Paige’s teaching this week on James 1:19-2:13 reminds me of what Tim Keller said about the fruit of the Spirit, those qualities that flow into our life because of our new life in Christ and abiding in Him, the True Vine.
Keller said the fruit of the Spirit is one fruit, so you must have them all if it is genuine. You can’t be selective saying, “I am patient and gentle, but I’m working on faithfulness and self-control.” Keller said you may naturally be a patient and gentle person — but that is not the fruit of the Spirit. Though it is true we are growing in all of these qualities and that we will not be perfect until we see Him face to face, yet, it is also true there should be evidence of all of them in our lives, or it is not the fruit of the Spirit being manifested.
In the same way, if you are selective in your obedience, you aren’t obeying, you are simply agreeing with God.(C. S. Lewis said, “My dog doesn’t obey me, but sometimes he agrees with me.”) I have heard it said that today’s young believers are sexual atheists. I believe James would question if they are believers at all. When we are selective in our obedience, are we not frauds?
Indeed, we may feel a weight of judgment as James takes us through many of the ways our obedience should be manifested, but then reminds us that “mercy triumphs over judgment.” Near the close Paige brings up the famous candlestick scene from Les Mis. As I watched it again, I thought about how the priest manifested so much of what James was talking about, including not showing partiality, caring for the poor, bridling his tongue, and simply responding to the model of Christ. He saw the soul of Jean Valjean and it mattered to him. If possible, turn on the captions for this clip.
Click here for Paige – will be up until Tues night.
Word Document of Questions (I know there are many. Do them all, but in discussion you may want to skip the ones without stars, do the ones with 1 star briefly, and give more time to those with 2 stars.) THIS WEEK’S QUESTIONS #2 JAMES
Thursday: Introduction
**1. What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why?
Paige’s you-tube video begins at minute 9:30. Listen for 9 minutes (up to 18:34, stopping when she says: “I was in a parent night…”
Paige reviews who James is as the brother of Jesus and leader of Jerusalem church who didn’t come to faith until the resurrection.
2. Sound Hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
*A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?”
*B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James?
3. Review of James 1:1-18 (Read it again)
A. Trials in themselves do not bring us joy, but what will trials bring that we can, as believers, count as joy?
B. What do we need to ask for in the midst of trials and what should be our heart attitude when we ask?
C. After describing the cycle of sin in 1:13-15, Paige says we are feeling helpless and ready to ask for everything, which is exactly where God wants us. What do you learn then about God and what He will do in 1:16-18?
D. She says to star verse 18, and asks: What has been made new in the new birth? (See verse 17 too)
E. If everything has been made new, why should a believer have all of the fruit of the Spirit? Why should she have consistent and not selective obedience? Comments?
**4. Did anything particular stand out to you from this review? If so, what and why?
Friday: Most Important Grade: The Lab — Being a Doer who Acts
Read James 1:19-1:26
Begin listening at 18:34 and stop at 38:30 after she defines receiving as hearing & doing.
**5. What was her point with the science teacher story? How are you doing in the lab of trials after last week’s lecture? Be specific.
*6. Paul is not addressing the rejectors but the selectors. What do James 1:22 and 1:26 tell us about selective obedience?
*7. What command are we given in James 1:21? What did Paige say was the opposite of meekness?
Paige said God’s Word has been implanted in us (the reset at the new birth) but then we are also told to receive it. She likened it to last week when we are told God gives wisdom generously, but we must receive it in faith. Though the Word has been implanted in us (1:21) we must receive it with meekness.
**8. She made an analogy to pregnancy — what happens the moment a woman realizes she has new life in her? The first stage of receiving is asking, “What has to go that attacks Your life in me?” How did you answer that early on in your Christian life and how would you answer that in your life right now?
**9. Spurgeon said: “Visit many good books but live in the Bible.” James says “Have that Bible live in you.” How are you doing this?
*10. How did she explain the dilemma of verse 21 saying the Word will save our souls — we think I thought it was trusting what Christ did at the cross that would save our souls.
*11. She emphasizes that receiving is not the same thing as hearing, or understanding, or agreeing. What matters is the lab! What matters is responding!
A. What is the point of James mirror analogy? (James 1:22-25)
B. What was her point with her cabbage soup diet story?
C. How does James define “receiving?” (It’s a phrase in James 1:25)
Saturday: Responding with Ears and Tongues
Begin at 38:30 and stop at 49:30 when she says, “I could say more but I am going to be slow to speak — we are going to move on.”
Read James 1:26-27 (Note from Dee. I find it interesting that this is the only place the word religion is used in Scripture and it is to point out the fraud of false religion and what true religion, or “the gospel” lived out would really look like. Jesus continually stood against the fraud of the Pharisees, and here James stands against the fraud of those who claim to be believers but fail the lab test.)
*12. Meditate on James 1:26-27. What comments do you have?
*13. Paul Tripp said: “Our ears listen for what our hearts crave.” What does your heart crave and how are you more in tune with that? What might you be shutting out?
*14. This is a preview of more to come about the tongue in James 3. She mentioned some proverbs and a verse in Ecclesiastes about the tongue. What do you remember?
**15. What did Paige say about the anger in the church over masks and vaccines? How are you doing with this? Why should we bridle our tongues over this?
16. How does James describe “pure and undefiled religion?”
God Hunt Sunday
**17. How have you experienced the presence of God through His Word, through answered prayer, through unusual circumstances, or another way this week?
Monday: Partiality toward Others and Partiality toward the Law
Read James 2:1-7
*18. How do you do in the “lab” regarding the above verses? (Ask God to show you.) How is your church doing?
Begin listening at 49:30 and stop at 1:12:14 when she says “Lord have mercy!)
*19. Partiality toward people. Listen to the above section from Paige and then answer:
A. What stood out to you and why?
B. What do you remember about “Father ten Boom?”
C. About “A Time to Kill?” (You can see this closing scene on you-tube.)
D. She said we go into a room full of people and are drawn toward just some. How do you do with this?
Read James 2:8-11
*20. Partiality toward the law
A. What does James 2:10 tell us? How does this show us that even a person who is relatively good compared to others, is guilty before God and deserves judgment?
*B. This is a comment from Dee. I think this passage has often been misinterpreted to mean that all sin is the same in God’s eyes. It does not say that. There are places where some sin is seen as more grievous than others. (See, for example, John 19:11) It might surprise us what sins God sees as weightier. What do you see as emphasized over and over in Scripture? (I am not suggesting selective obedience, but rather, to consider what God keeps emphasizing and looking at our lives regarding these.)
C. If James isn’t saying all sin is the same in God’s eyes, what is he saying?
D. Where are you selective in your obedience?
Tuesday: The Freedom of Submissive Obedience
Read James 2:12-13 and Listen to Paige to the end
*21. How does Jesus going to the cross show that we are both great sinners and greatly beloved? How did He fulfill both judgment and mercy at the cross?
22. What was Paige’s point with:
A. The story of the woman who was married first to an abusive husband and then to a husband who treasured her?
B. The fish flopping around on land?
*C. Les Miserables?
*23. What stood out to you from this week’s lesson that was not discussed?
Wednesday: Take-A-Way
**24. What is your take-a-way and why?
155 comments
Oh, I just wanted to hop on here briefly and say I’m excited to learn in this study with Paige. I learned so much from last week’s lesson and hope they allow a replay later as I didn’t get to take the notes I wanted to take. I so much need this study. So, despite the fact that I found her a bit abrasive last week, I really did benefit from her teaching and look forward to more. Thank you for facilitating this, Dee! And thank you to all you ladies who take notes and put them down here! What a blessing as I’m usually only able to listen on the fly.
Miriam, she put up last weeks study again through 1/24😊
Thanks, Sharon!
Sharon — you and Lizzy and Patti make me smile with your pet pictures. I think that is what camera shy people do? Glad you are following Paige with us.
I am going to repost this prayer request for my youngest daughter and her family traveling today and tomorrow to Brazil. I put it on the blog early this morning but realize now we started a new week of study today.
My youngest daughter Lindie & her husband Adam and their two boys ages 6 & 10 are flying to Brazil today and tomorrow to spend some time with close friends Peter & Linda who are serving as missionaries in Porto Velho. Peter is a missionary pilot who flies into the jungles serving Bible translators. Our kids fly from Kalispell to Denver to Chicago. Then have a 13 hour overnight flight to San Paulo and then a 3 1/2 hour flight to Porto Velho. So that is 5 flights over 32 hours. I would appreciate your prayers for them as they travel to a troubled country but God has opened the doors for this trip. We are praying it will be a time of blessing and encouragement for both families.
I am praying for safe travels for Lindie and her family.🙏❤️🙏
Sounds like a wonderful trip, Bev! I am praying and looking forward to further reports along the way!
Bev-Praying for Lindie, Adam and their boys-for God’s protection and that He be glorified! Sounds amazing!
Praying for your daughter and family 🙏🙏
I am late getting here, Bev, but I will be praying for Lindie, Adam and their boys for their safety, good health and an amazing adventure with their friends. May God be glorified!
Praying for safety protection a time of refreshment for all.
1. What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why? The film clip because I don’t see me having that grace filled response. Also if I have selective obedience am I a fraud. Guess Im new at this type of question If Im ignoring I am a fraud If I slip up I like to think I can have grace if I repent
Paige’s you-tube video begins at minute 9:30. Listen for 9 minutes (up to 18:34, stopping when she says: “I was in a parent night…”
Paige reviews who James is as the brother of Jesus and leader of Jerusalem church who didn’t come to faith until the resurrection.
2. Sound Hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
*A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?” I thought that was an interesting comment I think she wants me to seek truth of God s word not opinions of His word, but I do read commentaries for clarification and they dont always agree.
*B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James? The letter is not a pathway to conversion An unbeliever may not understand that vs 18 requires new birth from the salvation through Jesus Christ
3. Review of James 1:1-18 (Read it again)
A. Trials in themselves do not bring us joy, but what will trials bring that we can, as believers, count as joy? Steadfastness which will lead to maturity
B. What do we need to ask for in the midst of trials and what should be our heart attitude when we ask? Wisdom believing that God will give it
C. After describing the cycle of sin in 1:13-15, Paige says we are feeling helpless and ready to ask for everything, which is exactly where God wants us. What do you learn then about God and what He will do in 1:16-18? God give us good gifts and He doesn’t change
D. She says to star verse 18, and asks: What has been made new in the new birth? (See verse 17 too) everything We are to have comprehensive and intensive Christianity
E. If everything has been made new, why should a believer have all of the fruit of the Spirit? Why should she have consistent and not selective obedience? Comments? Because fruit is singular and should flow out of us from love There are days I just need to repent
**4. Did anything particular stand out to you from this review? If so, what and why? Sin leads us on a path to not only ask for wisdom but for everything. I dont think to ask for wisdom when I tell God I’m sorry.
Judy,
Thankyou for your answer to question 2 B about unbelievers. You clarified that answer for me.
Judy — you make me ponder the idea of selective obedience. I see it as deciding you know better than God about something like sex before marriage, or submitting to authority — so an outright disobedience rather than a slip of the tongue that is sinful. But perhaps I’m justifying sin for even with a slip, we must first believe a lie. You are making me think!
Thank you. You have me thinking again. When I slip or sin with impatience or other things I need to ask God for wisdom for the triggers that are causing my impatience.
Thursday: Introduction
**1. What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why?
—Actually that picture of the red faced FRAUD stands out and grabs attention. It is quite an ugly distorted picture which well represents what fraud is and does. A fraud just doesn’t ring true but a genuine person does. It is a beautiful thing to see a believer who is displaying the fruit of the Spirit and who shows Christ by their obedience. They are winsome. A good word I have heard here on the blog before. 😊
2. Sound Hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
*A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?”
—Opinions about the Bible are worthless unless they are grounded in the Whole of Scripture. To be biblically solid we have to have a good understanding of the context of the scriptures we are studying.
*B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James?
—It is about the results of conversion.
Everything is made new and the goal is wholeness in Christ, our maturity in Christ. A mature Christian always demonstrates an obedient response to God.
—I’m not sure on what an unbeliever might think. I guess many times unbelievers seek favor with God by being religious and trying to do good works.
3. Review of James 1:1-18 (Read it again)
A. Trials in themselves do not bring us joy, but what will trials bring that we can, as believers, count as joy?
—Paige said Trials are never wasted.
James says in verses 2,3 & 4 because of trials they test or prove our faith and produce steadfastness which leads us to be mature Christians lacking nothing. That’s an amazing promise. A reason to rejoice.
B. What do we need to ask for in the midst of trials and what should be our heart attitude when we ask?
—From verse 5 Ask for wisdom.
In verse 6 we should ask in faith with no doubting.
C. After describing the cycle of sin in 1:13-15, Paige says we are feeling helpless and ready to ask for everything, which is exactly where God wants us. What do you learn then about God and what He will do in 1:16-18?
—Every good and perfect gift comes from God the Creator who never ever changes.
He saved us by the Word of truth so we could become the firstfruits of his creatures.
D. She says to star verse 18, and asks: What has been made new in the new birth? (See verse 17 too)
—Everything is made new! The extensive picture.
