OUTLINE OF JAMES

1:1 - Introduction

Author

Greeting

1:2-18 - Trials and Temptation

2-8 - Attitudes Toward Temptation

2 - Be Joyful in Temptation.

3 - Faith Tested Produces Patience.

4 - Patience Works to Perfect You.

5 - God Gives Wisdom to Those Who Ask.

6 - Ask in Faith.

7 - Doubting Doesn't Get Gifts from God.

8 - Doubters Are Unstable.

9-11 - Attitudes Toward Status

9 - The Humble Are Exalted.

10 - The Rich Are Humbled.

11 - Rich People Are Like Grass and Flowers.

12 - God Has Promised Rewards to Those Who Endure.

13-15 - Source of Temptation

13 - God Cannot Be Tempted and Does Not Tempt.

14 - Our Own Desires Tempt Us.

15 - Lust Leads to Sin and Death.

16-18 - Source of Good Gifts

16 - Don't Be Deceived.

17 - All Good Gifts come from God.

18 - God Begot Us.

1:19-27 - Listening or Doing

19-21 - You Don't Listen When You're Angry.

19 - Listen More Than You Talk.

20 - Anger Brings Sin.

21 - Get the Sin Out, Keep the Word in.

22-25 - We Must Obey What We Hear.

22 - Be Doers, Not Just Hearers.

23 - Look in the Mirror.

24 - Don't Forget What You See.

25 - Doing Brings Blessings.

26-27 - Are You Religious?

26 - Bite Your Tongue or Your Religion is Vain.

27 - Pure Religion Is Doing and Not Doing.

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2:1-13 - Favoritism Condemned

1-4 - Don't Give Preference to the Rich.

1 - Don't Show Respect of Persons.

2 - A Rich Man and a Poor Man Visit.

3 - Respect Is Given to Rich.

4 - Partiality Is a Sin.

5-7 - The Rich Cause Problems.

5 - God Has Chosen the Poor.

6 - You Despised the Poor.

7 - Rich Despise You and Blaspheme God.

8-11 - Partiality Is a Sin.

8 - Love Your Neighbor as Yourself.

9 - Partiality Breaks this Law.

10 - Breaking One Law Makes You Guilty.

11 - All Law Comes from One Source.

12-13 - The Standard of Judgment

12 - We Will Be Judged by the Law of Liberty.

13 - We Must Show Mercy to Get Mercy.

2:14-26 - Faith and Works

14-17 - What Good Are Words with No Deeds?

14 - Can Faith Without Works Save?

15 - A Brother or Sister is in Need.

16 - Is Saying Be Warmed and Filled Helpful?

17 - Faith Without Works is Dead!

18-19 - Faith Causes Action.

18 - Show Your Faith by Your Actions.

19 - Even the Devils Believe.

20-24 - The Example of Abraham's Faith

20 - Faith Without Works is Dead!!

21 - Abraham Was Justified by Works.

22 - Works Make Faith Complete and Perfect.

23 - His Obedience Fulfilled the Scripture.

24 - We Are NOT Justified by Faith Only.

25-26 - The Example of Rahab's Faith

25 - Rahab Was Justified by Works.

26a - Works Are the Spirit of Faith.

26b - Faith Without Works Is Dead!!!

3:1-12 - Taming the Tongue

1-2 - Masters or Teachers Beware

1 - Masters Will Receive Harsher Judgment.

2 - Control of the Tongue Equals Perfection.

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3-6 - Small Things Make a Big Difference.

3 - Bits in Horses' Mouths Control Them.

4 - Ships Are Turned by Small Rudders.

5 - A Little Tongue Boasts Great Things.

6 - The Tongue's Sins Defile the Whole Body.

7-8 - If You Can't Tame It, Control It.

7 - All Kinds of Animals Have Been Tamed.

8 - No Man Can Tame the Tongue. (Tame is not equal to control.)

9-12 - Our Tongues Cause Trouble.

9 - One Tongue Blesses God and Curses Men.

10 - It Should Not Be this Way.

11 - Sweet and Bitter Are Not from One Place.

12 - Figs Not on Vines, Olives Not on Fig Trees.

3:13-18 - Man's Wisdom Versus God's Wisdom

13 - Wisdom Is Shown by Our Actions.

14 - Envy and Strife Are Contrary to the Truth.

15 - Not All Wisdom Is from God.

16 - Envy and Strife Brings Confusion and Evil.

