James

Five Week Study

Facilitator Tips:
This Bible study is designed to go through the book of James in five weeks with a small group
allowing adequate time for discussion. It can be completed as a personal study but the benefit
of iron sharpening iron that comes through examination of scriptures with other believers will
be lost. Participants will immerse themselves in one chapter per week.

• Distribute the “James Study—Week 1” lesson one week prior to the first gathering. Instruct the
participants to complete the lesson at home before coming to the group. Each week hand out the
next week’s lesson.

• There are five homework activities each week. This pace permits two days each week for
catch-up and review. Each day’s homework can be completed in approximately 20 minutes.

• OPTIONAL: It can be helpful to print each chapter of James triple spaced with the study guides.
There are several specific marking activities that people may prefer to do on paper rather than in
their Bibles. Triple spacing the lines allows ample room for notes as well as the marking.

• It helps to have four or more different colored pencils or pens.

• Encourage the participants to work on the lessons on a daily basis for maximum benefit versus
a big cram session.

I hope that this study guide becomes a tool that launches each participant into deeper intimacy with
the Lord and rich fellowship if working in a group. May God bless and reward your diligent time in
His precious Word.

January 2022
by Manette Kay author of www.musingsofmanettekay.com
This study guide can be shared. No permission needed to use as is.
 James
Study—Week 1

Day 1:
Pray each day before you begin your study. If you’re unsure what to pray you can pray
something like this:

Heavenly Father, thank you for revealing yourself through your written word. You
are holy and worthy of all glory, honor, and praise. Holy Spirit, I ask that you help
me understand these Scriptures so that I would glorify Christ in the life you’ve given
me. In Jesus’ name. Amen

Read the whole book of James in one sitting and try to notice any common words, phrases, or
themes that are repeated then list them.
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Were there any confusing words or ideas that you came across while reading the book? If so, write
them here.
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What questions did you have after reading the book?

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Summarize the book of James in your own words with no more than three sentences.
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Day 2:
Read James chapter one out loud.

Who is James writing to? ___________________________________________________________________________________

Read James chapter one a second time marking the words God, Lord, Jesus Christ, and Father with
purple. How many times do you see God mentioned in chapter one?

Reread the chapter again circling every personal pronoun such as him, he, who, you, his, etc. when
referring to God.

In your own words summarize James one.

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Day 3:
Read James chapter one out loud. Hearing ourselves speak Scripture strengthens cognition, assists
the brain in storing in long-term memory, and builds connections between the spoken and written.

Mark all words or phrases that imply definitive absolutes with red. Write a list of those you find.
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Mark words or phrases that indicate an act or action with green. List of those you find.
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Day 4:
Mark every conditional clause you find in this chapter. What do these tell you about God and Man?
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Look carefully at James 1:13-15, 17-18. The sections create extreme contrasts. But they are tied
together with a warning.

What does verse 16 warn against? _________________________________________________________________________

Write a synopsis of these six verses in your own words.

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Day 5:
Read James chapter one with a focus for noticing the attributes of God. List the attributes you find
in the text.
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What does this teach me about God?

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How should what I’ve learned about God change the way I think, feel, and/or act?
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Use this space to hand write James 1:22-25. ______________________________________________________________

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January 2022 Page 4 of 4

by Manette Kay author of www.musingsofmanettekay.com
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 James
Study—Week 2

Day 1:
Pray each day before you begin your study. If you’re unsure what to pray you can pray
something like this:

Heavenly Father, thank you for preserving your word for me to have and read. Holy
Spirit help me to learn and apply the wisdom and truths James shared in this book.
Give me a heart that yearns to be like Jesus, that God be glorified in all areas of my
life. In Jesus’ name. Amen.

Listen to an audio of the book of James. There are options available with the YouVersion app, on
YouTube, or CDs. We may gain a new perspective when we hear another voice reading.

Re-read James chapter two. In your own words, summarize chapter two in a few sentences.
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Day 2:
Read James two mark the words faith and works. If you previously marked them take note of their
frequent use. Why do you think these two words are repeated so many times?
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Day 3:
Read James chapter two out loud. How could loving others as we love ourselves turn out to be
liberating to us?

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Day 4:
Read James chapter two then handwrite James 2:14-19 below.
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Find the two identical or nearly identical phrases in the passage above and circle them. What do
these phrases state about the text between?
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Day 5:
Read James chapter two, what does it teach me about God?
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January 2022 Page 2 of 3

by Manette Kay author of www.musingsofmanettekay.com
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How should what I’ve learned about God change the way I think, feel, and/or act?
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Use Days 6 and 7 for review and/or catch up days. Continue to read chapter two. The best way to
gain understanding and comprehension is by repetitive reading.

January 2022 Page 3 of 3

by Manette Kay author of www.musingsofmanettekay.com
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 James
Study—Week 3

Day 1:
Pray each day before you begin your study. If you’re unsure what to pray you can pray
something like this:

Heavenly Father, thank you for transforming James from a skeptic to a man of faith.
Thank you for his letter containing practical guidance on the ways we ought to live.
Holy Spirit, reveal the true nature of God as I read and study. Help me put into
practice what I learn because you are worthy. Amen.

Read James chapter three aloud. Hearing ourselves speak Scripture strengthens cognition, assists
the brain in storing in long-term memory, and builds connections between the spoken and written.

