{"id":14662,"date":"2017-10-26T22:00:50","date_gmt":"2017-10-27T05:00:50","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/?p=14662"},"modified":"2017-10-27T13:20:18","modified_gmt":"2017-10-27T20:20:18","slug":"new-study-on-james-1-starts-november-1","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.doorposts.com\/blog\/2017\/10\/26\/new-study-on-james-1-starts-november-1\/","title":{"rendered":"New Study on James 1 Starts November 1!"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"\"<\/a>I have a very vivid memory of stepping into the shower — my alone-space where maybe I could think two coherent thoughts in a row — in total despair over some end-of-my-rope issue with some under-age-five child. He (or possibly she, I don’t remember which child it was, but I can make a pretty good guess) was clearly resistant to any approach we had tried while addressing his (or her) current problem, which I also don’t remember specifically. (Biting, sassing, refusing to obey are all possibilities.)<\/p>\n

What I do <\/em>remember is the verse the Holy Spirit pulled up from my mental stockpile and gently encouraged me to actually believe.\u00a0<\/em>“If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.”\u00a0<\/em>(James 1:5)<\/p>\n

So I prayed<\/strong>. I asked God for wisdom, and it turns out He was ready and willing to give it to me! It was an ah-ha moment where something I had been reading in the Bible and something I had been reading in a book suddenly meshed together in my mind. I got out of that shower with new courage and strength, wondering why I hadn’t thought to ask God for help earlier!<\/p>\n

That experience changed the way I looked at the difficulties in my life. God wanted to give me wisdom<\/em> in the midst of them. He wanted me to grow in wisdom because\u00a0<\/em>of those difficulties<\/strong>. The trials — whether they were challenging children, health problems, financial need, or the multitude of other troubles we faced from day to day, were (and still are) there for my good.<\/p>\n

I’m looking forward to studying James 1 with those of you who want to join me! The first chapter of James’ letter speaks of wisdom, of trials, of prayer, of riches and poverty, of perseverance and temptation, of listening before we speak, and of actually putting into practice what we’ve read and heard. For thirty days we’re going to study what James says about living\u00a0<\/em>the gospel . We’re going to think hard about how our faith affects our actions and attitudes.<\/p>\n

If you have never done a Busy Mamas Bible Study with me, it\u2019s not complicated. We\u2019re going to do some\u00a0deep\u00a0<\/strong>study, but you only need\u00a05-15 minutes a day<\/strong>, and those minutes can be in little snatches here and there throughout the day, if that\u2019s all you can manage.<\/p>\n

We’ll be marking words in the text, making lists, studying words, comparing translations, referring to commentaries. When we’re done at the end of the month, you will not only know James 1 better; you will also know how to study<\/em> better!<\/p>\n

Here’s what you need to do to join us:<\/strong><\/p>\n

(1)\u00a0Subscribe<\/strong>\u00a0to\u00a0\u201cThe Doorposts Blog.\u201d<\/a>\u00a0(If you received this post in your email, you\u2019re already subscribed.) Look for the subscription box in the right hand side bar.<\/p>\n

(2)\u00a0Respond<\/strong>\u00a0to the confirmation email we send you. (It may try to hide in your junk mail or other random place, so be on the lookout for it.)<\/p>\n

(3)\u00a0Gather<\/strong>\u00a0a few colored pencils, a pen and notebook, and your Bible. (If you feel like treating yourself, invest in some nice, soft-leaded\u00a0Prismacolor colored pencils<\/a>. But any kind will do.)<\/p>\n

(4)\u00a0Look for the first lesson<\/strong>\u00a0in your inbox on Wednesday, November 1. (If you don\u2019t find it there, go to www.doorposts.com\/blog. The lessons will also be posted there each day.)<\/p>\n

(5) Optional:\u00a0Join<\/strong>\u00a0the\u00a0Busy Mamas Bible Study Facebook group<\/a>\u00a0if you want to share insights, pictures, questions, and resources with others who are doing the study.<\/p>\n

(6) Optional:\u00a0Read\u00a0this post<\/a><\/strong>, too, for some encouraging ideas, if you\u2019re wondering how in the world you could possibly study the Bible with a house full of children, or with a baby that keeps you awake half the night.<\/p>\n

(7)\u00a0Optional:\u00a0Consider doing the children\u2019s lessons<\/strong>\u00a0that are included at the end of each of your daily lessons. These will help you talk about what you are learning with your children! (Click through\u00a0some of the lessons from our last study<\/a>\u00a0\u2014 on John 15 \u2014 to get an idea of what the children\u2019s lessons include.)<\/p>\n

That\u2019s it!\u00a0There\u2019s\u00a0no charge, no books to buy<\/em>.\u00a0I hope you’ll join us!<\/p>\n

<\/a><\/div><\/div>