“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17 – NIV) Today, I launch a new clergy collegial blog. I hope we will encourage and empower each other toward success and excellence in pastoral ministry. As I sit in the Pastor’s Study at Cambria Heights Community Church, I often ponder the possible feedback of clergy colleagues as it relates to preparing sermons, counseling in particularly difficult situation, designing fresh worship, balancing competing priorities of ministry, marriage and family, maintaining self-care, pursuing personal dreams and private interests outside of ministry and family, and finding resources to meet the ever evolving and changing needs of the people whom I serve. After a sustained period of prayer, reflection and meditation, I realize I can invite you to come “In The Pastor’s Study” for an exchange of ideas.

Sunday, August 14, 2011

James 3:13-18 Bible Study Notes


Bible Study Notes – James 3:13-18

We continue our study of the book of James, a New Testament study in wisdom.  James encourages the Jewish Christians of the first century with practical methods and means of persevering in the Christian faith despite the persecution they suffer.  In our study, we glean from his practical advice and appropriate these principles to our twenty-first century contexts.  This week’s passage concerns “Two Kinds of Wisdom.”  James challenges his audience to cultivate spiritual integrity by demonstrating wisdom through lifestyle with humility.  Wisdom is known by her actions.  James cautions against selfish ambition and envy.  Those traits result in disorder and evil in every practice.  Rather, heavenly wisdom yields peace and righteousness.  What is peace?  What is the peace of God?  What is wisdom? 

Consider the following ideas and questions as you study the text:

  • In the thirteenth verse, James supposes that wisdom is known by a person’s lifestyle.
  • Also, he links wisdom and humility.
  • In the next verse, he insists that harboring “bitter envy” and “selfish ambition” prevents the development of wisdom.
  • Allude to the lives of multiple famous persons who fell from grace but after a period of redemption via a very personal and existential wilderness went on to lead powerful lives of service: Jimmy Carter, Alfred Prufumo, Chuck Colson, John Dean, Jim Bakker, Tammy Faye Bakker, Ethel Waters, Malcolm X, Apostle Paul, Peter, Mary Magdalene, and Rahab.
  • Discuss the power of ego and its ability to inhibit spiritual growth and personal development.
  • He refers to self-seeking wisdom which is usually leavened with ulterior motives as “earthly, unspiritual and of the devil.”
  • James declares that jealous and personal ambition inevitably leads to chaos and injustice.  Discuss the difficulty in advocating for the poor and oppressed because of personal agendas.  It is amazing what can be accomplished if you do not care who receives the credit!
  • The attributes of heavenly wisdom are purity, peace-loving, considerate, submissive, merciful, impartial and sincere.  How do we detect this wisdom in concrete, daily and practical life?  Let’s find clear and straightforward examples.
  • Sowing in peace always yields a harvest of righteousness.

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