WEEKLY COMIC: FIGHT!

GETTING READY: How do Romans & James relate?

This was posted earlier in the year during the run-up to the season, but we'll be posting this "Getting Ready" series for James again to refresh your memory.

Romans and James are such different books, why are we studying them together?

It would be hard to imagine how the books of Romans and James could be much more different.  Different authors, different audiences, different emphases.  Some even argue they have different theologies!  (Martin Luther even once called James "a false gospel", in one of his grumpier moments.)  The only thing they have in common, it seems, is that they're both in the Bible!

But, really, Romans and James highlight the two inseparable sides of Christianity.

Romans has a focus on the grace of God.  Paul talks over and over about the fact that our salvation is a free gift, and that there was nothing in ourselves that made us worthy of Christ.  He highlights the fact that the Old Testament Law can't save anyone, which is why Jesus had to come and die and rise.  Romans takes our eyes off of ourselves and our own good deeds, and puts them onto God.

James, on the other hand, has a focus on what we do.  James agrees wholeheartedly that our works don't save us, but points out that such an amazing gift should spur us onto good works that will please our savior.  He challenges lazy or sinful Christians to examine themselves and start doing all the things Jesus commanded us to do.  James reminds us to remember while our eyes are on heaven, we're on mission on the Earth!

If you have Romans without James, you have happy Christians who are of no use to anyone.  If you James without Romans, you have busy Christians without any joy.  You need them both to be the men and women God called us to be.

GETTING READY: To whom was the Epistle of James written?

This was posted earlier in the year during the run-up to the season, but we'll be posting this "Getting Ready" series for James again to refresh your memory.

To whom was the epistle to the James written?

Like Romans, James is quite up-front about who he is writing to:

James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ,
To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion:
Greetings.
James 1:1

Of course, "the twelve tribes in the Dispersion" is not exactly a phrase you hear every-day in 21st Century America.  So, let's take each piece by itself.

First, the "twelve tribes".  This is a common way for Jews of Jesus's time to talk about the descendants of Jacob.  Jacob had twelve sons whose descendants became 12 tribes who eventually conquered the whole land of Israel.  Genesis 49 does a good job of listing the 12 sons (although for complicated reasons, the 12 sons and 12 tribes don't always exactly match up).  The "twelve tribes" is shorthand for "all of the Jewish people."

Second, "the Dispersion".  In other translations, it says "the Diaspora" which you may have heard in history class.  Both words mean "the scattering".  Originally, all of the Jews on Earth were located in Israel.  Then came God's judgement in the form of Assyrian, Babylonian, and eventually Roman Empires.  Babylon, especially, had a policy of splitting up conquered peoples to different places to keep them from organizing into resistance.  So, by the time of Rome, the Jewish people were scattered - or dispersed - throughout Africa, Asia, and Europe.

So, "the twelve tribes in the Dispersion" roughly means "all of the Jewish people in all of the world."  And, from the context of the letter, we know he was talking to Jewish Christians, in the hope that one day all Jews would embrace Christ.

MUSICAL INTERLUDE: Broken Together

THIS WEEK: Review Romans 14-16, James1-2

This week (February 10 thru February 16), please review Romans 14-16 & James 1-2.

If you want to read the chapter online, click here. (Free website Biblegateway.Com)

If you need to download any review materials:

• Romans 14
• Romans 15
• Romans 16
• James 1
• James 2

Study Tip:  There aren't that many weeks left of Bible Quizzing for the year - Districts is March 29 - so we'll be facing more review weeks than usual.  Don't waste these times, as these are your "second chances" for past chapters.  We can all use extra review of the names in Romans 16, for one.  And if you feel strong on the other chapters listed here, take the time to find one chapter from the past and focus exclusively on that.  (*COUGH*  Romans 6 *COUGH*)

Upcoming Events:
- February 15, CT Side Meet in Monroe, CT

REMINDER: No Practice Today

There is no practice today.  Please attend the combined Missionary Presentation during the Sunday School hour.

REFERENCE QUESTIONS: James 2

Remember, the full list of Reference Questions can always be found in the sidebar or at this link.

QUESTION:  According to James 2:5, he has promised what to those who love him?
ANSWER:  The kingdom. (cf Jam 1:12)

QUESTION:  According to James 2:17, what is dead?
ANSWER:  Faith by itself, if it does not have works. (cf Rom 8:10; Jas 2:17, 26)

QUESTION:  According to James 2:20, faith apart from works is what?
ANSWER:  Useless. (cf Jam 2:26)

QUESTION:  According to James 2:22, you see what?
ANSWER:  That faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works. (cf Jam 2:24)

QUESTION:  According to James 2:24, you see what?
ANSWER:  That a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. (cf Jam 2:22)

QUESTION:  According to James 2:26, faith apart from works is what?

ANSWER:  Dead. (cf Jam 2:20)