Introduction and Outline of James

Blurb about the book and lead into the outline.

Outline

Blurb about the outline.

1. The Test of Faith — 1:1-18
   • Big Idea: God uses trials to approve and improve our faith.
   • Introduction: Painful Trials and Maturing Faith
   • The People of Trials — 1:1
     • James — 1:1a
     • The Twelve Tribes — 1:1b
   • The Purpose of Trials — 1:2
   • The Proving of Trials — 1:3-4
     • Approving Your Faith — 1:3
     • Improving Your Faith — 1:4
   • The Prerequisite of Trials — 1:5-8
     • Recognizing Your Deficiency of Wisdom — 1:5a
     • Understanding the Means of Wisdom — 1:5b
     • Trusting the God of Wisdom — 1:6-8
   • The Power of Trials — 1:9-11
   • The Payoff of Trials — 1:12
   • The Provision of Trials — 1:13-18
2. The Trial of Works — 1:19-27
3. The Trial of Partiality — 2:1-13
   • Principle, Illustration, and Indictment = 2:1-4
   • Six Reasons Why We Should Hate Partiality = 2:1-7
   • Defining Partiality = 2:1-13
   • Live Under the Law of Love = 2:8-13
4. The Trial of Faith = 2:14-24
   • Three Characteristics of Dead Faith = 2:14-17
   • Deader Than Demons = 2:18-20
   • Dynamic Faith = 2:21-26
     • The Example of a Jewish Patriarch = 2:21-24
     • The Example of a Gentile Prostitute = 2:25-26
5. The Trial of Speech = 3:1-12
   • Big Idea: A Transformed Heart Produces a Transformed Mouth
   • The Tongue Tests our Teachers = 3:1
   • The Tongue Measures our Maturity = 3:2
   • The Tongue Determines our Destiny = 3:3-5
   • The Tongue Inflames our Iniquity = 3:5-6
   • The Tongue Reveals our Rebellion = 3:7-8
   • The Tongue Compromises our Confession = 3:9-12
6. The Trial of Wisdom = 3:13-18
   • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Wisdom from Heaven
   • The Challenge to Show Divine Wisdom = 3:13
   • The Evidence of Worldly Wisdom = 3:14-16
     • The Manifestation of Worldly Wisdom = 3:14
     • The Character of Worldly Wisdom = 3:15
     • The Outcome of Worldly Wisdom = 3:16
   • The Evidence of Heavenly Wisdom = 3:17-18
     • The Character of Heavenly Wisdom = 3:17
       • Heavenly Wisdom is Pure
       • Heavenly Wisdom is Peaceable
       • Heavenly Wisdom is Gentle
       • Heavenly Wisdom is Reasonable
       • Heavenly Wisdom is Merciful
       • Heavenly Wisdom is Fruitful
       • Heavenly Wisdom is Impartial
       • Heavenly Wisdom is Sincere
     • The Outcome of Heavenly Wisdom = 3:17
7. The Trial of Loyalty = 4:1-12
   • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Loyalty to God
   • The Diagnosis of Disloyalty = 4:1-3
     • The External Symptoms of Conflict = 4:1
     • The Internal System of Conflict = 4:2
     • The Spiritual Source of Conflict = 4:3
   • The Dangers of Disloyalty = 4:4-6
     • Disloyalty Opposes God’s Wishes = 4:4
       • Disloyalty is Friendship with the World
       • Disloyalty is Enmity with God
     • Disloyalty Ignores God’s Word = 4:5
     • Disloyalty Suffers God’s Wrath = 4:6
   • The Death of Disloyalty = 4:7-10
     • Surrender: Pledge Your Allegiance = 4:7
     • Sanctify: Purify Your Life = 4:8
     • Sadness: Mourn Your Sin = 4:9
     • Summary: Humble Yourself = 4:10
   • The Departure from Disloyalty = 4:11-12
     • The Prohibition = 4:11a
     • The Premise = 4:11b
     • The Problem = 4:11c
     • The Principle = 4:12a
     • The Interrogation = 4:12b
8. The Trial of Planning = 4:13-17
   • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Planning with God
   • The Presumptuous Person = 4:13
   • The Precarious Life = 4:14
   • The Providence Principle = 4:15
   • The Pretentious Evil = 4:16
   • The Prophetic Warning = 4:17
9. The Trial of Wealth = 5:1-6
   • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Stewarding God’s Blessings
   • The Denunciation of the Rich = 5:1
   • The Miseries of the Rich = 5:2-3
     • Your Riches are Perishing = 5:2
     • Your Riches are Testifying = 5:3a
     • Your Riches are Burning = 5:3b
   • The Indictment of the Rich = 5:3c-6
     • You Have Wasted Wealth = 5:3c
     • You Have Robbed Others = 5:4
       • The Wages Cry Out
       • The Workers Cry Out
     • You Have Lived Luxuriously = 5:5a
     • You Have Fattened Yourself = 5:5b
     • You Have Murdered Others = 5:6
   • The Enemy of the Rich = 5:6b
10. The Trial of Suffering = 5:7-12
    • Big Idea: True Faith is Expressed through Patience in Suffering
    • Patience Commanded = 5:7-8
      • Patience is Required = 5:7a
      • Patience is Limited = 5:7b
      • Patience is Pictured = 5:7c
        • Patience & Precious Fruit = “waits for the precious fruit”
          1. Perfected Faith = 1:4
          2. Eternal Salvation = 1:12
          3. Jesus Christ = 5:7
        • Early & Late Rains = be patient, dependent
        • God’s work is what you are waiting to finish
      • Patience is Explained = 5:8a
      • Patience is Reverent = 5:8b
    • Impatience Judged = 5:9
      • Do not Grumble = 5:9a
      • The Judge is Ready = 5:9b
    • Patience Exemplified = 5:10-11
      • The Patience of the Prophets = 5:10
      • The Patience of the Sufferer = 5:11
    • Impatience Condemned = 5:12
      • Do not Swear = 5:12a
      • The Condemnation is Sure = 5:12b
11. The Prayer of Faith = 5:13-20
    • Big Idea: Prayer is the Key that Unlocks Joy in Trials
    • The Prayer of Faith can Restore our Strength = 5:13a
    • The Prayer of Faith can Renew our Joy = 5:13b
    • The Prayer of Faith can Recover our Faith = 5:14-15
    • The Prayer of Faith can Rebuild our Fellowship = 5:16a
    • The Prayer of Faith can Revive our Power = 5:16b-18
    • The Prayer of Faith can Rescue our Soul = 5:19-20