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Journey Through James: 30 Biblical Insights
Written by James--the brother of Jesus and the first pastor of the church in Jerusalem--the book of James provides subtly profound insights on living a wise and God-focused life. In Journey through James , Douglas Estes uncovers passage-by-passage this carefully woven teaching.
As you face various intersections in life, this thirty-day devotional study will help you discern and follow the wisdom and way of God and not of the world. Perfect for individual study or group discussion, it includes application questions and space to record your journey in each section.
The Journey Through® series from Our Daily Bread Ministries brings a devotional approach to Bible study. Various authors walk passage-by-passage through a selected book of the Bible, connecting the Scriptures to life today with fresh insights that invite a closer walk with God.
As you face various intersections in life, this thirty-day devotional study will help you discern and follow the wisdom and way of God and not of the world. Perfect for individual study or group discussion, it includes application questions and space to record your journey in each section.
The Journey Through® series from Our Daily Bread Ministries brings a devotional approach to Bible study. Various authors walk passage-by-passage through a selected book of the Bible, connecting the Scriptures to life today with fresh insights that invite a closer walk with God.
- GenresNonfiction
72 pages, Paperback
Published January 5, 2021
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
May 15, 2025
Robert Solomon, Bishop of the Methodist church in Singapore 2000-2012, is one of the regular, reliable contributors to the Journey Through daily Bible reading series. His notes and comments are always clear and enlightening and help to make the journey through the book of Hebrews a blessing and a pleasure.
After an overview and a glossary, we are taken through the letter to the Hebrews in 60 daily readings. Each day is allotted a two-page spread. First, we are given a Bible passage to read (not included, though the text of the NIV is assumed) and roughly a page of comments to help us understand and apply the teaching of the passage. The opposite page has two ‘Think Through’ questions and is mostly left blank with lines for our own notes.
The comments are written from a conservative evangelical point of view, with a mainly reformed understanding of the sovereignty of God and of his role in saving sinners, but not always unequivocally so. For example, in discussing whether Hebrews Chapter 6 verses 4-8 refers to a true Christian losing their salvation, the author sits on the fence, simply stating both points of view.
The authority, unity and inerrancy of the Bible as the word of God are fully respected. References to other Bible passages are made where they help to explain and reinforce a point. Where a Greek word with a significant meaning is in the text, the author explains it simply and clearly. Thus, on Hebrews Chapter 8 verses 1-7 we have:
I have a couple of other quibbles. Occasionally, for example, the author lapses into the language of the Authorised (King James) Version. He refers to the “atonement cover” (NIV) of the ark as the “mercy seat” (AV). Later on, he calls “the Most Holy Place” (NIV) of the tabernacle “the Holy of Holies” (AV). This would confuse someone not familiar with the older version.
Sometimes, perhaps because of space, the author does not address an issue that seems to call for it How, for instance, did Christ “learn obedience” through suffering (Heb 5:8)? He also makes the odd debateable assertion without justifying it, as when he says that “having our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb 10:22) refers to baptism (not, for example, to Old Testament cleansing rituals).
Nevertheless, I warmly commend this book as a resource for personal, daily Bible reading for any Christian, whether new to the faith or to the Scriptures or of many years’ standing.
After an overview and a glossary, we are taken through the letter to the Hebrews in 60 daily readings. Each day is allotted a two-page spread. First, we are given a Bible passage to read (not included, though the text of the NIV is assumed) and roughly a page of comments to help us understand and apply the teaching of the passage. The opposite page has two ‘Think Through’ questions and is mostly left blank with lines for our own notes.
The comments are written from a conservative evangelical point of view, with a mainly reformed understanding of the sovereignty of God and of his role in saving sinners, but not always unequivocally so. For example, in discussing whether Hebrews Chapter 6 verses 4-8 refers to a true Christian losing their salvation, the author sits on the fence, simply stating both points of view.
The authority, unity and inerrancy of the Bible as the word of God are fully respected. References to other Bible passages are made where they help to explain and reinforce a point. Where a Greek word with a significant meaning is in the text, the author explains it simply and clearly. Thus, on Hebrews Chapter 8 verses 1-7 we have:
Normally, outside the Bible, the Greek word sunthēkē is used for the idea of a covenant—an agreement between two parties… But here a different word is used—diathēkē—meaning not an agreement but a will. The new covenant God makes with us in Christ is not an agreement between equals (indeed, neither was the old covenant between God and Abraham), but one made solely by the testator (the author of the will). The other party has no right to change the will, only to accept or reject it. We approach God through Christ on God’s terms, never our own.It is surprising, therefore, that the author seems to imply that “the firstborn” (in Heb 12:23) is a reference to Christ and does not point out that the Greek word for “firstborn” is plural.
I have a couple of other quibbles. Occasionally, for example, the author lapses into the language of the Authorised (King James) Version. He refers to the “atonement cover” (NIV) of the ark as the “mercy seat” (AV). Later on, he calls “the Most Holy Place” (NIV) of the tabernacle “the Holy of Holies” (AV). This would confuse someone not familiar with the older version.
