Session One: Day Five- Listen To Me!

After they stopped speaking, James responded: 'Brothers, listen to me!' - Acts 15:13

Lisa: Alright.  I talked with Emily this morning before I did my study.  So, I knew there would be questionable issues in this lesson.  Please don't think that I think I'm any kind of Biblical scholar - I'm so far from that.  But, I'm not sure I completely agree with Beth Moore's insinuations.  I am going to write a separate post, not because I'm so amazing, but because there's a lot that I want to say.  There's so much information, and I want to get it out in a concise fashion.  Perhaps by the end of the post, I'll completely agree with her, so you will be along for my thoughtful dive into the Scriptures!  I'll be back to comment on here after I'm done ranting and raving.

Lisa: A few hours later, I'm back to reality.  I'm not sure I really uncovered anything.  I think one of the reasons I doubted today is because she first claims that these verses align with the verses in Galatians that we referenced yesterday.  But according to a time-line, if this is all true, then Saul's (Paul's) conversion, which happened 14 years earlier, would have occurred in the year 30, the probable year of Christ's crucifixion, which seems too early.  But, again, sorry for that crazy post.
 
Okay girls.  I don't know about you, but day five bowled. me. over. Did either of you see the information regarding the Gentiles and the Jews being of the same people coming?  Jill:  I think there is your answer in regards to whether Paul was somehow being punished by leading the Gentiles.

Jill:  Yes there was my answer about Paul and the Gentiles. 

From the beginning God had called both the Jews and the Gentiles to Him.  When we read Acts 15:14 and see that James says God first intervened to take from the Gentiles a people for His name.

Lisa: Did God call both to Him from the beginning, or did He choose the Jews, knowing that at some point along the way, after Jesus died, that He would then open up the Kingdom to those who would listen and hear and believe and accept?

This verse STUNNED me and I am not exaggerating.  I literally had to stop and take several minutes to rethink all I have ever been taught about the differences between the Jewish people and the Gentiles, who are us.  And then, to read Deuteronomy 14:2 where God says he chose a the Jews out of all the people on the earth...it was almost to much.

I honestly wondered why this had never been taught to me before.  If I am reading this right, we are all the same chosen people.  It was always God's plan for the Jews and the Gentiles to be he chosen people and when James quotes the Old Testament Prophet Amos about this scenario, what I think he is doing, is using words that all Jewish people would have been familiar with in order to calm everyone down about the Gentiles as Christians.

Jill:  I had a difficult time with this day.  I wasn't sure why we are reading about this.  Is it because we are seeing that James was instrumental in getting the Jews to understand that Gentiles didn't need to become Jewish in order to become Christian?   It must have been very difficult for some Jews to accept the Gentiles as God's Chosen people also.  The Gentiles were thought of as "unclean" as they didn't have to follow the rules about what food to eat or how to prepare it, etc.  And now the Jews and the Gentiles could be breaking bread together.  Talk about awkward for the Jews.  I guess that is why James sent that letter which also included a few dietary restrictions, to make the Jews happy and not offend anyone during this period of intermingling. 

Emily:  Jill, I do think that the bulk of this lesson was to show us how James was instrumental in getting the Jews to understand the Gentiles didn't need to do it the way the Jews did to be Christian.  Absolutely.  Today's lesson seemed more information focused than perhaps heart/personal revelation focused, and I suppose we'll have some days where she is just trying to get information down, maybe to prime us for things that are coming up, or putting things in context, but I do think you nailed what today was about!

Lisa: I read the verse in Deuteronomy as saying that out of all of the people on the earth, all created by God, He chose one group, the Israelites, to be His Chosen People.  I do agree that James used Peter's Hebrew name, as well as referencing Amos two-fold. 1) He wanted to be credible to the Jewish Christian Converts (the Pharisees) and speak "their language" and 2) James seemed to hang on to a few of the "old-school" Jewish rules.  The reason James gave 4 out of 613 Jewish laws is because "these were areas in which the Gentiles had particular weaknesses and where the Jews were particularly repulsed by Gentile violations.  It would help both the individual and the relationship between Gentile and Jew if these requirements were observed.  They involved divine directives that the Jews believed were given before the Mosaic laws." - NIV Study Bible

I do love how the Gentiles, when the rules were brought back to them, embraced them, and were "glad for the encouraging message." - Acts 15: 31.  Instead of becoming angry and defensive, they seemed to embrace what the council had written, and were just relieved to know that they could actually be followers of Christ, and were accepted by the "others".
 
