JAMES CHAPTER 1
James is one of my favorite books. To me, this book is oozing in grace and instruction. I pray that our hearts stay open during our James study for the Holy Spirit to teach us something new.
Our challenge is to use the 3 STEP STUDY METHOD and SPECS to study this short book (only 5 chapters!). Studying the Bible with friends is so fun because God uses the Holy Spirit to teach different people different things. Use the comment link to post what the Holy Spirit is showing you...this way we can all learn from each other!
OBSERVATION:
SINS to avoid:
listening to the word and ignoring it
PROMISES to claim:
V3, testing of faith develops perseverance
EXAMPLES to follow:
V27, to look after the orphans and widows
COMMANDS to obey:
V5, ask God for wisdom; V9, take pride in our low position; V19, be quick to listen; V21, get rid of or moral filth; V22, do as the word says
STUMBLING BLOCKS to avoid:
V13, saying God is tempting you; V23, listening to the word but ignoring it's application in our life
INTERPRETATION:
WHO?
everyone then and today, us
WHAT?
trials and temptation, listening and doing
WHERE?
No locations mentioned
WHEN?
approximately 50ad
WHY?
so that we build our perseverance through trial rather than blame God; so that we remember to put our bible studies into action
HOW?
pray for God's word to penitrate our hearts and minds and guide our actions; pray for an increased level of perseverance
APPLICATION:
Theme? Building perseverance
Best verse? V22 -25, listen to the word and be in action
Challenging? V14, it's our own evil desire dragges us away from God
Difficult?
Encouraging? V9, "The brother in humble circumstances outh to tak e pride in his high position."
Favorite? V12, "blessed is the man who perseveres"
Gift? V17, "every good and perfect gift is from above."
Helpful? V22-25,
Informative? V13, God does not and can not be tempted by evil
Just Do It! God give us the endurance to persever through all trials, help us to do as you ask and make us examples of Jesus Christ
James 1:1-27
Greeting to the Twelve Tribes
1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:
Greetings.
Profiting from Trials
2 My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, 3 knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. 4 But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask of God, who gives to all liberally and without reproach, and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for he who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For let not that man suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
The Perspective of Rich and Poor
9 Let the lowly brother glory in his exaltation, 10 but the rich in his humiliation, because as a flower of the field he will pass away. 11 For no sooner has the sun risen with a burning heat than it withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beautiful appearance perishes. So the rich man also will fade away in his pursuits.
Loving God Under Trials
12 Blessed is the man who endures temptation; for when he has been approved, he will receive the crown of life which the Lord has promised to those who love Him. 13 Let no one say when he is tempted, “I am tempted by God”; for God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does He Himself tempt anyone. 14 But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed. 15 Then, when desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, brings forth death.
16 Do not be deceived, my beloved brethren. 17 Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and comes down from the Father of lights, with whom there is no variation or shadow of turning. 18 Of His own will He brought us forth by the word of truth, that we might be a kind of firstfruits of His creatures.
Qualities Needed in Trials
19 So then,[a] my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath; 20 for the wrath of man does not produce the righteousness of God.
Doers—Not Hearers Only
21 Therefore lay aside all filthiness and overflow of wickedness, and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls.
22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man observing his natural face in a mirror; 24 for he observes himself, goes away, and immediately forgets what kind of man he was. 25 But he who looks into the perfect law of liberty and continues in it, and is not a forgetful hearer but a doer of the work, this one will be blessed in what he does.
26 If anyone among you[b] thinks he is religious, and does not bridle his tongue but deceives his own heart, this one’s religion is useless. 27 Pure and undefiled religion before God and the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their trouble, and to keep oneself unspotted from the world.
Sunday, September 30, 2007
Sept 16: D2-4 How to Study the Bible
D2-4 How to Study the Bible
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BIBLE STUDY
The Holy Spirit is the real key to all Bible study and research. YES!
John 14:26, 16:13-15
List 6 words which explain the action of the Holy Spirit in helping us understand the Scriptures.