—Every single thing is made new. The intensive application.
E. If everything has been made new, why should a believer have all of the fruit of the Spirit? Why should she have consistent and not selective obedience? Comments?
—Because every single thing is made new. And a mature Christian always demonstrates an obedient response to God.
Paige’s explanation of the meaning of meekness was enlightening. Verse 21 says to receive with meekness the implanted word which saves our souls. She said meekness is a actually a strong word of choice. It is the opposite of selectivity. It means to be all in and give a full commitment in receiving and responding obediently to God (the implanted word).
**4. Did anything particular stand out to you from this review? If so, what and why?
—Trials are never wasted. They are key to growing steadfast in our relationship with Christ and bringing about maturity. Wholeness and maturity is the goal for the Christian life.
Bev — I thought so too, and then one silent reader thought it was a political caricature of Trump — so I took it down. Trying to avoid politics — not sure if that person was right, but may have been. And I am sorry!
Oh gosh! Now that you say it that was probably true. I avoid politics in great measure so didn’t think of the caricature representing anyone in particular and identifying it in context of a particular person. I don’t put my head in the sand about the political scene but I find it pretty unproductive to enter into the discussions and arguments in todays world.
Bev, you and Dee’s thoughts on a fraud are good….but I am also thinking of a person who may be a fraud but you don’t see an outward, distorted picture or anything that grabs one’s attention. I immediately thought of Ravi Zacharias, and why, when after his death, his secret life of sin was revealed, the Christian world was absolutely stunned. I was shocked and stunned.
That’s so true, Susan!
**1. What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why?
When the grandkids were young we decided to flip some things we did with our own kids. One t hi big was have more discussions about God and the Bible. When covid shut our church down, we printed coloring pages with the fruits of the spirit; one page per fruit. When they attend AWANA, there are songs about the fruits. Everywhere we go we are reminded of them! It was interesting what TK said about needing to have each of the fruits to have it all.
2. Sound Hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
*A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?”
The Bible isn’t about us. It’s about God. It’s about the people of that time.
*B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James?
The believers were newish in their faith. They needed reminding of their conversion. They were being given a prescription of sorts to live by. Unbelievers would think James was bullying them because they had no context.
3. Review of James 1:1-18 (Read it again)
A. Trials in themselves do not bring us joy, but what will trials bring that we can, as believers, count as joy?
Trials bring endurance. Enduring these trials makes us whole. This is the joy.
B. What do we need to ask for in the midst of trials and what should be our heart attitude when we ask?
We need wisdom. We should ask with faith in God alone, not be divided with some other worldly “god.” We should not be double minded.
C. After describing the cycle of sin in 1:13-15, Paige says we are feeling helpless and ready to ask for everything, which is exactly where God wants us. What do you learn then about God and what He will do in 1:16-18?
All good things are a gift from God which He gives us because He loves us so.
D. She says to star verse 18, and asks: What has been made new in the new birth? (See verse 17 too)
We have been made new. Born in the spirit of God. Everything has been made new.
E. If everything has been made new, why should a believer have all of the fruit of the Spirit? Why should she have consistent and not selective obedience? Comments?
Because the Word tells us we should be the bearers of the fruit. The Word guides and directs us. It is about maturity. It is an obedient response to Gods Word.
**4. Did anything particular stand out to you from this review? If so, what and why?
I must have left number 4 off. Whoops!
One thing that struck me as funny is that several of the verses she recounted were verses that I know from the kids doing Awana! Too funny… Learning just like the children.
I want to apologize for the original picture I put up of the scary man that had FRAUD on it. A silent reader pointed out, accurately, I believe, that it was a caricature of Trump. Then I could see it. I’m so sorry — I didn’t mean at all to make a political statement. I’ve replaced it – -but still — it went out to thousands of people and can’t be undone.
If it’s any consolation Dee, I don’t remember it….hahaha. Too focused on trying to get this study done! Someone is paying attention. That’s good!
Thursday –
Paige’s analogy of how the Word of God implanted is like oxygen to my spirit and how we need that continual renewal if we are to truly live.
Someone once said something to the effect of, “read your Bible and let it read you.”
Convicting and challenging words when Paige talks about all the outward things I can do (Journaling, taking notes, reading) and yet still not be a do-er of the Word.
Nila, I love your very concise and extremely meaningful post! Amen! the Word of God implanted is like oxygen to my spirit and how we need that continual renewal if we are to truly live.
1. What stood out to you from the introduction to this blog and why?
Well, I find the above on the fruit of the Spirit discouraging. If I am required to have them all if it’s genuine, and if I think because I am gentle and patient that the Spirit is producing that in me, but it may only be my natural personality traits and so not the Spirit at all, then I don’t see how I can ever possibly tell the difference or know. It seems confusing. On the other hand, there seems to be a kind of natural “flow” to the fruit(s), with one cascading into another – love, and from love flowing joy, and joy cascades into peace, and so on.
2. Sound hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?”
In order to understand the Bible correctly, we need to understand what it (a passage, for example) meant to the original hearers and its historical context, before we jump to what it means to us. Paige gave an example of being in a study and having each person read a verse and then say what does this mean to me. There is no legitimacy to this. I know I once was taught to ask questions of the passage, with the first step being simply, what does it say? The last step is usually the application, applying it to my life. It’s hard though when you may not know the historical context and I have heard many times that we, in our western culture, simply may not grasp what the original hearers heard, because we do not understand all the implications of Middle Eastern culture. I had no idea, for example, until I learned it through reading a book about it, that when the prodigal younger son told his father that he wanted his share of the estate, that he was basically saying I wish you were already dead, and that in that culture, he may have literally been beaten for saying something like that.
B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James?
James wrote this letter to encourage scattered believers who were new in their faith. He is reminding them of how and why they belong to the Lord and the results of belonging to the Lord. Paige said this letter is not a “pathway to conversion as much as the results of it in our lives”. I suppose an unbeliever might read about how to face trials, and try very hard to do so, thinking that he or she can earn God’s favor if they do it right. The things James tells us to do are very hard even as believers; unbelievers would really find them tough if not impossible to do. Also, without an understanding of God’s nature, one might think that God uses trials to punish.
Susan,
I appreciate you honest thoughts regarding the fruit of the Spirit. I had to ponder my own thoughts on what the fruit of the Spirit means in light of Keller’s interpretation. At first I wasn’t sure I agreed with him because I had a hard time thinking of one fruit being all those characteristics. When I think of fruit I think of the variety. A number of different fruits may be together in one bowl and they each have different characteristics. But normally we call it a bowl of fruit. Where it does come together for me as I thought about it and read some comments about the fruit of the Spirit I think it has to do with the fact that all those characteristics are in and from the One true Holy Spirit. Contained in Him and come from Him. They are his fruit and one in Him. So my access to those characteristics comes from the fact that when I received Jesus into my life I received the Holy Spirit, all of Him, and all of his fruit. I think you misspoke when you asked “If I am required to have them all if it’s genuine,”. I would say we are not required but we actually have them. It becomes a matter of growth for them to be developed more fully in my life. Here is something I read which maybe clarifies what I am trying to say
The fruit of the Holy Spirit is the result of the Holy Spirit’s presence in the life of a Christian. The Bible makes it clear that everyone receives the Holy Spirit the moment he or she believes in Jesus Christ One of the primary purposes of the Holy Spirit coming into a Christian’s life is to change that life. It is the Holy Spirit’s job to conform us to the image of Christ, making us more like Him.
We are a work in progress and as Dee said “Though it is true we are growing in all of these qualities and that we will not be perfect until we see Him face to face, yet, it is also true there should be evidence of all of them in our lives, or it is not the fruit of the Spirit being manifested.”
Good discussion between Susan and Bev.
3. Review of James 1:1-18 (Read it again)
A. Trials in themselves do not bring us joy, but what will trials bring that we can, as believers, count as joy?
We can count as joy the fact that God will not waste our trials and suffering. Trials will produce in us a steadfastness that will lead us to maturity, with the goal being our wholeness in Christ. Psalm 51:10, Create in me a pure heart, O God, and renew a steadfast spirit within me. Steadfastness reminded me of the verse from Psalm 51.
B. What do we need to ask for in the midst of trials and what should be our heart attitude when we ask?
We need to ask God for wisdom, but without being double-minded in our asking. We ask, ready to receive what God tells us to do.
C. After describing the cycle of sin in 1:13-15, Paige says we are feeling helpless and ready to ask for everything, which is exactly where God wants us. What do you learn then about God and what He will do in 1:16-18?
When we are brought to the end of ourselves, we look up to God. We can’t manufacture anything good in ourselves, but every good and perfect gift comes from above, from a Father who loves us and who never shifts or changes. He chose to give us a new birth through faith, in order to make everything new.
D. She says to star verse 18, and asks: What has been made new in the new birth? (see verse 17 too)
What has been made new in the new birth? Everything. This is the beginning of everything else James writes. Our salvation is a gift from God, the Father, coming down to us from above.
E. If everything has been made new, why should a believer have all of the fruit of the Spirit? Why should she have consistent and not selective obedience? Comments?
Because the old sinful nature has died and we are no longer a slave to our old desires. We have God’s Spirit living within us, and God is in us, to will and to live through us. But I cannot claim that I have consistent obedience. It almost implies having reached perfection, and what about 1 John, which says that if we claim to be without sin, we are deceiving ourselves? What about Paul who was so exasperated that he exclaimed what a wretched man he was, failing to do what he ought to do, and doing what he ought not to do? I agree that our heart’s bent should be that we want to obey, every time, but I know that I don’t!
4. Did anything particular stand out to you from this review? If so, what and why?
Just the idea of every good and perfect gift coming down from our Father. Martin Luther had that life changing revelation that a righteousness came down from God, when for much of his life he was trying to earn it. I like to imagine twinkling stars falling down from the sky into our hands, and we just open our hands to receive all the good things our Father has for us. It makes me think that God is benevolent and kind.
What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why? The fruit of the Spirit and also the Mercy that the priest in the scene from Les Mis demonstrated so well to Jean Valjean. Because it was such a great example of how God wants to demonstrate His Love through us to others that desparately need to know that Love. Lord Jesus, help us to be willing servants…to agape one another without judgement.
Paige’s you-tube video begins at minute 9:30. Listen for 9 minutes (up to 18:34, stopping when she says: “I was in a parent night…”
Paige reviews who James is as the brother of Jesus and leader of Jerusalem church who didn’t come to faith until the resurrection. James, who knew Jesus so very well in His day to day life, growing up in the same household. He did not believe until the Risen Christ appeared specifically to him, then he was totally sold out and wanted all of us believers, until Christ’s return, to be as “sold out” as he is!
2. Sound Hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
*A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?” Context is essential to understanding scripture and what it’s original intent is.
*B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James? Because James wrote it to believers to be guenuine and accountable to God’s true Word. An unbeliever would not personalize scripture, they would see it as a historical allegory.
3. Review of James 1:1-18 (Read it again)
A. Trials in themselves do not bring us joy, but what will trials bring that we can, as believers, count as joy? Trials produce perserverance in the life of a believer and the work of perserverance helps to bring us to maturity, complete not lacking in anything.
B. What do we need to ask for in the midst of trials and what should be our heart attitude when we ask? We must ask for wisdom and believe without doubt that God will give it ti us. We do not want to be “double-minded” and receive nothing.
C. After describing the cycle of sin in 1:13-15, Paige says we are feeling helpless and ready to ask for everything, which is exactly where God wants us. What do you learn then about God and what He will do in 1:16-18? Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of Lights Who does not change like shifting shadows. He chose to give us birth through the Word of truth that we would be a kind of firstfruits of all He created.
D. She says to star verse 18, and asks: What has been made new in the new birth? (See verse 17 too) Everything has been made new!
E. If everything has been made new, why should a believer have all of the fruit of the Spirit? Why should she have consistent and not selective obedience? Comments? It is because of God’s Will, He chose to give us new life that we would be complete in Him. It is God’s Will that is at work in the totally sold out and surrendered believer.
**4. Did anything particular stand out to you from this review? If so, what and why?vs 18 He chose to give us birth through the word of truth…(He chose us!)
What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why? The fruit of the Spirit and also the Mercy that the priest in the scene from Les Mis demonstrated so well to Jean Valjean. Because it was such a great example of how God wants to demonstrate His Love through us to others that desparately need to know that Love. Lord Jesus, help us to be willing servants…to agape one another without judgement.
Paige’s you-tube video begins at minute 9:30. Listen for 9 minutes (up to 18:34, stopping when she says: “I was in a parent night…”
Paige reviews who James is as the brother of Jesus and leader of Jerusalem church who didn’t come to faith until the resurrection. James, who knew Jesus so very well in His day to day life, growing up in the same household. He did not believe until the Risen Christ appeared specifically to him, then he was totally sold out and wanted all of us believers, until Christ’s return, to be as “sold out” as he is!
Great prayer that we might “agape one another without judgment” I need that!
Thursday: Introduction
**1. What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why?
That the fruit of the Spirit is one. All of the 9 should be reflected and manifested in my life if I am a true believer. It has nothing to do with my personality or natural inclinations. The 9 might be of varying depth but they are all developing in me.