17 - God's Wisdom Is Recognized by Its Good Characteristics.

18 - Peacemakers Sow the Fruit of Righteousness.

4:1-12 - Submit Yourselves to God

1 - The Source of Conflict

2 - Lust and Violence Don't Work Like Asking.

3 - Asking Lustfully Won't Work.

4 - You Can't Be Friends with the World and God.

5 - What Kind of Spirit Is Dwelling in You?

6 - God Is for Humility and Against Pride.

7 - The Devil is a Bully.

8 - Get Close to God.

9 - Mourn Your Sins.

10 - Don't Toot Your Own Horn.

11 - Don't Speak Evil of Brethren.

12 - Who Are You to Judge.

4:13-17 - Boasting of Tomorrow

13 - Don't Brag About the Future.

14a - You Don't Know What Will Happen.

14b - Life Is Short.

15 - Depend on the Lord and His Will.

16 - Rejoicing in Boasting Is Evil.

17 - If You Know Better, Do Better

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5:1-6 - Warning to the Rich

1 - Misery Shall Come on the Rich.

2 - Wealth Doesn't Last.

3 - Heaped Up Treasure Is a Witness Against the Rich

4 - God Hears Those Who Are Cheated.

5 - The Rich Live in Physical Pleasure.

6 - They Are Guilty of Murdering the Righteous.

5:7-12 - Patience in Suffering

7 - Be Patient Like the Farmer.

8 - Patiently Wait for the Lord's Return.

9 - Don't Be Fighting When the Judge Comes.

10 - The Prophets Are Good Examples of Patience.

11 - Job Is a Good Example of Patience.

12 - Don't Swear, Keep Your Word.

5:13-20 - The Prayer of Faith

13 - Pray If You Are Sick, Sing If You Are Happy.

14 - When You Are Sick Call the . . . . . . Elders.

15 - Prayer Can Heal Physically and Spiritually.

16 - Confess to Others, Pray for Others, Prayer Is Powerful.

17 - Elijah Was Like Us and His Prayer Stopped the Rain.

18 - Elijah's Prayer Brought Rain Again.

19 - Those Who Leave the Truth Can Be Converted.

20 - Converting a Sinner Saves His Soul and Hides Sins.

iv

JAMES

James is perhaps the most practical of the letters in the New Testament. It is similar in many ways to the Sermon on the Mount given by Jesus. James deals with multiple subjects in short sections rather than spending the entire book on a single subject like other books. It has been called the Proverbs of the New Testament. It is full of tidbits of wisdom and the closest the New Testament comes to a sound bite and Twitter obsessed society. There are a multitude of great short quotes which is not typical in the New Testament. The overarching theme of James is striving toward perfection in living the Christian life. James doesn't spend a great amount of time dealing with the deep theological and philosophical arguments of Paul or the Hebrews writer. That is not to say that what he writes is not profound, it is, but not in theory or talk, rather in action. It could be argued that while much of the New Testament focuses on doctrine and faith James focuses on the practical action and works of the Christian life.

James 1:1- James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

Who is the writer of this book?

How does he describe himself?

To whom is he writing?

Which of the following does the writer say to those to whom he is writing?

A. Peace

B. Greeting

C. Mercy and grace

D. Love

James 1:2- My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

To whom does James address this book?

What are "divers" temptations?

True or False - James says when we face temptation we should weep and mourn?

What does James say the odds of facing temptation are?

What does "fall" indicate about the nature of tempting situations?

James 1:3- Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

What word does James use to describe the level of mental certainty we have about the results of the temptations we face?

A. Praying

B. Hoping

C. Believing

D. Knowing

What does the trying of our faith through facing temptations produce?

A. Patience

B. Sin

C. Stronger faith

D. Humility

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James 1:4- But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

Why is patience referred to with the pronoun 'her'?

What should we let patience have?

What can you be if you let patience have what James mentions?

A. Wanting nothing

B. Entire

C. Perfect

D. All of the above

E. None of the above

James 1:5- If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

What does James promise will be given if we ask God?

A. Forgiveness

B. Help

C. Wisdom

D. Patience

How does James say God gives?

To whom does James say God gives?

What does 'upbraideth not' mean?

Does James mean that anyone in the world can ask God for wisdom and get it?

Could someone ask God for wisdom about math and get it?

Will God give this wisdom miraculously?

James 1:6- But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

What does James say about the way we should ask?