1. teach
2. remind
3. guide
4. make known
5. comes
6. speaks
I Corinthians 2:12
THE HOLY SPIRIT AND BIBLE STUDY
The Holy Spirit is the real key to all Bible study and research. YES!
John 14:26, 16:13-15
List 6 words which explain the action of the Holy Spirit in helping us understand the Scriptures.
1. teach
2. remind
3. guide
4. make known
5. comes
6. speaks
I Corinthians 2:12
Sept 16:
D2-3 How to Study the Bible
ABC METHOD
A ccuracy Principle
B ackground Principle
C ommon Sense Principle
BIBLE RESOURCES
Bible dictionary
Bible atlas
Bible handbook
Bible concordance
Bible commentaries
ABC METHOD
A ccuracy Principle
B ackground Principle
C ommon Sense Principle
BIBLE RESOURCES
Bible dictionary
Bible atlas
Bible handbook
Bible concordance
Bible commentaries
Sept 16:
D2-2 How to Study the Bible
3 STEP METHOD
Observation
1. Read the Scripture passage carefully.
2. Give a title to the passage you are reading.
3. Record your findings. Ask yourself: Who? What? When? Where?
4. Try to write a key word which describes the passage.
Interpretation
1. Ask yourself what message God is trying to give you.
2. Underline key words and phrases and define them in light of what the verses are saying.
3. Put the passage in your own words.
4. Put the basic thoughts in one sentence.
5. List divine truths and principles you discover.
6. Cross reference by checking other passages of Scripture which have the same topic.
Application
1. Ask yourself, "How can I use this material?"
2. Think of people you will meet today and list ways you will practice what you learned from God's Word.
3. Plan how and when you will do what God has commanded you to do.
SPECS
S in to avoid
P romise to claim
E xample to follow
C ommand to obey
S tumbling block to avoid
3 STEP METHOD
Observation
1. Read the Scripture passage carefully.
2. Give a title to the passage you are reading.
3. Record your findings. Ask yourself: Who? What? When? Where?
4. Try to write a key word which describes the passage.
Interpretation
1. Ask yourself what message God is trying to give you.
2. Underline key words and phrases and define them in light of what the verses are saying.
3. Put the passage in your own words.
4. Put the basic thoughts in one sentence.
5. List divine truths and principles you discover.
6. Cross reference by checking other passages of Scripture which have the same topic.
Application
1. Ask yourself, "How can I use this material?"
2. Think of people you will meet today and list ways you will practice what you learned from God's Word.
3. Plan how and when you will do what God has commanded you to do.
SPECS
S in to avoid
P romise to claim
E xample to follow
C ommand to obey
S tumbling block to avoid
Sept 16:
D2-1 How to Study the Bible
Proverbs 2:1-6
What words in these verses refer to the Bible?
Wisdom, understanding, insight, knowledge.
What words tell you what you are to do about God's Word?
Accept, turn your ear, apply your heart, call out, cry aloud, search, find.
Proverbs 2:1-6
What words in these verses refer to the Bible?
Wisdom, understanding, insight, knowledge.
What words tell you what you are to do about God's Word?
Accept, turn your ear, apply your heart, call out, cry aloud, search, find.
Sept 9:
D1-5 The Bible - Inspiration
ACTION
What are we instructed to do about God's word?
Colossians 3:16
Let the word teach us and be used to teach others.
II Timothy 2:15
Be accountable and know that you are approved by God.
II Timothy 3:13-15
Stay focused on what you know is true. Stay in the word for wisdom. Do not be deceived.
James 1:22-24
Do what the word says. Don't just listen and say "That's nice.", put God's word into action.
John 14:15
Love God, keep His commandments.
ACTION
What are we instructed to do about God's word?
Colossians 3:16
Let the word teach us and be used to teach others.
II Timothy 2:15
Be accountable and know that you are approved by God.
II Timothy 3:13-15
Stay focused on what you know is true. Stay in the word for wisdom. Do not be deceived.
James 1:22-24
Do what the word says. Don't just listen and say "That's nice.", put God's word into action.
John 14:15
Love God, keep His commandments.