Paige’s you-tube video begins at minute 9:30. Listen for 9 minutes (up to 18:34, stopping when she says: “I was in a parent night…”
Paige reviews who James is as the brother of Jesus and leader of Jerusalem church who didn’t come to faith until the resurrection.
2. Sound Hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
*A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?”
I believe that when we ask what a verse or passage means to the original readers before we apply it to our lives, we are given an understanding of why it was written in the first place. It also prevents us from taking a verse out of context. I found this from a website on hermeneutics: Meaning is derived not only from the passage itself but also from all the passages surrounding it.
*B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James?
Believers would understand that the letter of James presupposed they understood their secure position in Christ and that trials will come. An unbeliever may think it ridiculous to be counting trials as joy. That is not what the world often thinks. An unbeliever does not have the Spirit indwelling them to be able to interpret the Scriptures
3. Review of James 1:1-18 (Read it again)
A. Trials in themselves do not bring us joy, but what will trials bring that we can, as believers, count as joy?
It produces perseverance and brings about spiritual maturity in us.
B. What do we need to ask for in the midst of trials and what should be our heart attitude when we ask?
Pray for wisdom and believe that you will receive it and we will not lack anything.
C. After describing the cycle of sin in 1:13-15, Paige says we are feeling helpless and ready to ask for everything, which is exactly where God wants us. What do you learn then about God and what He will do in 1:16-18?
God is the giver of all good and perfect gifts, and He will not change as shifting shadows.
D. She says to star verse 18, and asks: What has been made new in the new birth? (See verse 17 too)
We have been born into God’s family; the first fruits of his creatures (set apart, sanctified, and made holy)
E. If everything has been made new, why should a believer have all of the fruit of the Spirit? Why should she have consistent and not selective obedience? Comments?
We should have all the fruit of the Spirit because they all came as a package deal! If we are naturally spiritual now as a result of our conversion, then our obedience should also be consistent and not just selective???? Oh rabbit trailing or ring around the rosy, am I?
**4. Did anything particular stand out to you from this review? If so, what and why?
To count joy in the trials that come my way because they develop maturity in me. I want to be strong in my spirit.
Love this succinct explanation from Bing on the fruit of the Spirit: The 9 might be of varying depth but they are all developing in me.
Yes this is good Bing.
Friday: Most Important Grade: The Lab — Being a Doer who Acts
Read James 1:19-1:26
**5. What was her point with the science teacher story? How are you doing in the lab of trials after last week’s lecture? Be specific.
—Whether we get are getting the teaching or not isn’t determined by a book knowledge grade. Rather it shows up in in our ability to apply the teaching in the lab where we actually do what we learn.
—Hmmm? How am I doing in the lab. I don’t have any major trials at hand right now and I am grateful.
I will say my perspective is definitely changing by being in this study of James. Things I have read and heard for years about the teaching in James are taking on more clarity and my heart is encouraged by the truths and challenges in this book of the Bible. As far as boots on the ground so to speak my reactions to the negatives that crop up are being tempered by the Lord. My interactions with others have been pretty limited this past week. Because my husband is retired but he has an office in our home for a small business he started when he retired and now that it is Winter lots of days it has been just him and I. But I know that I am much less quick to argue and be irritated by him than in the past. It was definitely a struggle when he first retired and took over some of what felt like my space. I find now when I respond with an agreeable spirit it diffuses quickly any tensions and I know that comes only from the Holy Spirit because from my old nature I can easily be disagreeable. I feel some noticeable strengthening of muscle. All praise goes to Jesus.
*6. Paul is not addressing the rejectors but the selectors. What do James 1:22 and 1:26 tell us about selective obedience?
—We can deceive ourselves into thinking hearing the word is enough with out receiving it into our lives and incorporating it into how we live. Thinking we are good enough is meaningless and worthless if it isn’t showing in our lives.
*7. What command are we given in James 1:21? What did Paige say was the opposite of meekness?
—To put away our sinful practices and receive the implanted word with meekness.
—The opposite of meekness is selectivity which is to choose what I want.
Paige said God’s Word has been implanted in us (the reset at the new birth) but then we are also told to receive it. She likened it to last week when we are told God gives wisdom generously, but we must receive it in faith. Though the Word has been implanted in us (1:21) we must receive it with meekness.
**8. She made an analogy to pregnancy — what happens the moment a woman realizes she has new life in her? The first stage of receiving is asking, “What has to go that attacks Your life in me?” How did you answer that early on in your Christian life and how would you answer that in your life right now?
—Unfortunately as a young teenager in my early Christian life I lived in a time when the general concept of a Christian involved lots of dos and don’ts. In society and even the church the works of being a good person were touted. For the most part I was a good girl and I developed a self righteous attitude. At that point I had no clear understanding of what a personal relationship and walk with Jesus entailed.
Now I understand my deep need of Jesus in my life and the things that hinder or help my walk with him. A big part was a few years ago identifying and eliminating the idol lies in my life. Doing that really opened up my heart to receiving the truths of God’s love for me.
**9. Spurgeon said: “Visit many good books but live in the Bible.” James says “Have that Bible live in you.” How are you doing this?
—Most effectively in my times alone with the Lord. When I am in scripture and times of prayer is when I experience that undistracted closeness and know God is speaking to and loving me in a very personal way. A couple of years ago I discovered that writing out my prayers based on scripture takes on a much deeper richness than when I try to verbalize my praying. I can focus far better that way.
—Also memorizing scripture is valuable to keep the Word on my mind. I am incredibly slow at it but I’m realistic about that and don’t set my self up for failure by being on a regimen. I just always have something to memorize.
*10. How did she explain the dilemma of verse 21 saying the Word will save our souls — we think I thought it was trusting what Christ did at the cross that would save our souls.
—She said Salvation is not a monolithic static kind of thing. But rather it is being lived out in our lives until we meet Christ and are resurrected. The implanted word stays with us through life and grows us up to maturity. It will stay with us all the way to the end.
I’m not sure if she taught this previously or I learned it elsewhere but Salvation is not a one time event. It is past, present and future.
We were saved. We are being saved. And we will be saved into eternity.
*11. She emphasizes that receiving is not the same thing as hearing, or understanding, or agreeing. What matters is the lab! What matters is responding!
A. What is the point of James mirror analogy? (James 1:22-25)
—Just like looking intently in the mirror and immediately forgetting what we look like is ridiculous and absurd so it is to be a hearer and not then be a doer is just imaginary obedience.
B. What was her point with her cabbage soup diet story?
—Just like taking time to go to all the work of preparing cabbage soup for a diet program and then letting it set in the fridge and not eating it is like reading, studying, taking notes, journaling and being in Bible study but then not receiving it into my life and living it and being obedient to it.
That was a very convicting illustration.
C. How does James define “receiving?” (It’s a phrase in James 1:25)
—“…being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts,…”
Simply put by Paige
“hearing and doing”.
I’d saying you are doing well “in the lab,” Bev!
Thank you Dee. You are a gracious encourager to us all.
**5. What was her point with the science teacher story? How are you doing in the lab of trials after last week’s lecture? Be specific. That we have to put into practice what we learning what God wants us to do. Not just hearers of the word but doers. I am kind of anxious If I have more than 2 things on my schedule I get tense. So I’m trying to take deeper breaths and sit in silence and think about God and ask He and Jesus to direct me.
*6. Paul is not addressing the rejectors but the selectors. What do James 1:22 and 1:26 tell us about selective obedience? That we must be doer s f the word If we don’t bridle our tongue our heart is deceived and our religion is worthless
*7. What command are we given in James 1:21? What did Paige say was the opposite of meekness? Put away all filthiest and wickedness and receive the implanted word which can save my soul. Selectivity
Paige said God’s Word has been implanted in us (the reset at the new birth) but then we are also told to receive it. She likened it to last week when we are told God gives wisdom generously, but we must receive it in faith. Though the Word has been implanted in us (1:21) we must receive it with meekness.
**8. She made an analogy to pregnancy — what happens the moment a woman realizes she has new life in her? The first stage of receiving is asking, “What has to go that attacks Your life in me?” How did you answer that early on in your Christian life and how would you answer that in your life right now? I didn’t do much but go to church I started reading the Bible but didn’t even read a chapter a day just from section to section. I try to be a seeker and a learner
**9. Spurgeon said: “Visit many good books but live in the Bible.” James says “Have that Bible live in you.” How are you doing this? I think Holy Spirit does it The changes in me have been because of Him I am more aware of what I should do and repent when I fall short
*10. How did she explain the dilemma of verse 21 saying the Word will save our souls — we think I thought it was trusting what Christ did at the cross that would save our souls. It’s a living evolving condition until we go home to Jesus. The word is implanted and stays and will take us home to Jesus. We should be growing to be more like Jesus.
*11. She emphasizes that receiving is not the same thing as hearing, or understanding, or agreeing. What matters is the lab! What matters is responding!
A. What is the point of James mirror analogy? (James 1:22-25) hearing and not doing is ridiculous because it’s imaginary obedience. It s self deception.
B. What was her point with her cabbage soup diet story? They went through all the steps to be in the diet Planning, shopping and preparing the food but then ate what they wanted So we need to do more than read the Bible and memorize scripture. We need to apply and live out the word of God
C. How does James define “receiving?” (It’s a phrase in James 1:25) not forgetting what he heard, but doing it
From Judy:
I am kind of anxious If I have more than 2 things on my schedule I get tense. So I’m trying to take deeper breaths and sit in silence and think about God and ask He and Jesus to direct me.
Read James 1:19-1:26
Begin listening at 18:34 and stop at 38:30 after she defines receiving as hearing & doing.
**5. What was her point with the science teacher story? How are you doing in the lab of trials after last week’s lecture? Be specific. The students were passing the written tests, but failing in the practical application of labs. I am trying to be “others oriented” at church, making a point of connecting with my Christian family. I have felt the Lord encouraging me to make this effort because my son and I have not been very welcomed at our church since moving here 18 months ago. I do realize that it takes time to get to know people in a new place ( I have moved 10 times in my lifetime). I am not having a real “trial” at this time, praise God! There are always undercurrents in families, where trials could come. But right now everything is fairly calm.
*6. Paul is not addressing the rejectors but the selectors. What do James 1:22 and 1:26 tell us about selective obedience? Not to be only a hearer of the Word , like one who looks in a mirror but forgets what he looks like as soon as he turns away. If he remembers God’s Laws and obeys them he will be blessed. To be in control of my speech, as evidence of my faith in God.
*7. What command are we given in James 1:21? What did Paige say was the opposite of meekness? Get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the Word planted in you. Paige said, Selectivity is the opposite of meekness.
Powerful message and blog. What hit me hardest is Monseigneur’s blessing “I have saved your Soul for God.”
So happy you are here John! This is the best place to hash out what God’s Word says. Welcome.
Welcome, John! I have not watched Les Mis in full because I have heard it is a sad story. Yes, those words of blessing instead of condemnation.
**1. What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why?
This is such an encouraging and penetrating introduction! So good. At first I said, Oh Lord please don’t let me be a fraud! If I am, change me!!
He has given me stones of remembrance to show me the moments when I was compelled to hurt those who hurt me but He restrained me and helped me to consider their soul as more important than my fleshly desire for justice so I focused on them and their hurts and needs. My godly responses are NOT of me. When the responses are of me they are the opposite of the fruit of the spirit, or they are tricky because they look like the fruit of the spirit. Like when I try to be a peace keeper by saying I’m sorry for something that isn’t my fault or is my fault but my motive is just to keep my comfort idol happy and underneath I’m seething with resentment – that’s how I know it’s my flesh and I cry out to God to help me change. I can only see that via His Holy spirit inside. Oh I am so thankful I’m His and His Spirit resides in me!
I can be selective in my obedience lately, which concerns me! There are a couple areas that have come to mind after listening to the first video of Paige, and I am starting to turn.
I still have the picture of Joni with her wheelchair in the corner when she is with Jesus face to face. Treasuring it because without it, she wouldn’t have matured, she wouldn’t be as beautiful as she is, and as joyful in Christ, and ultimately with Him 100% in His presence. That helps me.
2. Sound Hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
*A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?” There is no legitimacy to jumping to what it means to you without going first into the context historically, etc.
*B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James? It’s important that we remember James was writing to believers because his instruction is impossible to carry out without the Holy Spirit inside. If carried out by an unbeliever she might think she can please God and her sins paid for if she does all these things (which she can’t do). So it can make a person think that they can make themselves good enough to be with God forever.
Oh how I loved your post, Rebecca — so full of your beautiful heart. How we are the opposite of the fruit of the Spirit!
Also, I too, when faced with a bully type, can back down and say I’m sorry for something I am not. I needed this this morning!
**5. What was her point with the science teacher story? How are you doing in the lab of trials after last week’s lecture? Be specific.
I didn’t hear her speak of a science teacher? Can you give me the time stamp?
I am getting better with the trials I am suffering with a few personal challenges. I declined an invitation with a colleague and trying to be more serious about another. This is one where I “look in the mirror” and forget what I look like as I walk away.
*6. Paul is not addressing the rejectors but the selectors. What do James 1:22 and 1:26 tell us about selective obedience?
