“Wisdom in an Age of Fools”
A Congregational Devotional
On the book of James
Fall 2013
Christ Community Church
“Every good and perfect gift is from above.” James 1.17
Here is our next devotional book for you to use alongside the present sermon
series. This devotion covers the next eleven weeks as we spend time in the book of
James. Please use this in families or groups whenever possible.
Foolish or Wise?
James is a unique book in the New Testament. While it is a letter written to
Christians, many of its features have more in common with Old Testament wisdom
literature, books like Proverbs, Job, Ecclesiastes, and Song of Solomon. This means
that James takes time to understand. While the plain meaning is clear and obvious,
there are a number of passages that can seem troubling and invite us to wrestle with
the Word and wrestle with God as Jacob did so long ago.
Therefore, this study is designed to help you meditate on James. It challenges
you to read through the whole book once a week throughout this study. (Note: this
takes about 15 minutes). It further challenges you to read the weekly passage as often
as you can. Ideally, you will read it at least three times through per day and six out of
the seven days in the week. But, do as much as you are able. I assure you, you will be
amazed at what you discover. Finally, it will challenge to summarize what you have
been hearing God say in a single sentence at the end of the week of meditation and
study.
By the way, if you do write a summary sentence, I would love it if you could email
them to me during the week. They would be a real asset in sermon preparation and
help us all in hearing the Word.
Blessing
May you be blessed, challenged and encouraged as you use this devotion. And
may God be honoured and glorified forever.
David
Structure of James
Greeting (1:1)
Introductory Matters (1:2-18)
Joy in Trials
Request for Wisdom
Rich and Poor
Temptation
God’s Gifts
Exhortation 1 (1:19-27)
Hear and Do the Word
Exhortation 2 (2:1-13)
Do Not Show Favouritism
Exhortation 3 (2:14-26)
Show Faith by Deeds
Exhortation 4 (3:1-12)
Keep your Tongue in Check
Interlude: Reflection on Wisdom (3:13-18)
Exhortation 5 (4:1-12)
Live Humbly
Rebuke of the Arrogant (4:13-17)
Rebuke of the Rich (5:1-6)
Exhortation 6 (5:7-12)
Be Patient
Concluding Remarks (5:13-20)
The Praying Community
Week One: James 1:1-18
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 1:1-18
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Two: James 1:19-27
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 1:19-27
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Three: James 2:1-13
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 2:1-13
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Four: James 2:14-26
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 2:14-26
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Five: James 3:1-12
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 3:1-12
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Six: James 3:13-18
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 3:13-18
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Seven: James 4:1-12
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 4:1-12
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Eight: James 4:13-17
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 4:13-17
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Nine: James 5:1-6
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 5:1-6
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Ten: James 5:7-12
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 5:7-12
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
Week Eleven: James 5:13-20
Open in Prayer
Part 1: Reflection
Read James 5:13-20
Pause for Silent Reflection
Repeat 1, 2 or 3 Times
Part 2: Observation
Write observations and questions on the opposite page.
o What jumped out at you?
o What gave you joy?
o What troubled you?
o What confused you?
If you are in a group share and discuss your observations and questions.
Part 3: Application
Write about or discuss the following questions:
o What might God be saying to you personally?
 What might He be affirming in you?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might you need to take?
o What might God be saying to our congregation?
 What might He be affirming in us?
 What might He be correcting?
 What concrete action might we need to take?
At the end of the week, summarize your meditation in one sentence.
For example: “Wisdom is…” or “God calls us to…”
Close in Prayer
If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives
generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to
you.
James 1.5