“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 →

“We flap our lips more than we listen.”

Download discussion questions:  James 2:24-3:12–
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.

Our discussion began with a brief review of the previous portion of the letter of James.  This survey of an earlier conversation brought up to speed several folks who were not able to join us last week.  In addition, the blog summarizing that discussion had not been published. (It was a busy week for all of us.)  Most importantly, we all needed a bit of a refresher to see how James transitioned from his juxtaposition of faith and works to warnings about teachers and the tongue. Continue reading →

“faith freely expressed equals works”

Download discussion questions:  James 2:14-26
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 may be the passage that the letter of James is most known for (see some of the thoughts of learned commentators below).  Misinterpreting this passage can (and has) led some believers to despair or to never-ending efforts to reach an undefined goal of enough works.  In spite of the challenges (or maybe because of the challenges), our group wrestled with this passage. Continue reading →

“that we shall be judged by the law of liberty … frees us from anxiety”

Download discussion questions:  James 2:5-17
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.

James has already mentioned the poor and the rich (1:9-10) and particularly the sin of partiality (ESV) or personal favoritism (NASB) based on outward appearances (2:2-4).  In this passage he pursues that theme to its broader consequences of our failure under the Old Covenant law.  Then his argument leads into his well-known discussion of faith and works. Continue reading →

“tactics of self-protection quench the work of the Holy Spirit”

Download discussion questions:  James 1:22-2:7
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.

James begins his letter with a variety of powerful but general lessons: finding joy during trials (v. 2), not being double-minded (v. 8), relating to rich and poor (v. 9), not being deceived about God’s character (v. 16), being patient listeners (v. 19).  Now he intensifies those instructions, applying the lessons to increasingly specific situations. Continue reading →

“Picture in your mind a red-faced monkey”

Download discussion questions:  James 1:19-27
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.

Our group continues to consider the first chapter of the letter of James, a book often considered “controversial and misunderstood”^[1] and one that “many Christians have avoided in their studies.”^[2]  We continue to find new questions to explore and nuances to examine.  Slowly but surely we are learning more about James’s enigmatic introduction, “Consider it all joy when you encounter various trials.” Continue reading →