3: Be Doers of the Word (Jas 1:19-27)

I.       The Basics

A.     Setting

In the opening of the epistle, James encouraged believers to rejoice in various trials, emphasizing God’s abundant grace and goodness. In this lesson, we will study the importance of responding to God’s grace by doing the word of God.

B.     Key Verse

            “But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves” (1:22).

C.     Did You Know…?

Observe (1:23,24): This word is used to describe the attentive scrutiny of an object. James uses this strong word to illustrate the irony that anyone who hears the word but does not do it is like a man who studies his appearance carefully in a mirror and immediately forgets what he looks like when he walks away.

II.    Observation

A.     Outline

(1:19-21)

(1:22-25)

(1:26-27)

III. Key Words/Phrases

A.     General Analysis

1. How does verse 18 serve as an introduction to this lesson?

2. Record what this passage teaches about the believer and the word of God.

IV.  Segment Analysis

A.     1:19-21

1.      Based on this paragraph, what is the right way to receive the word of God? Explain your answer.

2.      Why does being a swift listener and a slow talker help us control our anger?

3.      What reason does James give for being slow to wrath? What does it mean?

4.      What do we need to do in order to receive the implanted word?

B.     1:22-25

5.      Why would we be deceiving ourselves if we are hearers of the word only?

6.      If we only hear the word but do not do it, how are we like the man who forgets his appearance?

7.      James uses the word “observe” to liken a person who is only a hearer to a man who scrutinizes his appearance in a mirror but immediately forgets what he looks like. So even an attentive and serious hearer immediately forgets the word if he does not do it. Why is doing God’s word the best way to remember the word?

8.      Are you a hearer only, or also a doer? Why do many people enjoy being hearers but do not like to be doers?

9.      Why is God’s word “the perfect law of liberty”?

10.  What does verse 25 teach us to do?

11.  What promise can be found here?

12.  Think of some teachings in the Bible that you have heard many times but have not yet put into practice. Then make an effort to carry them out today.

C.     1:26-27

13.  What is the difference between false religion and true religion?

14.  How does someone who practices false religion deceive himself? (26)

15.  Based on this paragraph, what are three specific areas where we can practice true religion?

16.  What does it mean to keep ourselves “unspotted from the world”?