James 1:1-2... (10.24.2010)

We started class with the reading of James Chapter 1 verses 1 & 2.

Verse 1: James, who was known as "Pillar" and leader of Jerusalem church knew how important it was to state he was both servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

James knew the world he lived in and even in the synagogue it was ok and even expected to be a servant of God...but being a servant of Jesus....well that was a different story???

We had previously discussed the letter of James is written to the 12 tribes scattered and it has been suggested these are believers who were forced to leave Jerusalem during the persecution that followed Stephen's death. (See Acts 8:1, Acts 11:19)

James as a leader would feel responsible for "the scattered" and would want to instruct them. 

QUESTION: How are we according to James suppose to respond to trials and temptations?

Do you see trials in your life as punishment?

One of our lesson writers proposed the following: "Most of the time trials bring on groaning and complaints. However, this response doesn't show maturity and will usually only make matters worse."

We should view trials as a test. Think of this....why do teachers give tests? Believe it or not teachers give test to see if students can pass not pass out. When you bring the right attitude...yes, we are back to our attitude...we can have full understanding of the advantage of trials, and where to obtain assistance in our trials so that we will pass the test and not pass out. 

QUESTION: Where should we look for assistance in our trials? 

God and His Word is where we find our assistance.

Let's go back to verse 2 for a minute..."Consider it pure joy, my brothers, whenever you face trials..."

Please notice it states "whenever" not "if". This is an important aspect to grasp for James is letting us know we will face trials not if we face trials. 

There is one more important thing that our lesson writer, Norma Becker, points out:

"I don't believe James is saying being joyful "for" the trials but be joyful "in" the trials."

Our joy is found in Jesus not in our circumstances. We don't have to be happy for the trials but we need to have a positive outlook in the trials. Because when viewed from the proper attitude trials will be productive....which we will see as we continue in our Journey through James.

Reference:

Becker, Norma "Book of James Bible Study"

Introduction to James Part 2….

 

James had a mission in his new faith. He was to the Shepherd of the Jewish-Christians living in and around Jerusalem. James letter is believed to have been to a general audience, not a specific church. An example is if James wrote this letter today it would be like writing it to the editor of a newspaper.

James is considered to be the New Testament Proverbs. James addresses seven different topics in the first 27 verses of Chapter 1.

James letter was intended for the tribes that were scattered.

TIPS FOR READING AND STUDYING JAMES:

1. James speaks with practical wisdom

2. James asks direct questions

3. James speaks with strong, compelling language.

4. James speaks through examples and imagery.

**This materials has come from various sources and is not my own***

Introduction to James… Part 1

 

We had the Introduction to James on October 17th. We combined with the Sr. High Sunday School.

Here are some of the things we discussed:

1. James was the brother of Jesus (Mark 6:3)

2. James and the rest of his family were initially skeptical of Jesus’ ministry.

3. James became a believer when Jesus appeared to him and others after his resurrection.

4. James became an important Christian leader in Jerusalem and was one of the “pillars” of the early church.

There are indications that the book was written early and could be one of the earliest NT writings. The letter was to exhort the early believers to Christian maturity and holiness of life. James told believers many things that still hold true today in 2010. He spoke about how to achieve spiritual maturity through a confident stand, compassionate service, careful speech, contrite submission, and concerned sharing. 

 

***This material is from various sources. I do not claim for this to be mine but borrowed and taught from many different teachers***

Jonah 4: Part 2 (10/10/10)…

 

Question: Do you get angry if God doesn’t do things on your time table?

We finished Jonah this week and we being doing the Introduction to James on Sunday. We will be meeting in the Sr. High Youth Sunday School Room.

We continued our discussion on Jonah and his attitudes and behaviors. We left Jonah last week camping out to see what God would do to Nineveh.

We also continued our discussion on Jonah’s responsibilities as a prophet. We even discussed how all of our technology can hinder our memorization and truly knowing the Word of God.

God prepares a plant for Jonah for shade. Then the next day He prepares a worm to destroy the plant. He also prepares a hot east wind to blow on Jonah. I propose God is trying to both get Jonah’s attention and teach him a lesson.

Jonah’s reaction over the plant dying. He gets angry and states once again “It is better for me to die than live.” I can’t help but think Drama Prophet here.

God is trying to get Jonah to realize how much He cares for the 120,000 people and livestock in Nineveh. God doesn’t want to destroy them (even though eventually it does happen).

We need to see where we are like Jonah and then repent. Everyone always teaches that Jonah is a book of repentance and it is but we decided in our class where the true repentance was exhibited was in the sailors/fisherman who threw Jonah overboard to quiet the storm.

Jonah 4 (10/3)…

 

Jonah 4 Part 1:

Here is an overview of what we discussed:

Vv 1& 2: What is Jonah’s response to God’s mercy on the Ninevites? Why?

It came down to Jonah’s attitude towards the Ninevites had not changed. He still wanted to see them destroyed. All along we have been discussing how Jonah’s repentance in the belly of the great fish had nothing to do with his attitude towards the Ninevites.

How do you think Jonah reacted to God’s mercy to Him?

Do you rejoice or anger when God shows mercy to others with the same struggles or sin as you?  This question will make one really think. How many times have we reacted wrongly when someone is given mercy that we (catch that we there) have determined doesn’t deserve it. HELLO….did we deserve God’s mercy?

Vv 3 & 8: Jonah says in both these verses, “It is better for me to die than to live.” 

V 4: God rightfully questions Jonah’s anger.

V5: It is interesting and also sad to see Jonah camp outside the city to see what shall become of Nineveh. He even built himself a shelter to be able to camp out and see if God destroys them.

The question was brought up whether Jonah sat there for the full 40 days or not. The Scripture doesn’t tell us.

Pray and ask God where are you like Jonah.

Jonah 3:7-10

 

After this blog, we will be caught up to where we are in class. Then you will only receive updates about once a week.

We started this week off with a question:

Why were the animals part of the fast and wearing sackcloth?

The Ninevites had many dieties (gods that they worshipped). They worshipped many animal dieties and even worshipped a fish god named Dagon. Now, before we are hard on them we need to look and see if we have any other gods “little g” in our own lives. 

With this thought in mind, the act of having the animals participate in the fast and wearing sackcloth meant they were subjugating or submitting everything to LORD GOD!

When the King of Nineveh decreed this fast and wearing of sackcloth it basically became law for all of Nineveh. Which means if they did not participate they would be breaking the law set by their King.

Verse 9: The King admits that he does not know “IF” God will spare them from the coming prophesied judgment.

Verse 10: Things GOD SAW:

1. God saw all Nineveh had done both the evil and know their sign of mourning and changing their ways.
2. God had mercy for Nineveh. God is better and kinder than we are to one another. We as a church have the tendency to “shoot our wounded.”
3. God relented for the time being of destroying Nineveh. However, Nineveh as recorded in Nahum and Zephaniah would eventually be destroyed.

QUESTION WE ARE PONDERING: Did Nineveh repent if they were eventually destroyed?