Sometimes, perhaps because of space, the author does not address an issue that seems to call for it How, for instance, did Christ “learn obedience” through suffering (Heb 5:8)? He also makes the odd debateable assertion without justifying it, as when he says that “having our bodies washed with pure water” (Heb 10:22) refers to baptism (not, for example, to Old Testament cleansing rituals).
Nevertheless, I warmly commend this book as a resource for personal, daily Bible reading for any Christian, whether new to the faith or to the Scriptures or of many years’ standing.
October 5, 2023
This is a 30-day trip through what has been, until the late 20th century, one of the most neglected books in the Bible. The book of James, who was believed to be Jesus’s brother (meaning he was one of the children conceived by Mary with Joseph), has been problematic for Christians because of its straightforward and practical approach to humanity’s social ills, and the attitudes that Christians should have to them. Speaking of the poor, particularly children and widows, James brings to light the three things that have impacted the Church’s problems with handling these: greed, intolerance, and laziness. James faces those problems head-on, telling his readers where they are wrong and what they should do about it. Lacking the coddling, nurturing nature of the books of Paul or Peter, James’s simple, no-nonsense way of speaking has been considered “too hard” for many followers. But, sometimes, a “tough love” approach is what is needed to make people pay attention and see the faults in their actions that have been ignored or downplayed by other teachers.
One of the major stumbling blocks of James for most Christians is the part in chapter 2, verses 14 through 26, in which James addresses actions, saying that, without deeds, faith is dead. When taken out of context, this seems to be at odds with Paul’s assertion in Ephesians that the believer has been saved by grace and not by works. However, the operative words here are “out of context.” When one reads the larger letter in James, it is clear that the writer is speaking to those who have already accepted the grace of forgiveness. There is no question about whether or not they are followers. The problem stems from how they have acted as followers. For, if they are followers, then they need to act like it, and, it seems, in many cases they have not. What many Christians seem to conveniently forget is that those in this world who do not know their Creator, or have never been taught this philosophy, do not have any idea what the grace of forgiveness looks like, much less have experienced it for themselves. The followers of Christ are their only examples of this truth, for it is the believers’ actions and deeds that are the window into that truth. It is the believers’ duty to picture the love and grace of forgiveness in their own lives, to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no caveat in that commandment that says, “Only if your neighbor looks, thinks, and lives the way you do.” The commandment is only that we love, and act like we love.
We, in our world today, could learn much from James. Those who have accepted the grace of forgiveness should be willing, wanting, and acting in gentleness and acceptance of our neighbors. We should not be trying to take away their civil rights, imprison them, or erase their history and cultures. We should be loving and helping them, even if we do not agree with their ideology, religion, or politics. For, if we do not, all they will see is people who show them that the Christian faith is nothing but intolerance and hatred. If that is all they see, why would they want to be a part of something like that? Why would they even want to listen to someone like that? Perhaps that is something we should think about the next time we go to vote, participate in a demonstration, or sign a petition.
One of the major stumbling blocks of James for most Christians is the part in chapter 2, verses 14 through 26, in which James addresses actions, saying that, without deeds, faith is dead. When taken out of context, this seems to be at odds with Paul’s assertion in Ephesians that the believer has been saved by grace and not by works. However, the operative words here are “out of context.” When one reads the larger letter in James, it is clear that the writer is speaking to those who have already accepted the grace of forgiveness. There is no question about whether or not they are followers. The problem stems from how they have acted as followers. For, if they are followers, then they need to act like it, and, it seems, in many cases they have not. What many Christians seem to conveniently forget is that those in this world who do not know their Creator, or have never been taught this philosophy, do not have any idea what the grace of forgiveness looks like, much less have experienced it for themselves. The followers of Christ are their only examples of this truth, for it is the believers’ actions and deeds that are the window into that truth. It is the believers’ duty to picture the love and grace of forgiveness in their own lives, to “Love your neighbor as yourself.” There is no caveat in that commandment that says, “Only if your neighbor looks, thinks, and lives the way you do.” The commandment is only that we love, and act like we love.
We, in our world today, could learn much from James. Those who have accepted the grace of forgiveness should be willing, wanting, and acting in gentleness and acceptance of our neighbors. We should not be trying to take away their civil rights, imprison them, or erase their history and cultures. We should be loving and helping them, even if we do not agree with their ideology, religion, or politics. For, if we do not, all they will see is people who show them that the Christian faith is nothing but intolerance and hatred. If that is all they see, why would they want to be a part of something like that? Why would they even want to listen to someone like that? Perhaps that is something we should think about the next time we go to vote, participate in a demonstration, or sign a petition.
May 20, 2023
This is one of Our Daily Bread's Journey Through series. There are 30 readings and devotionals that cover the entire book of James. Well written and easy to follow.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews