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James 1:2-12 (MSG)

27/11/2017

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2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.

5-8 If you don’t know what you’re doing, pray to the Father. He loves to help. You’ll get his help, and won’t be condescended to when you ask for it. Ask boldly, believingly, without a second thought. People who “worry their prayers” are like wind-whipped waves. Don’t think you’re going to get anything from the Master that way, adrift at sea, keeping all your options open.

9-11 When down-and-outers get a break, cheer! And when the arrogant rich are brought down to size, cheer! Prosperity is as short-lived as a wildflower, so don’t ever count on it. You know that as soon as the sun rises, pouring down its scorching heat, the flower withers. Its petals wilt and, before you know it, that beautiful face is a barren stem. Well, that’s a picture of the “prosperous life.” At the very moment everyone is looking on in admiration, it fades away to nothing.

12 Anyone who meets a testing challenge head-on and manages to stick it out is mighty fortunate. For such persons loyally in love with God, the reward is life and more life.
James 1:2-12 (MSG)
General Context Questions
  • Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
  • Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
  • Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
  • Is there anything that stands out to you?
  • Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?
Specific Questions
  • How do you know if you're getting out of a situation "prematurely" or not? Should you do nothing and simply wait for trouble to pass or take an active role in concluding it?
  • Have there been challenges in your life that have helped you become more mature and well-developed? Do you look back on those challenges as a gift? Did you consider it a gift while you were in the midst of the challenge?
  • What does it mean to "worry" a prayer? Is being doubt-free the opposite of worrying a prayer?
  • Is being rich a bad thing? Should it be a goal of Christians to be poor? Is there no virtue in becoming or being prosperous?
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Hebrews 13:1-9 (NLT)

20/11/2017

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1 Keep on loving each other as brothers and sisters. 2 Don’t forget to show hospitality to strangers, for some who have done this have entertained angels without realizing it! 3 Remember those in prison, as if you were there yourself. Remember also those being mistreated, as if you felt their pain in your own bodies.

4 Give honor to marriage, and remain faithful to one another in marriage. God will surely judge people who are immoral and those who commit adultery.

5 Don’t love money; be satisfied with what you have. For God has said,
    “I will never fail you.
      I will never abandon you.”

6 So we can say with confidence,
    “The Lord is my helper,
      so I will have no fear.
      What can mere people do to me?”

7 Remember your leaders who taught you the word of God. Think of all the good that has come from their lives, and follow the example of their faith.

8 Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever. 9 So do not be attracted by strange, new ideas. Your strength comes from God’s grace, not from rules about food, which don’t help those who follow them.
Hebrews 13:1-9 (NLT)
General Context Questions
  • Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
  • Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
  • Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
  • Is there anything that stands out to you?
  • Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?
Specific Questions
  • What does it mean to "show hospitality to strangers"? How can you practice this?
  • Do you personally know anyone or have you heard of anyone that is in prison or being mistreated because of their faith?
  • How can you not love money and still pay your bills and meet your responsibilities?
  • Is there a way to grow your relationship with God without considering new ideas? Is your current understanding of God complete and accurate?
  • How do you tell the difference between “strange” ideas and ideas that you simply hadn’t considered or that are different than those you currently hold?
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Hebrews 12:14-17 (MSG)

13/11/2017

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14-17 Work at getting along with each other and with God. Otherwise you’ll never get so much as a glimpse of God. Make sure no one gets left out of God’s generosity. Keep a sharp eye out for weeds of bitter discontent. A thistle or two gone to seed can ruin a whole garden in no time. Watch out for the Esau syndrome: trading away God’s lifelong gift in order to satisfy a short-term appetite. You well know how Esau later regretted that impulsive act and wanted God’s blessing—but by then it was too late, tears or no tears.
Hebrews 12:14-17 (MSG)
General Context Questions
  • Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
  • Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
  • Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
  • Is there anything that stands out to you?
  • Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?
Specific Questions
  • Do you have any relationships that don’t take work? Were they always that way?
  • Do you feel like you are working at getting along with God? How do you do that?
  • What is “God’s generosity”? How can you make sure that “no one gets left out of God’s generosity”?
  • Have you ever kept hold of “God’s lifelong gift” instead of trading it away to satisfy a short-term appetite? How did that work out for you?
0 Comments

Hebrews 12:5-13 (NLT)

6/11/2017

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5 And have you forgotten the encouraging words God spoke to you as his children? He said,
  “My child, don’t make light of theLord’s discipline,
    and don’t give up when he corrects you.
  6 For the Lord disciplines those he loves,
    and he punishes each one he accepts as his child.”

7 As you endure this divine discipline, remember that God is treating you as his own children. Who ever heard of a child who is never disciplined by its father? 8 If God doesn’t discipline you as he does all of his children, it means that you are illegitimate and are not really his children at all. 9 Since we respected our earthly fathers who disciplined us, shouldn’t we submit even more to the discipline of the Father of our spirits, and live forever?

10 For our earthly fathers disciplined us for a few years, doing the best they knew how. But God’s discipline is always good for us, so that we might share in his holiness. 11 No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful! But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right living for those who are trained in this way.

12 So take a new grip with your tired hands and strengthen your weak knees. 13 Mark out a straight path for your feet so that those who are weak and lame will not fall but become strong.
Hebrews 12:5-13 (NLT)
General Context Questions
  • Who wrote this? Who is or which groups of people are involved?
  • Was this written before, during, or after Jesus’ lifetime?
  • Is this a narrative, a parable, a praise, a suggestion, a command, an instruction, or something else?
  • Is there anything that stands out to you?
  • Did anything confuse you? Were there words or phrases that didn’t make sense?
Specific Questions
  • How can discipline and punishment demonstrate love and acceptance from God? Is it also possible for human parents to show love and acceptance in the same way?
  • What does punishment and discipline from God look like? Is it what we call “natural consequences” or is it something else?
  • Can you think of a time in your life when you were upset about being disciplined, but now, looking back, recognize that it was necessary?
  • What are some of the implications behind verse 13? How, why, and for whom do you do what verse 13 suggests?
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