James 5:7-8

Has your joy for the holidays gone missing? Are there too many demands, much too much heartache, and not enough money to find your merry? What do you do when everyone seems to be having the best season ever while you fake happy holiday sentiments and eat Christmas cookies alone? Put the cookies down and get on track to find your merry in this 4-day plan with Cheri Strange.

This plan will explore what the letter of James teaches us about growing into maturity in four major areas. 1) WHO GOD IS: God’s character and nature 2) WHO WE ARE: the identity of humanity and/or believers 3) WHAT WE BELIEVE: core Christian doctrines 4) HOW WE LIVE: putting faith into action

This plan is intended as a guide to discovering the message of James for yourself! Grab a notebook to jot down your thoughts as you are led through a process of: 1) Observing the text of James 2) Interpreting its original message to James’ audience in the first century 3) Applying the letter’s timeless truths to your life today

Examine the book of James in three parts: the test of faith, the characteristics of faith, and the triumph of faith. Faith without works cannot be called faith. Faith without works is dead, and a dead faith is worse than no faith at all. Faith must be there, but it must be more. It must inspire action. Throughout his epistle to Jewish believers, James integrates true faith and everyday practical experience by stressing that true faith must manifest itself in works of faith.