We are just fooling ourselves if we read the Word but then choose the pieces we want to follow and agree. If we are Christian then we need to follow the complete Word.
*7. What command are we given in James 1:21? What did Paige say was the opposite of meekness?
The command is to get rid of filth and evil and prepare for our souls to be saved. The opposite of meekness is selectivity. Selecting parts we like and ignoring the ones we don’t like.
**8. She made an analogy to pregnancy — what happens the moment a woman realizes she has new life in her? The first stage of receiving is asking, “What has to go that attacks Your life in me?” How did you answer that early on in your Christian life and how would you answer that in your life right now?
When you realize you are pregnant you get rid of the bad things that you might be putting inside yourself to protect the baby. I have never thought that I needed to get rid of much of anything. I think perhaps my mouth? Today it will probably be what I put inside my body.
It’s at the beginning of this session — sorry I don’t have time to listen all again: 18:34 and stop at 38:30
Saturday: Responding with Ears and Tongues
*12. Meditate on James 1:26-27. What comments do you have?
—As Paige has taught the true meaning and gist of these verses she has strongly challenged the reality of how I live out my “religion”.
I immediately think of the word religion as a man made thing and effort to gain merit with God. But as you point out Dee, true religion is the Gospel lived out. But it is lived out from a heart that is a reflection of God’s heart. And in these verses James tells us where God’s heart is.
*13. Paul Tripp said: “Our ears listen for what our hearts crave.” What does your heart crave and how are you more in tune with that?
—There is definitely some fine tuning
going on.
Knowing that self deception is a problem in this flesh I have to stop here and ponder, what does my heart crave? I can easily identify a craving for foods especially as I seek to practice and strengthen my muscle of self discipline. Just this morning I thought about my craving certain foods that cause me to eat when I don’t need to. Or eat particular foods I should avoid. I was trying to think through how to address the craving and what is behind it. Physical, emotional, spiritual? But Tripp is talking here about hearing with a bent toward my own selfish heart’s desires. James in 1:19 & 20 exhorts me to be a listener and slow to answer and slow to get angry. I recognize the need here to observe and think about what I hear and check my anger. I can choose not to be angry and God gives a very good reason in these verses not to.
I think over the years I have craved wanting to be heard. I realize from childhood up wanting to have a voice and be recognized. Always feeling less than. God is saying here it is good for me to listen more closely and remain quiet and don’t waste energy in getting angry. This goes a long way in solving my problem. I feel even my long answers shout out my desire to be heard and understood.
What might you be shutting out?
—The most important voice to be heard. God’s Word. Because that is where I hear God’s heart expressed.
But God’s implanted Word is my salvation and opening my eyes more and more.
*14. This is a preview of more to come about the tongue in James 3. She mentioned some proverbs and a verse in Ecclesiastes about the tongue. What do you remember?
—I failed to write any notes on those comments. Don’t trust my memory. 🥴
**15. What did Paige say about the anger in the church over masks and vaccines?
—I don’t have her specific comments on this either but I know she said many many people left their churches over it. The fallout in the church was disheartening.
How are you doing with this?
—It was hard initially at the time of the pandemic because there were strong voices and lots of confusion of information. On both sides of the arguments. Early on we saw it was going to take practicing grace even to some very close friends. Especially to some close friends.
One thing that helped was our church leadership chose to go ahead and have services after a two week break. They did everything they could to accept and accommodate everyone’s choices. Also early on my son preached a specific message on Masks. He said up front “when I am done with this sermon it is my goal that no one listening can identify whether I am for or against wearing masks”. His whole premise was taken from scripture on the call for us to practice grace specifically to each other as brothers and sisters in Christ. Several people told me after the message it freed them up in their own spirits and helped their perspective of what really mattered going forward as we each followed our own convictions about it.
Why should we bridle our tongues over this?
—To practice grace toward others. Often the gracious thing to do is just be quiet. Opinions are best kept to themselves unless specifically asked for. But in today’s world of anger and argumentative spirits even that should be done with caution.
16. How does James describe “pure and undefiled religion?”
—As I said above true religion is lived out from a heart that is a reflection of God’s heart. And in these verses James tells us where God’s heart is. And as Dee said true religion is the Gospel lived out.
Paige has said James “is getting up into our business”. He has certainly gotten into mine. Yesterday I commented that the teaching was convicting and then in this very next section Paige says “Conviction is not repentance. As she elaborated on how we are deceived and think all our spiritual activities like being in Bible study, reading, studying, journaling, taking notes from the Bible, praying but all of it means nothing if we are not in the lab living it. It almost felt discouraging of that special relationship I do experience in being with the Lord practicing any of these things. I had to back up and bring some balance back to my thinking. Thankfully she brought mercy into the discussion. And I am challenged to examine my heart towards God. That is a good thing to do. And I am challenged in a desire to be like Corrie Ten Boom’s father. But that is in the teaching ahead.
—Because of the 2 feet of snow we had I wasn’t able to have the cataract surgery on my other eye on Thursday so that is scheduled for Monday morning. I will probably be off the blog for a few days but I finished listening to all of the video for this week. And will just say I am being challenged by the book of James. It goes so much deeper with this teaching from Paige and Dee’s challenging questions. But I am so grateful for God’s Word. There is incredible richness in it.
I will be praying for your upcoming eye surgery, Bev. Hope your kids got safely to Brazil. I love your paragraph on conviction is not repentance! And it means nothing if we are not lab living it! ( I am not that far on the lesson yet) Wow! I am thankful for God’s patience, grace and mercy in my life!!
Thank you Patti for your prayers. Our kids made it to their friends in Brazil with out any hitches. Praising God for that.
Bev, will pray for your scheduled eye surgery on Monday!
Such good introspection, Bev!!!
Bev, praying for your cataract surgery to go smoothly, and happy to hear your family safely in Brazil and will pray for their continued safety, too. And thank you for your answer above about the fruit of the Spirit and it was helpful to me!
Friday: Most Important Grade: The Lab — Being a Doer who Acts
Read James 1:19-1:26
Begin listening at 18:34 and stop at 38:30 after she defines receiving as hearing & doing.
**5. What was her point with the science teacher story? How are you doing in the lab of trials after last week’s lecture? Be specific.
She told the parents that they shouldn’t be concerned about their children’s test grades. How they do in the lab is what matters. So it is in life: head knowledge vs. what I am applying in my life.
I am struggling with how to handle an issue with my organization. It was hard not to take things personally and not give in to my idol of approval. But I trusted God for wisdom, and I am still trusting Him as I receive feedback from others who disagree about my decision. It is not a comfortable place for me to be in but God is giving me peace that is beyond my understanding right now.
*6. Paul is not addressing the rejectors but the selectors. What do James 1:22 and 1:26 tell us about selective obedience?
There should not be any remains of wickedness (v. 21) and being religious but not bridling the tongue.
*7. What command are we given in James 1:21? What did Paige say was the opposite of meekness?
Paige said God’s Word has been implanted in us (the reset at the new birth) but then we are also told to receive it. She likened it to last week when we are told God gives wisdom generously, but we must receive it in faith. Though the Word has been implanted in us (1:21) we must receive it with meekness.
We have to be doers of the word and not only hearers of the word. We cannot pick and choose what we want to obey.
The opposite of meekness is selectivity.
Our salvation is a living condition it is not static.
**8. She made an analogy to pregnancy — what happens the moment a woman realizes she has new life in her? The first stage of receiving is asking, “What has to go that attacks Your life in me?” How did you answer that early on in your Christian life and how would you answer that in your life right now?
A pregnant woman starts thinking what are things that would negatively affect her new life in me Then she does not do it. Same thing when we ask of God. What is in me that threatened my new birth in Christ? Early in my Christian life, I was more intent on the “do nots”. It was a very legalistic approach to my new birth. Now, I am more paying attention to the “do’s” and being a doer who does.
**9. Spurgeon said: “Visit many good books but live in the Bible.” James says “Have that Bible live in you.” How are you doing this?
My Mom gifted me with a love for reading and I still love to read-from reader’s Digest to Cartoons, commentaries, how-to’s, etc. But I am finding that the Bible has the principles I need to live life more than any other book. I am still working on being a doer who does rather than just agreeing or being convicted yet not doing what God has asked me to do. I am very guilty of selective obedience.
*10. How did she explain the dilemma of verse 21 saying the Word will save our souls — we think I thought it was trusting what Christ did at the cross that would save our souls.
Not sure if I understand this question. Christ did save our souls from the penalty of sin through His death but the evidence of our salvation is obedience to the Word of God. This means we do believe everything that is in the Bible!
*11. She emphasizes that receiving is not the same thing as hearing or understanding, or agreeing. What matters is the lab! What matters is responding!
A. What is the point of James’ mirror analogy? (James 1:22-25)
I laughed when she said that one can look at the mirror and scrutinize self but the next second can’t even recognize us if we were in a police line-up. What I believe I am in the mirror is not reflective of what I do as a person. She calls it as one is being a fraud.
B. What was her point with her cabbage soup diet story?
The cabbage soup is meant to be eaten and not just left in the fridge. So also with the word of god. It is not enough to write it, look at it, and be convinced about it. I must respond and do something!
C. How does James define “receiving?” (It’s a phrase in James 1:25)
Receiving means a doer who acts. What we receive elicits a response from us.
12. Meditate on James 1:26-27. What comments do you have? I have tried to be careful of what I say and how much I say and when I say it, for years now. It depends on whom I am talking to, my sister and I can get quite silly and laugh alot, I don’t believe that harms anyone. At church, I only speak when asked to during Bible Study. But, I feel that God wants me to talk to certain people in the congregation( the marginalized) and pray for them. I have been a widow for 10 years and no one in any of the churches I have attended have reached out to me at all. I do make an effort to talk to other women that I know are widows, I need to pray about what God wants me to do for them. To keep myself from being polluted by the world, I am very careful about what I watch on TV, including some News shows. I do not listen to secular music either.
*13. Paul Tripp said: “Our ears listen for what our hearts crave.” What does your heart crave and how are you more in tune with that? What might you be shutting out? I listen to several Christian Podcasts, Preachers and Christian music. I am a singer, so I always try to hear what God is directing me to share in church as special music. I don’t like to hear political discussions or terrible news about how many people are being killed in other countries. I always pray for our world and the suffering that is taking place.
*14. This is a preview of more to come about the tongue in James 3. She mentioned some proverbs and a verse in Ecclesiastes about the tongue. What do you remember? Proverbs 29:20 Do you see a man who speaks in hast? There is more hope for a fool than for him. Proverbs 10:11 The mouth of the righteous is a fountain of life, but violence overwhelms the mouth of the wicked.
**15. What did Paige say about the anger in the church over masks and vaccines? How are you doing with this? Why should we bridle our tongues over this? People have strong feelings about Covid and the mandates. I don’t say anything about it in mixed company. I do not want to contribute to division in the church or in my family.
16. How does James describe “pure and undefiled religion?” 1:27 “…to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world.”
Lydia — you have so much to offer. Does the Spirit ever prompt you to speak up in small group without you being asked to speak by a human facilitator?
Lydia, I agree with Dee….you have a lot to offer and your voice matters. I hope you will perhaps find a way to bring together the other widows in your church….that is sad that no one reaches out to you. I have found too, that churches seem to have their established social groups, and it’s hard at times to break in. Last week at my church, I was volunteering at our community meal in the kitchen, which I’ve been doing now for a few months. Anyway, I know one woman fairly well, but there was a moment when I was looking around and everyone was chatting with one another and suddenly I felt so left out that I started to cry…it was a real battle to stop the tears and at first I just wanted to slip out and go home! I don’t know what hit me at that moment but it was hard.
Funny your should mention this, Susan. Recently, I have sat back at our fellowship after the service, and watched everyone interact with each other. Rarely do people come to speak to me. It makes me wonder if anyone actually cares. I try to not feel sorry for myself; I can tend to have a hardened shell. I have always been different, I know this. I remind myself how much God loves me for me.
Oh Laura….I’ve met you in person and you didn’t seem “different” to me! It’s hard….I’ve often thought that I go to church with very high expectations because we’re all supposed to be a family, yet I find it takes a long time to cultivate meaningful relationships….a long time. And they are few and far in-between.
I love that you have such a tender heart, Lydia. I love this blog because I see all of you contributing to the lives of others in so many ways. Reading the comments from Susan and Laura, I see generous and loving hearts for others. I have felt this same way in large groups and we live in a culture where we have to be cautious with our words and actions. I think I would have cried too, Susan. Women can be aloof to one another and cling to comfortable friends. It is a joy to see that you all go out of your comfort zone! I love and admire you all so much. (I am not always that brave) I am so thankful for Dee and these place where we can come to share with one another.
I am thankful for this place, too….no one is left out here!
Saturday: Responding with Ears and Tongues
Begin at 38:30 and stop at 49:30 when she says, “I could say more but I am going to be slow to speak — we are going to move on.”
Read James 1:26-27 (Note from Dee. I find it interesting that this is the only place the word religion is used in Scripture and it is to point out the fraud of false religion and what true religion, or “the gospel” lived out would really look like. Jesus continually stood against the fraud of the Pharisees, and here James stands against the fraud of those who claim to be believers but fail the lab test.)
