Sunday, March 10, 2013

James 1.9-11(12) teaching overview

INSTRUCTIONS: You will have about 5 minutes to present on the text. Walk us through the questions describing how you would teach the text.  Please provide a copy of this worksheet with your answers for the others in the group.

How does the main theme (or melodic line) of the entire book inform the meaning of your specific text?  [How does this passage contribute toward the main thrust(s) of the whole book?]
These verses introduce how the whole faith of a whole Christian impacts their view of wealth and affects the relationship to lowly status and riches.
1.    What is the broader context of your text? How does this context inform the meaning of your specific text? [Review the paragraph before and after this passage.]
The first part of this chapter has trials and faith as underlying themes.  Here the reminder is to keep the focus on spiritual things.
2.    What is the theme of the text? [The theme is one, concise sentence stating the ‘big idea’ of the passage.]
Jeremiah 9.23-24 & Col. 3.11
3.    What is the primary aim of your text? [The aim is one, concise sentence stating the author’s intended application or a relevant implication of the text for the lives of the readers.]
Value eternal things rather than material riches.
4.    What is the structure of your Biblical text? How does that structure shape the emphasis of your teaching outline? (Include a brief and basic outline.)  [Consider grammar, repetition, key terms, comparison and contrast, alternation in who is speaking, transitions in imagery, parallelism, verbs, commands. etc.]
This passage is structured around a double imperative to the lowly and rich.
I.     Glory  (9-11)  cf. Jer. 9.23-24
     A.    The Lowly Glory in Exaltation 
     B.    The Rich [glory] in Humiliation
          1)    The flower perishes  cf. Job 14.2; Ps. 103.15; Isa 40.6-7
          2)    The rich man fades in his pursuits 
II.    Blessing  (12)
     A.    Endures temptation
     B.    Approved with the Crown of Life
     C.    Loves Him who promised
5.    What is your theme and aim for your people as you teach this passage? [How do you hope they will think and/or act different when this lesson sinks in?]
“James is enjoining both the rich and the poor to evaluate themselves by spiritual rather than material standards.”  --Blomberg and Kamell
We should not take pride in our possessions.  (Why has God given you so much?)
6.    How does your text relate to the Gospel?  [Christ is the central theme of the Bible.  Where do we see Gospel truths taught or alluded to in this passage?]
The Gospel matters most because it is eternal and unchanging.  We find our lasting value in Christ.

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