Find the verse containing a continuation of a major emphasis of chapter two. Write the statement
you find.
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Day 2:
Read James three. Consider carefully verse one. Is James literally saying there ought to be few
teachers? Explain.
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Read Paul’s words in Romans 12:3-8. How does what Paul say align or differ from what James says
in verse one?
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Should a Christian fear teaching? Why or why not?

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Day 3:
James uses some definitive absolutes in reference to the condition of man. Find these phrases and
underline them in red. List what you find.
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In your own words, from what you found, write a one or two sentence summary of man’s condition.
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Find each occasion James uses the adjective “small” and put a dot above it. What can we conclude
from this reference to size?
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Day 4:
Read James chapter three then write James 3:13-18 below.
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January 2022 Page 2 of 4

by Manette Kay author of www.musingsofmanettekay.com
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In the text above, put a box around the words “wise” and “wisdom” and an A+ above each use of the
word. Notice James contrasts two origins of wisdom. What are they?
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In the text above, put a red P above each adjective of the wrong source of wisdom for a Christian.

In the text above, put a purple U cross above each adjective of Godly wisdom.

List the two outcomes—end results for the types of wisdom.

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Day 5:
Read James chapter three, what does it teach me about God?
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January 2022 Page 3 of 4

by Manette Kay author of www.musingsofmanettekay.com
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How should what I’ve learned about God change the way I think, feel, and/or act?
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Use Days 6 and 7 for review and/or catch up days. Take time to read some commentaries or
articles about James. Continue to read chapter three. The best way to gain understanding and
comprehension is by repetitive reading.

January 2022 Page 4 of 4

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 James
Study—Week 4

Day 1:
Pray each day before you begin your study. If you’re unsure what to pray you can pray
something like this:

Heavenly Father, thank you for teaching, instructing, and admonishing me

through your word. Make my heart receptive, earnestly yearning to know you
more fully. Holy Spirit, as my helper assist me in gaining understanding and
giving the fortitude to put into practice the things you reveal. In Jesus name.
Amen.

Read James chapter four aloud. Using the outline below as a division of chapter four make note of
the scripture references for each section.

Warning Against Worldliness

A. Quarrelsomeness (James 4:__________)
B. Spiritual Unfaithfulness (James 4:__________)
C. Pride (James 4:__________)
D. Slander (James 4:__________)
E. Boasting (James 4:__________)

Do you think murder or kill in verse two is figurative? Why or why not? Are you aware of scripture
to support your position?
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Day 2:
Read James chapter four.
Look up a dictionary definition of adultery. Write the definition and synonyms for adultery. Then
describe why James would have chosen this word to describe a spiritual condition?
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Day 3:

Read James chapter four.

Look up the words “proud” and “humble” in a dictionary. Keep those in mind as you read James
chapter four.

List the ten commands given in James 4:7-10.

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In the Greek, each of these commands is so stated that it calls for immediate action to root out the
sinful attitude of pride.

Read Ephesians 6:10-20. How are the instructions of Paul in Ephesians similar to James’ advice in
chapter four?
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Day 4:
Read James chapter four then choose a section from the outline on Day 1 of this week that you need
the most work on or you recognize as your weakest area. Hand write that passage below.
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Did hand writing the passage cause anything else to come to awareness? If so, what?
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Day 5:
Read James chapter four, what does this teach me about God?
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January 2022 Page 3 of 4

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How should what I’ve learned about God change the way I think, feel, and/or act?
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Use Days 6 and 7 for review and/or catch up days. Continue to read chapter four. Note any
additional thoughts, observations, or questions below.

January 2022 Page 4 of 4

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 James
Study—Week 5

Day 1:
Pray each day before you begin your study. If you’re unsure what to pray you can pray
something like this:

Heavenly Father, thank you for permitting us to read the words and teaching of
Jesus’ brother, a man who doubted that Jesus was Savior. Yet had a transformation
like me. Holy Spirit, make me as loyal as James, willing to give all in complete
surrender to my Lord Jesus. Amen.

Read James chapter five aloud. Using the outline below as a division of chapter five make note of the
scripture references for each section.

Warning to Rich Oppressors (James 5:_________)

Miscellaneous Exhortations
A. Concerning patience in suffering (James 5:_________)
B. Concerning oaths (James 5:_________)
C. Concerning the prayer of faith (James 5:_________)
D. Concerning those who wander from truth (James 5:_________)

Reread James’ warning to the rich and search for two anthropomorphisms (the attribution of
human characteristics or behavior to inanimate objects). List them here:
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Day 2:
Read James chapter five.
Look up a dictionary definition of luxury and self-indulgence. List synonyms for both. Saving is a
Biblical concept; how do we know how much is enough?
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January 2022 Page 1 of 5

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Day 3:
Read James chapter five then write James 5:13-16 below.
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In this passage, James calls out people in three conditions. List each condition and corresponding
action James urges.

Condition Necessary Action

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Day 4:
Read James chapter five. Take time to specifically meditate on James 5:16b. Use this page to
diagram it similar to the sample on page 5, also called scripture or verse mapping.

January 2022 Page 3 of 5

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Day 5:
Read James chapter five, what does it teach me about God?
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How should what I’ve learned about God change the way I think, feel, and/or act?
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Jot any closing thoughts or significant take-a-way from this overall study of James.
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January 2022 Page 5 of 5
by Manette Kay author of www.musingsofmanettekay.com
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