Going to the Source - God is not only the Source of good gifts, God is the very source of the giving impulse. And the giving character of God is scripted into God’s very creation. Thus, the ability to give is one aspect of God’s image in us. And God’s gifts are also perfect. Good gifts, given at just the right time. [1]

Case for God - "God" appears as the subject in these verses some eight times, not as a remote or remnant concept, but as the One who is most real and defines reality. God creates humans, listens to their prayers, rewards their fidelity. Above all, the God who gives to all generously and without reproach, and who is the source of every good and prefect gift defines reality itself. If reality is defined by the endless bestowal of gifts, then it not a closed system but an open one, not a world of limited resources, but of infinitely renewable resources. [2]

Prayer from James - O Lord . . . save thy people and bless Thine inheritance . . . For every good gift and ever perfect gift is from above, coming down from Thee, Father of Lights, and unto Thee we ascribe glory, thanksgiving, and worship: to the Father, and to the Son, and to the Holy Spirit, now and ever and unto ages of ages. [3]

[4] What are two good gifts that God has given you this year?

In what area of your life could you do a better job at applying God’s truth rather than merely listening?

Recall a time that you wish you had been "quick to listen" and "slow to speak?"

When we ask how good a person is, we do not ask what they believe or what they hope for but what they live. [Augustine, Enchiridion]

You might consider one of the motifs contained in vs. 17-18, 19-21, 22-25, or 26-27, or simply try to weave several or all of them together. (Reminder: as you know, the more topics broached in a small amount of time, the less memorable the conversation / homily / sermon becomes.)

If you want to stress the creative power of Scripture to bring new life or inspire new beginnings, verses 17-18 is insightful. The homily could also include Source vis-à-vis sources as a way to describe the divine intention and faithfulness to us.

If you like those quick, justthefacts,ma’am kind of text, then verses 19-20 will work. The writer shoots off a fire cracker command: quick-slow-slow. Weave in the "therefore" which follows and you’ll have a helpful word for listeners.

The mirror image is an excellent metaphor for preaching (22-25). Bring one into the pulpit or write a sketch for the drama team to perform about preening in the mirror and then going off to work and forgetting about appearance.

Connect verses 22-25 with the final paragraph to form a discussion about words and works, true religion versus religiosity.

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[1] Life Application Bible Commentary: James (Wheaton: Tyndale, 1992), p. 28.
[2] The New Interpreter’s Bible XII (Nashville: Abingdon Press, 1998), page 190.
[3] “Prayer Before the Ambo” in The Divine Liturgy according to St. John Chrysostom (NY: Russian Orthodox Greek Catholic Church of America, 1967, rvd. 1977), p. 85.
[4] Questions adapted from Serendipity Bible For Groups (Zondervan,1998), page 1683.