THOUSANDS OF FREE BLOGGER TEMPLATES »
We are taking a break for the summer until futher notice.

Week 2 - Day 3

Read James 1:12.

1. How does this verse relate to James’ message in 1:2-11?

2. What makes the person in v. 12 “happy” (NET) or “blessed” (NASB; NKJV; NIV)?

Moo explains: “A person who is ‘blessed’ may not be ‘happy’ at all. For our emotional state may and will vary with the circumstances of life. But we can rest assured that, whatever those circumstances, if we endure them with faith and commitment to God, we will be recipients of God’s favor.”

3. Sharing Question: In your experience, have you ever been blessed but not necessarily happy? Tell your group what happened, how you were blessed, and how you felt.

Stronger Jeans (optional): Use a concordance or Greek dictionary and look up the word for blessed or happy in James 1:12. Look up some of the other verses that use the same Greek word.

4. Sharing Question: If you believe the promise of James 1:12, what encouragement does it give you today for your present trial? If you are not facing a trial right now, how can it help you next time that you do?

5. What are some other “crowns”, or rewards, promised?
a. 1 Thess. 2:19
b. 2 Tim. 4:8
c. 1 Pet. 5:4
d. Rev. 2:10

6. Responding to God: Draw a picture of your receiving a crown from Jesus. Which one might it be? Think about what that will feel like. Talk to God about it. And yes, you can draw!

6 comments:

Christina Ketchum said...

I found this on my friend's blog:

Never think GOD's delays are GOD's denials. Hold on; hold fast; hold out. Patience is genius!

It makes me realize that God wants to bless us but in HIS timing and HIS way.

Sohl Gal said...

This set of verses reminds me of the idea that God doesn't give us more than He knows we can handle. He might push me further than I think I'm able, but it's not about what I can do on my own, what I'm able to do. I have to continue to believe that He is always holding me, helping me, showing me. Through any circumstances, He loves me and will help me succeed in the end, even if it's not the way I feel it should be.

DA Wagners said...

I've been blessed in so many ways that I have to constantly remind myself. I take so many wonderful blessings for granted all the time. I'm blessed that I'm healthy and that I have the privilege to exercise. I'm blessed with so much food and I have a the honor of choosing things that are beneficial to my body (and a few things that just taste good!). I'm blessed with an awesome husband and I get to serve him and provide him joy. I'm blessed with two beautiful boys and I get the coolest job of raising them. I'm blessed with the crème de la crème family and friends and I get to watch their lives unfold like an absorbing soap opera. I'm blessed with the best church EVER (BAF!!!) and I get to be invlovled and touch women's lives. I am so blessed. Thank the Lord that He gives us a life to enjoy these blessings. "Father, please help me not take the MOST important things in life for granted. These are the blessings that mean the most. Everyting else is just fluff! Thank You most of all for salvation! Without it, everything would be meaningless."

Anonymous said...

I have realized that God's blessings are all around, but it took me a while to realize that for me, a state of happiness & peace when I wake up, throughout the day, or through trials, takes an active mental process of focusing on His blessings.

With one particular trial, I was able to be happy and actually thank God that it was an honor to go through the trial for I was being changed. Now, it's even more exciting because I learned that there is a victor's crown of life to those who have endured.

Latoya said...

I know that God takes the time to bless me everyday. I wake up each morning in my right mind...I go to and fro and come home safely everyday. I have a secure position in the Navy. I am blessed with my employement but, I am not happy where I am. I don't like the military much. Its funny because all I have to do is walk through those doors and something already tries to still my joy. I am forced to be around negative people whom "curse like sailors", gossip, and find pleasure in embarrising people publicly. I am trying to change myself but, it is hard when I can't seem to get away. I also don't like the way the leadership opperates but, now I'm just venting. Yes, I am blessed where I am but, I am not happy to be in the military.

Latoya said...

Awesome statement twisting his arm, I will definitely write that one down.