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Letter of James

Welcome and Introductions
Opening Prayer
Opening Questions
The Overarching Concept
Summary of Chapters 1 & 2 & 3

Trials, Joy, God’s Desire (1)
Faith, Love and Works (2)
Power of the Tongue (3)

Chapter 4

Lover of the World or Lover of God
Warnings

Chapter 5

The Power of Prayer

Week 5

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Letter of James: Opening Prayer

Heavenly Father, we give thanks for all your creation and the gifts you have given to each one of us.

The spiritual richness coming to us from our ancestors is a source of both inspiration and encouragement.

With thankfulness, we remember those who have gone before us, all those who lived a life of generous love and kindness.

We unite with both the canonized and un-canonized saints who gifted us personally and communally with their goodness. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen. (Joyce Rupp)

Hail Mary . . . St. Matthias, St. Charles . . .pray for us.

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Opening Questions

Pair/Share Chapter 3

The Bible suggests some ways we can use our tongues for good. What ways are presented in these verses? Can you think of other ways?

Proverbs 10:21; 12:18; 25:12; 31:26
Philippians 2: 11
1 Thessalonians 5: 16-18

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The Letter of James

Overarching Concept (Big Idea)

A person’s change of behavior begins with a change of heart.

How to:

How to fight evil tendencies
How to grow and mature in your faith
How to tell if one is progressing or regressing
How salvation is attained

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Brief Summary of Chapter 1 Trials and Joy

Trials are tests of our faith
Encouragement to Jewish Christians
How we respond to adversity and temptation matters
Listen and seek help from God
Blessed are the meek
Be a doer not just a hearer (power of the Word put into action)

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Brief Summary of Chapter 2 Faith, Love and Works

Avoiding partiality toward the rich
Avoid judging others
Preferential treatment of the poor (God’s caring and compassion)
Blessed are the merciful
Faith without works is dead (leading a Christian life)

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Brief Summary of Chapter 3 Power of the Tongue

Power of Speech
One’s speech reveals what is in the heart
Wisdom comes from above

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Chapter 4 Lover of the World or Lover of God (1-10)

Passion is the Source of Conflict
Loving things more than we love God harms our relationship with Him
Ten Imperatives from James

Submit yourself to God Resist the devil
Draw near to God Cleanse your hands
Purify your hearts Begin to lament
Mourning Dejection
Humble yourself Do not speak evil of one another

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Chapter 4 Exhortations Against Pride (4:11-5:6)

The arrogant cannot stand before your eyes (Ps 5:6), for God cannot endure haughty eyes and an arrogant heart (Ps 101:5).

Speaking evil of a brother or sister (11-12)
Attending to one’s business as if God did not exist (13-17)
Enjoyment of wealth gained by injustice at the expense of those who are less fortunate (5: 1-6)

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Chapter 5 Patience and the Power of Prayer

James concludes with a tone that is encouraging, warm and supportive.

Persevere with patient endurance
Relationships and the Importance of Community
Prayer and following in the footsteps of Christ

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Questions

How do the closing verses of Chapter 5 summarize the primary message of James about the importance of living one’s faith by doing good works?

In reflecting on what you have learned in our study of the Letter of James, what has meant the most to you that you will try to carry over into your life?

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The Letter of James

Why does James write this letter to Jewish Christians?

Providing guidance on how to lead a Christian life: faith and works
Sharing encouragements, desired behaviors, warnings
For the salvation of followers of Christ and those who have wandered from the truth