James 1-2 Study Guide


  1. What title does James give himself at the beginning of the letter? The title James gives himself at the beginning of the letter is "a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ."


  1. Who is James writing to? James is writing to Jewish Christians 


  1. What are the 5 tests that we have learned so far in James? The Test of Trials, The Test of Temptation, The Test of Obedience to the Word, The Test of Impartiality, The Test of Works


  1. What is the question James is answering throughout the book of James? What does true, living faith look like?


  1. What attitude should we have in the midst of trials? An attitude of joy.


  1. What do trials produce? What is the progression that trials initiate? Spiritual growth, testing faith and perseverance 


  1. What are the three characteristics of trials? Trials are unannounced, unavoidable, unlimited


  1. What does James say that we should do if we lack wisdom? We should ask God for wisdom

  2. What should we not do when we ask for this? Why not? When we ask for something, we should not doubt, because doubting makes us unstable and like a wave in the sea 


  1. Why should the rich remain humble? The rich should remain humble because wealth is temporary and will fade away


  1. What will a person receive who perseveres under trial and passes the test? A person who perseveres under trial and passes the test will receive the crown of life that God promises to those who love Him 


  1. What should no one ever say when tempted? No one should ever say, "God is tempting me" when tempted, because God doesn't tempt anyone 


  1. Where does temptation come from? Temptation comes from our own desires, which can lead us away from God


  1. As you consider James 1:16-18 what does James imply to be the greatest “of the good and perfect gifts from above?” James implies that the greatest "good and perfect gift from above" is salvation, given by God through Jesus 


  1. What should we be quick to do (v. 19)? And slow to do (2 things)?  We should be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to become angry.


  1. What doesn’t human anger produce ? Human anger doesn’t produce the righteousness that God desires


  1. What analogy does James give of someone who ignores God’s Word? James compares someone who ignores God’s Word to a person looking in a mirror and then forgetting what they look like


  1. What renders someone’s religion worthless? someone’s religion is worthless if they don't control their tongue and deceive themselves.

  2. According to James 1:27 what kind of religion pleases God (2 items)?  pure religion that pleases God is:

  1. Caring for orphans and widows.

  2. Keeping yourself unspotted from the world.


  1. What should believers in Jesus not do? (Chapter 2:1) Believers in Jesus should not show favoritism


  1. Be able to explain what James teaches about the proper relationship between faith and words in your own words (vv.14-26). What examples does he give to make his case? James teaches that faith without actions is dead. He uses Abraham sacrificing Isaac and Rahab helping the spies as examples of faith shown through deeds 


  1. How did Abraham prove his faith in the Lord by what he did (see Genesis 22)? By being willing to sacrifice his son Isaac when God asked, showing he trusted God completely


  1. How did Rahab demonstrate her faith by what she did (see Joshua 2)? Rahab showed her faith by hiding the Israelite spies and helping them escape safely


  1. Why isn't a belief in God enough to save you? Belief alone isn’t enough because even demons believe in God


Who also believes in God but shudders? Demons