LVC Bible Book Club
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If you have any questions, please email them through to Bo Ace at boace@hotmail.co.uk. All answers to questions will be posted at the bottom of this page.
BOOK OF JAMES - 2ND TUESDAY OF MONTH: AUTHOR: James, the half brother of Jesus, a leader in the Jerusalem church. WRITTEN: Probably about A.D. 45 prior to the Jerusalem Council held in A.D. 50. CONTENT: Actions speak louder than words. This old adage comes through loud and clear in the book of James. This book attacks the notion that becoming a Christian is simply a matter of assenting to a few spiritual truths without experiencing any real change in behaviour or thinking. James was a leader in the church at Jerusalem, and so this book has a very Jewish flavour. It contains many short, proverbial sayings and resembles the teachings of Christ - especially the sermon on the Mount. James addresses several matters in which Christian behaviour should reflect Christian faith. He discussed pride, discrimination, greed, lust, hypocrisy, worldliness and slander. James used several analogies to show how true faith must evidence itself in good works. He compared it to a tree bearing only the kind of fruit that belongs to it. Because of the books great emphasis on good works, it is a very practical book regarding the Christian life. PURPOSE: To correct the false belief that a person can have faith without a change of behaviour and to give practical instruction regarding the Christian life. OUTLINE: (a) The true life of faith 1:1-27 (b) The social implications of faith 2:1-13 (c) Faith and works 2:14-26 (d) Controlling the tongue 3:1-18 (e) Practical exhortations 4:1-17 (f) The rich rebuked 5:1-6 (g) Concluding exhortations 5:7-20 (N.B. This information was taken from the introduction to the Book of James as written in the New Living Translation)
PILGRIM’S PROGRESS - 4TH TUESDAY OF MONTH: The power of John Bunyan’s story of Christian and his pilgrimage to the Celestial City has not lessened over time. Christian’s journey is allegorically that of every Christian’s personal pilgrimage and as such, there is much for us to learn and be encouraged by in this story. As you read this book, feel free to discuss the parts of Christian’s pilgrimage that you: (a) Identify with (b) Find baffling (c) Were helped by (d) Need to adopt PILGRIM’S PROGRESS - READING DIARY: Feb 28th Start at page 23 (read up to end of the second paragraph on page 43) Pilgrim leaves the City of Destruction, faces the Slough of Despond and meets Mr Worldly Wiseman. Discouragement and carnal attitudes do not mix well with our Christian faith. What, for you personally, is the key lesson of Christian’s journey so far? Mar 27th Continue on Page 43 (read up to the last paragraph on page 57) Pilgrim meets Goodwill and The Interpreter. The Lord sends people across our path to help us and to keep us on the right track. Who has the Lord sent alongside you at critical times? Who do Goodwill and The Interpreter represent in your faith journey? Apr 24th Continue on Page 57 (read up to the end of the first paragraph on page 69 ) Pilgrim loses his burden and faces some enemies. Please share your salvation story with the group. May 22nd Continue on Page 69 (read to the end of the third paragraph on page 80) Pilgrim meets Piety, Prudence and Charity and journeys to the Valley of Humiliation. Trouble, humiliation, loss, confusion — they are all part of life and also of the Christian journey. What is the key lesson of Pilgrim’s journey to you at this point? June 26th Continue on Page 80 (read up to the last paragraph on page 91)Pilgrim has his first battle with the enemy. This is a personal battle waged to destroy Christian and totally run him off trusting the Lord. Why is it so important that he win this battle? What are the key aspects that causes Christian to overcome? In what way has Christian’s struggle touched a chord with you?
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