“The end of James really makes sense.”

Download discussion questions:  James 5:6-20
Jump to beginning of James Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in James before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

Approaching the end of the letter James wrote, this study takes a brief detour into questions of translation.  (Be sure to read the note at the beginning of the handout.)  How does James conclude his letter?  What effect do the first four chapters have on our interpretation of chapter five? Continue reading →

“Trials, training, trust, tranquility”

Download discussion questions:  James 5:1-11
Jump to beginning of James Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in James before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

This week’s handout with the passage from the Letter of James did not include any detailed questions.  Instead, we explored the text with the basic methods of Observation, Interpretation, and Application. Continue reading →

“many of us who are believers tend to live our daily lives with little or no thought of God”

Download discussion questions:  James 4:10-5:6
Jump to beginning of James Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in James before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

Is James the most disorganized writer in the New Testament, jotting down random thoughts in arbitrary order?  Or is he one of the most discerning teachers, weaving various themes together intentionally and carefully, knowing that he will be judged with greater strictness (3:1)? Continue reading →

“The more you do, the easier it is to let go.”

Download discussion questions:  James 4:6-10
Jump to beginning of James Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in James before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

The discussion this week continued our study of the passage from last week, and the handout took on a completely different format.  The mixed language of grace and nearness to God intermixed with harsh reprimands and calls to lamentation needed more exploration. Continue reading →

“It’s all heart stuff!”

Download discussion questions:  James 4:3-10
Translating James 4:5
Jump to beginning of James Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in James before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

This passage provided our group with two paths of discussion, the exploration of the passage itself, and the opportunity to discuss differences in translations.  Are the differences among translations and the various views of respected scholars cause for concern?  How do we deal with differences in reliable translations of the Bible?  Do we ignore them?  Do we give up in confusion?  What can we learn when my Bible seems to say something different from your Bible?  And how do we respond to the skeptic who uses the difference to disbelieve the whole Bible? Continue reading →

“Listening to those who listen”

Download discussion questions:  James 3:10-4:4
Wisdom & Self Obsession
Jump to beginning of James Discussion Group Blog

I encourage you to look at the passage in James before you read this Blog entry.  What do you see in the text yourself?  What questions come to your mind?  How would you interpret what the writer says?  After even a few minutes examining and thinking about the text you will be much better prepared to evaluate the comments in the Blog.

This passage mentions wisdom several times.  As a starting point, before even looking at the text, we compared our understandings of wisdom as a starting point.  Then we would be able to judge how exploring the passage might clarify or refine (or correct) our previous perceptions of wisdom. Continue reading →