Today we begin a series on the Book of James. Rather than taking a chapter by chapter approach, we are going theme by theme. Most of the main themes in James are introduced in chapter one, then James continues to elaborate on these themes throughout the rest of the letter.

The overarching theme is to grow into a Mature Faith. This lesson focuses on James 1:1-4, who is the author and who is he writing to? Also, if you read the book as a whole, James gives us a snapshot of immature faith and a snapshot of mature faith.

James 1:1-4 (New International Version)
1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes scattered among the nations:

Greetings.

2 Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.

James 1:1-4 (New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition)

1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes in the dispersion:

Greetings.

2 My brothers and sisters, whenever you face various trials, consider it all joy, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance complete its work, so that you may be complete and whole, lacking in nothing.

James 1:1-4 (New Living Translation)

1 This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing to the “twelve tribes”—Jewish believers scattered abroad.

Greetings!

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.