Get going with James 1

Here are some study questions for starting to read in the epistle of James:

1. In Proverbs, wise King Solomon says that the fear of Lord is the beginning of wisdom. How does the fear of the Lord arise in the soul?
2. What part of the Our Father jives with the challenge of James, that we ask God for wisdom?
3. 
   Is a trial, mentioned in v. 2, the same as a temptation, mentioned in vv. 12-14?
4. Was Jesus ever tempted?
5. James admonishes us, saying that we must not "test" God the Father, in the sense of asking God to prove Himself. What is this testing? If you are in a trial of some kind, what would you want God to prove about Himself?
6. The Church teaches that "the family should live in such a way that its members learn to care and take responsibility for the young, the old, the sick, the handicapped, and the poor." Would James have agreed with that?

There is a lot to learn in this beautiful writing. Let's have some coffee on Thursday morning, 7 AM, and then gaze into this perfect Torah of freedom.

Completion of Philippians

Today we will finish our study of Paul's epistle to the Philippians, by diving into these questions:

1. Recall the beatitude, "Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called sons of God." How do the concepts in v. 8 align with the actions of a peacemaker?
2. Do you hear the echoes of the great commandment in v. 8?
3. What happens when you offer alms to someone or to a group that is not actually in need? Is it an empty act?
4. Is the city of Philippi the greatest city in the Roman world? Second greatest?
5. What part of the Our Father corresponds to v. 19 about supply for our needs?
6. Can an ordinary civilian follow in these same footsteps and attitudes of Paul?

It is excellent to think of these things, and through them to become a doer of the Word, God's perfect Torah of freedom.

Lots to think about in Philippians 4

There are a lot of things to think over when reading through Philippians ch. 4. Some questions are:

1. Who writes down the names in the Book of Life?
2. How does Paul know whose name is written in the Book of Life?
3. If we are supposed to take up our cross, isn’t it then a contradiction to rejoice always?
4. It seems like crazy talk to say, as Paul says, that we ought to have no anxiety.How is it possible?
5. How can one make prayer and petition with thanksgiving in ALL things? Even when something bad happens?
6. The peace of God sounds nice, but what is it, actually?
7. Does the peace of God include our enemies?
8. In v. 8, Paul writes about that which is true, that which is lovely, and so on. How many items are on your version of this list? I.e.,
   1. What is something true that you can think on?
   2. What is something lovely that you can think on?
   3. etc.
9. How would Mary the Virgin have responded to v. 8?

Finish Philippians 3

We will take a few more questions to dig into Philippians chapter 3 this week, viz.

1. In v. 13, St. Paul mentions that he leaves all the positive things he has done behind. What advantage is there to forgetting what lies behind?
2. What is the one thing he does NOT forget about?
3. How often have you trained for a physical task by imitating someone else who was proficient?
4. St. Paul admonishes those who act as if they were enemies of the cross of Christ. OK, then one can ask, how does one act as a true comrade with the cross of Christ?
5. Is it safe or not to be a true comrade of the cross of Christ?

There are a lot of questions we could ask, as we seek to become real doers of the Word, but this additional list of five can get us started.

On Thursday, we will also discuss where we will study after Philippians.