Faith in Action an Intro to James

Faith in Action. A Bible study of the book of James with Patty Wysong at Patterings.

Why study the book of James?

LoL, you mean other than the fact that it's in the Bible?

So often people say they believe something but their actions—their lives—don't support what they're saying. At times, their actions contradict what they say they believe.


“Television has created in our culture a low information - action ratio. People are accustomed to learning good ideas, but not acting on them.” -Neil Postman in Amusing Ourselves to Death.

Just look at Pinterest. How many of us have boards loaded with great knowledge and things that are good and even great? What percentage of those things have we used--really incorporated into our everyday lives?

The book of James call us to account. He shows us the Christian life is more than just intellectually assenting and accepting some beliefs.

James shows us the “pinch points” where our faith and our practice don't align
  • in times of persecution and trial
  • whenever we open our mouths (our tongues easily show any discrepancy there is between faith and practice!)
  • in all of our relationships
  • in the handling of money
“True wisdom comes only when our attitudes and practices match up with the content of what we say.” ~Terry C. Muck

About the book of James...

James was possibly written around AD 45-48, before the Jerusalem Council (Acts 15), making it one of the first New Testament books to be written. BUT the book of James was left out of some of the early versions and collections of sacred books. While the churches of Rofe and Carthage doubted the canonicity of James, it was used early on by the churches of Jerusalem, Alexandria and Asia Minor.

Key theme of James: Spiritual maturity
Key words: brethren, faith, perfect (perfected), sin, rich (riches), judge (judges, judged, judgment), law, say (says), works, tongue
Key verse: James 1:4
James 1:4 from BibleGateway.org Click image to see larger.

James wrote to a church, to Jewish Christians who were having some problems in their personal lives as well as within the fellowship of Believers.

What were their problems?

  • not living out what they said they believed.
  • The tongues of the Believers were causing some serious problem, even division within the church.
  • Worldliness.
  • Disobedience and Christians straying from the Lord and from the church.
Boy, does that sound familiar?! James could have written to us this morning and be just as relevant and just as on target now as he was then.

But all these problems (in the early church and in today's church) go back to a root cause: spiritual immaturity. James teaches us about maturity—about growing up.

Faith in Action. A Bible study of the book of James with Patty Wysong at Patterings.

So, where do we fit into this?

We need to stop and look at ourselves and our lives—our actions, not just our intentions!--and see where we are in our Christian walk. I don't mean just a quick glance, but a deep, thorough look. Take some time this weekend or this week, and ask God to show you where you are—then stick around and listen with ears, eyes and heart open to see what He has to say.


This week:

Read through James in one sitting. Slowly. It should take less than 30 minutes.
Go the extra mile and read it a second time, out loud this time and listen to what you're reading.

Faith in Action. A Bible study of the book of James with Patty Wysong at Patterings.

Let's chat...

  • What's the first verse that comes to mind when you think of the book of James?
  •  What's your favorite verse in James?

Thoughts through the week...

I'll be tweeting about James throughout the week and if you're on Twitter, I would dearly love for you to join me for it. You can find me on Twitter at @PattyWysong

James isn't interested in just adding more intellectual knowledge to us. He wants to see the evidence of what we believe.

Heavenly Father, as we get ready to study James, open our hearts and minds to the truth of where we are in our walk with you. Show us Your truth and help us be diligent to live and act accordingly. Give us the courage to make the changes You call us—changes that will help us grow up in You.

9 comments:

  1. How refreshing! I love the book of James. Is it just me, or does it not break your heart to see & hear people you know act totally opposite to what they profess? I am guilty of it at times myself, but I try very hard to "practice what I preach." This is going to be a great study, Patty! ;-]

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    Replies
    1. Yes!! It is sad...and then I catch myself doing it and it shames me on many levels.

      But God gives greater grace.

      Thanks for stopping by, Shelley!
      Hugs!

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  2. What a wonderful presentation of studying James. I have read Martin Luther didn't want this book included in the NT. Can;t remember why. need to look that up again.

    again thanks for a great post.

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    Replies
    1. You're right Jean, he didn't. Martin Luther couldn't reconcile what James says about works with salvation by grace alone. It all fits, but Luther struggled with James' message.

      So good to see you! =]

      Delete
  3. Love James - my favorite verse, and the one I think of first, is James 1:5 - about asking for wisdom. :)

    Am gonna try to play along. Thanks, Peejers!

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    Replies
    1. Joanne, that's one of my fave verses there too. I've prayed that one many, many times.

      Hope you can play along. ;)
      hugs!!

      Delete
  4. Patty, I am amazed and thrilled with the hard work you've put into this study to make it fabulous! I love the icons and the format but mostly I love your heart for growing and maturing believers in the Word!

    Is there a particular hashtag on twitter you'll be using? #James etc for study participants to see all the conversation and not miss anything?

    My favorite verse is the same as Joanne's! James 1:5.

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  5. I am so excited! I love James! I can't wait to dig in!

    My favorite passage in James is James 4:13-17. It reminds me to stay obedient and pliable. :)

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  6. First time visiting your blog! Just wanted to say how much I really like your little "graphic quote" Belief and practice should be seen as a pair...a matched set! We are currently doing a Chip Ingram study from James chapter 4 at church...so even though it's not the same section, there is still application for it! Looking forward to checking out your blog more :)

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Thanks so much for stopping by! I love hearing from you.

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