Living for God

Studies in the Book of James

Bryan Williams

Logos Bible Software

2009

FOREWORD

I would sincerely like to recommend this book to both laymen and clergy. It is a clear, concise and practical evaluation of the book of James. We are sure that the reader will be abundantly blessed by this study. There are a number of fresh insights which will enrich you spiritually. May God bless the journey of this book into the lives of His children.

Ds. Solly Ozrovech

INTRODUCTION

Every Wednesday a group of Christians meets in Cape Town for Bible study and prayer. These times are of great value and support for those of us who take part, as well as being an encouragement to go out and serve God more effectively. We have found the following studies on James to be especially helpful.

The guidelines for the Bible study are simple. Someone prays that God will help us to understand the Bible passage. Then the passage is read aloud. After that the leader gives a short introduction covering some important aspect of the part of the book containing the day’s reading. Two or three questions set by the leader are asked and answered by individual members of the group. The questions are designed to highlight aspects of the Christian Faith and the practical consequences in daily living.

Anyone may suggest an answer, but never in the form “I think that—.” Rather the approach is (even if the words are not actually used!) “I believe that … because verse such and such says that.…” This pattern discourages guessing, and brings everybody closer to what God says, not to what we think or imagine.

Finally the leader sums up, seeking to give a crisp model answer to each question.

I am sure you will find the following studies as useful to you as they have been to us, whether you are part of a group or studying and praying by yourself.

B.W.

1998

CONTENTS

Week 1—James—Which James?

Week 2—The First Readers

Week 3—When and Where

Week 4—James’ Purpose

Week 5—James’ World View

Week 6—“Faith” in James and Paul

Week 7—“Works” in James and Paul

Week 8—James and Jesus’ Teaching

Week 9—The “Compressed Theology” of James

Week 10—James—A Catholic Epistle

Week 11—The Readers’ Social Conditions

Week 12—Spiritual State of the Readers

Week 13—Dramatic Illustrations

Week 14—Prayer

Answers to Questions

Living For God

Week 1

Bible Studies in James

James—Which James? / James 1:1–8

One day when the church was very young, the Holy Spirit spoke to James and moved him to write a book. The Book he wrote is called “The Letter of James”. It has survived for eighty generations. It has been read by millions of people. It is part of our Bible.

But who was James?

Well, James’ book is in the New Testament and in the New Testament we find five different men with the name. If our James is one of these, his identity is

James the Apostle, son of Zebedee and brother of John (Matthew 4:21)

or

James the son of Alphaeus, another one of the Twelve Apostles (Matthew 10:3)

or

James the father of Judas, a disciple (not Judas ...