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James - Bible Study Book: Faith Works
James Bible Study Book includes a small-group experience for 13 sessions, personal study between group sessions, applicable Scripture, “How to Use This Study,” a leader guide, and a family discipleship page.
James had a unique earthly relationship with Jesus, but his letter clarifies what the Christian life should look like for us all. The Book of James is filled with practical wisdom for Christians, calling us to live out genuine faith through good works, but it is also rooted in rich theology. Perhaps more than any other book in the New Testament, James emphasizes the application of Christian belief.
This 13-session study examines the core message of the relationship between faith and works. In our own ability, we cannot stand in the face of adversity. Without faith we could never find the strength to trust God. We would never be able to see above the trials we meet and to keep our eyes focused on the King while counting our trials as joy. This is the essence of James. We don’t work to be saved; we work because we are saved. Faith apart from works can never be sustained.
Session Titles
1. Brother / Servant
2. Trials / Temptations
3. Hearer / Doer
4. Judgment / Mercy
5. Faith / Works
6. Blessings / Curses
7. False Wisdom / True Wisdom
8. Worldliness / Godliness
9. Arrogance / Humility
10. Oppressor / Laborer
11. Suffering / Comfort
12. Faithful / Faithless
13. Wanderer / Restorer
• 13 small-group sessions
• Personal study opportunities for ongoing spiritual growth
• Gain a better understanding of the Book of James and apply its practical wisdom for all Christians.
• Learn how to deal with trials and temptations, understanding that enduring adversity ultimately brings joy.
• Learn to extend mercy, not harsh judgment, to others.
• Realize that words are important and must be used for good, not evil.
• Learn to fight against the passions and desires at war within us.
• Recognize the importance of praying for one another in sickness, health, suffering, and joy.
• Accept the challenge to speak truth to our brothers and sisters who wander from the faith.
• Come to humbly view all of our days as lived under the sovereign will of the Lord.
James had a unique earthly relationship with Jesus, but his letter clarifies what the Christian life should look like for us all. The Book of James is filled with practical wisdom for Christians, calling us to live out genuine faith through good works, but it is also rooted in rich theology. Perhaps more than any other book in the New Testament, James emphasizes the application of Christian belief.
This 13-session study examines the core message of the relationship between faith and works. In our own ability, we cannot stand in the face of adversity. Without faith we could never find the strength to trust God. We would never be able to see above the trials we meet and to keep our eyes focused on the King while counting our trials as joy. This is the essence of James. We don’t work to be saved; we work because we are saved. Faith apart from works can never be sustained.
Session Titles
1. Brother / Servant
2. Trials / Temptations
3. Hearer / Doer
4. Judgment / Mercy
5. Faith / Works
6. Blessings / Curses
7. False Wisdom / True Wisdom
8. Worldliness / Godliness
9. Arrogance / Humility
10. Oppressor / Laborer
11. Suffering / Comfort
12. Faithful / Faithless
13. Wanderer / Restorer
• 13 small-group sessions
• Personal study opportunities for ongoing spiritual growth
• Gain a better understanding of the Book of James and apply its practical wisdom for all Christians.
• Learn how to deal with trials and temptations, understanding that enduring adversity ultimately brings joy.
• Learn to extend mercy, not harsh judgment, to others.
• Realize that words are important and must be used for good, not evil.
• Learn to fight against the passions and desires at war within us.
• Recognize the importance of praying for one another in sickness, health, suffering, and joy.
• Accept the challenge to speak truth to our brothers and sisters who wander from the faith.
• Come to humbly view all of our days as lived under the sovereign will of the Lord.
- GenresChristianNonfiction
160 pages, Paperback
Published May 15, 2018
9 people are currently reading
57 people want to read
About the author
Matt Chandler
138 books758 followersLibrarian Note: There is more than one author in the Goodreads database with this name.
Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of The Village Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas metroplex of over 10,000 people. His sermons are among the topselling (free) podcasts on itunes and he speaks at conferences worldwide. Prior to accepting the pastorate at The Village, Matt had a vibrant itinerant ministry for over ten years where he spoke to hundreds of thousands of people in America and abroad about the glory of God and beauty of Jesus. He lives in Texas with his wife, Lauren, and their three children: Audrey, Reid and Norah.
Matt Chandler is the lead pastor of The Village Church, a multi-campus church in the Dallas metroplex of over 10,000 people. His sermons are among the topselling (free) podcasts on itunes and he speaks at conferences worldwide. Prior to accepting the pastorate at The Village, Matt had a vibrant itinerant ministry for over ten years where he spoke to hundreds of thousands of people in America and abroad about the glory of God and beauty of Jesus. He lives in Texas with his wife, Lauren, and their three children: Audrey, Reid and Norah.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
July 3, 2024
4.5🌟
James is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and this study takes a person deep into the teachings of James and how to apply them to one’s Christian walk. It is probably best experienced as a group or family study for the benefit of discussions. But it is still excellent for the individual. In addition, I enjoy Matt’s teaching style and always get a lot out of watching his videos.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
James is one of my favorite books of the Bible, and this study takes a person deep into the teachings of James and how to apply them to one’s Christian walk. It is probably best experienced as a group or family study for the benefit of discussions. But it is still excellent for the individual. In addition, I enjoy Matt’s teaching style and always get a lot out of watching his videos.