*12. Meditate on James 1:26-27. What comments do you have?
True religion is always true religion according to Paige. It is not just 99% of our lives that should reflect true religion. Our speech included and how we respond to the poor., to the needy. Widows and orphans include everyone who is needy.
*13. Paul Tripp said: “Our ears listen for what our hearts crave.” What does your heart crave and how are you more in tune with that? What might you be shutting out?
I think of my idols of approval, significance and comfort, and control as that which my heart often craves. God is merciful, though in bringing them forth to the surface and making me aware of them. I sense His red flagging through the Spirit and there is this quiet transforming of my mind that is hard to explain. I don’t get it right all the time but God is helping me practice speaking to my soul and helping me do the right thing and seek Him more than what my natural man craves.
*14. This is a preview of more to come about the tongue in James 3. She mentioned some proverbs and a verse in Ecclesiastes about the tongue. What do you remember?
In many words, sin is not absent. A mouth in motion stays in motion. I envision a mouth rolling down the hill and gathering more yucky stuff as it goes! Ugh!
**15. What did Paige say about the anger in the church over masks and vaccines? How are you doing with this? Why should we bridle our tongues over this?
This brings some ache in my heart when I think about how some church people treated my pastor/husband. They were not very gracious to him during the pandemic. We should bridle our tongues with regard to this as it only fuels discord. Our speech should be gracious. I think of “Let your conversation be gracious and attractive so that you will have the right response for everyone.” NLT The word “attractive” reminded me of Lydia’s word of the year, “winsome”.
Let me try this again for our word of the year, Since we are free, worthy in the eyes of God women, we can humbly be emptied of our desire to use unedifying words, surrendered to and growing and abiding in the Word of God with our speech seasoned with grace, ruthlessly eliminating hurry in speaking, winsome and clothe with God-kind of love, living in hope of the Master’s approval, His and His alone.
16. How does James describe “pure and undefiled religion?”
Take care of the needy and he used the example of widows and orphans.
Bing, That is a beautiful use of all our words for the year. Incredibly rich! Thankyou.
Bev, appreciate your encouraging words. Some days, the words just flow, and am so thankful to have a safe place such as this blog to share them without fear. I love all of you!
**9. Spurgeon said: “Visit many good books but live in the Bible.” James says “Have that Bible live in you.” How are you doing this?
I am in my Bible app each day, I have at least one Bible study going on at all times. I watch The Chosen. I am trying to become better at being Christ like.
*11. She emphasizes that receiving is not the same thing as hearing, or understanding, or agreeing. What matters is the lab! What matters is responding!
What is the point of James mirror analogy? (James 1:22-25)
We read and walk away and forget.
B. What was her point with her cabbage soup diet story?
We do all the work but aren’t do-ers.
C. How does James define “receiving?” (It’s a phrase in James 1:25)
Do what the Word says and don’t forget, God will bless you.
**17. How have you experienced the presence of God through His Word, through answered prayer, through unusual circumstances, or another way this week?
I wasn’t feeling very chatty the other evening. I just felt like being alone and working on my crochet project. I usually talk with the piano teachers parents while I wait for the lessons. I actually prayed that I wouldn’t have to talk that night! I even thought I would stay in the car, but it really was too cold. When I got there, they happened to not be home! I couldn’t believe it…it never happens.
🙂
Funny that I missed the science teacher analogy!
Laura, this made me smile. Aren’t those moments precious? God does care for the minutiae of our lives.
Sweet story, Laura! 🙂
This has been a tumultuous week of great sorrow, great blunders, and great joy.
My dear friend Ann (of Ann and Sylvia) died. I head to Fargo to her funeral whenever it is and her husband would like me to share a little. Please pray. She had a golden heart and was such a spiritual sharpener.
Things are really happening in hearts of pickleball players here – -giving me great joy and excitement. And we got an encouraging first response in submitting Linda’s book — but just the first of several gates to get through.
And I don’t even want to tell yo about my blunder — it was so bad. Embarrassing. Yet amazingly God is bringing good out of it!
So sad to hear about Ann. I will be praying for you, Dee, for what you have to share at her service. Praying, too for her husband and her family. Praises to God for the pickleball friends and the book with Linda!
Blunders! I, too, have had them. Romans 8:28 He does bring good out of our blunders.
Oh, dear Dee! I am so sorry to hear about your precious friend, Ann. I will be praying for you, for her husband and family. I know you were so close and she was such a woman of God. I will pray for you as you share at her service. Praising God for your answers to prayer for pickleball friends and Linda’s book. So thankful that God has our blunders in His care~ I have so many. Thankful that He can turn them to good. Lord, we ask that you would be with Dee right now and give her the comfort and peace that only you can give. She gives so much to each of us on this blog, to her family, her church and her dear friends. Please calm her heart and anoint her with Your love.
Dee,
Thank you again for your beautiful vulnerability with us here.
May our God comfort, sustain and encourage you through it all.
I’m sorry for your loss. Prayers for safe travels and the right comforting heartfelt words. I’m thankful you are already seeing God s grace in your mistake and that is where you can focus.
Thank you all — your prayers mean so much!
Dear Dee, I am praying along with everyone here, that cares so much for you. Calling upon our Great God of all Comforts to wrap you and Ann’s family in tender love and comfort. So glad to hear the good reports of your Pickleball friends and Linda’s book. God is so Good!❤️🙏❤️
Dee, it is sad to hear of your loss. Friends are so special. I am praying for peace and that your words will touch the family and friends.
Dee, I join with these other dear sisters in praying for you. May God comfort you as only He can in your grief. I ask for his hand of blessing on your heart and mind during this time. Praise for the good work He is doing through pickle ball. And grateful He never fails us blunders and all. Psalm 28:7a. “The Lord is my strength and my shield; in him my heart trusts, and I am helped;”
Sorry to hear about Ann. I will be praying for you and all of her loved ones.
Dee–so sorry for your pain. I know Ann was such a treasure to you and your heart must be aching. Praying now for the words He wants you to share.
Thankful for the ways He is working in pickleball players…and for a good response to your book on Linda’s story.
Thankful for your humility and how I learn from you.
Dee, I am praying for you and am so sorry for your loss of your dear friend, Ann. That’s so hard. I will pray and I know God will have you speak words of blessing and that will be a great testimony to the life of your friend at her funeral.
**1. What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why?
The Word of God is to be used as a means of Grace in our lives. I love the example of “Les Mis” and God’s grace in action. How I need to remember grace in all I do and say every moment of every day.
2. Sound Hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
*A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?”
It is easy to change the meaning of scripture when it is taken out of context, not a legitimate way to study. That is how cults can begin. It is important to understand to whom this letter is written, the original audience and historical context, before we can clearly study scripture.
*B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James?
For a believer, the Word of God becomes living, active and invasive~ loved those words from Paige. It would be difficult for an unbeliever to grasp God’s gifts of grace.
3. Review of James 1:1-18 (Read it again)
A. Trials in themselves do not bring us joy, but what will trials bring that we can, as believers, count as joy?
We can know sorrow from trials and many trials are very painful, but by God’s grace and sovereignty, they are never wasted. I think this is where I really need to learn steadfastness.
B. What do we need to ask for in the midst of trials and what should be our heart attitude when we ask?
I need to make keep my heart open to God and look away from the trial and only to Him. I need to ask for His wisdom and TRUST (my word for the year) without doubting, so I can receive what He gives me. I need to keep my focus on Him…
C. After describing the cycle of sin in 1:13-15, Paige says we are feeling helpless and ready to ask for everything, which is exactly where God wants us. What do you learn then about God and what He will do in 1:16-18?
Without our Father, I am helpless in every way. He is the Father of Light, no darkness in Him and every good and perfect gift comes from Him. I need to keep my eyes fixed on Him….it is so easy for me to try to figure it out on my own and dwell on the trial; asking Him for help, letting go and trusting is the only way to see the light.
D. She says to star verse 18, and asks: What has been made new in the new birth? (See verse 17 too)
Our Father makes everything new; His word is truth. Once we respond to His Word, the very life of God is in us and we cannot remain unchanged. We desire to be His and our obedience is our response to His Word.
E. If everything has been made new, why should a believer have all of the fruit of the Spirit? Why should she have consistent and not selective obedience? Comments?
It is hard to be consistent! We have our strengths and I tend to slip into selective obedience!
**4. Did anything particular stand out to you from this review? If so, what and why?
I think of the fruits of the spirits as a garden rooted in my soul. I need to tend my garden constantly, weeding out the dark thoughts or independence from God, that keep the fruits from growing. I love the tree image in the intro with the fruits of the spirit listed. I need to think of each of those as a fruit growing in my heart~ to nurture those fruits and weed out the fruits that are frauds….the ones that might look shiny and bright, but they are rotting inside.
Love love your gardening analogy for the fruit of the Spirit.
Patti–I love this “keep my heart open to God and look away from the trial and only to Him” and this “I need to tend my garden constantly, weeding out the dark thoughts or independence from God, that keep the fruits from growing.” I see you doing this in your trial and He is growing such incredible life-giving beauty in you. You are flourishing in His light!
Patti, your garden analogy is perfect! I am a gardener, so this really resonates with me! Thank-you for sharing your inspired words.🙏❤️🌳🍎
Patti, what a great analogy for the fruit of the Spirit as a garden! Oh, if only the weeds do not come. But they do, so we have to keep at them, trusting the Holy Spirit to come alongside us and to give us victory.
Perfect example in your answer to #4, Patti….it also reminds me of The Song of Songs….catch for us the foxes, the little foxes that spoil the vines, for our vines have tender grapes.
*10. How did she explain the dilemma of verse 21 saying the Word will save our souls — we think I thought it was trusting what Christ did at the cross that would save our souls.
I’m not really sure what the answer is here. I have written that James is always talking about the time we will meet Jesus. That receiving the Word means we are growing in our walk so that when we reach Him we are in the most perfect condition we can be in.
God Hunt Sunday
**17. How have you experienced the presence of God through His Word, through answered prayer, through unusual circumstances, or another way this week? My son had to work an all night shift as the company is going through a major remodel of their warehouses. I was worried about him losing sleep, in the past that has triggered relapse. (My son is almost 3 years clean and sober from heroin). I prayed throughout the night when I woke up, when he got home he was able to sleep peacefully for several hours. God is so good, what was I worrying about??? He has another all night shift this week, I am not worried but I will still pray.
Great God hunt, Lydia.
Lydia, I am rejoicing with you! And how wonderful that your son has been clean for almost three years!
What joy to have your son free for three years! God is so good!
Wow, Lydia-such a sweet answer to prayer! Praise God!
Thank-you dear Sisters for rejoicing with me…my son who was lost is found! Hallelujah! What a Savior we have!🙏❤️🙏
12. Meditate on James 1:26-27. What comments do you have?
wow. When she said, “True religion is that He is Father to the Fatherless…” that hit me. I stood at my father’s deathbed when I was 12. The Lord spoke to me and said, “Everything will be alright. I will always be your Father.”
*13. Paul Tripp said: “Our ears listen for what our hearts crave.” What does your heart crave and how are you more in tune with that? What might you be shutting out?
I crave to be truly happy with who I am. How He made me. Who He made. Comfortable in my own skin. I’m getting there, but it is a long process. I could probably focus on His ways by being more of a do-er of who Paige speaks.
*14. This is a preview of more to come about the tongue in James 3. She mentioned some proverbs and a verse in Ecclesiastes about the tongue. What do you remember?
We are to reflect righteousness. Uncontrolled anger leads to uncontrolled speech.
**15. What did Paige say about the anger in the church over masks and vaccines? How are you doing with this? Why should we bridle our tongues over this?
In 2020 the entire world became angry. In churches, many left because of the masks/vaccine conundrum. This had nothing to do with theology.
Our church had online services for a few months. Then, we suggested outdoor services. We did a few of those. Then, my husband bought the church a radio that allowed people to sit on the parking lot and listen to the service that was going on inside (only a certain number could be in the church). It was maddening. We hung in there trying to make lemonade out of lemons! We had kids so we couldn’t go in. Finally, the fellowship hall was opened and they projected the service there. We brought the kids and they were on blankets (when they weren’t running around 😉). Again, it was miserable. It was sad. We were frustrated. Some left. I am fairly loyal (and lazy) so we stayed. I think it shook up churches and many reflected on their needs. We have many new congregants now. More kids. I miss the veteran members, but sometimes it is just time. We felt like it wouldn’t be different anywhere we went.
Why should we bridle our tongues? We can hurt without meaning to hurt.
16. How does James describe “pure and undefiled religion?”
Pure religion is caring for the widows and orphans. You must not just notice them, rather do for them. Don’t talk about it when you do something for them. Live in the world but don’t be shaped by it.
God Hunt Sunday
**17. How have you experienced the presence of God through His Word, through answered prayer, through unusual circumstances, or another way this week?
