study steps Read slowly. Read repeatedly. Read intentionally: Look for who, what, where, when, why, and how.

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1 study steps Pray John 16:13-15 He, the Spirit of truth will guide you into all truth. Psalm 119:18 Open my eyes, that I may see wondrous things from Your law. Read Read slowly. Read repeatedly. Read intentionally: Look for who, what, where, when, why, and how. Structure Purpose: To identify the main idea of the verse and see how the other ideas relate to it. Place the phrase that contains the main verb at the left margin. Indent any supporting thoughts (that tell when, where, why, or how) under or over the word or thought they describe. James 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience But let patience have its perfect work that you may be perfect and complete lacking nothing Define Look up key words in a concordance, Bible dictionary, or on-line Bible program. Define key or difficult words. Resources: Strongs Concordance, Vines Bible Dictionary, or online Bible programs (blueletterbible.org, biblegateway.com, studylight.org, onlinebible.net) Cross Reference Look at related passages or ones which contain the same main words. Summarize Write the paragraph out in your own words. 5

2 7. Consult (optional) Read commentaries for more insight into meaning. Suggested Commentaries: Be Mature, by Warren Wiersbe The MacArthur New Testament Commentary, by John MacArthur James, by D. Edmond Hiebert Evaluate What is God revealing about Himself, His plan, His will? What did this mean to the people who first read/heard it? What is God s message to me? What are possible ways for me to respond? (belief, thought, or action) Respond Journal thoughts, personal applications, or prayers of response. 6

3 blueletterbible.com Step 1: Go to blueletterbible.org Step 2: Type in the passage or verse you wish to study. Also choose a version of the Bible. Then click on the Search button. Step 3: Click on the TOOLS button next to the verse you want to study. 7

4 Step 4: You are now on the INTERLINEAR page. Notice the different tabs across the top of the page. Verse in NKJV Verse in KJV Strong s # Greek word Verb tense Step 5: Click on the Strong s number of the word you want to study. For our example, we are going to click on G2233 for the phrase count it. 8

5 Step 6: Click on View Entry for Vine s Expository Dictionary. 9

6 In Vine s, you have to look through each entry until you find the reference of the verse you are studying. You can also click on Account to look for more information. 10

7 Step 7: Go back to the INTERLINEAR page with the tabs at the top. Click on the BIBLES tab if you want to read the verse in different versions, including, KJV, NKJV, ESV, NASB, and more. Step 8: Click on the CROSS-REFS tab to go to Treasury of Scripture Knowledge. Step 9: Click on the COMMENTARIES tab to see various commentaries. Step 10: Click on the DICTIONARIES tab to see a variety of reference materials, including Easton s Bible Dictionary, The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia, Nave s Topical Bible, Vine s Expository Dictionary, along with a few others. Step 11: Click on the MISC tab to see related maps/images and related music. Finally, one of the main reasons I like to use this program is because of the excellent Help section. Basically, anywhere you are in the program, you can find the help tab at the top of the page. I have circled the 2 sections that I think will help you most in studying the Bible. 11

9 lesson 1: introduction Introduction to James: James 1:1 James a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad Greetings James The author: The New Testament letters (Epistles) typically begin with the author s name. There were 4 James named in the New Testament: James, the son of Zebedee and brother of John, a disciple (Matthew 4:21) James, the son of Alphaeus, a disciple (Matthew 10:3) James, the father of Judas the disciple-not Iscariot (Luke 6:16) James, the half-brother of Jesus (Matthew 13:55) He was not a believer during Jesus earthly ministry (John 7:5) We later find him in the upper room with the disciples (Acts 1:14) Jesus appeared to James after His resurrection (1 Corinthians 15:7) He became the leader of the church in Jerusalem He moderated the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15) Historical records state that he was martyred in AD 62 Most Bible scholars agree that James, the half brother of Jesus, was the author. a bondservant This word is also translated servant, slave, or bondman Doulos common NT word for servant. In the Greek culture, it often refers to involuntary, permanent service of a slave In the Hebrew culture, it described a servant who willingly committed himself to serve a master he loved and respected 13

10 of God Totally dependent upon God Belongs wholly to Him Convinced that His will is the only true rule for His people and of the Lord Denotes His deity Jesus His human name; denotes the incarnation; means salvation Christ Means Messiah, showing He was the fulfillment of the OT prophecies to the twelve tribes Israel; Jews which are scattered abroad Diaspora through a sowing In the dispersion (John 7:35; 1 Peter 1:1) Jews living outside Palestine, probably because of the persecution greetings Standard greeting, he says be well, or he wishes you joy Summary: The book of James was written by James, the half-brother of Jesus to the Jews who lived outside of Palestine, probably as a result of persecution. The book was probably written between 44 and 49 AD. 14

11 Study Steps Sample: James 1: Pray Read Structure Define My brethren count it all joy That you may be perfect Count Trials trouble; tests or proving Perfect brought to its end, finished; mature or full grown Complete complete in all its parts, in no part wanting, entire, whole Lacking nothing nothing left behind; not inferior Cross Reference Philippians 2:3 same word as count Philippians 3:7-8 same word as count 1 Peter 1:6 similar theme of trials Acts 5:41 example of someone s response to a trial 2 Corinthians 12:7-10 Paul s example of this truth Summarize James is exhorting the persecuted scattered Jewish Christians to be glad when they faced all types of trials, because they could be confident that God was working patience (or endurance) in their lives, proving their faith, and making them mature believers. Consult Wiersbe s comments on when you fall into various trials: God tells us to expect trials. It is not if you fall into various testings but when you fall into various testings. MacArthur s thoughts on count it all joy: The natural human response to trials is not to rejoice; therefore, the believer must make a conscious commitment to face them with joy. 15

12 8. 9. Evaluate (homework) Journal (homework) 16

13 october study guide Text: James 1:2-18 On separate paper, using the Study Steps, study each of the following paragraphs. Please refer back to the Study Steps Handout for explanations of each step. Since there are four paragraphs in this month s text, it is recommended that you study one paragraph each week. STUDY STEPS Pray Read Structure Define Cross Reference Summarize Consult Evaluate Respond Week One: Paragraph 1 James 1:2-8 Key Words: Count Let Various trials Perfect Testing Complete Faith Wisdom Patience Liberally Reproach Doubting Double-minded Week Two: Paragraph 2 James 1:9-11 Key Words: Lowly Exaltation Glory Humiliation Fade Pursuits Week Three: Paragraph 3 James 1:12-15 Key Words: Blessed Crown of life Temptation Tempted Approved Desires Enticed 17

14 Week Four: Paragraph 4 James 1:16-18 Key Words: Deceived Shadow of turning Variation Firstfruits 18

FINDING HOPE IN THE MIDST OF OUR TRIALS. James 1:1-18

FINDING HOPE IN THE MIDST OF OUR TRIALS James 1:1-18 James 1:1-4 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings. Consider it a great joy, my brothers