James, Session 1: Trials, Steadfastness and Wisdom

Read the passage: James 1:1-8 (ESV, Bible Gateway)

Think about joy and suffering – are they related in any way?
- Generally speaking, are you more joyful when things are going well, or badly?

Read James 1:1-8

In v1, how does James describe himself?
- What could he have said and does the fact he doesn’t strike you in anyway?
- Consider the following verses: Matthew 13:55; Mark 3:20-21; John 7:3-5; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Acts 15:12-13. What do these tell us about James’ personal story?
  - How might this influence the way he thinks about himself?
How does he describe the people he’s writing to?
- What is the implication of James calling Christian believers ‘the 12 tribes’ and ‘the Dispersion’?
- What impact should the fact that as Christians we are scattered in the world, and not grouped in ghettoes, have on our lives?
  - How might this influence the kind of topics James covers in the letter?
In v2, what does James say we should do when we meet trials?
- Does ‘count it all joy’ primarily refer to our emotional response to trials or the way we think about them?
- Why might the way we handle trials be closely linked to the way we think about them?
  - How could James’ words be misused by someone trying to help someone else going through trials?
James says, ‘when you meet trials of various kinds’. What does that word ‘when’ imply?
- He describes the trials as ‘various.’ What does that mean?
- Give some examples of trials you’ve been through recently, or the form they might take in others’ lives.
What reason does he give in v3 for why we should count it all joy when we face trials?
- How do trials test our faith and why does this result in steadfastness?
  - What is steadfastness?
    - Look at Hebrews 12:1-2. Who is our model of steadfastness/endurance [same word in Greek]? How did he endure? How does this link to what James is saying here?
  - Why is steadfastness important in the Christian life?
Look at v4. What impact does growing in steadfastness have on us?
In v5, James brings up the subject of wisdom. How would you define wisdom?
- Why might trials and a need for wisdom be linked?
  - When you have/are going through a hard time, have you ever felt this lack of wisdom?
- How does James say we should respond to this lack, and do you?
- Look at Proverbs 2:1-6. How does this compare to what James writes here?
- Why do we need to ask God for wisdom, rather than just produce it/grow in it ourselves?
- How does James describe God’s response to our prayers for wisdom? Why should that encourage us?
In v6, what does James say our attitude to praying for wisdom should be?
- What does it mean to doubt – and how does the idea of being double minded (v8) help us understand what James is getting at?
- Why is James’ illustration of a wave a fitting one for the person who doubts/is double-minded when it comes to God’s wisdom?
- Considering v8, how is the person who doubts different from the one who is steadfast?

Recap & Reflect

How might what you have learnt about trials reshape the way you think about and handle the trials you currently face or might face in the weeks to come?

Where are you currently lacking in wisdom? Take time now to ask God to give you wisdom and trust that he will generously do so.

Leader’s notes

The notes are here to help you lead a group and answer tough questions. The idea isn’t to read the “right” answer out after each question, but rather to give you support or a helpful nudge in guiding your discussion in the right direction. Feel free to use them as best suits your group.

In v1, how does James describe himself?
- What could he have said and does the fact he doesn’t strike you in anyway?
  James is Jesus’ half-brother, yet he describes himself as a servant; and he describes Jesus as ‘the Lord’.
How does he describe the people he’s writing to?
12 tribes; dispersion – Jewish people living in the gentile world, who have become Christians. They are believers scattered in the world.
- What is the implication of James calling Christian believers ‘the 12 tribes’ and ‘the Dispersion’?
  James is saying that the church – Jews and Gentiles are the one true people of God, the new Israel
- What impact should the fact that as Christians we are scattered in the world, and not grouped in ghettoes, have on our lives?
  - How might this influence the kind of things James covers in the letter?
    James will address real life issues. It’s not a letter written for the monastery or nunnery, but the world
In v2, what does James say we should do when we meet trials?
- Does ‘count it all joy’ primarily refer to our emotional response to trials or the way we think about them?
  James does not say, ‘feel joyful in trials’ but ‘count it’ – consider it – reckon it all joy. Right thinking precedes any emotional change.
James says, ‘when you meet trials of various kinds’. What does that word ‘when’ imply?
Suffering is not a matter of ‘if’ but ‘when’. It is a normal part of life and a normal part of the Christian’s life.
- He describes the trials as ‘various.’ What does that mean?
  Trials are going to take many different forms. They will come but they will not be all alike
What reason does he give in v3 for why we should count it all joy when we face trials?
Trials are a test of our faith and produce steadfastness.
- How do trials test our faith and why does this result in steadfastness?
  - What is steadfastness?
    It’s endurance, patience, perseverance, keeping-on-keeping-on, being unwavering despite the circumstances
Look at v4 What impact does growing in steadfastness have on us?
it enables us to become ‘perfect and complete’. This is about being a person of mature and deep faith, not moral perfection.
In v5 James brings up the subject of wisdom. How would you define wisdom?
It has been defined, helpfully, as skill in living
- Why might trials and a need for wisdom be linked?
  Often, when we are going through hard times, we feel out of our depth, we don’t know what to do; we know we don’t have the wisdom to get through.
In v6, what does James say should be our attitude to praying for wisdom?
- What does it mean to doubt – and how does the idea of being double minded (v8) help us understand what James is getting at?
  James is using doubt as a way of describing split loyalties, – double mindedness. It’s when we try to hedge our bets between God and the world, between God’s way of seeing trials and the world’s; trying to keep a foot in both camps – to live by worldly wisdom at the same times as by God’s wisdom. And the reason we do this is because we don’t fully trust God and his wisdom… we doubt.
- Why is James’ illustration of a wave a fitting one for the person who doubts/is double-minded when it comes to God’s wisdom?
  A wave, while being full of energy, is in reality driven by tides and wind. In addition, the wind whips up waves, making their tops whiter and more frothy. The person who doubts is likewise more subject to the circumstances of his/her life – emotionally they will be more up and down, their responses to difficulties – or success – more unstable and superficial. Their responses will not be grounded in faith, prayer, and the character of God but the nature of the circumstances themselves.

Download the complete study: Bible study on James (PDF)