Lessons Archive

Keep Your Word and Pray with Righteousness (James 5:12-20)

James reminds us of Jesus' high standard of integrity: let your ‘yes’ be ‘yes’, and your ‘no’ be ‘no’ at all times. This is one of the most challenging teachings on righteousness in all of Scripture. In closing, James, called 'camel knees' based on his devotion to prayer, encourages us to confess our sins to

Keep Your Word and Pray with Righteousness (James 5:12-20) View Lesson

Be Patient (James 5:1-11)

James has strong words for the rich, who are oppressing the poor. While socialists and Marxists have offered similar complaints, the solution offered by James (and Jesus) is quite different! James calls the Christians to demonstrate patient endurance in the face of their trials. This reminds us of the character of God Himself, and is

Be Patient (James 5:1-11) View Lesson

Do Not Boast (James 4:13-17)

James addresses the sin of boasting and the arrogance behind it. This subject permeated Jesus’ teaching as well. In this lesson, we look at wonderful examples of humility recorded in Scripture for us to imitate. Then we contrast that with the ‘hall of spiritual losers’, bad examples whose pride and arrogance serve as a stark

Do Not Boast (James 4:13-17) View Lesson

Do Not Judge Others (James 4:11-12)

James insists we must not judge others. Jesus taught the same thing in the Sermon on the Mount. So why do so many Christians in our circles feel entitled to judge and look down on others? What excuses do Christians make to justify this behavior? We explore the significance of this teaching and tackle some

Do Not Judge Others (James 4:11-12) View Lesson

Five Spiritual Laws for Day-to-Day Living (James 3:13-4:10)

James now gives five practical spiritual laws we can always rely on. They include: requirements for effective prayer; that we can be either a friend of the world or a friend of God; we will receive God's favor when we are humble; if we resist Satan, he will flee from us; and if we draw near

Five Spiritual Laws for Day-to-Day Living (James 3:13-4:10) View Lesson

Tame Your Tongue (James 3:1-12)

Here again, James blasts sins of the tongue, employing colorful, memorable analogies to convict us all. While most Christians tend to view these sins as relatively minor, Jesus and the apostles taught otherwise. Taming your tongue is difficult, but not impossible. Your salvation may depend on it! Teaching Notes James 3:1-12 - Lesson Notes

Tame Your Tongue (James 3:1-12) View Lesson

Faith Without Works? (James 2:14-26)

James begins by asking his readers a question: Can a person be saved by faith alone, without works? Then answers it clearly, backing up his conclusion with compelling reason and Scripture. WARNING: If you have been influenced directly or indirectly by Martin Luther’s teaching, you will likely find this lesson rather disturbing. However, we will

Faith Without Works? (James 2:14-26) View Lesson

Don't Show Favoritism (James 2:1-13)

The sin of favoritism has caused significant problems in many churches. Sadly, the human heart is highly susceptible to showing partiality to those who possess wealth, fame, stature, or other things the world esteems. Yet the Scriptures could not be clearer: God shows justice equally to all men, showing no partiality. As Christians, we should do

Don't Show Favoritism (James 2:1-13) View Lesson

Pure and Undefiled Religion (James 1:27)

While most churches tend to emphasize either helping the poor or separation from sinful practices, James says that both are necessary. Here, we explore the first challenge: helping the poor. We show how this aligns with what Jesus taught, and has always been foundational in God’s view of righteousness. The lesson concludes with practical suggestions

Pure and Undefiled Religion (James 1:27) View Lesson

Bridle Your Tongue (James 1:22-26)

Many Christians consider their sins of the tongue to be relatively minor transgressions. That is not how James saw it. He said that if we don’t control our tongues, our religion is useless! Jesus also had strong things to say about these sins. In this message, we take a fresh look at the gravity of

Bridle Your Tongue (James 1:22-26) View Lesson