Welcome to week six of our study on the Epistle of James! Today we will look at the last two verses from James chapter 1, 26 and 27. In these verses, James gives us three examples of what it means to be “doers of the Word” and tells us what true, practical religion is.
Contents
Week One – An Expository Study of James
Week Two – Joy in Our Trials
Week Three – Giving Birth to Sin Part One
Week Four – Giving Birth to Sin Part Two
Week Five – Receiving the Word
Outline
- Opening prayer
- Introduction
- Read James 1:26-27
- Read the study notes from ESV.org
- Answer questions 5-8 on page 5 of Workbook on the Epistle of James
- Closing prayer
Opening Prayer
Almighty God, we gather again this week to study your Word, and we pray that you are with us tonight, pouring your Spirit into our group. Please help us understand what we are reading and learning tonight, as we strive to transform our lives and obey your Word. Thank you for Jesus, the Bible, and the many people who have provided study notes and insight into the Scriptures. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
Previous Highlights
- In verse 19, James turned to one of his main points of his letter, that Christianity is not just about reading the Bible, it’s about having our lives transformed by the Gospel.
- In order to be transformed by the Gospel and have it implanted within us, we must turn from sin and reject the ways of the world (verse 21), something James will reiterate in tonight’s reading. See What does James 1:21 mean?
- We learned to be hearers and doers of the Word in verses 19-25, and that the “Perfect Law of Liberty” is the Gospel of Jesus Christ, which liberates us from Old Testament purification laws, and from sin and death. See What is the Law of Liberty?
Application
Read James 1:26-27, the study notes on ESV.org, and answer questions 5-8 on page 5 of the workbook.
Closing Prayer
Heavenly Father, thank you once again for this time together. God, we want to be doers of the Word. We want the perfect Law of Liberty, the saving grace of the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ, to be implanted within us to grow into the perfect beauty of Your reflection. We want to be a blessing to those in need and live in a way that rejects the ways of this world. In the name of the glorious King Jesus we pray. Amen.
Next Week
Next week we will begin chapter 2 with verses 1-7, and answer questions 1-5 on page 6 of the workbook. Have a wonderful week, ladies!
Featured image was captured from the video Overview of James from Bible Project.