) Why is criticism and slander so offensive to God?

2) What is the difference between judging one another (in

the sense of this passage) and assessing/analysing one

anothers actions?

3) Can you think of biblical guidelines for challenging

each others behaviour?

4) James encourages his readers to see themselves as

brothers and sisters in the Lord. Why is this significant?

5) Re-read these verses. What are four lines of argument

James uses to reinforce his prohibition of Christians

slandering/judging one another?

6) How can community groups strengthen your church fel-

lowship in this regard? What is your experience of get-

ting close to other Christians?



8: Repentance - Dont judge eachother

[James 4: 11-12]


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1) Think of one small and one large decision you have

made within the past couple of months...Discuss how

you went about making these decisions. How did your

attitude compare to this passage?

2) What exactly is James warning against in this passage?

3) What is the difference between sinful presumptuous-

ness and sensible planning?

4) What steps can we take in our lives to stop presumptu-ous planning?

5) How do we discern Gods will in our lives in such a way

that allows room for His sovereignty?



9: Repentance - Dont boast inarrogance

[James 4. 13-17]


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1) An affluent culture turns our hearts towards fleeting

satisfactions and away from God, while unprece-

dented prosperity has left our lives full but not neces-

sarily fulfilled.How strongly could you agree withthe above statement? Why do you think this is/is not

the case?

2) What issues today are you aware of that relate to

this lack of concern for the poors needs? How does

this relate to you personally? How does this relate to

community groups at large in church?

3) Are there aspects of capitalism that oppose the

gospel? In your opinion, how immune are churches

from the allure of wealth and prosperity?

4) Are you aware of any injustice in Aberdeen? Give

some examples? How does the gospel answer these

needs?

5) What is the difference between social justice in

Christian terms and professional social work?

6) How can we build practices and place safeguards in

our life to protect our faith against: Greed (5: 2-3),

dishonesty (5:4) and self-indulgence (5:5)?



10: Repentance: Dont trust in Wealth

[James 5: 1-6]


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1) In one sentence re-state James thought on the nature

of Christian hope?

2) What is the difference between Christian patience and

any other sort of patience? How does impatience

manifest in your life?

3) How does this passage help us deal with suffering, pain

or injustice?

4) Are there answers for every form of suffering or just

some? If so what are some of these reasons?

5) Is this patience that James calls for active or passive?

What does it look like in practice?

6) How are Job and the other prophets an example to us

today?



11: Reason for Hope

[James 5: 7-11)


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1) In smaller groups identify some ways you thinkyou have

grown in single-mindedness. Encourage one another in

ways you have seen growth in each other.

2) How would you describe the role of prayer to a non-

Christian?

3) How would you answer someone who suggested with

the advent of modern medicine, those are sick should

call in their doctor rather than their church leader?

4) What aspects of prayer in this passage do you find most

challenging?

5) James finishes with this section on prayer because of

the centrality and necessity for prayer. How does your

life reflect James emphasis?

6) How would you describe your prayer life? What can

help your prayer life develop?



12: Prayer: A Way of Life[James 5: 12-18]


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