Steadfast: A Devotional Bible Study on the Book of James

by Courtney Doctor

Faithfulness regardless of our circumstances. That's what it means to be steadfast. But in a world where so much can undermine our faith or pull us off track, steadfastness is often a rare and elusive trait. James longs for his readers to be steadfast. His letter meets us in our suffering and sickness, our trials and temptations, our wealth and poverty, our ups and downs. He confronts our sin, our speech, and our pride. He encourages believers to have a more resilient and concrete faith: not just to hear the word, but to do it. He calls us to persevere in truth in a world of lies, to see that God's steadfast love is ultimately the source of our steadfast faith.This 8-week study of James provides:5 days of study each week-observing, interpreting, and applying the textDevotional commentary with space to journal your thoughtsMemory verse each weekSmall group discussion questionsKeynote Teaching Videos from the TGC's 2020 Women's Conference In a fickle and wayward age, we need biblical wisdom if we are to stay the course and be steadfast saints. The book of James provides this wisdom, and Steadfast will help you apply it.

Genres: Christian, Nonfiction, Faith, Theology, Christian Living, Devotional

232 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 2019

About the author

Courtney received her Master of Divinity degree from Covenant Theological Seminary in 2013 and currently serves as the Director of Women's Ministry and Assimilation at Kirk of the Hills Presbyterian Church in St. Louis, Missouri. She and her husband with four wonderful children and two amazing daughters-in-law. You can find out more about Courtney at www.courtneydoctor.org

Reviews

[Bookish Ally · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. What an amazing study. Courtney Doctor excels at posing questions that forced me to really search, honestly and prayerfully, within myself. I did this while in the midst of a trial and it truly helped me with my attitude and my and relationship with Christ as well as my brothers and sisters in Him. Highly recommend!

[LeAna Randolph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book study on the book of James. I did this with the women’s group at church and it was such a challenging and encouraging study into James and being more like Christ.

[Bethany · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this study on James! Each week we read a specific part of the passage and each day moved through a sequence of observation (What does it say?), interpretation (What does it mean? What do other Scriptures say?), and application (How does this transform me?). Not only did it help me work through the passage to understand it better, it helped me examine my heart too. It's helpful to go through this study with others as there are discussion questions at the end of every week. I would love to try another study by Courtney Doctor.

[Katie Koppin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing study thru the book of James. I wanted to do this in prep for the Gospel Coalition Women’s conference because they will be teaching on James. Clear and easy to follow and dig into scripture. I’m challenged, convicted and encouraged.

[Sarah Christenbury · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not done yet, but the best devo book I've ever gone through. James sometimes seems condemning and like a list of rules, but this book helps it feel convicting and uplifting at the same time. I'll be sad when I'm done :(

[Cortney Grubbs · Rating 5 out of 5]

So good.

My Bible study did this book and it was absolutely amazing. James really really stepped on my toes and made me realize how messy my life is, but also it made me analyze my life and want to have a deeper relationship with Christ.

Highly recommend for any Bible study.

[Allyson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent Bible study…one of the best I’ve ever done

[Brandi Breezee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Looking forward to the TGC Women’s Conference Steadfast so much more after reading this book. Courtney Doctor takes the reader through what the text says, what it means, and its applications. Her goal wasn’t just head knowledge, her goal was for the reader to not leave unchanged.

[Jeannette · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this with a group of ladies in our Bible Study. I really like Courtney Doctor’s method and style of Bible study. You read the passage then spend a week examining what it says, what it means, comparing it to related Scriptures and how you might apply it. Theologically sound, true to the reformed faith, very relatable. I appreciate that it keeps me in God’s Word.

[Rayann · Rating 4 out of 5]

Courtney Doctor’s study on the book of James is comprehensive and enlightening. As a long-time Bible learner, she brings understanding to difficult verses. Believers are challenged with such things as: “Do my actions, words and works reflect what I profess to believe? Do I do the good I know I should be doing? Am I humble? Do I love others the way I should? Am I steadfast in prayer?”

[Judy G · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of the best studies I’ve done on the book of James.

[Mary Rachel Fenrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a great study of the book of James! The daily prayers were helpful, and the individual studies were broken up so that they were very doable in the span of a week. I appreciate that the questions made me search the scriptures and ask what the Bible really says, instead of just having the answers or someone else’s thoughts in front of me.

[Debbie Swanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thoughtful and thorough study with 5 day a week devotional study.