A. We need to bow our heads.

B. We need to have faith.

C. We need to have humility.

D. We need to be kneeling.

E. We need to pray in Jesus' name.

True or False - James said God expects that we will have some doubts.

What does James say the man that wavereth is like?

James 1:7- For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

Who is "that man"?

What should "that man" not think?

A. That he will get anything of the Lord.

B. That he will get to Heaven.

C. That he is better than others.

D. That God loves him.

2

James 1:8- A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

What does James say a double minded man is?

A. Wise.

B. Can't make any decisions.

C. He is twice as smart as others.

D. He is unstable in all his ways.

Is this person one that can be trusted and depended upon?

Which of Jacob's twelve sons did he describe as "unstable as water" in Genesis 49:3-4?

What did he say that son would never do?

James 1:9- Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

Why do you think the brother of low degree is exalted?

Can you think of any time in the Bible when someone of low degree was exalted? If so, who?

True or False - The brother who is exalted should mourn.

James 1:10- But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

How do you think the rich is made low?

What does James compare the rich man to in this verse?

A. A fat pig

B. A flower

C. An oppressor

D. A ruler

True or False - The rich should mourn because he is made low.

James 1:11- For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

What does the Sun rise with according to James?

What does James say the Sun does to the grass?

A. Withers it

B. Helps it grow

C. Reveals its beauty

D. Keeps it green

What happens to the flower of the grass (weeds)?

What does James say perishes?

What does James say will happen to the rich man?

James 1:12- Blessed is the man that endureth temptation: for when he is tried, he shall receive the crown of life, which the Lord hath promised to them that love him.

True or False - James says everyone who is tempted is blessed.

What did the Lord promise to them that love Him?

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What will the one who endures temptation receive?

A. A way of escape

B. Rest

C. A crown of life

D. Praise and honor

James 1:13- Let no man say when he is tempted, I am tempted of God: for God cannot be tempted with evil, neither tempteth he any man:

What should no one say when being tempted?

A. I can handle it.

B. It isn't fair.

C. I have to do it.

D. God is tempting me.

What can God not be?

How can this verse be reconciled with verses like Genesis 22:1 or Acts 15:1?

If God can't be tempted and Jesus is God, how could Jesus be tempted?

James 1:14- But every man is tempted, when he is drawn away of his own lust, and enticed.

How many people are tempted?

How are people drawn away?

A. By lies

B. By ignorance

C. By their own lust

D. By the devil

What does it mean to be enticed?

James 1:15- Then when lust hath conceived, it bringeth forth sin: and sin, when it is finished, bringeth forth death.

What does lust give birth to?

When sin is finished what does it bring?

A. Pleasure

B. Pain

C. God's wrath

D. Death

James 1:16- Do not err, my beloved brethren.

What did James not want them to do?

A. Lie

B. Err

C. Quit

D. Die

Is there a difference between sinning and erring? If so, what is the difference?

4

James 1:17- Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.

True or False - Good gifts come from many different sources.

How many perfect gifts does James say come from above?

A. One. Jesus was the only perfect gift.

B. Most of them.

C. All of them.

D. James doesn't say.

What description of God is given in this verse?

What two things does James say are not associated with God?

A. Envy and hatred

B. Variableness and shadow of turning

C. Sin and evil

D. Greed and covetousness

James 1:18- Of his own will begat he us with the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.

True or False - James says we were begotten against God's will.

James says God begat us with . . .

A. His Holy Spirit.

B. Faith.

C. The water of regeneration.

D. The word of truth.

What did He beget us to be?

James 1:19- Wherefore, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath:

To whom is James writing?

What does James say we should be swift to do?

James says we should be slow . . .

A. To wrath and to speak.

B. To trust people.

C. And steady to win the race.

D. To change traditions.

James 1:20- For the wrath of man worketh not the righteousness of God.

What does the wrath of man not work?

A. More obedient children

B. Healthy friendships

C. God's righteousness

D. True repentance

What do you think the wrath of man does work?

5

James 1:21- Wherefore lay apart all filthiness and superfluity of naughtiness, and receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls.

True or False - James says we should get rid of sinful things.

What is "superfluity of naughtiness"?

What are we supposed to receive?

How are we supposed to receive it?

What does "engrafted" mean?

What good will the word do if it is not engrafted?

What does James say the engrafted word is able to do if it is properly received?

A. Give you comfort and hope

B. Save our souls

C. Convince you of your sins

D. Make you free

James 1:22- But be ye doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving your own selves.