Answered prayer: The Lord has provided not one but 2 RNs to help me with clinical for my students. One of them is a younger nurse who is really interested in teaching and the other one is a former neighbor. The latter has just started working at the hospital where I take my students. What a surprise it was when I saw him there on the first clinical day. These 2 were not on the radar at all of the likely candidates and can only be God-sent. Thank you, Lord!
What a wonderful answer to prayer, Bing! The Jesus who surprises! Such a joyous blessing that could only come from God! I love this!
Wonderful Bing!
Friday: Most Important Grade: The Lab – Being a Doer who Acts
Read James 1:19-1:26
5. What was her point with the science teacher story? How are you doing in the lab of trials after last week’s lecture? Be specific.
Paige was at a parent night at her child’s school in the room of a teacher who taught a very difficult science class. All the parents were anxious and stressed, and then the teacher told them not to worry about their child’s grades except the lab grade. She said, “If they’re not getting it in lab, they’re not getting it.” The book of James takes us into the “life lab” to show, are we getting it? Not talking about can we regurgitate it (one could memorize the entire book of James and be able to recite it) So I may be able to tell you what God’s commands are, but not be living them out in my life, which shows, I’m not getting it.
The life lab can be really hard. It is hard to live with someone who is not slow to speak, quick to listen, and slow to anger, and my life lab is how to respond to that. Then I have to call to mind, in your anger, do not sin. At times, it is best for me to remove myself from the same room so as not to risk further escalation. Later, I will address it directly with the person, because I don’t think it right to just stay silent as if it’s okay when it’s not.
6. James is not addressing the rejectors but the selectors. What do James 1:22 and 1:26 tell us about selective obedience?
James is not addressing defiant disobedience, but rather selective obedience. James is writing to believers, not rejectors. James 1:22 makes it clear that to merely listen to the word but not do what it says means we are deceiving ourselves. If we think partial obedience is an option, we are deceived. James 1:26 says that if we believe ourselves to be religious, or spiritual, but we can’t control our tongues, we are deceived. James must have known that even believers can be really good at self-deception and so he confronts head-on the fraud of selective obedience.
7. What command are we given in James 1:21? What did Paige say was the opposite of meekness?
We are to humbly, or with meekness, receive “the word” planted in us. Paige referred back to verse 18 which refers to the word through which we were given the new birth. There is a word through which God gives new birth to now, the same word that guides our new life. It is interesting that we are told to receive that which was implanted in us. Paige said the opposite of meekness, a strong choice of submission, is selectivity. I will choose this part, but not this part.
8. She made an analogy to pregnancy – what happens the moment a woman realizes she has new life in her? The first stage of receiving is asking, “What has to go that attacks Your life in me?” How did you answer that early on in your Christian life and how would you answer that in your life right now?
I rememember when I found out I was expecting my first child – no artificial sweetner shall touch my lips, I read warnings about eating fish from Lake Erie and I loved fried perch, but that was out! How I wish I could say that I was a quick learner in the beginning, but it took some time for me to get rid of things like impatience and anger. As I matured, I realized that there were other things that had to go. One example is my husband and I were invited several times to a yearly Christmas party that a co-worker and her husband hosted at their home. When the kids were young, he went and I stayed home with them. Then one year I went, and I went the next year too. They were really nice people, but their finished basement, complete with a bar and sound system and video screen playing music videos and the music so loud you could hear it from outside the houses took me back to my college days when I would go out to bars and party. I’m not saying that I got drunk or did anything wild at these Christmas parties, but after going the second year, I said to myself, I will never go again….it brings up things in my past and feelings and emotions that are best left in the past, and there were people there who were very inebriated and it made me uncomfortable; that last time I went another man who was drunk was acting a bit inappropriate with me, in front of my husband, and that’s when I decided, no more.
9. Spurgeon said: “Visit many good books but live in the Bible.” James says “Have that Bible live in you.” How are you doing this?
I love to read spiritual books and have grown and learned from many wonderful spiritual writers, like Henri Nouwen and our own Dee! Books like these are based on Scripture and contain Scripture and also send me back to the Bible itself to look. My thoughts on have the Bible live in me….Jesus is the living Word of God, the outward expression of the mind of God the Father, and very God Himself. I have His Spirit living in me, so it’s not that I don’t have the Word living in me, what is most important is my spirit or willingness to receive it and not harden my heart and quench the Spirit. (And I do read the Bible too!) Many times in the moment of a hard situation, God will bring to my mind something from Scripture to help me in the moment or to help me make a decision. Other spiritual writings are helpful in this way and one example I like is that I read once that St. Thereses of Lisieux, also known as the Little Flower, wrote how we can do little things for God with great love. That is meaningful to me because I am not a “great” missionary or out there in the known Christian world, but I can do a small act of kindness for someone with love.
10. How did she explain the dilemma of verse 21 saying the Word will save our souls – we think I thought it was trusting what Christ did at the cross that would save our souls.
Paige said that in Scripture, our salvation is never talked about as a static thing, but rather a living condition in which we live from beginning to end. This implanted Word that we receive in us at our new birth is the same thing that will carry us all the way to glorification. After our new birth, we don’t stay in the infancy stage….this Word grows us up in our salvation. I am thinking of something else I heard someone say and it is this: don’t tell me about your conversion (as in 20 years ago I was born-again)….tell me about a new conversion that happened recently (a deeper conversion, what God is doing in your life now).
Thanks for the reminder about the science teacher! I do remember the story now. I hadn’t gone back to listen because I can barely keep up with going through everything once. I guess I’m getting old 😉.
So much I love about your post — how you flee to avoid erupting but come back –how you bring other books that often evangelicals don’t consider — and tell me about a new deeper conversion that happened recently! 🙂
I love your entire post, Susan. I especially love the way God will bring to mind something from Scripture in the moment of a hard situation. I see you as a great missionary in the work you do as a nurse. You are ministering to bodies and souls daily, as you care for your patients. I know you are a great blessing to those in your care.
Read James 2:1-7
*18. How do you do in the “lab” regarding the above verses? (Ask God to show you.) How is your church doing?
My parents raised me to love everyone, from every culture. I think I have tried to do so in my life. I don’t always make good choices though, because I am human. As a college student I lived in a low income apartment. I slept on a 3 inch piece of foam. This was all my choice. I knew I needed to “grow up.” I was happy because it was all mine. My mother was devastated. It helped me know more than what I already knew about life and people. I’m sure God was with me, even though I didn’t ask Him for help. I was far from Him back then. It was a dangerous place, looking back.
I do think our church accepts all, sometimes to a fault. There is a mentally ill woman who wanders our town. She comes into the church and yells profanities. Some think we should file for a restraining order because she is somewhat scary. Our pastor refuses to do so. She has been known to hide in the church when everyone is gone. Her brother pays for her to live, so she has an apartment and food.
Wow. I do understand why he might not want to do a restraining order. Could be mercy could be wisdom with how political people could run with that…
Laura, there was such a stir in our county after the news about the killings at a church a few years ago. I couldn’t remember where it was. Some county officials wanted all churches to participate in how to de-escalate strangers with aggressive behavior should they come to our churches. My husband/pastor did not want our church to participate. How many programs do churches have to be obligated to do to keep them safe? I am not sure if the so-called higher-ups even prayed before they sent out a “circular” to all the churches. I feel like at times things like these are just motivated by fear. I am all for protecting our congregation and being wise but there is too much fear and not enough seeking God’s direction and protection.
We live in a small rural town and I am sure the threats that affect big churches in the cities are different. Fear of litigation seems to be a motivation for some. Times are different now but thanks be to God, He never changes!
*19. Partiality toward people. Listen to the above section from Paige and then answer:
A. What stood out to you and why? The three words that caught me were “show no partiality.” Paige’s teaching here reminded me of a pastor we knew many years ago. Jim was the brother of Elizabeth Elliot. We would visit his church from time to time and at times my husband would fill in for him. This particular Sunday, that we were visiting, looking forward to hearing Jim preach, we noticed a bedraggled looking man huddled very near the entry door to the church. He was dressed quite shabbily and looked dirty. We escorted our young children quickly into the building and disregarded the man who made us feel uncomfortable.
The worship songs began and eventually Pastor Jim stood up to bring us his message. He gently, kindly and piercingly told us that he was the man huddled next to the entry door. I do not remember his message in words, but I remember his message by what he demonstrated.
The church we attend now has a heart for the homeless and is located geographically in the center of the city where many homeless people live. Their policy is to keep an open door for these brothers and sisters. And to feed them. The first time I visited this church, a homeless person walked in very late, sat down in the pew I was sitting in, laid down and fell asleep. There have been several times now when people would come in off the street and sit close to me and I have been repulsed by their body odor. My husband is quick to greet and welcome. He is like Jesus that way. I am slow to be kind in these situations.
Wow — what an object lesson!
Wow!! What a wonderful demonstration of God’s word!
Begin at 38:30 and stop at 49:30 when she says, “I could say more but I am going to be slow to speak — we are going to move on.”
Read James 1:26-27 (Note from Dee. I find it interesting that this is the only place the word religion is used in Scripture and it is to point out the fraud of false religion and what true religion, or “the gospel” lived out would really look like. Jesus continually stood against the fraud of the Pharisees, and here James stands against the fraud of those who claim to be believers but fail the lab test.)
*12. Meditate on James 1:26-27. What comments do you have?
I feel like my tongue is the worst weapon I have and I have to make sure that the thoughts in my mind and my heart are anchored in God’s Word and not my opinion at the moment. It is best to speak very little and with a guarded and cautious tongue. Speak with love, care and restraint.
*13. Paul Tripp said: “Our ears listen for what our hearts crave.” What does your heart crave and how are you more in tune with that? What might you be shutting out?
Not sure if this relates totally to the question. I love learning about people, their families and customs if they are not from here. I want to be a better Christian and focus my mind only on the good in others. I do not like gossip or backbiting. I love the underdog.
I try to keep my heart in check by reading good books, with a focus on God or godly principles. I love Dee’s books, of course, Henri Nouwen, Tim Keller, Dane Ortlund, and more. I don’t watch much television except at night and I only watch wholesome things…love Up Faith and Family channel~ I try to do more relational things, like keeping in touch with friends and relatives. I love to walk my dogs with a neighbor friend and get to know my neighbors better. I try to stay away from negative talk shows, lots of news shows…I don’t do well with too much negative input.
*14. This is a preview of more to come about the tongue in James 3. She mentioned some proverbs and a verse in Ecclesiastes about the tongue. What do you remember?
Proverbs 10 “Where words are many, sin is not absent.” Proverbs 29 ” Do you see a man who is hasty in his words, there is more hope for a fool.”
With an unbridled tongue, our religion is worthless. “Before you speak ask yourself if what you are going to say is true, is kind, is necessary, is helpful. If the answer is no, maybe what you are about to say should be left unsaid. ” Bernard Metzler
I’ll have to check out upfaith. I don’t like cheesy Christian movies so that eliminates most!
I agree, Dee. Of course, reading God’s Word is the Best. 🙂
I didn’t mean to squelch you. I love good movie recommendations for I do love to snuggle up in the winter at night with a good movie — usually I break it into two or three nights. Sometimes the best aren’t even necessarily “Christian.” I have some like that listed on my website under Dee — but would love more recommendations.
19. Partiality toward people. Listen to the above section from Paige and then answer:
What stood out to you and why?
We can’t break one part of the law without breaking it all. The glass ALL shatters. I guess I find this idea overwhelming. She goes on to says that He is merciful. He sent Jesus. Thank You Lord!!
B. What do you remember about “Father ten Boom?”
He kept talking to the servants when he was the guest of honor and dignitaries were waiting for him. He didn’t know there was a difference in people. I can see myself doing this, but is it for the right reasons? I’m just a chatterbox sometimes 🤷🏻♀️. Am I just talking to talk or am I really interested in the person? Do love people….
C. About “A Time to Kill?” (You can see this closing scene on you-tube.)
The attorney is the man’s “secret weapon.” He says that the white attorney would understand how the jury felt so he would know how to convince them. It was a smart move on the defendants part!
D. She said we go into a room full of people and are drawn toward just some. How do you do with this?
As I said to Susan, lately I have just sat back to watch what people do. No one comes to me usually. After our services I am usually looking to speak to people about certain specific things. I try to talk to many people. I try to not be distinctive, but then again, people are special in their own way. So, by not distinguishing those differences could be viewed as being disrespectful to the person and their culture. For example, we have a mixed race couple in our church. The man is from Africa (black) and the woman is fair and blond from Minnesota. They are sweet friends of ours. But, he appreciates that we are interested in his culture. I don’t think we all would like to be lumped as the same, when we have very interesting, diverse backgrounds.
I think talking to many people is good!
Read James 2:1-7
*18. How do you do in the “lab” regarding the above verses? (Ask God to show you.) How is your church doing? I am not comfortable with approaching either person described, I would probably greet them both the same. And then let them choose where they want to sit. My church seems to handle this well, I live in a small University town. Our Pastor is a Chaplain on the campus, so we have all kinds of visitors every Sunday.
Begin listening at 49:30 and stop at 1:12:14 when she says “Lord have mercy!)
