Welcome to week two of our study on the Epistle of James! Today we will be looking at an overview of the entire epistle as well as focusing in on verses 1-8. We will also be taking a look at how to do a word study and will be defining several Greek words from our reading today. Please take a look at the introduction to this 12-week study for more information and for resources we’ll be using.
Outline
- Opening prayer
- Introduction – read the “Outline of the Book” on page one of Workbook on the Epistle of James
- Review “How to do a Word Study” from Padfield.com, as well as the Interlinear Bible on BibleHub.com
- Watch Jen Wilkin’s “How to Study the Bible Day 2” on Esv.org
- Read James 1:1-8
- Answer the questions on page 3 of the workbook.
- Closing prayer
Opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you once again for this time together and for this group of women. We look forward to learning more about James today and how to study the beautiful languages the Bible was written in. Please be with us tonight Lord, as we gather in the name of your son, Jesus Christ. Amen.
Introduction
Read the outline to the Epistle of James on page one of the workbook. The letter is divided into five sections: salutation, the nature of true religion, the nature of true faith, the nature of true wisdom, and the purpose of wisdom.
Jen Wilkin in last week’s video recommended that we read the entire book before beginning to study it verse-by-verse. If you haven’t had a chance to do so, or would just enjoy an animated overview, Bible Project produced an 8-minute video overview:
Application
Watch Jen’s Day 2 video on Esv.org. She will discuss the three stages to the process of understanding the text: comprehension, interpretation, and application. She encourages us to study with the following questions in mind, so as we read James 1:1-8 today and the rest of the text in the coming weeks, ask yourself:
Read James 1:1-8 and go through the 10 questions together on page 3 of the workbook. Using the Interlinear Bible or dictionary of your choice, define the following words: trials/πειρασμοῖς (1:2), endurance/ὑπομονήν (1:3), perfect/τέλειοι (1:4), and doubting/διακρινόμενος (1:6).
Closing Prayer
Almighty God, thank you for the Bible and for this letter from James. Thank you for the opportunity to study your Word together. We pray that you be with us over the week as we go about our lives, and please help us abide in your Word and draw closer to you. In Jesus’ name we pray. Amen.
Next Week
Next week we will look at James 1:9-20 using the Workbook on the Epistle of James.
Featured image is from Summary of the Book of James