In verse 10 of Acts 15, where we listed out the things that Peter claimed I wrote this:

• God CHOSE the Gentiles
• God CHOSE Peter to teach
• God KNOWS their (the Gentiles) hearts
• God ACCEPTS them
• God makes NO DISTINCTION between the Gentiles and the Jews.

Jill:  I didnt have anything, as I couldnt understand what she was after.  I thought Peter was saying that no one had to follow the Law any more and it was too difficult to follow anyway and was a yoke around all of there necks.

Emily:  Yep.  That too.  

Lisa:

• God made no distinction between Jews and Gentiles (but I took this to mean after Christ's death and resurrection)
• He purified the hearts of the hearts of the Gentiles by faith
• God chose the Gentiles to hear the Gospel and to believe it (from Peter)
• He accepted the Gentiles and gave them the Holy Spirit 

I found day five to be overwhelming in discovering this information.  It just speaks to me again that as believers not one of us should be working against another church denomination or critical of other Christians.  Someone who believes that Jesus Christ is their Lord and Savior simply belongs to the family of God.

Jill:  Emily I am so glad to read your insight into day 5 as I really ended today just feeling confused.  I cant wait to read what Lisa has to say, then I think I will re-do day 5 and see if it affects me differently.  I left question marks in almost every spot today. 

For instance on page 35 where we are to write the inferred characteristics of James I put "he was really jewish"  As I didnt take anything away from the previous paragraph. I have no idea what FF Bruce was trying to say.  Anyone have any input on this for me? 

Emily:  For the characteristics of James I wrote:  Jewish, reserved, ascetic, traditional and prayerful.

Lisa: A Jewish "law-follower" and could completely understand why the Pharisees were having a difficult time with the Gentiles - I didn't really follow her instructions.  Not a rule follower myself, apparently...

On page 37 where she asks " how have you personally experienced this"  I have nothing.  I am not feeling any thing after today, which saddens me,

Emily:  I didn't have a personal revelation for that, either.  But I do want to encourage you that some days you are going to get so much out of that days lesson that it will be overwhelming and some days you might not get anything from it at all.  At least this is how it has been for me after doing several studies. It doesn't mean you don't get anything from it that day, because there is always a nugget somewhere, just that tomorrow might have a bigger impact.  Don't let it get you down :)  You might come back to this day in several weeks and have it speak to you on a totally different level!

Lisa: I have experienced this peace on several occasions, and I think you are both familiar with this example, but when we thought Catherine was going to have to have open heart surgery after she was born (two days after she was born...), I felt a peace like I had never experienced in my entire life.  It was overwhelming and amazing!  I wish you could have been there with us, just watching Anthony and I.  It was almost like all of a sudden, it just hit me like a ton of bricks.  I could feel an awesome presence, and then was calm.  I even slept for a few hours.  Absolutely amazing!

Jill: Thanks for the encouragement, I needed that. 

At the end of today's lesson, we read Ephesians 2:14-18 which talks about God making the perfect peace between the Jews and the Gentiles because He sent His Son to do so.  How awesome is it that God chose the Jews from among the Gentiles and then brought it full circle by sending a Jewish man to save the Gentiles?

Wow.

Lisa: Even at the beginning of this lesson, Beth says that this one is full of info.  She must be setting us up for something.  I peeked at Day One from the next Session, and we're heading into James, so now we'll get into the "good" stuff - as if this week hasn't been amazing already!  I know today was tough and full of a lot of confusing stuff, especially since we weren't quite sure what the entire purpose of it was, and part of me wonders if this was included because Melissa was completely obsessed with Acts 15, but whatever the reason, we definitely flew around the Scriptures, and there is always benefit from that.

I love you, my friends. 

Session One: Day Four - Three Pillars

Day four begins with a reminder that Christianity came from Jewish roots.

Lisa: As I was commenting, Jill was writing in the Post!  I guess we were all pretty excited about this one!

I think this is something we all "know" but being made aware of it again, in the context of the legality and tension over what true members of the faith should look like was incredibly helpful.  I actually almost laughed out loud in Galatians 5:11 when Paul suggests that those who are stirring up this controversy between the Jewish believers and the Gentile believers should "emasculate themselves!"

Jill:  I loved the "emasculate themselves" part also.  

Lisa: It made me want to name names... Just kidding!

One of the things that I struggle the most with is the way that believers hold on to legalistic tenets of believing in God.  It is refreshing to me to read again about how from the very beginning this was an issue.  Even in the early church people wanted rules for following.  They wanted all things to be equal and the comparisons never stopped.  And yet the thing that we most need to remember, is that God calls us in the way best suited for us to serve Him.

Lisa: I wonder if one of the reasons they wanted rules so badly is because that's all the Jews had ever known.  They had so many rules to follow in order to remain the good graces of God, and if they failed, then they knew how to make it right again by offering sacrifices or by going to the priests and having sacrifices made on their behalf.  It was a very RULED religion, all laid out by the Lord himself, so to go from rules concerning everything to just about no rules must have been a little shocking to their whole way of life.


Which will look different for every single one of us based on our gifts, talents, opportunities and backgrounds.

Jill: I think it is easier for people to have a "list of legalistic tenets".  Because it is something tangible.  Faith is difficult.  I think that is why different organizations over the centuries create these tenets.  It is a check off list.  "if I do this then I get that".   Faith isn't tangible, there is only a promise, and how many times have people broken their promises to us.  I get why people feel a need to have tenets, and I think that is why God took away the law from us after Jesus died on the cross for us.  It forces us to really believe in Him.  Which can be incredible difficult for people. I LOVE making lists, and excel spreadsheets, and checking things off as I accomplish things, I get a sense of peace from it, I think it is because it makes me feel in control of all situations.  But believing that God will take care of me and I don't have to make any lists or spreadsheets I just have to have faith, takes all control out of my hands.

Lisa: I think you're absolutely right, Jill.  Look at every other area of our lives.  There are laws.  If we follow the law then we know we won't end up in jail or fined for breaking the law.  There are rules for our children that we followed as children.  We are even ruled on the streets when we drive.  Why?  To keep us safe and to keep order.  And humans need to feel safe and have a sense of order.  Plus, we know that we are in control of following (or not following) the rules, and therefore, we then have that sense of being in control, which we love!

Anthony mentioned recently that growing up he loved the rules that our church offered him.  He liked knowing what NOT to do, and then he didn't do them.  He didn't drink.  He didn't gamble.  He may have danced a little, but never "got his freak on".  But now, as an adult, and a mature Christian, he is starting to question these rules.  They no longer make any sense to him.  He would rather, through the Holy Spirit's guidance, figure out what is right and wrong for him and his family.

There are definitely rights and wrongs in the Bible.  Black and white.  No questions.  But, then there are the ones where man and "the church" have stepped in and made it their business to decide what is right and wrong for everyone, and then frowns upon those who choose to believe differently.

Ah, sorry.  This is what I was afraid would happen. 

Springing off of that to the Personal Question:

Into what comparison trap do you most often fail? Why?
It used to be that I spent a lot of time comparing my kids to other kids and my parenting to other parents, but over the years that is something that I have really brought before God and slowly, that need has all but disappeared.  Oh sure it rears its ugly head now and then, but it's become very easy to squash down. At this point in my life it is easy to compare my physical appearance with others and not because I am vain, because I really am not, but as I age, I am noticing more wrinkles and more loose skin and I suppose in some ways I don't want to look my age.  I have to keep reminding myself that it is what is on the inside that matters and outward appearance is not what gets me to Heaven :)

**I have no idea what happened hear.  Jill, your comment was here, and I promise I didn't delete it.  But when I published and looked over again, it was gone.  I am so sorry.**


Jill:  That's ok Lisa, these things sometimes happen.  :)


Lisa: Jill, Satan found your weakness because that's what he does.  He wants you to feel bad about yourself and get trapped.

This is what I wrote because this is where I am: Not so much a personal trap and comparison, but I'm just so tired of churches thinking they are better or superior to another church.  I'm actually exhausted by this attitude, and can hardly stand it anymore.

I do have weaknesses, and was recently attacked by a leader, who made me feel like I'm not a good enough mother and that, because I don't attend a small group because I feel the need to get my kids to bed at a decent hour, that my children's spiritual future is in peril.  Really?  Because more than anything I want my children to know the Lord as their Savior, and do all I know how to ensure this. 

Now, search Galatians 2:1-10 again.  In what context does James, our protagonist, show up in these verses?
Ah James.  A Jewish man who knew what it meant to be on the wrong side of belief, now passionate about telling others who Christ was.  He offered Grace to Paul as only someone who has been there can.  Paul called him a pillar because they supported the Gentile conversions and lack of circumcision because they understood that was not what mattered.