Robin’s Ratings
5🌟 = Out of this world. Amazing. Unforgettable. A personal favorite.
4🌟 = Loved it. Will recommend to others.
3🌟 = Liked it. Glad I read it.
2🌟 = The book was okay, but I’ve enjoyed others so much more.
1🌟 = I didn’t like it and can’t recommend it.
April 24, 2022
Matt Chandler had some interesting insights to the book of James.
This was a great Bible study for me during the COVID lockdown.
This was a great Bible study for me during the COVID lockdown.
April 11, 2022
One of my favorite Bible studies. Matt Chandler makes the book of James so relatable to life, helping us to learn more about the characteristics of God and how our "life is not about perfection, but about progress." The Bible is about God, not us!
One of my favorite quotes is "You have been blessed by God to live an open-handed life that shows you are not enslaved to those blessings, but rather are grateful for them." He also says "we are refined best in the furnace of community." He asked the question, "Do I speak life into others or point out that others have fallen short?"
He cautions us to "be careful who we listen to. Words reveal the progress of our faith. What drives your mouth is your heart and what drives your heart is our identity. If you build your identity on anything other than Jesus, your words will be hateful or boastful, or both." Such a good study! Highly recommend!
One of my favorite quotes is "You have been blessed by God to live an open-handed life that shows you are not enslaved to those blessings, but rather are grateful for them." He also says "we are refined best in the furnace of community." He asked the question, "Do I speak life into others or point out that others have fallen short?"
He cautions us to "be careful who we listen to. Words reveal the progress of our faith. What drives your mouth is your heart and what drives your heart is our identity. If you build your identity on anything other than Jesus, your words will be hateful or boastful, or both." Such a good study! Highly recommend!
January 13, 2025
I was in a Sunday School class where we went through this workbook. It is a 13 week expository series by Matt Chandler through the book of James.
This was a very good study. Besides discussion questions for the class, there is a pair of studies to do at home for each week. The book has a password so you can view videos for the lesson.
Differences between this and other studies I've done:
1. The others were shorter, no more than 10 lessons; this had 13.
2. The videos were of Chandler preaching sermons. The others I've seen look like they're filmed at a stage and gave the impression that he was addressing a small group (maybe even the individual viewer); this study gave us the impression we were part of the congregation.
3. The videos are longer. Other series have videos that are about 20 minutes or less; Chandler's sermons were between 30 and 40 minutes.
4. If you're looking for an expository series, I would recommend this one. Our class also used J.D. Greaer's study on Daniel: Faithful in the Fire, but that one was more focused on Daniel's standing up in a hostile society and thus focused on the passages that fit the theme. Chandler's on James covered the whole book.
I would definitely recommend this book for a Bible study, either by yourself, or in a class.
This was a very good study. Besides discussion questions for the class, there is a pair of studies to do at home for each week. The book has a password so you can view videos for the lesson.
Differences between this and other studies I've done:
1. The others were shorter, no more than 10 lessons; this had 13.
2. The videos were of Chandler preaching sermons. The others I've seen look like they're filmed at a stage and gave the impression that he was addressing a small group (maybe even the individual viewer); this study gave us the impression we were part of the congregation.
3. The videos are longer. Other series have videos that are about 20 minutes or less; Chandler's sermons were between 30 and 40 minutes.
4. If you're looking for an expository series, I would recommend this one. Our class also used J.D. Greaer's study on Daniel: Faithful in the Fire, but that one was more focused on Daniel's standing up in a hostile society and thus focused on the passages that fit the theme. Chandler's on James covered the whole book.
I would definitely recommend this book for a Bible study, either by yourself, or in a class.
January 20, 2021
We did this study with our small group, and gained a lot from it. You don’t have to have the videos to go with it, but it certainly made the experience even more meaningful. One of the lines from the book that is a great summary says, “James without the cross is a crushing book. The cross brings mercy. It’s about progress, not perfection.” Matt Chandler does great making that connection and balance personal to the reader.
March 23, 2021
This is an insightful guide through the book of James. It will lead to revelations and understanding of Scripture, but also a deeper understanding of your relationship with Christ! Wonderful bible study.
August 28, 2022
Good study on the book of James. We are given questions that really get you to thinking. It is nice to have the videos that goes with it but not really necessary for the personal study questions and some of the group discussion questions.
November 14, 2019
Excellent study of the book of James that we covered in my ladies Bible study at church. 13 great weeks!
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews