If you are like most people when you receive an important letter, you probably read it straight through first to see what the writer has to say in general. After that, you may go back to examine particular sections more closely. This is just the way to study a biblical letter. This week you’ll take a broad overview of James’s epistle to lay the groundwork for detailed study in future lessons.
Imagining the audience for this letter at the time it was written: James is an elder of the church in Jerusalem, a man who knew Jesus well during His earthly life and who saw Him after His resurrection. As a Christian in some distant province of the Roman Empire, you have probably never met James. Still, he cares enough about you to send some of the truths he thinks are crucial to Christian life.
Read his letter through at one sitting. If possible, read it twice, in different translations. Say some of it aloud to hear how it sounds. You may want to keep the following questions in mind as you read, but wait until afterward to write answers.
Study Questions
- What are your first impressions of this book? (For instance, how is it organized—tightly, loosely, with one unifying theme? Without connections between topics…? What is James’s tone – humorous, harsh, friendly, dry, passionate, humble, arrogant, authoritative? How does he seem to feel about his readers and his topics?
- Think of a short phrase or sentence that can serve as a title for each section of the letter. (The divisions below are suggestions. Feel free to change them.)
1:1
1:2-18
1:19-27
2:1-13
2:14-26
3:1-12
3:13-18
4:1-10
4:11-12
4:13-17
5:1-6
5:7-12
5:13-20
3. How would you describe James’s purpose(s) for writing this letter? (Is he teaching doctrine, exhorting someone to action, giving warnings or rebukes, telling about himself, offering personal comfort or encouragement?
4. What phrase or sentence would you use to summarize what James is saying?
Heart Questions
- Did your overview of James suggest any areas of your life that you want to work on during this study? If so, jot them down, along with any plans you already have to deal with them. Take each one to God in prayer, asking Him to show you His priorities for your application and to give you His strength to become what He desires. If any of James’s words have convicted you avoid the invitation to feel shame or guilt and instead consider it an invitation from your Heavenly Father to be strengthened and equipped at this very time to handle that area of weakness with more awareness, maturity, and fortitude.
Interested in a podcast series to supplement your time in James? Check out Jen Wilikin’s Flower Mound series, James: Living a Life of Genuine Faith!
crossroadsmasonwomensongoing.com 