Jill:  I love how James goes from non believer to Pillar.  That gives me so much hope.  I do love how not only did the apostles forgave Paul for his murderous past, but they extend the right hand of friendship to him.  How symbolic.  If the apostles can forgive Paul after everything he had done to them, then that should be an example of how I should treat the people in my life who just simply annoy me.  I love this study. 

Lisa: James was "one who seemed important".  He did not judge Paul's ministry, but accepted and blessed what God had entrusted Paul to do, serving the Gentiles, even though this ministry was so vastly different from his own calling and ministry with the Jews.

My final thought on this day was the extending of the right hand of friendship. Having the explanation that it was a blessing or an agreement to serve the same Lord in two vastly different ways, just reiterates to me how the petty things that churches fight about just do not matter.  James asked Paul to remember the poor.  In all things that churches do, our common goal should be to serve God and serve others, regardless of what that looks like, without comparison and without judgement.

Once again, just exactly the scripture and study that I needed for this day!

Jill:  A thought popped into my head as I read the 1st verse at the top of the page on Day 4.  How it was decided that Paul should go to the Gentiles.  I was wondering if this was some sort of 'punishment" for lack of a better word.  As it appears  that the Jews thought the Gentiles were "heathens" and "unclean".  And since Paul was such a persecutor I wonder if James Peter and John thought "we will keep the Jews and you can have the unclean Gentiles"  Maybe that isn't at all what happened but it was just something that came to me. 

Lisa: Jill, this thought comes from the Revelation study that we just finished, but in a way, God was more or less sending the Jews a message.  Basically, what Beth pointed out in that study was that since the Jews, Jesus' own people, refused to recognize him as their Savior and Redeemer, that God would soften the hearts of the Gentiles and allow them into His Kingdom, even though the Jews were/are His chosen people.  I don't think it was a punishment to Paul at all.  If anything, it may have been a privilege.  Many of them wouldn't have known or cared about who Paul had been.  At this time the Jews were very much persecuting the Christians.  It was an ugly battle.

I really think these 3 Pillars recognized the hand of God on Paul and knew that he had been called to minister to these "unclean" Gentiles.  It was also prophesied in Jeremiah 12:16: "And if they (the Gentiles) learn well the ways of my people (the Israelites) and swear by my name (the Lord), saying, 'As surely as the Lord lives... - then they (the Gentiles) will be established among my people (the Israelites)."  This meant that at some point, we know now, after the Messiah came, that the Gentiles would be recognized by God as welcome members of the Kingdom if they turned away from their old ways and followed Him. 


Jill:  Thanks Lisa for pointing out that fact about the Gentiles may have been a privilege to preach to.  Fascinating. 

Session One: Day Three- The Lord's Brother

I didn't see any of the other apostles except James, the Lord's brother. - Galatians 1:19

Even though we are studying the book of James, one of my favorite parts of  today's study concerned Paul.  I love in Galatians 1:15 where he says that God called him at birth and set him apart and I love that as he gives his testimony, it is with the understanding that "what did not matter before is now central."  I just can never get enough of being reminded that the past is wiped clean when one comes to know the Lord.

In the same vein, this is what happened to James.  After a lifetime of discounting that his brother was indeed the Lord, at some point he believed and that is really when his story began.

Reread Galatians 1:22-24.  The chief goal of every testimony is summed up beautifully in verse 24.  What does it say?

Emily:  And they praised God because of me.  I love that that is what each of our "come to Jesus" stories are supposed to convey.  That God saves.

I don't have an answer for the personal question today, which is:
Describe a time when you grappled with some of these questions (pg 26) and tell what happened.

After reading James & the Nazarite Vow I did have this thought, which sort of goes along with the personal question.

I thought it was interesting that the idea that James perhaps was a Nazarite didn't matter  During that time all believers were searching to serve God and they understood that there was not one way to do it.  They weren't fighting over which sect was holier or closer to God.  The early Christians simply understood that none of them had a better claim to faith, only that they all wanted to further the Kingdom. 

Can't wait to hear your thoughts and insights!
Jill:  Color testing.  LOVE IT Lisa.  Good idea.

