THE BOOK OF JAMES BIBLE STUDY

Study the Bible with Me | Kim Howard

 

The Book of James explains how to receive wisdom from God and shows that God’s wisdom produces a life that is fruitful—even in trials. James applies Jesus’ teachings (The Sermon on the Mount), to real-life situations, revealing what genuine obedience to Jesus Christ looks like. James references the Sermon on the Mount many times, so without understanding this connection, the teaching of James can be misunderstood and misapplied. (I recommend reading my study “The Sermon on the Mount” before diving into this study).

 

IN THIS STUDY, WE WILL EXAMINE WHAT THE EPISTLE OF JAMES IS ABOUT AND SUMMARIZE ITS TEACHING SO WE CAN APPLY IT TO OUR LIVES.

 

The Book of James explains how to receive wisdom from God’s Word. Wisdom from God results in a life that is fruitful even in the face of hardships. James applies the teachings of Jesus, to everyday life. It explains what a life of obedience to Jesus Christ looks like. 

 

The Gospel is living as people of God’s Kingdom now, not just in the future, not just when we die and go to heaven. It describes God’s Kingdom, not man’s wisdom. It’s not a band-aid for a broken and hurting world. It’s an entirely different way of looking at the world. It requires repentance: to see God, yourself, and the world differently.

 

THE GOAL OF THE BOOK OF JAMES IS NOTHING LESS THAN OUR FULL SPIRITUAL MATURITY AS JESUS’ DISCIPLES.

 

The goal of James is nothing less than full spiritual maturity in Jesus Christ. James calls Christians to completeness—not sinless perfection, but a mature, wholehearted faith that is consistent, obedient, and enduring.

 

The Sermon on the Mount is not a checklist of moral rules that people can accomplish by human effort. Entering the Kingdom of God is impossible by human strength alone. The Gospel is an invitation into a new life—one that cannot be achieved by works, but only through God’s grace. Grace, however, is not permission to live however we want. Grace is God’s empowering presence that dwells within, enabling us to live out the Good News Jesus preached. It produces real transformation.

 

James describes God’s vision for your life: to go from drifting and being tossed to and fro by the wind and the waves to receiving God’s true wisdom. This is God’s vision for your life and it will bring you into the fullness of Christ.

 

James is a call to perfection, or completeness, in Christ. It’s a call to take action, to live in obedience to Christ out of love. The Gospel is not trying harder to live for Christ. It’s nothing less than a new spiritual birth (John 3:3) until you are transformed into the image of Jesus Christ. It can never be entered in through trying to live a better life on your own strength. This transformation comes through new birth, repentance, and the empowering work of the Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8; Acts 2; 38). 

 

Ultimately, James presents a Gospel that goes far beyond surface-level religion It’s not about religion, it’s about a true relationship with the living God, Jesus Christ. James does not allow for lukewarm faith. Instead, it offers balance, clarity, and a powerful call to live out the Kingdom life with sincerity, obedience, and love. To show believers what genuine Christianity looks like in everyday life—how to live as children of God, serve responsibly in the church, and love one another with sincere, active faith.