What does James say we should be doers of?

A. Good deeds

B. Righteousness

C. Works of charity

D. The word

How does James say we could deceive ourselves?

A. By doing too many good works

B. By putting too much emphasis on God's word

C. By believing in God's grace

D. By only hearing the word

James 1:23- For if any be a hearer of the word, and not a doer, he is like unto a man beholding his natural face in a glass:

True or False - Someone cannot be a doer of the word without being a hearer, but could be a hearer and not a doer.

In the comparison James begins what is the man who is comparable to the hearer doing?

What is a "glass"?

James 1:24- For he beholdeth himself, and goeth his way, and straightway forgetteth what manner of man he was.

What does James say the man does after looking at himself in the mirror?

A. Goes away

B. Shaves

C. Combs his hair

D. Forgets what he saw

E. Brushes his teeth

F. B, C, and E

G. A and D

H. None of the above

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James 1:25- But whoso looketh into the perfect law of liberty, and continueth therein, he being not a forgetful hearer, but a doer of the work, this man shall be blessed in his deed.

Who does James say will be blessed?

A. The doer of the work

B. The one who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it

C. The one who is not a forgetful hearer

D. All of the above

E. None of the above

True or False - This verse supports the idea that once you are saved you can't be lost.

True or False - This verse supports the idea of salvation by an obedient faith and not by faith only.

What is the "perfect law of liberty"?

According to James are we supposed to be under a law? If so, what law?

James 1:26- If any man among you seem to be religious, and bridleth not his tongue, but deceiveth his own heart, this man's religion is vain.

Is all religion good religion?

How does James say a man can deceive himself?

A. By trying to mock God

B. By being a hearer and not a doer of the word

C. By not controlling his tongue

D. By trusting in works to save him

What did James say about the religion of the one who does not control the tongue?

Where does James give more information about the tongue and our use of it?

James 1:27- Pure religion and undefiled before God and the Father is this, To visit the fatherless and widows in their affliction, and to keep himself unspotted from the world.

Does James say all religion is bad?

What does James describe as the opposite of vain religion?

A. Pure and undefiled

B. Useful and practical

C. True and spiritual

D. Kind and loving

What does James NOT include in his description of religion that pleases the Father?

A. Caring for widows

B. Keeping yourself unspotted from the world

C. Worshiping every Sunday

D. Caring for orphans

What about widowers and the motherless, does God care about them?

Do you think this is the complete list of things a religious person should do to please God?

Can you think of other things that might be part of pure and undefiled religion?

7

James 2:1- My brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory, with respect of persons.

What descriptive title does James give for Jesus?

A. Light of the World

B. Savior of Mankind

C. Lord of Glory

D. Judge of All

To whom is James writing?

What does James say does not belong with faith in Christ?

A. Doubt

B. Respect of persons

C. Sin

D. Pride

True or False - Respect of persons means being respectful and polite to people.

James 2:2- For if there come unto your assembly a man with a gold ring, in goodly apparel, and there come in also a poor man in vile raiment;

Does James condemn wearing nice clothes or jewelry to the assembly?

Does James condemn the poor man for not wearing something nice?

True or False - James says it doesn't matter how you treat people outside the assembly.

James 2:3- And ye have respect to him that weareth the gay clothing, and say unto him, Sit thou here in a good place; and say to the poor, Stand thou there, or sit here under my footstool:

What is "gay" clothing?

What did James say they offered the rich man?

What did they tell the poor man to do?

True or False - It would not have been wrong if they had told the rich man to sit on the floor and

given the poor man the good place.

Have you ever seen people treated differently at church because of their wealth or social standing?	If yes, what happened?

Have you ever treated one person differently from another because of the way they were dressed?

If yes, what happened?

James 2:4- Are ye not then partial in yourselves, and are become judges of evil thoughts?

What does James say they become by showing this favoritism?

A. Hypocrites

B. Oppressors of the poor

C. Failures

D. Judges of evil thoughts

Was Jesus rich or poor?

True or False - James declares them to be partial if they act this way.

Is the church supposed to have first class and coach?

Are you supposed to be able to buy a better position in the church?

8

James 2:5- Hearken, my beloved brethren, Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?

What does 'Hearken' mean?

Who has God chosen?

A. The elderly

B. The poor of this world

C. The people who mourn

D. The ugly people

What has God chosen these people to be?