Session One: Day Two- Resurrection Power

I want to start today with something Jill brought up in the comments of Day One.  She was talking about Jesus being part of the family, with brothers, sisters and parents, not all who believed he was the Savior.  Day Two talks about this quite a bit in the beginning and I think this is where the idea of Him living in a family began to really hit home with me.

Can you imagine having the SON OF GOD as your brother?  In Mark 3: 31-35 when his brothers come looking for him and Jesus looks up and doesn't even know who the people are talking about?  Can you imagine not being recognized by your child (if you were Mary) or by your brother?  Talk about family dynamic!

Had this been me, I would have reacted with much anger, much hurt and much jealousy.  When you love someone so very much and they seem to not even notice you, it's painful.  And the family of Jesus, aside from Mary and Joseph, had not been told by God that He was who He was.  To the siblings, he must have just seemed a holier than thou brother...I can't even imagine trying to live up to that standard.

My absolute favorite part of the Day Two lesson, is on page 21 where she begins to talk about James becoming a follower of Christ.  In my mind, it is so hard to wrap it around going from loathing and disdaining a sibling, to the understanding that He is  the Christ.  And then Beth says, "The power of the resurrection trumps the power of the past if we are willing to let it."


This statement hits me.  The resurrection of Christ eliminates the power of my past.  Resentments, anger, hurts, sins.  ELIMINATES.  They are no more.  How often do I need to be reminded of this.  How often is this the only thing that I can cling to for the day.  There is so much hope in that statement and it is modeled through James believing in his brother.


What do you think would have made James feel awkward about joining the apostolic group after his previous disbelief?
For me, just knowing that everyone else knew how openly he did not believe in Jesus, all of his life.

If you are comfortable, share a time when you faced feeling awkward, battling with doing what God was calling you to do.
There was a time, after a particular camping trip (I know you guys have heard this a million times, so I won't go into details) where I wanted so badly to hide away from those who had hurt me.  Instead, I opened up my home to every person involved in that incident and held a bible study with and for them.  I did not want to, but I felt like I needed to.  Looking back it was that bible study that Jill started coming to, which built our friendship and brought both of you girls into my life during a time when I really needed Godly friends.  Had I not battled the awkward and refused to hold that bible study, I'm sure that things would be so much different and perhaps I would not be where I am today in my relationship with Christ. (So thank you both, for being those friends who loved me through that very difficult time :) )

Your turn.  Share here or in the comments what Day Two brought to you.

Session One: Day One - All In The Family

When the time came to completion, God sent His Son, born of a woman, born under the law, to redeem those under the law, so that we might receive adoption as sons.  - Galations 4:4-5

So often when we think of  Jesus, it's easy to forget that he had brothers and sisters born from his mother Mary and Joseph.  Session one is awesome to me in that it introduces us to James, the brother of Jesus!  We know him from his writings in the bible, but it's incredible to get to know the man he was and the man he became.

Let's start with a discussion of a few of the questions from Day One:
In Reading Matthew 2:21-23, Where did the young family settle and why?

Emily: They went to the land of Israel, specifically Judea, but once again Joseph was warned in a dream and to they ended up in Galilee.  Can I just mention how incredible it would be if God would speak to me in dreams?  And then I wonder if He does try to communicate with me in ways but I am just not paying attention.  It seems to me that by this time Joseph was expecting God to show up.  Imagine living with that expectation?!

Read Luke 2:34-35.  Put yourself in Mary's sandals.  What impact would Simeon's words have on you?

Emily: I think I would have been wondering why God chose me for this.  Would I be strong enough to handle what was coming? I think I would also be feeling a sense of dread for what had already happened and the uncertainty of what was to come.

Other things I thought about:  James was the second in birth order but the first of Joseph's biological sons.  In that culture, what baggage did that give James as he grew.  Did he resent Jesus, especially as he was without sin?

Share your thoughts, girls!  Can't wait to see what spoke to you on this day!

Facts About Us

At the end of Day One, Beth asks us to share a little about our lives when we were young, including the size of your family, your town and the foods you regularly ate.  I think this is a great way to get to know a few more little details about one another.  Please add whatever additional details you would like to share.

Emily:
I am the second oldest girl in a family of seven.  There are four sisters and a youngest brother.  I grew up in a small town in Nebraska of 2000 people.  My family ate pot roast every Sunday.  Isn't it funny that is the one thing I remember consistently eating?

Test

This is Jill and I am just testing to verify I know how to post. Thanks Emily for telling me. Cant wait to get started.