Discussion questions for the book of James

Mark Gilbert

James 1

1.     What is temptation? Give examples.

2.      How are we tempted?

3.      Is temptation good for us? Why? Why not?

4.      Why has God given us the Bible? (see also Hebrews 4v16)

5.     What does God want us to do? Vs 21-22,27

6.      In what ways are ‘the poor exalted’ and ‘the rich made low’?

7.      What should we pray for?

8.     What is wisdom? How do we get it?

James 2

1.     What is the royal law?

2.      Why is it the royal law? (see also Matthew 22v37-40)

3.      How does true love treat other people?

-         does it judge people by their wealth or appearance?

-         Does it favour one person above another?

-         Does it give people freedom?

-         Does it show mercy to people

4.     Is vs 6-7 true of our country now? How?

5.      Can we be saved by keeping the law of Moses? (see also Acts 15v1,6-11; Galatians 5v1-6)

6.     Can I have faith without works? Why not?

7.      Faith in God gives us power to do good works. Give examples from the Bible and in your life of faith.

James 3

1.     Is it good to be a teacher and leader? Why? Why not?

2.      Give examples of the damage our tongue does?

3.      Why does James compare our tongue to a rudder of a boat?

4.      Why cant we fully tame our tongue?

5.      How can we control our tongue better?

6.      What are the ways of God?

7.      What are the good things we should do with our tongue?

8.      Do we look like God Himself? Vs 9

 James 4

1.     Why do we have wars?

2.      What things shouldn’t  we pray for?

3.      Who is an enemy of God?

4.      What is “the world” we cant have friendship with? (see also 1 John 2v16-17; Ephesians 2v1-3)

5.      God gives “grace to the humble.” What does this mean? How does a person become humble?

6.     What is the difference between ‘a judge of the law’ and ‘a doer of the law’? vs11-12

= What things does ‘a judge of the law’ do?

= What things does ‘a doer of the law’ do?

= What does this mean for you?

7.     Should we boast in our riches and how we can make money? Why            not?

8.      What is certain in life and what is not certain?

9.      Who should we trust? Why?

 James 5

1.     What does God see?

2.      Does God judge? Should He judge?

3.      What are the consequences of getting riches by lying, cheating and stealing from others in:

= the short term

= in the long term

4.     What is “the coming of the Lord”? vs7,8

5.      Why do we need to be patient?

6.      What should we pray for?

7.      vs 14-15  -  Is this to be done for someone about to die? Why? Why not?

8.      How should we help each other?