A. Rich in faith and heirs of the kingdom

B. Full of joy and forgiven of sin

C. Young and full of life

D. Beautiful and full of grace

True or False - James says the kingdom has been promised to those that obey God

James 2:6- But ye have despised the poor. Do not rich men oppress you, and draw you before the judgment seats?

Who does James say they have despised?

A. Rulers

B. The wicked

C. The faithful

D. The poor

Who does James say oppressed them?

What is one example of how they were mistreated in this verse?

A. They were forced to pay higher taxes.

B. They were taken into court.

C. They were not allowed to buy from certain shops.

D. They were beaten in the streets.

James 2:7- Do not they blaspheme that worthy name by the which ye are called?

What other evil thing does James say the rich do?

A. Blaspheme

B. Lie

C. Steal

D. Trust in money

What is the name by which they were called?

What does it mean to blaspheme?

James 2:8- If ye fulfil the royal law according to the scripture, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself, ye do well:

True or False - James says the royal law is the most important of all God's laws.

True or False - James says that the royal law is man's law and not according to the scripture.

True or False - James says everyone keeps the royal law because it is so easy.

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What does James say the royal law is?

A. Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.

B. The last shall be first and the first shall be last.

C. You shall love God with all your heart, soul, strength, and mind.

D. Love your neighbor as yourself.

James 2:9- But if ye have respect to persons, ye commit sin, and are convinced of the law as transgressors.

James says you commit sin if you have . . .

A. Respect for certain people.

B. An evil heart of unbelief.

C. A desire for more money.

D. A desire for vengeance.

True or False - James says that showing favoritism makes you a transgressor of the law.

James 2:10- For whosoever shall keep the whole law, and yet offend in one point, he is guilty of all.

What does James say about the person who keeps every law except one?

A. He will be forgiven.

B. That one won't count against him.

C. He is guilty of breaking the law.

D. None of the above

James 2:11- For he that said, Do not commit adultery, said also, Do not kill. Now if thou commit no adultery, yet if thou kill, thou art become a transgressor of the law.

Who said the things listed?

Do you have to break every law to be a lawbreaker?

True or False - James says adultery and murder are the only laws that count.

James 2:12- So speak ye, and so do, as they that shall be judged by the law of liberty.

True or False - James says we should live like those who will not be judged.

What law does James mention in this verse?

A. The law of Moses

B. The law of Christ

C. The law of man

D. The law of liberty

E. The law of the flesh

F. The law of the Spirit

James 2:13- For he shall have judgment without mercy, that hath shewed no mercy; and mercy rejoiceth against judgment.

Which is stronger, mercy or judgment?

What would judgment without mercy be like?

10

Why does James say it is important for us to show mercy?

A. People deserve mercy.

B. People need mercy.

C. We need mercy.

D. He doesn't want us to show mercy.

James 2:14- What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

Is saying you have faith good enough?

Is having faith good enough?

What are the answers to the two rhetorical questions James asks?

True or False - If someone says they have faith then they must have faith.

James 2:15- If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

True or False - James says Christians are responsible for helping feed and clothe everyone in the world.

True or False - James says Christians should only help other Christians.

How might the idea of Galatians 6:10 apply to these situations?

What two things is the brother or sister lacking in this verse?

A. Food and clothes

B. Electricity and water

C. Faith and hope

D. Shelter and family

James 2:16- And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

Do kind wishes really help the problem?

What does the person in this verse give?

A. Bread and water

B. Empty words

C. Whatever is needed

D. Peace and warmth

What does this profit?

James 2:17- Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

What is faith without works?

A. Blind

B. Alone

C. Empty

D. Dead

E. All of the above

F. B and D

G. A and C

11

James 2:18- Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

True or False - There is no way to prove you have faith.

What does this supposed man say he will show by his works.

A. How rich he is.

B. Nothing. Works are not important.

C. What he really believes.

D. That he doesn't need God.

What does this supposed man challenge the person who says he has faith to do?

A. Have his faith to God

B. Work to show his faith

C. Tell everyone about his faith

D. Show his faith without works

James 2:19- Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

How many gods did this person believe in?

True or False - James say that if you believe in one God you are doing well?

Who does James say also believes in God?

What else does this group do?

A. Laugh

B. Tremble

C. Confess

D. Obey

James 2:20- But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

What does vain mean in this verse?

What does James say is dead?

A. Faith without works

B. Works without love

C. Man without Christ

D. Truth without spirit

James 2:21- Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

How was Abraham justified?

