Tuesday, February 5, 2013

They will Know We are Christians Study 1



They will know we are Christians by our love.
Greetings and Salutations:  Session 1
A.      Boundaries: we create the rules that govern this environment
B.      Context:
§  History:
§   Author: James, half-brother of Jesus, didn’t become a Christian until after resurrected Jesus appeared to him, nick-named Old Camel Knees due to the callouses on his knees due to kneeling to pray
§  Audience, The twelve tribes scattered everywhere, new Jewish-Christians
§  Language
§  Images & Metaphors,
§   Social: Jewish-Christians living in a Gentile world
§  Culture: atmosphere of questioning what is right
C.      The Scripture:  Read the introduction that your bible has to the book of James or look up how this book is described or summarized.
§  Lectio Divina  Link to www.wikipedia.com
§  Commentaries Link to www.textweek.com
D.      Questions: What makes you go “hmmmm” about this scripture?
§  What questions do you have about the book of James?
E.       Connections: what did you connect with this during this week’s event
§   Music:  They will know we are Christians by our love
§  Art: www.wga.hu/frames-e.html?/html/a/andrea/sarto/3/s_james.html
§  Images: picture of James
§  other
F.       Megathemes: (how would you define each of them)
§  Living Faith:  more than hearing the truth, but also to live it.
Class Insights:
Is Living the Faith a legalistic view of Faith? 
Following the letter of the law?
                                    Is living Faith what can be perceived in all you do?
One is a verb, what you do; one is an adjective, how you do it

§  Trials: the role of trials in your spirit journey
Class Insights: The struggles of living in this world.
From Satan to tempt you?
From inside you: the brokenness of humanity?
From God to strengthen you?
Does everyone experience the full spectrum of trials throughout their lives?
§  Law of Love: Love the Lord your God and Love your neighbor as yourself
Class Insights: Is this wishy-washy dishwater/doormat persona?
Love those that you still may not like
Love that doesn’t change the other but changes ourselves

§  Wise Speech: We are responsible for the results of our speech and our wisdom (OR OUR LACK THEREOF)   is shown through our speech even before our actions
For Class Insights please listen to this podcast James Wise Speech 1
§  Wealth:  the power and allure and the cost of pursuing wealth
Class Insights: Does everyone have wealth?
Besides money what are the other kinds of wealth: friendships, relationships, the opportunities of youth, the wisdom of age, knowledge, skills, understanding when and how to share