James, Session 4: Hearers and Doers of the Word

Read the passage: James 1:19-27 (ESV, Bible Gateway)

Has anyone ever told you you’re a good listener? Why?
- What makes a good listener?

Read James 1:19-27

Look again at v19. Before we look at the reason James gives, why is it wise to be ‘quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger’?
- How are those three things (hearing, speaking, anger) – and the speed at which we do them – linked?
  - How are you doing in these areas? Do you find them easy?
  - In what ways are these qualities perfected in Christ?
Considering v20, what reason does James give for being slow to anger? And why is he right?
Considering v21, why might putting away filthiness and wickedness be linked to receiving the implanted word with meekness?
- How might ‘putting away’ and receiving the implanted word be the fruit of being ‘quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger’?
- How does the implanted word save our souls? What’s the word, who implants it and how does it save us?
Look at v22. How common is hearing but not doing the word, do you think? Why?
- Why do we deceive ourselves if we do this?
- What does Jesus have to say about this?
- There is a saying, ‘actions speak louder than words.’ Do they? Why or why not?
Re-read v23-25. Given James’ illustration, in what ways is God’s word like a mirror?
- In v23-24, why is James’ use of someone looking in a mirror a fitting one for someone who hears but doesn’t do?
- Do you have any practices that help you be a good hearer and doer of the word?
In v25, James mentions ‘the law of liberty’. Can religious law keeping bring freedom?
- Given this, what does James mean by this term?
- Why does perseverance in doing matter? Why is it easier to start something than finish it?
- Look at Hebrews 12:1-2. How is Christ our example in persevering in doing good?
  - What motivated him?
- How might a failure to persevere in doing good show itself in our lives?
- ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ Discuss.
- What does it mean that the person who is a doer of the word will ‘be blessed in his doing’?
Look at v26. Why is a failure to control our tongues a warning sign of deeper problems, and especially of self-deceit?
In v27, how does James describe the kind of religion God approves of?
- Why do these things matter so much to God?
  - How do we know these things matter to God, and what’s the link between that and being a hearer and doer of the word?
- Look at Matthew 25:34-40. What motive is there here for caring for the vulnerable?
- How are you doing these things at the moment? If not, what steps could you take to do so?
- How might the world stain us, and what might this have to do with caring for the vulnerable?

Recap & Reflect

Where do you struggle to apply the Word you hear? Where does the power to be a doer come from? Ask God for his help to tackle these areas where you might be deceiving yourself.

Reflect on how Jesus is the perfect embodiment of what it is to be a hearer and doer of the word, slow to speak and slow to anger. Reread verses 26-27 and consider how he lived a perfectly pure religion during his life on earth.

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.