A. By faith

B. By grace

C. By Christ

D. By works

When was Abraham justified?

What does James say our relationship to Abraham is?

How can this passage be reconciled with Galatians 3:6-7?

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James 2:22- Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

What does "wrought" mean?

What two things wrought together?

What made faith perfect with Abraham?

James 2:23- And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

What does "imputed" mean?

What work fulfilled the scripture that said that Abraham believed?

What was Abraham called?

Where is that scripture found?

James 2:24- Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

How is a man justified?

How is a woman justified?

How is a person not justified?

Could a person be justified by actions that were not accompanied by faith?

James 2:25- Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

Who was Rahab?

Where do we read about her?

By what was she justified?

What did she do?

James 2:26- For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

What is the body without the spirit?

What is faith without works?

Is the spirit dead without the body?

Are works without faith dead?

Is there any problem with this analogy?

Was it intended to work both ways?

13

James 3:1- My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

What does James say not many should be?

The KJV uses the word "masters" what does that word mean?

What reason does James give for this?

Do you think James is speaking of condemnation from God or from man?

James 3:2- For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

Notice the "For" at the beginning of this verse. How does this verse help explain the "greater condemnation" in the previous verse?

What does James say we do in many things?

What does the word "offend mean today?

What does "offend" mean in this passage?

The American Standard Version 1901 translates this verse - James 3:2 "For in many things we all stumble. If any stumbleth not in word, the same is a perfect man, able to bridle the whole body also." How does this affect your understanding of this verse

What is one specific way that James says we may offend or sin?

If someone does not offend in this way what does James call this man?

What would the person who does not offend in word be able to do?

Does James mean that we are sinning if we say something that hurts someone's feelings or "offends" them?

Did Jesus ever say things that hurt people's feelings or offended them? John 6:61-66; Matthew 13:57; 15:10-14; 26:31-35

Did Jesus ever sin? 1 Peter 2:21-22

Is it possible to sin by saying things that hurt someone's feelings?

Is it possible to hurt someone's feelings without sinning?

James 3:3- Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

Why does James switch from talking about our words to talking about horses?

What does he say we put in horses' mouths?

Why do people use bits on horses?

What can someone do with a bit that would be very difficult to do without one?

What does this have to do with our words?

James 3:4- Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

What does James use as an example in this verse?

Which is larger a horse or a ship?

What drove (powered) the ships of their day?

How are large ships turned?

Who controls the ship?

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James 3:5- Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

From the horse and boat illustrations which parts are being compared to the tongue?

What does the tongue boast?

What is the tongue compared to in this verse?

What does James encourage us to behold?

James 3:6- And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

What two things does James say the tongue is?

What does the tongue do to our body?

What does it sett on fire?

What sets the tongue on fire?

James 3:7- For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

What has man done to all kinds of animals?

Have you ever seen wild animals that had been tamed and trained?

Is it true that man tames all kinds of animals?

James 3:8- But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

What does James say no man can do to the tongue?

Would it be possible for a woman to do it?

How does he describe the tongue in this verse (2 things)?

Is there a difference between taming and controlling? If so, what?

How do we control animals that are not tamed?

Should we try to do things to control the tongue even though it can't be tamed.

How do we act differently with a tamed animal than with a wild one? (E.g. your pet dog and a wild wolf.)

James 3:9- Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

Who do we bless with our tongues?

Who do we curse with our tongues?

What does James say about the way people are made?

What does "similitude" mean?

James 3:10- Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

What 2 things come out of the same mouth?

Is that the way it should be?

Is the problem with the blessing or the cursing?

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James 3:11- Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

What natural water source does James use as an example?

What two kinds of water don't come out at the same place?

How is this like the tongue?

James 3:12- Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

What does a fig tree not produce?

What does not grow on a vine?

What two kinds of water does James mention in this verse?

James 3:13- Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

What kind of man does James discuss here?

What does 'endued' mean?

With what is this man endued?

How does someone show wisdom and knowledge?

What needs to come with works?

James 3:14- But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

What should someone not glory about?

What is the one glorying about these things doing to the truth?

James 3:15- This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

What unusual word does James use to describe bitter envying and strife?

What is not the source of the wisdom in this verse?

What three words does James use to describe this kind of wisdom?

James 3:16- For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

What two things go with envying and strife?

Are these things that should be in the Christian's life?

James 3:17- But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

What wisdom does James describe as a contrast to this evil wisdom?

