Lesson 1

I start these after I have done all the lessons. Not really the plan, but the summer was was it was.

James 1:1-8 – New King James Version

1 James, a bondservant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,

To the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad:

Greetings.

² My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, ³ knowing that the testing of your faith produces ^[a]patience. ⁴ But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be ^[b]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.

First Impression?

The key to me was that James was writing to the Jews. It grounds a lot of the things he says and while I am not a Jew, this letter does have more impact if I try to view it with that lens.

Bondservant – we have talked about this topic before, but why does James lead off with this?

James wants the reads to know that he has given his life totally to Christ who paid the penalty for James sins. Christ owns James. Christ owns me. Live is so much better when we realize that our freedom was paid for.

Twelve Tribes – For those of us not in the twelve tribes, what impact does this have on the message James gives to us?

Many of the topics and phrasing only make sense when placed in the culture of the Jews of the time. Just as references to the LAstros make no sense now in the light of years straight years in the playoffs, those of us who watched so many Astros team be terrible get it.

All joy – softball – what is the source of our joy?

Jesus.

Fall into various trials – Does this word choice indicate a source for our trials?

One idea is that we get into trials when we are not doing as we should. Another is that they are totally outside our control. The Jewish culture held that all problems were due to sin. In the end, trials come from all over. Our mistakes, God’s plans, and life’s consequences.

Testing of faith – Why does our faith need testing?

This is simple. So that God can prepare us for the next opportunity to glorify Him.

Patience – Anyone been bold enough to pray for more patience?

Not me. The idea is that God will test you to develop your patience. I have enough. Don’t I.

Perfect work, be perfect, complete, lacking nothing – What are the negative connotations for this verse? What are the positive connotations for this verse?

I don’t remember the details of this question, but I think the goal of being perfect is too lofty and leads to pride. Obviously, the positive is that you do more to glorify God.

Lacks wisdom – Why did he say “if any of you”?

For me this is a trigger to remind us that we all are not perfect and need help.

Ask God for wisdom – what do you expect when you ask for wisdom? How often do you ask?

I expect the best course of action. Not nearly enough.

God gives to all liberally without reproach – Who is all, what is liberally, and what is reproach?

All is all, including your enemies. Liberally is way beyond our needs. Reproach indicates that we have no legitimate chance to ask for anymore.

He who doubts is like a wave of the sea driven and tossed by the wind – How often have you heard this part used without the reference to asking for wisdom in faith without doubting?

I do not recall any of the references to this phrase being about asking for wisdom. It always seems to be around knowing God. I see the relationship between asking for wisdom and knowing God, but I often feel like culture tries to obscure the foundation of God by trying to capture the good stuff without the source.

So, the doubting man should not expect to receive anything – where do faith and wisdom intersect in the worldly view of wisdom?

We talk about this a lot more in other places, but the idea is that faith in God is our only source for wisdom as He is the source for all true wisdom.

Double minded man, unstable – Who is not? What does this tell us about our walking in faith?

We all are. It does tell us that we get off the path when we are not focused on it.