Spiritual Maturity 101

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How Long ago were you baptized?

Do you feel that You've matured more?

• In handling situations (both negative and positive
• In your prayer life?
• in your bible study?
• in overcoming temptation?
• in your view on Evangelism?
• How you deal with others?

What's holding you back?

• Pride
• Priorities (School, Sports, etc)?
• Friends?
• Family?
• Stress?
• Personal Struggles (Trials and Temptation

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"...[The Books] make the complex understandable so that even a regular guy like me can get it.."

HOW MANY OF YOU THINK THE CHRISTIAN LIFE CAN BE COMPLEX?

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MEET JAMES

THE AUTHOR

THE AUTHOR

• The Author of the Book of James is....well....James.
• James, according to History, is the brother of Jesus Christ, the son of Mary and Joseph.
• Matthew 13:55
• He grew up in Galilee
• Do not confuse with James, the son of Alphaeus, an early disciple of Jesus, who was killed around 41 AD.

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THE AUTHOR

• James along with his other siblings probably didn't believe Jesus at first (John 7:1-5)
• He eventually became one of Jesus' believers (Acts 1:14

the author

• He was a major supporter of Gentile Christians when many were not ( Acts 15:13-21; Galatians 2:9,10) in 48 - 49 AD
• He became an Elder of the church in Jerusalem by the time Paul is arrested in 57 AD (Acts 21:17-25; Galatians 1:19)

THE AUTHOR

• Was killed in 62 A.D. by being stoned, preaching the name of Jesus even during his death.

Josephus - A Jewish historian who was never a Christain

JOSEPHUS on James' death - ""[The Scribes and Pharisees] threw down the just man... and began to stone him: for he was not killed by the fall; but he turned and kneeled down, and said: "I beg you, Lord God our Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do.'""

THE BOOK

THE BOOK

• The book was probably written around 45-48 AD. in Jerusalem
• The theme of the book is not just practicing true religion, but LIVING true religion.

The Book

• 19 x in James the word, Brothers, appears
• 5 x in the book "perfect" appears
• 19 x the phrasing of "working" appears
• 15-20 x the word faith appears

The Book

• Write this in the heading of your Bible:
• "Wise Brethren Perfect Working Faith"

THE READERS

The Readers

• Jewish Christians who were scattered through the Roman Empire.
• At this point their persecution had come from their own Jewish brethren
• Rome, at this point could care less.

The Readers

• Emperor Claudius, a few years after James' wrote the book, exiled all Jews from the city of Rome because of the jews were rioting over the Romans doing nothing about the Christians.
• The early church dealt with Emperor after Emperor who did not look favorably on Christianity.

The Readers

• Two years after James' death, in 64 AD, Emperor Nero would organize the first widespread persecution of the Church
• Most of the apostles were martyred during his short reign.

The Readers

• These Christians were brothers and sisters who were losing sight of what true Christianity is all about.
• They forgot their purpose and went back to being spiritual babies.
• Who better to remind them of maturity than a man who died praising Jesus?

The Readers

• James 1:2-12 - to the tempted and tried
• James 3 - to the teachers
• James 5 - to the rich

Things to Keep in Mind

Things to Keep in Mind

• If you let them, the lessons in this book will charge your spiritual growth.
• BUT YOU HAVE TO LET THEM!
• You will come away from this class with a much more sure foundation than you first began.

CHAPTER 1

Chapter 1:1

• 'A Servant' He calls himself a servant of Christ, rather than the brother of Jesus.
• He has no problem, and enjoys that his spiritual relationship with Jesus is way better than their physical, sibling relationship.
• '...of the Lord Jesus Christ' - Christ =Messiah (annointed one or king). This is the first thing James wants us to know.
• John 15:20

James 1:1

• Who/what comes to your mind when you think of a "servant of God?'
• when a high school student is a "servant of God' what things are true in his/her life?

You're identity doesn't come from WHAT you do, but WHO you are.

James 1:2-5

• what are some key/interesting words, phrases, topics, etc. that jump out to you in this passage?
• How many of you have heard the phrase: "No Pain. No Gain."?

James 1:2-5

• v 2 'Count it all Joy when you meet trials'- Here is an attitude adjustment.
• v 3 - 'testing of your faith'
• What are some specific ways that your faith is tested when you go through a tough time

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• Examples in Scripture
• Job (Job 1:1-3; 20-22)
• Elijah (1 Kings 19:1-4)
• David (Psalm 51)
• What does James 1:3-4 say is a positive outcome when your faith is tested

1:3-5

• why is steadfastness important in your faith?
• Give everything to God's plan. Do not interfere with it. Trust in Him.
• 2 Corinthians 1

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• vs 5 - "If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God...
• One response to trials is joy. What's the second response?
• Worldly wisdom is the world's perspective on handling trials. Godly wisdom is God's perspective on handling trials.