*19. Partiality toward people. Listen to the above section from Paige and then answer:
A. What stood out to you and why? The words of Jesus in the Sermon on the mount “…not an iota of the Law will pass away…” The Law is God! If we are selective and pick and choose, we are never obeying God. This is a very convicting theology! How can we keep all the Law, all the time? Personally, I need all of God’s Grace, mercy and patience. Lord have mercy!
B. What do you remember about “Father ten Boom?”C. About “A Time to Kill?” (You can see this closing scene on you-tube.) Father ten Boom loved everyone the same, at an event to honor his work against Nazi Germany, he was hanging out in the kitchen with the servants.
I did not watch “A Time to Kill”. From her discription of the story, I would have great compassion for the defendant.
D. She said we go into a room full of people and are drawn toward just some. How do you do with this? I am definately more drawn to those that I know that like me and I like them too. The “mutual admiration society”…makes me feel so shallow, thinking about it.
Read James 2:8-11
*20. Partiality toward the law
A. What does James 2:10 tell us? How does this show us that even a person who is relatively good compared to others, is guilty# before God and deserves judgment? “For whoever keeos the whole Law but stumbkes at jusr one point is guilty of breaking all of it.” We can”t justify breaking any of God’s Laws.
*B. This is a comment from Dee. I think this passage has often been misinterpreted to mean that all sin is the same in God’s eyes. It does not say that. There are places where some sin is seen as more grievous than others. (See, for example, John 19:11) It might surprise us what sins God sees as weightier. What do you see as emphasized over and over in Scripture? (I am not suggesting selective obedience, but rather, to consider what God keeps emphasizing and looking at our lives regarding these.)
C. If James isn’t saying all sin is the same in God’s eyes, what is he saying? He is saying all disobedience is the same in God’s eyes. It’s about our hearts.
D. Where are you selective in your obedience? I am hesitant to obey when it means possibly offending another person.
Interesting respond to D — fear that is true of me too.
Lydia~ I have felt that same way~ hesitant to obey when it means offending another person. There are some very gray areas, where I want to speak, yet feel I need to hold my tongue.
Yes, Patti, I am glad you and Dee understand. There have been many times I felt the Lord prompting me to correct others who are misquoting scripture or absolutely twisting the truth…I didn’t want to appear judgemental or step on toes. Ugh!🥺
Oh my. Have I had this happen this week with a Catholic friend. We were watching season 3 episodes 4 and 5 of The Chosen. I mentioned that I was studying James. I also mentioned I thought it was sweet that he was the younger brother of Jesus. Oh my gosh. You would have thought I committed blasphemy! She said, “Where did you get that?” I said the Bible. I then felt like I had committed a sin! We proceeded to show each other (via text) our perspectives (me Matt 12:46, she a 12 page commentary written by a Catholic bishop. I decided to say mercy because I love my friend. It does not affect my salvation. Catholics believe that Mary was a perpetual virgin. She never would have had any other children.
Thursday: Introduction
**1. What stood out to you from the introduction of this blog and why? – Oh such a great reminder of how we need to daily work on being more like Jesus. To have all of the signs of the fruit of the spirit for me I will be working on getting them all to be obvious at the same time. I have seen Les Mis and enjoyed the story behind it. To be loving like Jesus with no regard to status of those who come my way. More work in progress.
2. Sound Hermeneutics (hermeneutics is the interpretation of the Bible)
*A. Why should we get up and leave a Bible study if they don’t first ask what it meant to the original readers and jump to “what does it mean to you?” – We have to understand what it meant first to the original audience before we can understand how it applies to us and what it means. So if the leader doesn’t give background we will never be able to understand it for ourselves.
*B. Why is it important to remember that James was writing to believers and not to unbelievers? How might an unbeliever misinterpret James? – He is reminding them how and why they belong to the Lord. This could come across as being slaves to them and something, they probably don’t really want.
3. Review of James 1:1-18 (Read it again)
A. Trials in themselves do not bring us joy, but what will trials bring that we can, as believers, count as joy? – It produces steadfastness in God’s Word and dependence on God to help us.
B. What do we need to ask for in the midst of trials and what should be our heart attitude when we ask? – We need to ask for wisdom so we can get through the trial, but we have to be open and willing to receive it from God.
C. After describing the cycle of sin in 1:13-15, Paige says we are feeling helpless and ready to ask for everything, which is exactly where God wants us. What do you learn then about God and what He will do in 1:16-18? – He is warning us to not be deceived with what appears to be good. The only one that gives us what we need comes from God the Father. He does not waiver in any way.
D. She says to star verse 18, and asks: What has been made new in the new birth? (See verse 17 too) – Everything has been made new through God.
E. If everything has been made new, why should a believer have all of the fruit of the Spirit? Why should she have consistent and not selective obedience? Comments? – We have to be fully growing in our walk and our relationship with Jesus. We can’t blame our trials and consequences on anyone, we put ourselves in the places that bring trials. We have to obey the Word in all ways. It may not be easy or pleasant at times, but that is when the fruit of the Spirit will grow.
**4. Did anything particular stand out to you from this review? If so, what and why? – Everything is made brand new in the New Birth.
Monday: Partiality toward Others and Partiality toward the Law
Read James 2:1-7
*18. How do you do in the “lab” regarding the above verses? (Ask God to show you.) How is your church doing?
I think for me, it is not so much as to how they are dressed as much as do they appear friendly or snobbish. As a pastor’s wife, I consider it a responsibility and a privilege to greet people and make them feel welcome. It took me some time to get comfortable with it, though. I think my nursing background has helped me get out of my comfort zone in this regard; on the other hand, only God can work any impartiality in me.
There was one time when a homeless person stopped by our church with his dog. We were about to get finished with the service. As you could imagine, there was a little commotion at the back of the sanctuary. A few of our deacons usually sit at the back to greet people so one of them greeted the guy and talked with him in the little foyer just outside the sanctuary, He looked disheveled and wide-eyed and after church, people quickly left, and some went out a different door. My husband asked me to go ahead and go home after I greeted the guy.
Later, my husband and a deacon from our church went to the town’s motel and charged our ministerial alliance for a few nights’ stay and provided food from a local store. My husband ended up taking him to a town an hour away to “hand him over” to a Christian social worker to see if he can get a job while he waits for a truck driver to pick him up on his way to another state. He prayed and counseled this guy and kept in touch. One day he got a call from the social worker who told him that this guy has left without saying goodbye or leaving a note about where he was headed. My husband was heartbroken. But I know he will do the same thing again should there be another person in need that God sends our way.
Begin listening at 49:30 and stop at 1:12:14 when she says “Lord have mercy!)
*19. Partiality toward people. Listen to the above section from Paige and then answer:
A. What stood out to you and why?
We have made distinctions where there are none! So hard when the world shouts at us that there are distinctions.
I often think of this elderly couple who lived simply and quietly. They did not have children. When they died, they left a large amount of money in a trust fund and after almost 30 years now, their monies have helped many high school students in our town with scholarships. Many non-profit organizations have been recipients of their kindness. When you look at them, you could never have told that they were materially wealthy. People knew they had money but not to the extent of what came to the open after they both passed away.
B. What do you remember about “Father ten Boom?”
He refused to go outside and receive all the accolades accorded him for having celebrated the 100-year anniversary of the clock shop; rather he stayed with the servants.
C. About “A Time to Kill?” (You can see this closing scene on you-tube.)
D. She said we go into a room full of people and are drawn toward just some. How do you do with this?
Well, I like to watch people. Body language is very important to me. There is something about the person who has a welcoming stance. I am often intimidated by people who look too polished (lol) and have an air around them. I know at times they just can’t help it. I see it among my students. A turn of the head, a certain pose, etc. Am I making distinctions or am I being too self-protective?
Your last comment really made me think, Bing. I think I’m going to ask God to show me when I should approach a person who doesn’t seem welcoming.
Read James 2:8-11
*20. Partiality toward the law
What does James 2:10 tell us? How does this show us that even a person who is relatively good compared to others, is guilty before God and deserves judgment?
Whoever breaks one part of the law breaks the whole law. We are not perfect, we are humans. We will break the law according to Him. He is merciful!
*B. This is a comment from Dee. I think this passage has often been misinterpreted to mean that all sin is the same in God’s eyes. It does not say that. There are places where some sin is seen as more grievous than others. (See, for example, John 19:11) It might surprise us what sins God sees as weightier. What do you see as emphasized over and over in Scripture? (I am not suggesting selective obedience, but rather, to consider what God keeps emphasizing and looking at our lives regarding these.)
God wants us to love everyone. Each person is made in His image, therefore we need to recognize this and extend hospitality to all.
22. What was Paige’s point with:
A. The story of the woman who was married first to an abusive husband and then to a husband who treasured her?
That the law (represented by her abusive husband’s list) was given by an unkind, unloving man and it only felt like a great weight. But when she rediscoverd an old list and was remarried to a kind and loving man, she realized that she was doing all the things on the list as a response to being loved by her new husband. Fullfilling the “law” was her expression of gratitude and love for her new husband. Same law, but with an understanding of the heart behind doing the law. Not constrained to honor the law giver, but with a responsive and free flowing love to honor her new and loving husband.
B. The fish flopping around on land?
Loved Paige’s analogy here. “You never see a fish flopping on the bank saying, ‘I’m free, I’m sick of the water!’ She says that living apart from God’s law, we’re flopping around on the bank – dying.
So the intention of the law for the redeemed is not to crush us but to give us a way of expressing our love and gratitude to our God. It is a path of response that matches what we were made to do in relationship to God and others. The law is meant for nourishment (but the enemy of our soul would twist the law back on us as a weight, thus the spiritual battle we are in this side of heaven.) So grateful for Paige’s analogy here. We were designed for the water where we can live and flourish, not the bank
*C. Les Miserables?
Paige’s reflection on this really drives home the do-ing response. Jean Valjean is re-set my mercy. Re-set. He responds to the mercy that he is given by do-ing differently. Paige says, “What is the do-ing that is called for in Les Mis? …… it is mercy….” She said that a subtitle for Les Mis could be “Mercy triumphs over judgement.” Because Jean Valjean was so deeply affected by the mercy shown him, he turned a corner and began acting out of that deep mercy for the rest of his life.
Always love your contemplative mind, Nila.
All of this reminds me of this song by Sandra McCracken entitled, “Thy Mercy My God” ~
The first verse:
Thy mercy, my God, is the theme of my song.
The joy of my heart, and the boast of my tongue,
Thy free grace alone, from the first to the last,
Hath won my affections, and bound my soul fast.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vUEgqGNFiMs
Read James 1:26-27 (Note from Dee. I find it interesting that this is the only place the word religion is used in Scripture and it is to point out the fraud of false religion and what true religion, or “the gospel” lived out would really look like. Jesus continually stood against the fraud of the Pharisees, and here James stands against the fraud of those who claim to be believers but fail the lab test.)
*12. Meditate on James 1:26-27. What comments do you have? I need to be careful that self control of my tongue is part of who I am So easy when tired to say what I’m thinking or not give s gentle to response
*13. Paul Tripp said: “Our ears listen for what our hearts crave.” What does your heart crave and how are you more in tune with that? What might you be shutting out? Sometimes it’s sad to say just for the day to be over I’m shutting out being in the moment and enjoying what God has placed in front of me.
*14. This is a preview of more to come about the tongue in James 3. She mentioned some proverbs and a verse in Ecclesiastes about the tongue. What do you remember? Where words are many sin is not absent Anger lodges in hearts of fools
**15. What did Paige say about the anger in the church over masks and vaccines? How are you doing with this? Why should we bridle our tongues over this? More people left church over Covid response than anything else The anger hasn’t calmed down and it s all rage We don’t have s right to this anger There is no righteous anger over masks and vaccines I think it’s best to keep my mouth shut on this issue People are very heated and dug in on their opinion and it s best to steer clear of issue
16. How does James describe “pure and undefiled religion?” Take care of needy and keep myself from worldly viewpoint which has no reverence for God
God Hunt Sunday
**17. How have you experienced the presence of God through His Word, through answered prayer, through unusual circumstances, or another way this week? My husband and I had safe travels and God s special surprise gift is a friend and husband will be here for a week starting next week
I too think it is best to keep my mouth shut on Covid issues — not so easy — but this was a good reminder of that.
I’ll confess I have intimate experiences with anger on both sides. I’ve experienced “triggers” and heard more than once of “righteous anger” as in Jesus clearing the Temple. I need to impress on my self Jn 8:7 “The sinless one among you, go first: Throw the stone.” Only Jesus has the “right” to be angry and I don’t believe He ever was. I don’t want to confuse anger with disappointment, sorrow, grief, etc.
Yes John! Jesus showed anger to the Pharisees. Did He show anger to “normal” folks? I don’t think so.
Friday: Most Important Grade: The Lab — Being a Doer who Acts
Read James 1:19-1:26
Begin listening at 18:34 and stop at 38:30 after she defines receiving as hearing & doing.
**5. What was her point with the science teacher story? How are you doing in the lab of trials after last week’s lecture? Be specific.
*6. Paul is not addressing the rejectors but the selectors. What do James 1:22 and 1:26 tell us about selective obedience? – he is warning about partial obedience and is addressing the selectors. These verses warn us about being deceived in thinking we have all that is needed. When in fact, if we only take parts of His Word we will not know if we are being deceived or not since the complete truth is not known.