Sept 9:
D1-4 The Bible - Inspiration
STUDYING THE BIBLE ON YOUR OWN
God wants to talk to you through the text in the Bible...let His words inspire you!
a. Choose a Bible traslation that is easy to understand.
b. Read the context.
c. Ask questions.
d. Compare scripture.
e. Get an accurate understanding.
STUDYING THE BIBLE ON YOUR OWN
God wants to talk to you through the text in the Bible...let His words inspire you!
a. Choose a Bible traslation that is easy to understand.
b. Read the context.
c. Ask questions.
d. Compare scripture.
e. Get an accurate understanding.
SEPT 9:
D1-3 The Bible - Inspiration
GOD'S WORD IS EFFECTIVE
List key thoughts which show its effectiveness.
I Thes 1:5
Holy Spirit
Isaiah 55: 10 -11
Nature, to grow
Matthew 4:4
Word is life
Proverbs 30:5
God's words are refuge
II Tim 3:16
The words are inspired by God
ILLUMINATION
1 Corinthians 2:10-13
Who knows the thoughts of God?
The Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14
Why can't non-Christians understand the things of God?
Because they don't have the Holy Spirit to discern for them.
GOD'S WORD IS EFFECTIVE
List key thoughts which show its effectiveness.
I Thes 1:5
Holy Spirit
Isaiah 55: 10 -11
Nature, to grow
Matthew 4:4
Word is life
Proverbs 30:5
God's words are refuge
II Tim 3:16
The words are inspired by God
ILLUMINATION
1 Corinthians 2:10-13
Who knows the thoughts of God?
The Holy Spirit.
1 Corinthians 2:14
Why can't non-Christians understand the things of God?
Because they don't have the Holy Spirit to discern for them.
SEPT 9:
D1-2 The Bible - Inspiration
Since we beleive the Bible is inspired, ther has to be a difference between the way it was written and how other books were written.
II Peter 1:21
What is that unique difference?
The Holy Spirit.
I Thessalonians 2:13
How should we receive God's message?
As word from God.
Statement of Faith
Our Statement of Faith is important becuase it:
1. Unifies all EFCA
2. Presents guidelines
3. Is a testimony
Since we beleive the Bible is inspired, ther has to be a difference between the way it was written and how other books were written.
II Peter 1:21
What is that unique difference?
The Holy Spirit.
I Thessalonians 2:13
How should we receive God's message?
As word from God.
Statement of Faith
Our Statement of Faith is important becuase it:
1. Unifies all EFCA
2. Presents guidelines
3. Is a testimony
SEPT 9:
D1-1 The Bible - Inspriation
God has chosen to reveal Himself to man and does so in two ways.
1. General Revelation
Psalm 19:1-6 and Romans 1:18-23
Why do you think God chose to reveal himself this way?
So everyone can be amazed by Gods glory which is revealed everywhere through nature.
2. Special Revelation
God has also revealed Himself in special ways. What are they?
Heb 1:1-3
Through his son Jesus and through the prophets.
Heb 4:12
Through the living word, the Bible.
Why do you feel it is important that God revealed Himself in these special ways?
I feel it's important that God reveals Himself this way because He allows us to learn from great teachers an look around at his creation and appreciate his magnitude. God is bigger than my imagination and nature is a mere glimpse of His grace, power, love, and creativity...to name a few.
II Tim 3:16
What percentage of the Scripture is inspired?
100%
God has chosen to reveal Himself to man and does so in two ways.
1. General Revelation
Psalm 19:1-6 and Romans 1:18-23
Why do you think God chose to reveal himself this way?
So everyone can be amazed by Gods glory which is revealed everywhere through nature.
2. Special Revelation
God has also revealed Himself in special ways. What are they?
Heb 1:1-3
Through his son Jesus and through the prophets.
Heb 4:12
Through the living word, the Bible.
Why do you feel it is important that God revealed Himself in these special ways?
I feel it's important that God reveals Himself this way because He allows us to learn from great teachers an look around at his creation and appreciate his magnitude. God is bigger than my imagination and nature is a mere glimpse of His grace, power, love, and creativity...to name a few.
II Tim 3:16
What percentage of the Scripture is inspired?
100%
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
