Category Archives: Lessons

Bible studies and lessons

WHAT ARE YOUR FINAL INSTRUCTIONS? – Intro Lesson 6 – May 19 – 26

The day you send your first child off to kindergarten has many similarities to the day you wave goodbye to them when they leave for college.  Although you know you have done all you could to prepare them for this new independence, there are still so many things you would like to say to them.  The desire to remind them of practical things is huge, but there is also the inclination to share some of your deep desires for them as they embark on this new adventure. Will they make friends who will help them? Will they be respectful and careful?  Will they be responsive to the opportunities in their classrooms?  Will they protect your family name and their own reputation?  Will they be willing to make choices that are good and wise? 

While James called the recipients of his letter his “brothers and sisters”, there certainly was a sense in which he felt a parental type of responsibility for their future.  Clearly, he wanted them to keep in mind all that Jesus had done for them and the promises which were theirs to claim as children of God.  At the same time he felt obligated to give them some very practical advice.  His affectionate admonitions would help them as their wealth increased, as they waited for Jesus’ return, and as they encountered needs within their own fellowship of believers.  Certainly his reminder to pray, to pray about everything, might have been the most important concluding message he could give to them.

If James were writing to you and to me today, how different or how similar do you think his concerns might be?  What would you include in your letter if you were writing to your church or to a group of believers with whom you are friends?

THE PATH TO AUTHENTIC FAITH

Have you ever wished there was a clear “instruction manual” for living out your faith in Jesus? You are invited to join with us as we discover the concise and helpful guidelines which James wrote for the new believers and for us. As he says, “What good is it, dear brothers and sisters if you…Continue Reading

The Problem with SELF-Confidence – Lesson 11 – March 24 – 31

Would you agree that self-confidence is a highly valued trait in our culture?  Who comes to your mind when you think of someone who displays this characteristic?  A self-confident person trusts his/her own capabilities and usually has the courage to move ahead even when the outcome is not completely predictable.  People who feel self-assured often…Continue Reading

ANNOUNCING – SPRING BIBLE STUDY

It’s called – AFFECTIONATE ADMONITIONS It’s a new 6-week opportunity to focus on the letter written by James in order to help us put our faith into action. You won’t want to miss it! Study guides will be available at the beginning of April. Weekly introductions will begin on Friday, April 14.Continue Reading