[Robin Fuson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This study is fantastic.
I love the outline each week. The first day is observation. In other words, what does the text say? Day two: Interpretation: What does the text mean? On the third day: What do other texts say? Day four: Application: How does the text transform me? Then on day five: Reflection, where she boils it all down.
There are group questions after each week’s worth of lessons. If you can get your hands on the videos put out by Gospel Coalition on this book, it will greatly enhance the study.
The in-depth study is five* I’ve done other studies on James and this one takes you deep. If you only read the text and the reflection, you have done well. Adding the Application gives an extra boost to the devotion. In other words, this study is for all students. In our group of thirty to forty faithful women, some only came to watch the video and go to discussion groups but didn’t do any homework and that is okay. Wherever you are in your walk with the Lord, this study is for you.

[Andrea · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did this study as a way to deepen the teachings I received at a virtual conference on the same topic. James is a challenging book because it’s filled with imperatives, but this study consistently presented the gospel which is the foundation upon which all these imperatives are based so it was not burdensome but very helpful. How to walk through suffering, growing in prayer, controlling one’s tongue, caring about the poor, and recognizing true faith are all found in this one little book. I highly recommend it. (Can be done independently or in a group setting)

[Deb Urbano · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have always liked the book of James - just when you think you've studied every corner of it...

Loved the format! For each section: observation, interpretation, interpretation in light of other texts, application, and reflection, plus extra questions for group time. Very thorough. Scripture centered.

The group one studies with certainly makes a difference, but this was meaty without being difficult. Our group met every two weeks which made the pacing on each section very doable, even when life got complicated.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is by far the best Bible study devotional I have ever used! I love how the questions lead us to examine the text and find out on our own the answers to what questions we may have about the text. The short explanation and exhortation passages embedded between the questions are great too. Both the questions and the passage texts touched me deeply. It was a blessing to go through this devotion during COVID shelter-in-place times.

[Emilie Sandham · Rating 4 out of 5]

This took me over a year to complete! Talk about a lesson in steadfastness. I really enjoyed digging deep into the practical book of James and I find it so helpful to have someone walk me through the weeds and get me to the heart of God. The author is steady and the theology is biblical and clear. I recommend this to anyone who would like to grow in deeper knowledge of the Bible, of God and of the process of becoming sanctified in the Lord.

[Hannah Mann · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this Bible study! Each week was set up in a really helpful way to allow you to really sit and soak in the Word. I loved day 3 each week where it brought in other references. I found the small group discussion guide to foster good conversation. It was a really well set up book and I loved learning more about James and studying it together with the Bible study I lead.

“Nobody is steadfast by accident.” Is a line that will stick with me and how true that is! James 1:1-2

[Kim · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall a fairly decent study. Follows Observation/interpretation/application method of inductive studies, has some helpful discussion questions, and fabulous videos from one of the Gospel Coalition Women's Conference a few years back. My discussion group did have minor issues with maybe 5 total questions/theological implications throughout the study (nothing heretical or blasphemous) but in a group setting we were able to help one another work through the questions.

Would recommend.

[Deannamand · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved the format, the questions and the insights of this power packed book. The book of James is such a practical read, telling believers how to live out their faith in daily life. The group discussion questions were thought provoking and useful in applying the scriptures to our individual lives.

[Heidi · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars. This was one of the best Bible study guides our women’s Bible study has used at our church. Thoughtful, straightforward, always pointing to Jesus Christ, inviting participants to closely observe the text, look into cultural context and cross-references, and apply in ways that are not trite or simplistic. I highly recommend this study.

[Michelle Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steadfast was sound, deep, and challenging. The structure was inviting and easy to follow. I appreciated the inclusion of the small group discussion questions. This is the most in-depth study of James I have come across. I look forward to going through it again.

[Leslie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thorough women’s Bible study, exploring the book of James over 8 weeks. Each week (or chapter) has 5 days of study to really dive into the text and memorize scripture. Each week also has group questions at the end to work through in a small group.

[TheQueensBooksII · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great workbook if you are interested in studying the book of James in the New Testament. With questions for reflection, information and insights into a contextual reading, and the option to memorize key verses make this a well-rounded, nicely guided study.

[Sally Walker · Rating 5 out of 5]

This Bible study was incredible. It offered hope and also provided biblical cross referencing so that each individual verse could be understood. I would recommend this devo to anyone looking to better understand and find hope in the book of James!

[Cameron Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Steadfastness is my word for 2022, so I was thrilled to find a Bible study by the same name. This was an INCREDIBLE and convicting study of the book of James. I did it on my own, but it would be great for a group as well. Cannot recommend it enough… it will change your life.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent study of the book of James. We used this book at my church’s women’s Bible study. It led to great discussions. There is a lot of homework and I found some of the questions hard to answer, but overall I grew a lot through studying one of my favorite books in the Bible.

[Brittany McDaniel · Rating 4 out of 5]

Wonderful expositional study of James. Completed with a group of ladies from church. Great discussion! 4/5 because I feel like some study days were too quick to move from one question to the next without intentionally focusing on each question.

[Darcy · Rating 3 out of 5]

The daily prayers were my favorite.