Listening to Jesus Brother: The Book of James Study Guide

Transcription

1 1 Listening to Jesus Brother: The Book of James Study Guide Introduction This five page study guide is provided to help all of us at CAP church as we study the book of James over the next few months. Dig in and digest it and see what God will do! When you read one of the epistles in the New Testament it is always helpful to ask: how do I study it? who wrote it? when was it written? who is it going to? why was it written? how is it written? how is it organized? Read through the following pages and you will receive short answers to each of these questions as they apply to the book of James. Study (how do I study it?) Prior to each weeks message: read through the passage asking the Holy Spirit to give you understanding. answer the personal question with honesty and transparency. listen to the sermon again asking the Holy Spirit for understanding. read the passage one more time so it is cemented in your mind. Even if you are away on a given Sunday you can listen to the sermon on line or just do the study yourself. Some of us like to sing when we are alone and some of us find our meditation is enhanced when we study Scripture and sing at the same time. Randy Hongo, the author of the following lyrics, might help you in that process. Randy recommitted his life to God at Urbana 1967 and wrote this song the morning after his first

2 2 viewing of the movie Chariots of Fire. He used the theme song of the movie as the tune for the music. To Live for My Father To live for My Father, rejoice in His will, To live for My Father, His pleasure fulfill. To work for My Father, committing my hands; To go where He leads me, to far away lands. Chorus: Each day brings new opportunities to grow in His love: Becoming the one I am to be - like Jesus above. And when I am tested, brought to trial by earthly cause: Steadfastly I stand, no compromise, and live by His laws. Author (who wrote it?) To run for My Father: His chosen desire, My feet rush to praise Him in His Spirit`s power. To live for My Father, rejoice in His will, To live for My Father, His pleasure fulfill. James was a common name in New Testament times but there were three men named James who had some prominence. James the son of Zebedee (Mark 1:19) was often linked with Peter and John, while James the son of Alphaeus (Mark 3:18) was sometimes referred to in history as James the less. James the brother of Jesus (Galatians 1:19) may have experienced personal conversion after the resurrection (I Corinthians 15:7), was a prominent leader in the early church (Acts 12:17) and in history was referred to as James the just. Some have suggested that the first James, noted above, wrote the book of James but he was martyred in AD 44 (Acts 15:13) and this epistle came later than that. Because little is known of the son of Alphaeus, few have linked authorship with him. Because of his leadership role in the church, the direct and authoritative way he is presented in Acts, and the fact that the book of James is so closely tied to Jesus life and teaching, it is assumed that Jesus brother James is the writer. In other words we

3 3 are getting an inside track from a family member who is inspired by the Holy Spirit to communicate truth. So we get an inside track worth listening to! Date (when was it written?) Although the books of our Bible follow a particular order, that does not mean they follow a chronological pattern. In other words because James is near the end of the New Testament it does not follow that this is a later book. In fact many would argue that it is one of the earliest books, probably written between 45 AD and 50 AD before James was martyred in 62 AD. Four reasons are given for it being one of the oldest epistles. First there is a strong Jewish emphasis in the book suggesting that the Gentile church was not well established as yet. Second, there is no discussion of the tension with the Judaizing teachers that is noted in a number of other later books. Three, the book reads like it comes directly from Jesus teaching and the Old Testament, rather than Peter and Paul. Finally, there is an indirect reference to the synagogue (James 2:2) implying that the believers were not in churches at this point. Destination (who is it going to?) In the New Testament, seven books (James, I and II Peter, I, II, and III John, and Jude) are described as general epistles. Whereas Romans was written to Christians in Rome and Philippians was written to Christians in Philippi, these seven are written to a group of churches and individuals. The book of James was sent to the twelve tribes (1:1) showing its Jewish flavour, with a notation of the synagogue (2:2), Hebrew terms like Lord Almighty (5:4), and the generic term believers (2:1). All of these phrases suggest that the recipients of this letter were Jewish believers who scattered (1:1) after Stephen s death (Acts 7:54-60) into Judas and Samaria (Acts 8:1) as well as Phoenicia, Cyprus, and Antioch (Acts 11:19). Purpose (why was it written?) Given that this was not sent to a church but to Christians who were scattered in various locations, a letter was the best way to communicate apostolic truth. And since they were experiencing persecution and challenges in their new locations, a

4 4 letter of this sort would bring direction, comfort, and reminders. James the quintessential pastor-teacher constructs an epistle that is rich with teaching which would bring these relatively new believers back to the core of their faith. Style (how is it written?) The book of James is not a logical, linear letter like something you would expect from Paul. Rather it is more circular, with a repetition of topics, and reads more like the book of Proverbs in that every section does not always flow easily from the previous one. If you read the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5, 6, and 7) and the book of James you can sense a similar style i where there are a lot of imperatives or commands without a lot of theological foundation being explained. Having said that it seems that the book is written to those who have a broad foundation based on faith in Christ and in many ways reads like a series of sermons. Structure (how is it organized?) Studying a book like this is unique for the reasons mentioned above. However, the best way to study the book of James is not to look for the tight underlying theme but simply to go through it as it is written. The date on the left side is the day the passage will be preached, followed by the title of the message, and the chapter and verses. The italicized question is the personal question implied in the passage. June 5 Trials and Temptations 1:2-18 How do you lean into the Father of Lights when you are suffering? 12 Listening and Doing 1:19-27 How would you rate yourself on knowing Scripture but not putting it into practice? 19 Favouritism and Partiality 2:1-13 How do you show partiality and favouritism toward others? 26 Faith and Works 2:14-26 How do you put faith and works together in your own life?

5 5 July 3 Recap 1:2-2:26 10 Talk and Tongue 3:1-12 How would you assess the use of your tongue? 17 Wisdom and Wisdom 3:13-18 How do you exercise spiritual wisdom in all of your endeavours? 24 Conflict and Compromise 4:1-12 How do you engage in spiritual adultery? 31 Recap 3:1-4:12 August 7 Arrogance and Tomorrow 4:13-17 How do you plan for tomorrow while fully acknowledging God s sovereignty? 14 Riches and Oppression 5:1-6 How do you allow riches to become a form of luxury and self-indulgence? 21 Patience and Suffering 5:7-12 How do you persevere in patience when struggles come your way? 28 Prayer and Faith 5:13-20 How is prayer a manifestation of your faith in God s power? September 4 Recap 4:13-5:20 i