Is there any useless religion around today? Do we see evidence of people merely going through the motions of religion, professing faith in Christ without any evidence of it showing up in their lives? If so, these are indications that we need the epistle of James today. Written by the half-brother of Jesus, this letter helps us attack stale, humdrum, useless religion. Among the many practical issues that James deals with are: suffering, 'the gap' between hearing and doing, controlling the tongue, and resisting the world. Roger Ellsworth's studies in this letter draw out the challenges for us as believers in the 21st century - here are lessons we badly need to hear today.

Although the Bible can seem incomprehensible, the Opening Up the Bible series is designed to provide a basic grounding and introduction to the individual books within it. These simple (but not simplistic) tools will help individuals and small groups understand God’s Word, no matter what background or knowledge they already have.

Each volume takes you section-by-section through the covered book, opening up God's word with wisdom, insight, and practical application. Additionally, the "For Further Study" points at the end of a section provide guidance to other areas of scripture that further illuminate the lesson, and the "To Think About and Discuss" section provides thought-provoking questions that can be used by both individuals and groups to gain understanding and apply the subject matter to life today.

Having served for many years as a pastor, Roger Ellsworth is currently engaged in itinerant ministry. He is also the author of fifty books, many of which have been published by Day One. He and his wife, Sylvia, have two sons and five grand-children.