What does he say this wisdom is first?

What three things does he say it is next?

What two things is this wisdom full of?

What two things is it without?

James 3:18- And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

What is sown?

How is it sown?

By whom is it sown?

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James 4:1- From whence come wars and fightings among you? come they not hence, even of your lusts that war in your members?

What problems were happening among the Christians James is writing to?

What was the source of these problems?

James 4:2- Ye lust, and have not: ye kill, and desire to have, and cannot obtain: ye fight and war, yet ye have not, because ye ask not.

What four wicked things does James say "ye" are doing?

Are these evil actions successful in getting them what they want?

Why does James say they don't have what they want?

Who should they ask?

Does this verse mean that God will give everyone every thing they ask for?

James 4:3- Ye ask, and receive not, because ye ask amiss, that ye may consume it upon your lusts.

Do the people James addresses in this verse ask?

Do they get what they ask for?

How does James say they ask?

What is the wrong motivation that they have?

James 4:4- Ye adulterers and adulteresses, know ye not that the friendship of the world is enmity with God? whosoever therefore will be a friend of the world is the enemy of God.

Is James talking to people who were unfaithful to their spouses?

Why does he call them adulterers and adulteresses?

What does James say about the person who is a friend of the world?

James 4:5- Do ye think that the scripture saith in vain, The spirit that dwelleth in us lusteth to envy?

Is this a quote?	If so, from where?

Do the scriptures ever speak in vain?

What does James say the human spirit does?

James 4:6- But he giveth more grace. Wherefore he saith, God resisteth the proud, but giveth grace unto the humble.

Since our spirits lust to the point of envy, what does God give us?

Whom does God resist?

To whom does He give grace?

Is this a quote?	If so, from where?

James 4:7- Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you.

What should our reaction toward God be?

What should our reaction toward the devil be?

What will happen if we do that?

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James 4:8- Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you. Cleanse your hands, ye sinners; and purify your hearts, ye double minded.

To whom should we get close?

What will happen if we do?

To whom is James speaking in the first part of the verse?

To whom is James speaking in the second part of the verse?

What must sinners do with their hands to be close to God?

What must the double minded do to please God?

James 4:9- Be afflicted, and mourn, and weep: let your laughter be turned to mourning, and your joy to heaviness.

Whom is James addressing in this verse?

What are the first 3 things James say they need to do?

What should their laughter become?

What should their joy become?

Why should this group have such sorrow come into their lives?

James 4:10- Humble yourselves in the sight of the Lord, and he shall lift you up.

What should our attitude toward God be?

What will the Lord do if we show this attitude?

James 4:11- Speak not evil one of another, brethren. He that speaketh evil of his brother, and judgeth his brother, speaketh evil of the law, and judgeth the law: but if thou judge the law, thou art not a doer of the law, but a judge.

Of whom should we not speak evil?

What does James say we are really doing when we speak evil of and judge a brother?

What does James say we are not if we judge the law?

What does James say we make ourselves if we judge the law?

James 4:12- There is one lawgiver, who is able to save and to destroy: who art thou that judgest another?

How many lawgivers are there?

What two things is this lawgiver able to do?

What possible answer could be given to the question that ends this verse?

James 4:13- Go to now, ye that say, To day or to morrow we will go into such a city, and continue there a year, and buy and sell, and get gain:

What does the phrase "Go to now" mean?

Are these people talking about what they have done?

Where do they plan to go?

How long do they plan to stay?

What do they plan to do while they are there?

Does James approve or disapprove of what is being done?

Who is left out of their plans?

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James 4:14- Whereas ye know not what shall be on the morrow. For what is your life? It is even a vapour, that appeareth for a little time, and then vanisheth away.

What does James say we don't know?

To what does James compare a human life?

What does 'your life' do 'for a little time'?

What happens after 'a little time'?

James 4:15- For that ye ought to say, If the Lord will, we shall live, and do this, or that.

What condition should we put on all our plans?

Whose will ultimately determines everything?

What condition is put on whether we live or not?

James 4:16- But now ye rejoice in your boastings: all such rejoicing is evil.

What did they rejoice in?

What does James say about this rejoicing?

James 4:17- Therefore to him that knoweth to do good, and doeth it not, to him it is sin.

What does the person James describes know to do?

Does this person do what he knows?

What does James say it is when a person doesn't do what he knows he should?

