Week 9 - Introduction: Faith That Looks to Jesus’ Coming

Wisdom for a Blue Jean Faith (Week 9 Memory Verse)

“You also be patient and strengthen your hearts, for the Lord’s return is near.”

James 5:8 (NET)

As a child, I had some out-of-town relatives who often came for weekend visits. I always looked forward to their coming because we did some fun things and I usually stayed up later than my usual bedtime. However, I don’t think my mother was so excited about their stays. She had to do a lot of extra work after teaching school all week; she and my dad slept on the extremely uncomfortable couch because we didn’t have an extra bedroom; and it seemed that she cooked for days while this couple helped very little. Her perspective was very different from mine.

As we look at this section of James, we see two groups of people who have different perspectives of the future: those who ignore the coming of the Lord and those who look forward to it because it will bring the peace, rest, and blessing that this life doesn’t give.

How To Use This Study Guide (Review)

Weekly:

Wisdom for a Blue Jean Faith —Each week you will have a verse to memorize that brings out an essential lesson or thought from the week’s study. Begin learning it the first day, hiding God’s Word in your heart.

Personal Stories —Each lesson includes a true story that relates the truths of the week’s lesson to a woman’s real life experience. Some of the names have been changed to protect the guilty! These stories will encourage you in your walk with God and your growth in godliness.

Specific types of questions included in each day’s work:

1. Sharing Questions are designed for you to write stories, insights, and applications from your own life. You will never be forced to share one of these answers aloud (post a comment) with your group, but growing in community with one another requires us to be open and vulnerable so volunteer to share.

2. Responding to God Questions are reminders that we study God’s Word so that He can speak to us and we are changed thereby. We should be listening for His voice. These types of questions ask for a response to God’s personal message to you. I have found that writing out my prayers helps me to focus better on what I need to say to God. No one will ask you to read (post) yours, but you should always feel free to share your response with your group.

3. Stronger Jeans are optional questions designed for those who want to dig deeper. Some of the answers will be easy for even a beginning Bible student, and some will require more experience in God’s Word.


Week 1: Faith for Hard Times
Week 2: Faith that Leans on God
Week 3: Faith that Fixes What's in the Mirror
Week 4: Faith that Doesn't Play Favorites
Week 5: Faith that is Alive
Week 6: Faith that Ties the Tongue
Week 7: Faith that Brings Peace
Week 8: Faith that Repents
Week 9: Faith that Looks to Jesus' Coming
Week 10: Faith that Prays