[Though questions for The Blessings of the Righteous January 27, 1015] 1. Introduction. A whole three months on the book of Proverbs? Plenty of advice awaits us on this journey. I apologize for being gone for so many months. First I ended up in the hospital and then rehab with a bad hip fracture, then my … [Click to read more …]
[Thought questions for The Everlasting Gospel December 23, 2014] 1. Where we are today. How long has it been since God made clear the essence of the gospel? Did He explain the gospel to Adam and Eve in the garden? How? Could you explain the gospel in 25 words or less? We are saved by faith, by the … [Click to read more …]
[Thought questions for Prayer, Healing, and Restoration December 16, 2014] 1. Words with power. One of my favorite texts growing up in Sabbath school is this week’s memory text containing these words, “the effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much.” I repeated those words until they were embedded in my heart. But what did they … [Click to read more …]
[Thought questions for Getting Ready for the Harvest December 9, 2014] 1. Parousia. Does the word “parousia” echo a sense of majesty and anticipation in you? Did it for New Testament Christians as they applied the word to the Second Coming of Jesus? What two conditions does James propose to Christians who want to be ready for … [Click to read more …]
[Thought questions for Weep and Howl December 2, 2014] 1. Weep and howl! Can you imagine the impression those words made on James’ readers and listeners? What if you went to church one week, and the pastor walked to the pulpit wearing his usual invisible robe of humility but places his hand in the open Bible … [Click to read more …]
[Thought questions for One Lawgiver and Judge November 26, 2014] 1. Introduction. Have you ever complained about a new stop sign in your neighborhood? Or about the lack of stop signs or posted speed limits nearby? Imagine that you live in the capital city of the United States, Washington, DC. What would the term “diplomatic immunity” … [Click to read more …]
“Humble yourselves in the presence of the Lord, and He will exalt you” (James 4:10 NASB) [thought questions for The Humility of Heavenly Wisdom November 11, 2014] 1. “He will exalt you.” Some struggling Christian might read these words by James and say, “Okay. Small price to pay. I’ll humble myself before the Lord, and he’ll … [Click to read more …]
[Thought questions for Taming the Tongue November 11, 2014] 1. But it’s so strong! Have you ever heard that the tongue is the strongest muscle in the human body? That’s actually a myth. When it comes to strength, the tongue comes in behind the strongest group of muscles—those that close the jaw. Do both types of … [Click to read more …]
[Thought questions for Faith that Works November 4, 2014] 1. Faith without works is dead. James didn’t mince words, did he? Why did he speak so boldly, so plainly, about how faith is as useless as a dead body in the Christian faith? If the doctor-preacher in the story at the beginning of the lesson had … [Click to read more …]
[Thought questions for Love and the Law October 28, 2014] Love without Liking. Your lesson this week asks you to love even those you don’t like. Wait a minute! Is that possible? What about the marriage that goes bad? Is the wife obliged to love the husband she can’t stand any more? What if he uses … [Click to read more …]