Look again at v19. Before we look at the reason James gives, why is it wise to be ‘quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger’?
- How are those three things (hearing, speaking, anger) – and the speed at which we do them – linked?
  If we fail to cultivate listening skills, we will be in danger of leaping in with our response before we’ve actually properly heard the other person. And if we ‘re not listening carefully but instead saying what we want to say, we’re likely to get angered more easily. So, being a careful listener, is key to being measured and nuanced in our own speech, and not given to anger.
Considering v20, what reason does James give for being slow to anger? And why is he right?
He says that the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God. When James refers to the righteousness of God, he has in mind something different from the righteousness that is counted to us in Christ that Paul talks so much about. James has in mind the righteous life God wants us to live – the kind of life that reflects God’s righteousness to the world. Us getting angry over things – especially getting angry quickly, without properly listening and reflecting – does not achieve that righteous life, and neither does it encourage it in others, as they will respond to our anger with their own.
Considering v21, why might putting away filthiness and wickedness be linked to receiving the implanted word with meekness?
It is through hearing and understand God’s word, and taking it to heart, that we can become aware that certain attitudes and behaviours are wrong and want to stop doing them.
- How might ‘putting away’ and receiving the implanted word be the fruit of being ‘quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger’?
  Being quick to hear etc are attitudes that put us in a better position to hear God speak to us through his word. That receptivity means we will hear the word, act on it and part of that will entail putting away wrong behaviours etc.
- How does the implanted word save our souls? What’s the word, who implants it and how does it save us?
  The word is God’s word, more specifically the gospel. It is implanted by God’s Spirit, who brings us to new birth through it. It saves us by bringing us to repentance and faith in Christ.
Look at v22. How common is hearing but not doing the word, do you think? Why?
- Why do we deceive ourselves if we do this?
  We think we’re doing what God wants, that we’re ‘spiritual’ by hearing God’s word, but we’re not if we don’t go on and do it. In fact, we’re blind to the real state of our hearts and lives.
- What does Jesus have to say about this?
  Think of the parable of the wise and foolish builders, Matt 7:24-27.
Re-read v23-25. Given James’ illustration, in what ways is God’s word like a mirror?
God’s word shows us what we are really like – the good and the bad. It shows us who we are in Christ, but it also shows us where we still have to grow and change. Also as we respond to that word, either well or badly, it reveals the state of our hearts.
- In v23-24, why is James’ use of someone looking in a mirror a fitting one for someone who hears but doesn’t do?
  When we look in the mirror and see something wrong, we act on it – we brush our hair, fix the make-up, do up the zip etc So, when we read something in God’s word that shows us something we need to do, we should do it. If we don’t it would be like someone walking away from a physical mirror knowing something is wrong but not putting it right.
In v25, James mentions ‘the law of liberty’. Can religious law keeping bring freedom?
The answer is no. Religious law keeping can bring about a degree of morality, but at the cost of self-righteousness and pride. It can also bring despair as we realise we can’t do what the law says. So rather than free us, law further imprisons us – to sin and to despair over our sin.
- Given this, what does James mean by this term?
  James is referring to the entirety of God’s word – what the Jewish people called the torah. The whole counsel of God – the law that convicts us of our sin and the gospel that shows us the way to peace and righteousness through Christ. It gives liberty – from sin, judgment, despair and death.
- How might a failure to persevere in doing good show itself in our lives?
  Someone might become cynical or slow to serve others; they might be more self-centred, feeling that they’ve ‘already done their part.’ They might neglect the means of grace, such as prayer , Bible reading and church attendance – the things that can fuel a desire to do good works for God’s glory.
- ‘The road to hell is paved with good intentions.’ Discuss.
  For example, plenty of people have the intention of doing something good – whether that’s some act of service or generosity. Fewer people start to do it. Even fewer carry it through to completion. Genuine, saving faith will show itself in the desire, the doing and the finishing of good deeds.
- What does it mean that the person who is a doer of the word will ‘be blessed in his doing’?
  There is reward in this life for doing good. The ability to do good is itself a gracious gift of God; there is a joy in seeing others helped and blessed by your actions; there is growth in faith and trust as we see how God helps us achieve things we would otherwise not have done. There is gratitude and worship in seeing how he has used someone like us.
Look at v26. Why is a failure to control our tongues a warning sign of deeper problems, and especially of self-deceit?
The words we say are like a window on our hearts. If our tongues are out of control it’s because our hearts are. We can pretend otherwise, but if we do we are deceiving ourselves.
In v27, how does James describe the kind of religion God approves of?
- Why do these things matter so much to God?
  They are a reflection of his character. He is a God of love, justice and righteousness, who cares for the vulnerable, as the verses below show.
  - How do we know these things matter to God, and what’s the link between that and being a hearer and doer of the word?
    We know because God tells us in his word: see Psalm 68:5-6; Deuteronomy 10:17-20, 24:19-22; Micah 6:6-8, Is 1:16-17. When we hear this word, and understand it, and let it change the way we treat the vulnerable, we are being hearers and doers who put into practice the religion God approves of.
- Look at Matthew 25:34-40. What motive is there here for caring for the vulnerable?
  When we do it, we do it not just for Christ but to Christ.
- How might the world stain us, and what might this have to do with caring for the vulnerable?
  We can be conformed to the world’s way of seeing the poor and vulnerable – among other things, that their poverty is their fault, or we should keep our wealth for ourselves by pursuing the comfortable life.

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