James: A 12-Week Study

Knowing the Bible

by Greg Gilbert, J.I. Packer (Editor)

The Knowing the Bible series is a new resource designed to help Bible readers better understand and apply God’s Word. Each 12-week study leads participants through one book of the Bible and is made up of four basic (1) Reflection questions designed to help readers engage the text at a deeper level; (2) “Gospel Glimpses” highlighting the gospel of grace throughout the book; (3) “Whole-Bible Connections” showing how any given passage connects to the Bible’s overarching story of redemption culminating in Christ; and (4) “Theological Soundings” identifying how historic orthodox doctrines are taught or reinforced throughout Scripture. With contributions from a wide array of influential pastors and church leaders, these gospel-centered studies will help Christians see and cherish the message of God’s grace on each and every page of the Bible.

In this accessible study, pastor and author Greg Gilbert examines the message of James, exploring the book’s difficult teachings on wealth, anointing with oil, prayer, healing, and the relationship between faith and works. Through clear exposition of the biblical text and challenging application questions, Gilbert helps readers rightly understand James as a stirring exhortation to fruitfulness, ultimately written to remind Christians of the necessary connection between genuine faith and heartfelt obedience.

Genres: Theology, Nonfiction, Christian

98 pages, Kindle Edition

First published April 30, 2013

About the author

Librarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.

Greg Gilbert (MDiv, The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary) is senior pastor at Third Avenue Baptist Church in Louisville, Kentucky. He is the author of What Is the Gospel?, James: A 12-Week Study, and Who Is Jesus?, and is the co-author (with Kevin DeYoung) of What Is the Mission of the Church?.

Reviews

[James McCormick · Rating 1 out of 5]

So this was the best of a bad group of James study guides at our local bookstore. It almost got two stars because it’s not the worst.

Read james for yourself. Write your own study. Save the money.

our bible study largely stopped using the book. Questions were often over simplistic and sunday schoolish. Members of our study wrote questions that spurred much better conversation.

Why, i wondered, would you write this book and leave so many good questions about a very interesting book of the Bible on the table. It hit us late in the book as the author insisted on answering more and more of his own questions - sometimes inaccurately, we thought- that this wasn’t really a serious bible study book after all. It was far too often the author’s opinion of the text, and that is NOT what i wanted.

That’s when i went 1 star.

[Amanda Styler · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am not sure this style is the best way for me to deep dive into a book of the Bible. I feel like sometimes the questions or the reflections were distracting from the main point but I read this very disjointed so that could be the issue as well. I felt like I got more out of the introduction of Radically Whole by David Gibson.

[Patina Malinalli · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an insightful book. The questions for "Gospel Glimpses," "Whole-Bible Connections," and "Theological Soundings" add depth to the devotional. It was a quality book, but I personally prefer books with more historical references/deeper background, but there are some questions that make you think.

Appropriate for group or individual study. I would recommend it for a Christian interested in investigating the New Testament more deeply or someone who wants a more in-depth view about living a Christian lifestyle. 4 stars!

[Elisabeth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Useful.

[Erin Robertson · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars

[Christopher Scoles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid study, James is a great book. Good mix of simple and though provoking questions. Would definitely recommend the series

[Cm · Rating 1 out of 5]

Very “Sunday school”. Did prompt good discussions, but our group often decided we didn’t like the questions in the book and wrote our own. This wouldn’t make a good self-study.

I got tired of shallow questions that prompted a certain answer instead of encouraging the Bible student to engage and explore the text. This series encourages whole Bible connections, but I didn’t think this particular study did a great job of that.

[Patricia C Robbins · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a Resource

This is an excellent guide for someone wanting to learn more about the Bible, and James in particular. There are many other guides too.

[Peter Young]

Excellent way into this Bible book and an excellent series