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James 5:1- Go to now, ye rich men, weep and howl for your miseries that shall come upon you.

To whom does James speak in this verse?

What does James say will come upon them?

What two things does James say these people should do?

James 5:2- Your riches are corrupted, and your garments are motheaten.

What does James say their riches are?

What has happened to their garments?

James 5:3- Your gold and silver is cankered; and the rust of them shall be a witness against you, and shall eat your flesh as it were fire. Ye have heaped treasure together for the last days.

What two things does James say are cankered?

What will the rust be?

What does James say will eat their flesh?

What will it eat their flesh like?

What have they heaped together?

For what time did they heap it together?

Is James saying that it is sinful to save any wealth?

Does James teach that it is wrong to prepare financially for retirement?

James 5:4- Behold, the hire of the labourers who have reaped down your fields, which is of you kept back by fraud, crieth: and the cries of them which have reaped are entered into the ears of the Lord of sabaoth.

What had the laborers done?

What is the "hire" of the laborers?

How was the "hire" kept back?

What is the "hire" doing?

Whose cries does James mention?

Whose ears heard these cries?

What does "sabaoth" mean?

Do you think the Lord is going to respond to these cries?

James 5:5- Ye have lived in pleasure on the earth, and been wanton; ye have nourished your hearts, as in a day of slaughter.

James is still addressing what group in this verse?

How and where have these people lived?

What have they been?	What does that mean?

What have they nourished?

How have they nourished it?

What does that mean?

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James 5:6- Ye have condemned and killed the just; and he doth not resist you.

What two things have they done to the just?

Who is called "Just" in Acts 3:14; 7:52; 22:14?

Is it possible this verse references that person?

Is "the just" and "he" plural or singular?

What does the just in this verse not do?

James 5:7- Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

Whom does James address and turn his attention to in this verse?

What does he tell them to be?	How long?

Who should they behold?

What is a "husbandman"?

What does the husbandman wait for?

What kind of patience does he need to have?

What two rains does he wait to receive?

James 5:8- Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

What does he mention again in this verse that they should be?

What should they stablish?

What is drawing nigh?

James 5:9- Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

Who are they not to grudge against?

Who is being addressed in this verse?

What danger comes from a grudge?

Who is standing before the door?

James 5:10- Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

How have the prophets spoken?

What are the prophets to be taken as?

What two things are the prophets an example of?

James 5:11- Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

What are those who endure counted?

Whose patience had they heard of?

What did they see?

What two things does James say the story of Job teaches us that the Lord is?

What does the word "pitiful" mean here?

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James 5:12- But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

What does James warn, above all things, the brethren not to do?

What two places does James say they should not swear by?

What does James warn may happen to them as a result of oaths?

What two things does James tell them to do instead of swearing?

James 5:13- Is any among you afflicted? let him pray. Is any merry? let him sing psalms.

What should any one who is afflicted do?

What should one who is merry do?

James 5:14- Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church; and let them pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord:

Who should someone call when he is sick?

Who do most people today call?

What two things does James say they should do for the sick person?

What is the significance of the oil, and why do we not do this today?

James 5:15- And the prayer of faith shall save the sick, and the Lord shall raise him up; and if he have committed sins, they shall be forgiven him.

What will save the sick?

What will the Lord do?

What will happen to the sick person's sins?

James 5:16- Confess your faults one to another, and pray one for another, that ye may be healed. The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.

What does James say we should do with our faults?

What should we do for one another?	Why?

What two words does James use to describe the prayer of a righteous man?

What does this prayer do?

James 5:17- Elias was a man subject to like passions as we are, and he prayed earnestly that it might not rain: and it rained not on the earth by the space of three years and six months.

Who does James use as an example in this verse?

Was he superhuman?	How do we know?

For what did he pray?

How did he pray?

How did God answer his prayer?

Have you ever prayed for something that would bring suffering into your life?

James 5:18- And he prayed again, and the heaven gave rain, and the earth brought forth her fruit.

What two things happened when he prayed again?

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James 5:19- Brethren, if any of you do err from the truth, and one convert him;

What does this verse teach about the idea of the impossibility of apostasy aka once saved always saved doctrine?

Can one who is in the truth turn from it?

Can one who has turned from the truth be converted?

James 5:20- Let him know, that he which converteth the sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death, and shall hide a multitude of sins.

What does the sinner need to be converted from?

What does converting a sinner save?

What else does converting a sinner do?

What does James mean by the word "hide"?

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