*7. What command are we given in James 1:21? What did Paige say was the opposite of meekness? – Receive with open hands is showing our life and guides us how to live. Our Bible should be a root and not just a reference. We should be clinging to the truth that is in it so we don’t fall away when trials come.
Paige said God’s Word has been implanted in us (the reset at the new birth) but then we are also told to receive it. She likened it to last week when we are told God gives wisdom generously, but we must receive it in faith. Though the Word has been implanted in us (1:21) we must receive it with meekness. – We are not to achieve it but to receive it.
**8. She made an analogy to pregnancy — what happens the moment a woman realizes she has new life in her? The first stage of receiving is asking, “What has to go that attacks Your life in me?” How did you answer that early on in your Christian life and how would you answer that in your life right now? – We have to cut out what has affected us in a bad way before we received our new birth so we can grow in our new birth. God’s Word never becomes unnecessary.
**9. Spurgeon said: “Visit many good books but live in the Bible.” James says “Have that Bible live in you.” How are you doing this? – I loved this statement. This year my husband and I and friends from church are doing the Bible Recap with Tara Leigh Cobble. We are growing and helping each other as we go along and finding our God moments in each passage we read. Doing this study with all of you and will be doing a Hebrews study in the middle of February. Once our Life Group gets back together, we will continue with going through Revelation. So much to learn and absorb.
*11. She emphasizes that receiving is not the same thing as hearing, or understanding, or agreeing. What matters is the lab! What matters is responding! –
A. What is the point of James mirror analogy? (James 1:22-25) – If we are really receiving God’s Word and not just listening, we will hear the word and do the word.
B. What was her point with her cabbage soup diet story? – Her friend made a triple batch of it but then go to Krispy Kreme thinking that since the soup is in the refrigerator, they would lose weight anyway. Our journals full of notes, will not help us unless we study and receive what we have been taught. It’s one thing to take a bunch of notes, but if we don’t put them in to action in our lives, we are wasting our time writing them down.
C. How does James define “receiving?” (It’s a phrase in James 1:25) – We are a doer who does, who actually does things that we have heard and received. Receiving is hearing and doing.
Saturday: Responding with Ears and Tongues
Begin at 38:30 and stop at 49:30 when she says, “I could say more but I am going to be slow to speak — we are going to move on.”
Read James 1:26-27 (Note from Dee. I find it interesting that this is the only place the word religion is used in Scripture and it is to point out the fraud of false religion and what true religion, or “the gospel” lived out would really look like. Jesus continually stood against the fraud of the Pharisees, and here James stands against the fraud of those who claim to be believers but fail the lab test.)
*12. Meditate on James 1:26-27. What comments do you have? – I’m sensing that if we say we are believers and then don’t follow the ways of Jesus, which is where the fruit of the Spirit comes in, then we just deceive ourselves in thinking we are a follower of Christ and are lying to others. Our speech, actions, thoughts should all line up with the fruit of the Spirit.
*13. Paul Tripp said: “Our ears listen for what our hearts crave.” What does your heart crave and how are you more in tune with that? What might you be shutting out? – WOW this was good too. I hear what is pleasing to me. If something does not interest me, I tend to zone out. But if what is being said catches my attention I will listen and remember and start to see improvement in those areas of my life. I know that right now my attitude when people do not ‘perform’ as I would like them to needs to be improved. I need to get to the point where I see EVERYONE as God sees them and remind myself not everyone is like me. And what a good thing that is. When I get to this point, things will not matter to me as they do now.
**15. What did Paige say about the anger in the church over masks and vaccines? How are you doing with this? Why should we bridle our tongues over this? – the whole world became angry. There was so much anger, quick anger, and it has not calmed down. We don’t have a right to our anger. We are called to be slow to anger. There is no righteous anger in the things of Covid on in religious injustice. I still at times feel myself getting upset over what I think are trivial matters, but then I remind myself that God is in control, and I have to submit to authority that is over me in this world as long as they are not going against my beliefs.
God Hunt Sunday
**17. How have you experienced the presence of God through His Word, through answered prayer, through unusual circumstances, or another way this week? – I’ve read the Bible before and have participated in Bible studies too. But the more I’m finding the plans to read through the Bible in a year, the more I’m seeing things pop out. Things that I’ve read multiple times are now becoming clearer when commentaries explain in depth what was read. It’s helping me to stop and see the words in the passages, the tense that they are in and remembering just what a phrase my imply. God is lifting the veil from my eyes when they are in His Word.
Monday: Partiality toward Others and Partiality toward the Law
Read James 2:1-7
*18. How do you do in the “lab” regarding the above verses? (Ask God to show you.) How is your church doing? – I am becoming more aware of how I’m acting toward those who may be different than me. I started working in the local library by my house and there are many types of people that come in there. I am definitely more aware of my actions toward them and I’m learning to not be different with them. It doesn’t matter what the appearance of the outside is, it matters that they are a child of God just as I am and deserve to be treated as such. I’m growing in this area daily.
Begin listening at 49:30 and stop at 1:12:14 when she says “Lord have mercy!)
*19. Partiality toward people. Listen to the above section from Paige and then answer:
A. What stood out to you and why? – The difference between people groups is still around. This is my own opinion and I’m not trying to offend anyone. I think there are some legitimate differences on how people are or are not treated, but I also think some use what was done to others to stir the pot. Things need to change, I’m aware of that, but not everything can be blamed on someone else. We all do things that cause consequences, and we need to own those consequences and learn from them.
D. She said we go into a room full of people and are drawn toward just some. How do you do with this? – I would say this is true and tends to bring me comfort. I’m not one to openly go toward strangers I will seek out the familiar face and if they introduce others to me, then I can handle that. Being in a new state with no family around, I’m learning to put myself out there to others so I can have new friendships.
Read James 2:8-11
*20. Partiality toward the law
A. What does James 2:10 tell us? How does this show us that even a person who is relatively good compared to others, is guilty before God and deserves judgment? – This to me ties back to the selective obedience. To God he wants us to follow everything as he would. That if we understand his word, we will not do any kind of sinning. Though we are not made perfect until we face him, we need to follow his ways completely and grown where we are weak.
*B. This is a comment from Dee. I think this passage has often been misinterpreted to mean that all sin is the same in God’s eyes. It does not say that. There are places where some sin is seen as more grievous than others. (See, for example, John 19:11) It might surprise us what sins God sees as weightier. What do you see as emphasized over and over in Scripture? (I am not suggesting selective obedience, but rather, to consider what God keeps emphasizing and looking at our lives regarding these.) – So, I’m a little confused on this. God wants us to follow his laws and grow in living like him right? So, is that what is more the point, that we are just not following His Law when we are sinning, and that comes out as more of the sin then the actual sin to Him? So, we are deceiving ourselves again thinking we are ok because what we did was not that bad?
C. If James isn’t saying all sin is the same in God’s eyes, what is he saying? – See above comment in B.
D. Where are you selective in your obedience? – I would have to say my thoughts are not HIS THOUGHTS. My mumbling and grumbling are not what he expects of me. this is where I truly need to grow.
Amen for me to your D, Julie.
Tuesday: The Freedom of Submissive Obedience
Read James 2:12-13 and Listen to Paige to the end
*21. How does Jesus going to the cross show that we are both great sinners and greatly beloved? How did He fulfill both judgment and mercy at the cross? – We have sinned to the point of pulling us away from God, because God cannot be with sin and caused Jesus’ death on the cross in place of us. He loved us that much and continues to love us and gives us grace and mercy all the time. He provides us with so many chances to get it right because he doesn’t want the new earth to be without us. that is true love.
22. What was Paige’s point with:
A. The story of the woman who was married first to an abusive husband and then to a husband who treasured her? – When we do things for God out of love, we enjoy doing things for him, that may be a struggle when we do it without love in our hearts.
B. The fish flopping around on land? – Living apart from the Word of God puts us on the banks of the river as we flop around.
*C. Les Miserables? – True grace and mercy to one that is undeserving. WOW
*23. What stood out to you from this week’s lesson that was not discussed? – I have so much to learn and so many areas to grow to be more like Jesus. From my attitude on how I treat people to how I think what I do is not that bad. I need to remember to make the Bible my root so I can grow to be what Jesus intended for me to be.
Tuesday: The Freedom of Submissive Obedience
Read James 2:12-13 and Listen to Paige to the end
*21. How does Jesus going to the cross show that we are both great sinners and greatly beloved? How did He fulfill both judgment and mercy at the cross?
Jesus met the requirements for payment for our sins through His death on the cross. We are great sinners and we couldn’t pay for our sins through any good works. He died for you and me because He loves us and we are “the joy that is set before Him”.
He fulfilled judgment for our sins by dying for them
He fulfilled mercy because we do not deserve His love.
22. What was Paige’s point with:
A. The story of the woman who was married first to an abusive husband and then to a husband who treasured her?
Our idols are our abusive husbands and Jesus is our husband who treasures us. We were enslaved to our idols and we keep doing things out of fear of them. But when we met Jesus, we do things out of our gratitude for His love for us.
B. The fish flopping around on land?
The fish illustrates us being in a place not meant for us and we think we are free when we are actually dying. Our oxygen or life-giving source can only be God and His place for us.
*C. Les Miserables?
Mercy triumphs over judgment. The candlesticks were a reminder of the grace of the Bishop and the grace of God regardless of what Valjean has done with his life.
*23. What stood out to you from this week’s lesson that was not discussed?
Dee, the last few minutes of this session by Paige was just so good. Legal Freedom and Lived freedom. The law is a gift to us! I listened to that section several times just to get her words right! Still processing these wonderful truths!
Read James 2:1-7
*18. How do you do in the “lab” regarding the above verses? (Ask God to show you.) How is your church doing? I need to be careful because I make a judgement based on superficial things. My church makes efforts through support groups, projects to work poverty area, financial and person support of lower income and struggling schools and neighborhoods and also trying to connect with people who live in the area. Prayer walking these neighborhoods.
Begin listening at 49:30 and stop at 1:12:14 when she says “Lord have mercy!)
*19. Partiality toward people. Listen to the above section from Paige and then answer:
A. What stood out to you and why? The image of law being a sheet of glass and if we break one part of law it shatters the glass I’m disobedient to God And deceived (and disheartened) I like the verse that says may God of peace Himself sanctify me and that I’m kept sound and blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ He who calls me is faithful and He will do it. I don’t know how to reconcile all this.
B. What do you remember about “Father ten Boom?” That at his birthday celebration he was in kitchen talking to servants not the mayor because he didn’t see a distinction between people
C. About “A Time to Kill?” (You can see this closing scene on you-tube.) That we do see a distinction between people Some things are very apparent but if we are fighting for equality for people we need to fight from our viewpoint as how we see things to get people like us to see the goodness of all people without distinction as they are made in the image of God
D. She said we go into a room full of people and are drawn toward just some. How do you do with this? I’m shy so I guess I look for someone I think is same way
Read James 2:8-11
*20. Partiality toward the law
A. What does James 2:10 tell us? How does this show us that even a person who is relatively good compared to others, is guilty before God and deserves judgment? If I break His rule I’m guilty. There s no second degree or compensating or aggravating factors. I’m guilty.
*B. This is a comment from Dee. I think this passage has often been misinterpreted to mean that all sin is the same in God’s eyes. It does not say that. There are places where some sin is seen as more grievous than others. (See, for example, John 19:11) It might surprise us what sins God sees as weightier. What do you see as emphasized over and over in Scripture? (I am not suggesting selective obedience, but rather, to consider what God keeps emphasizing and looking at our lives regarding these.) God is holy and we are to worship Him only
C. If James isn’t saying all sin is the same in God’s eyes, what is he saying? I have no idea Guessing not to consider others differently if we see our sin as not as bad as theirs
D. Where are you selective in your obedience? C S Lewis says pride is the mother hen under which all sin is hatched Lack of humility sneaks in on me. Paul says consider others better than self Humility I read and see in Jesus and people like Mother Teresa I don’t have I don’t try to be selective, lack of humility just raises it s ugly head It’s hard not to sin Thank God for Jesus
Read James 2:12-13 and Listen to Paige to the end
*21. How does Jesus going to the cross show that we are both great sinners and greatly beloved? How did He fulfill both judgment and mercy at the cross? Because of my sin God required a blood sacrifice and Jesus took all my sin upon Him at the cross and died for me. God s greatness and glory requires obedience, when we fail we get the deserved judgment but Christ s death for my sin is unimaginable mercy. We don’t have to hide from the judgement seat we are received at judgement seat and it becomes a mercy seat and we are implanted in His heart Mercy triumphs over judgement We hold fast to the Lord of glory
22. What was Paige’s point with:
A. The story of the woman who was married first to an abusive husband and then to a husband who treasured her? That following the laws of God is to be an act of love we want to do these things because it is an expression of our love for Him.
B. The fish flopping around on land? Law is what we need and without we are dying
*C. Les Miserables? To impress mercy shown can change s life and that mercy triumphs over judgment
*23. What stood out to you from this week’s lesson that was not discussed?