UNROLL
A rolled letter tied with cord resting on the low stone wall of a hillside terrace at dawn, olive trees and the flat rooftops of Jerusalem below under a wide pale sky.

The Book of

James Intro

Real faith doesn’t just talk. It shows up in everyday life.

Before chapter 1≈ 2 min5 chapters

Images are artistic interpretations.

In 30 seconds

Trials come. Let them make you strong.

Don’t just hear God’s word. Do it.

Faith that does nothing is dead.

Guard your words. Draw near to God.

Be patient, and pray. The Lord is coming.

Tap to go deeper: meaning, history and related Scripture

Who wrote it

James

The Lord’s brother, leader in Jerusalem

  • He calls himself simply a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.James 1:1
  • Tradition names James, the Lord’s brother, who led the church in Jerusalem, though some scholars doubt he wrote it.Church tradition
  • Once unconvinced, he saw the risen Jesus for himself.1 Corinthians 15:7
  • To Jewish believers scattered abroad, perhaps in the 40s, and before his death about AD 62.Many conservative scholars

How it’s built

Five marks of real faith

Tested faith1 · joy in trials;hear and doLiving faith2 · no favorites;faith that worksWise words3 · the tongue;wisdom from aboveHumble hearts4 · draw near to GodPatient hope5 · wait for the Lord;pray

Whiteboard

Short teachings and vivid pictures, like Proverbs, about one theme to a chapter.

Big themes

Four threads to follow

Where it went

JudeaSamariaPhoeniciaCyprusJerusalemAntioch (Syria)

Stylised map · locations approximate

On the map

From Jerusalem to the scattered

Probably written from Jerusalem. James names no cities, so we don’t know just where it went. After Stephen’s death, believers were scattered through Judea and Samaria, some as far as Phoenicia, Cyprus and Antioch.

Meet the cast

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Watch for

Be doers of the word, and not hearers only.

James 1:22

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Question

Quick question

James gives two examples of faith that acted, and they could hardly be more different.

Which two people does James hold up as examples of faith that acts?

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