I like some of the writing I did in an autobiographical vein. I know – this blog is by me and meant to be about me, but actually it’s mostly around my thoughts about things of great interest to me, but not necessarily about me. So when I write a blog entry that shares a […]
Read More 20 for 20 #5 The Psalm One About Psalm 1Day 8: Submit Yourselves to God Read James 4:1-12 Context: What does James identify as the root cause of conflicts and quarrels within the Christian community? In a stunning summation of all that he’s outlined so far, James identifies the root cause of conflicts as the same divided loyalties he established at the start of […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 8: Submit Yourselves to GodDay 7: Two Kinds of Wisdom Read James 3:13-18 Context: How does James’ teaching about two kinds of wisdom connect with his previous discussions about trials, faith, and the tongue? By this stage, we should be very familiar with what James has outlined in terms of distinctions. There is asking in faith vs wavering. There […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 7: Two Kinds of WisdomDay 5: Faith That Works Read James 2:14-26 Context: Why does James feel compelled to address the relationship between faith and works so emphatically in this section? In a way, he’s been building up to this. He’s had to tell the listeners to ask for wisdom to get through trials and ask for it properly, […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 5: Faith That WorksDay 4: The Sin of Favouritism Read James 2:1-13 Context: What social and economic tensions within the early church might have prompted James to address favouritism so directly? From what James writes both before, in terms of various trials, and here, in terms of the treatment of the poor by the rich, it appears that […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 4: The Sin of FavouritismDay 3: Temptation vs Pure Religion Read James 1:12-27 Context: How does James’ teaching about temptation (verses 12-18) connect with his earlier discussion of trials? James is all about the distinctions. Trials are an opportunity to practice the steadfast nature of God. As we ask God for wisdom to endure those trials, we gotta be […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 3: Temptation vs Pure ReligionDay 2: Trials and Divine Wisdom Read James 1:1-11 Context: Why might James immediately address the topic of trials to believers who are “scattered among the nations”? Being scattered, they are not at home and so do not enjoy the security that home offers for one’s identity and religious expression. Add to that the aspect […]
Read More WIWO: James Day 2: Trials and Divine WisdomDay 1: Setting the Foundation Read James straight through Background Focus: James, the half-brother of Jesus and leader of the Jerusalem church, writes to Jewish Christians scattered throughout the Roman Empire. His letter reads more like a sermon than typical apostolic correspondence, filled with practical wisdom reminiscent of Old Testament wisdom literature and Jesus’ Sermon […]
Read More WIWO: James First Day: Setting the FoundationDay 11: Looking Back & Pressing On Read 2 Timothy straight through Memory verse: Pick the verse that most shaped you. Chapter 1 Contender vs 13-14 – Follow the pattern of the sound words that you have heard from me, in the faith and love that are in Christ Jesus. By the Holy Spirit who […]
Read More WIWO: 2 Timothy Final Day: Looking Back & Pressing OnDay 10: Paul’s Charge to Timothy Read 2 Timothy 4:1-22 Memory verse: 2 Tim 4:7-8 – I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Henceforth, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge, will award to me on that […]
Read More WIWO: 2 Timothy Day 10: Paul’s Charge to Timothy
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