BellaOnline Forums Family Christian Living Bible Study -- James Chapter 1

(Please read the Bible Study rules.)

The book of James was written by Jesus' half brother who became a leader in the church after Jesus' resurrection.

It was probably written in AD 49 to the Jewish Christians living in Gentile communities outside Palestine and to all Christians everywhere.
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Read chapter 1

1. What stands out to you?

2. How do you feel about the personal tests and trials in your life?

3. What does it mean to be double minded?

4. Have you experienced the scenerio described in vs. 13-14 ?

5. vs 23-25 What does it mean to look into a mirror and go away and immediately forget what you look like?

1. What stands out to me is: 2 things,
a. James talks about the crown of life which is one of the crowns given to us at the time of the Great White Throne Judgement. He emphasizes perserverance under trial which leads to greater understanding of God and His will in our lives.

b. James defines true religion as being what we do for widows and orphans out of love for them. And to keep ourselves holy. Remembering the sacrifice Jesus made for us and what that really means in our lives. It's like a reiteration of Jesus' command to love each other the way the Father loves us. Not to be entangled by the desires of the world but to keep our eyes and our minds on the true reward.

2. the tests and trials in my own life:
verse 19 and 20 should be tatooed on my head for me to see everyday. In fact, I think I'm going to create a little paper to put on the fridge to remind me...

3. Double-Mindedness:
Being double minded to me means that one puts up a front. One wears a certain mask when around "Christian Friends" but a totally different one around non-Christians. I know many poeple who are like this and I try to not be like this.

4. I have not experienced this personally myself but I have witnessed it in some of my friends and even in my own husband.

5. I think these verses are a description of being double minded...like not being real before the Lord or other people...always hiding behind what others think of them. I think if we are more concerned about how others see us allt e time we can forget who we truly are before the Lord.

This is a great study. I love James. Some thing else I couldn't help thinking about while reading it...do you think James may have gotten some of his ideas from being the little brother of the perfect One? What must that have been like?

And just for reference... James was pushed off the temple roof and his legs were broken. When the scribes and teachers of the law saw that he was not killed, they started to stone him... James started to pray for them and one of the priests heard him praying and made them stop. While the priest was shouting for the others to stop, a man ran up with a large stick and struck Jmaes in the head and killed him. James died instantly in mid-prayer.
This is from "Jesus Freaks" volume 1. written by dc Talk and Voice of the Martyrs.

1. What stands out to you?
Being a person who has to struggle with anger, I feel pierced by the verse (20) that "anger does not bring about the righteous life that God desires."
I also like that when James speaks of asking God for something (v 5) it's to ask for wisdom. And wisdom can help me deal with my tongue, anger, temptation, and trials. <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

2. How do you feel about the personal tests and trials in your life?
Hmmm... of course I don't like them. Perseverance is not fun. But I've been through enough trials to see that while testing develops perseverance, this in turn develops my faith and trust. This is the beauty of our relationship with Christ, that we trust Him more and more. And when we trust Him and know that temptation and trials are allowed by God, we can trust Him to see us through!

3. What does it mean to be double minded?
I think it means saying one thing and believing another. (I have to look up the Greek for this phrase.)

4. Have you experienced the scenerio described in vs. 13-14 ?
Allowing temptation to drag me away and entice me? Yes. And James is right that it leads to death. Like Jesus' resurrection, God can bring life out of death, but for us it can be painful and take a long time. Again, that is not necessarily God's doing, but the consequences of sin, which God will allow.

5. vs 23-25 What does it mean to look into a mirror and go away and immediately forget what you look like?
This reminds me of how, oftentimes, something or someone points up my shortcomings and I feel convicted about it, realizing it's true (I see myself clearly -- as if God is holding up a mirror in front of me); but then I immediately go back to thinking I'm faultless or forget that I'm as guilty of this or that sin as the next person.

(NOTE: my study Bible says that the testing and trials mentioned here refer to difficulties that come from the outside, and the temptation refers to inner moral trials.)

Hi! Girls I am back from vacation and have had to work like a mad woman. I am going to read James and then join in on the study.

It seems I may hve chosen a poor time to start this Bible Study.

My husband went into the hospital today with pneumonia. He has had emphsema for over a year so this makes it very bad.
Please pray for Jim.

Go on discussing the first chapter and depending on how long he is in the hospital ... I hope to get back into the forum soon.

This is a great book and there are several things that stand out to me. First is when trouble comes your way let it be an opportunity for joy. Second is if you need wisdom-if you want to know what God wants you to do just ask him. But when you ask, be sure that you really expect an answer. I also have the anger issue and have to control my tongue.

I have been through many tests and trials and I have come out stronger in my faith. They make me the person I am today and I have an interesting story to tell.

To me double minded is trying to please the world and God. By doing that we are only listening and we are not obeying God.

Sure I have been tempted many times in my life. I never blamed God they were my own actions. I was so strong willed I wanted to do things my way which did not make me Christ-like.

I take this as recognizing your faults and not taking action and really working on them to change. You're just listening to God and not obeying.


Girls this is the first Bible study that I have ever done and I really enjoyed it. I know that I have so much to learn and I want to Thank You for helping me out.

Lynn, how terrible for you guys... your husband is in my prayers as I'm sure he is all of ours..right girls? You can suspend the study as long as you need to. Funny how trials always seem to come when we study about them...we're having financial trouble right now... I may have to be off-line for a while <img src="/images/graemlins/frown.gif" alt="" /> we'll see... Tell Jim I hope he is better soon.

Lynne, you and Jim are in my thoughts and prayers for Jim's good health to return. Emphysema is bad enough but to have pneumonia complicate it, it must be so hard on you both. May God bless and keep you and offer a healing hand to your husband! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Jenna, ya'll are in my prayers, too! Financial burdens can be so hard on the spirit. Try to keep your chin up and count your blessings. God will somehow provide. <img src="/images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Love and prayers are coming your way, Lynne and Jenna. Also for you, Cindy (CiCi) for your struggles with your niece and with your health problems! I hope you are better! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

May God bless you all with peace during these stressful times.
:angel:
Trish

Lynne, I am sorry to hear that your husband is in the hospital. You and your family are in my prayers.

Jenna, I am praying for your financial problems and for your family.

Trish, Thank you for the prayers and I will pray for you also.

God Bless all of you.

Thanks, Cindy. We can all use prayers and good thoughts! <img src="/images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

Hope you are feeling better, with sunshiney moods! I'm glad you made it through all the storms okay. By the way, how is your neice?

Trish