1. James ends his letter like this: Remember whoever turns (reverses) a sinner from the error of their way (progress) will save them from death and cover over a multitude of sins. James 5:20 NIV

2. 1. Galilean, oldest Jesus 4 brothers’ (Matthew 13:55) 3. Not one of 2 disciples named James 6. Nicknamed: “Old Camel Knees, James the Just 4. Leader of Jerusalem Church (Acts 15) Who was James? 2. Probably married 2. Probably married (1 Corinthians 15:3–8) 5. One of 3 “pillars” of the church (Galatians 2:9) 7. Resurrected Jesus appeared / Martyred AD65

3. 2. Main theme is living out faith 1. Written to Jewish Christians AD 45 3. Like OT wisdom literature sayings 4. The tone is continuously energetic What do we know? 5. 5. His mission mostly to the Jews (Galatians 2:12) 5. 5. Has a particular heart for the poor (Galatians 2:10)

4. The control object: Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body James 3:3 NIV The guiding object: The bit of bridle The consequences: By applying pressure on the bit and bridle, the whole body and direction of the horse can turn The implications on the tongue: By speaking a few words, a body can then move into action and have its direction set.

5. What causes fights and quarrels among you? Don't they come from your desires that battle within you? [2] You desire but do not have, so you kill. You covet but you cannot get what you want, so you quarrel and fight. You do not have because you do not ask God. [3] When you ask, you do not receive, because you ask with wrong motives, that you may spend what you get on your pleasures. James 4:3 NIV

6. 1. KNOW GOD 3. DISCERN TODAY 6. ANSWER SLOWLY 4. PURSUE POVERTY Eight themes 2. DEVELOP WISDOM 5. REMEMBER ETERNITY 7. DAILY DO 7. CENTRALISE PRAYER

7. Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. [23] Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror [24] and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. [25] But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do. James 1:22-25 NIV

8. The control object: Indeed, we put bits in horses’ mouths that they may obey us, and we turn their whole body [James 3:3 NIV] The guiding object: The bit of bridle The consequences: By applying pressure on the bit and bridle, the whole body and direction of the horse can turn The implications on the tongue: By speaking a few words, a body can then move into action and have its direction set.