Page 127 - Advanced New Testament Survey Student Textbook

Outline
• Faithfulness in trials (1:1–18)
• Faith and works (1:19–3:12)
• Acting wisely and unwisely (3:13–5:6)
• Endurance and prayer (5:7–20)

How does James Impact our lives?

What does it mean in Jas 1 to trust God? Can you recall any attitudes or actions in your recent life that
indicate a lack of trust in God?

How have you experienced a connection between faith and action, as in Jas 2? Is there any situation in
your life in which you sense God prompting you to act according to your faith?

Are there any sorts of unhelpful speech or harmful expression that you find yourself using (compare Jas
3)? Where does that come from? What effects does it have on you and others?

Do you have people in your life with whom you can be honest about both your joys and struggles? Who
can pray for you and who can you pray for? Do you need to talk with someone about any sin in your life?

Practical Application: 173

We see in the Book of James a challenge to faithful followers of Jesus Christ to not just “talk the talk,”
but to “walk the walk.” While our faith walk, to be certain, requires a growth of knowledge about the
Word, James exhorts us to not stop there. Many Christians will find this epistle challenging as James
presents 60 obligations in only 108 verses. He focuses on the truths of Jesus’ words in the Sermon on
the Mount and motivates us to act upon what He taught.

The epistle also puts to rest the idea that one can become a Christian and yet continue living in sin,
exhibiting no fruit of righteousness. Such a “faith,” James declares, is shared by the demons who
“believe and tremble” (James 2:19). Yet such a “faith” cannot save because it is not verified by the works
that always accompany true saving faith (Ephesians 2:10). Good works are not the cause of salvation,
but they are the result of it.

173 https://www.gotquestions.org/Book-of-James.html (used with permission)

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