GETTING READY: What is the layout to James?

The second book we'll be studying for the 2013-2014 season will be the epistle of James.  The next few weeks of the "Getting Ready" series, we will be considering the high-level questions about this book.  If you have additional questions, don't be shy about e-mailing the coaches!

How is the epistle of James laid out?

Last year, we studied the Gospel of Matthew so the structure of the book wasn't a big deal.  It was a story where event followed event.  Essentially, it was a biography of Jesus (though it had a point of view and an intended message).

This year, we are studying an epistle.  It's a letter that James wrote to Jewish people in the Roman Empire (and he probably had no idea it would one day be included into the Bible as scripture).  We study chapter by chapter, but Paul intended it as one whole lesson and argument.

Here is an excellent outline from Bible.Org:

I. Salutation (1:1)

II. Enduring Trials (1:2-18)

• A. Summary/Main Theme: The Testing of Faith (1:2-6)
• 1. Faith in God’s Sovereignty (1:2)
  2. Faith and Perseverance (1:3-4)
  3. Faith and God’s Gifts (1:5)
  4. Faith Vs. Doubt (1:6)
• B. Specifics (1:9-18)
• 1. Faith Vs. Doubt (1:7-8)
  2. Faith and Finances (1:9-11)
  3. Faith and Perseverance (1:12)
  4. Faith and Fatalism (1:13-18)

III. Applying the Word: Faith Within the Church (1:19–3:18)

• A. Summary/Main Theme: The Obedience of Faith (1:19-27)
• 1. Anger Vs. Obedience (1:19-21)
  2. Passivity Vs. Obedience (1:22-25)
  3. Speech and Obedience (1:26)
  4. The Impartiality of Obedience (1:27)
• B. Specifics (2:1–3:18)
• 1. Partiality Vs. Obedience (2:1-13)
• a. Summary (2:1)
  b. Hypothetical Situation: Rich and Poor Enter the Assembly (2:2-4)
  c. Rebuke for Showing Partiality (2:5-7)
  d. Conditions of Obedience (2:8-11)
  e. Principle (2:12-13)
• 2. Passivity Vs. Obedience (2:14-26)
• a. Summary (2:14)
  b. Hypothetical Situation: Impoverished Believer in your Midst (2:15-17)
  c. Rational Argument: Demons’ Faith is Passive (2:18-20)
  d. Biblical Argument: Abraham’s and Rahab’s Faith is Active (2:21-25)
  e. Principle (2:26)
• 3. Speech and Obedience (3:1-12)
• a. Summary: The Tongue as a Measure of Maturity (3:1-2)
  b. Argument by Analogy (3:3-12)
• 1) Analogy One: The Tiny Tongue (3:3-6)
• a) Bits in Horses’ Mouths (3:3)
  b) Rudders on Ships (3:4)
  c) Sparks and Forest Fires (3:5-6)
• 2) Analogy Two: The Tamed Tongue (3:7-8)
  3) Analogy Three: The Forked Tongue (3:9-12)
• a) Praising and Cursing (3:9-10)
  b) Fresh and Salt Water (3:11)
  c) Schizophrenic Produce (3:12)
• 4. The Wisdom of Obedience (3:13-18)

IV. Witnessing to Divine Providence (4:1–5:20)

• A. Summary/Main Theme: The Reward of Faith (4:1-10)
• 1. The Prayer of Faith (4:1-3)
  2. Friendship with the World (4:4-6)
  3. The Humility of Faith (4:7-10)
• B. Specifics (4:11–5:20)
• 1. Avoiding Worldly Influences (4:11–5:6)
• a. Slander in the Community (4:11-12)
  b. Boasting about Tomorrow (4:13-17)
  c. Warning to Wealthy Oppressors (5:1-6)
• 2. The Patience of Faith (5:7-12)
  3. The Prayer of Faith (5:13-20)