Welcome back to women’s online bible study as we discuss our final week of James, Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore. This week was a bit depressing as we saw bible heroes executed or exiled and the Jerusalem church scattered. Yet as we learned from Beth, this scattering planted the seeds for a harvest of Christianity around the world. Imagine living in this time and listening to eyewitness accounts of Jesus and his resurrection. A face-to-face encounter with someone who had  a physical encounter with Jesus is jaw-dropping. More so, living with Jesus from childhood and knowing him through adulthood… is our protagonist James. We’ve just spent the last seven weeks seeing God’s kingdom through his eyes and heart. Wow.

From our study of James, we see a micro and macro view of his brother Christ. We see James the unbeliever evolve into James the martyr. His story is presented as historical fact.  When Beth asks the question “what would you most like to ask James should you meet him in heaven?” my immediate response is…How can I serve my Lord the way you did?

How can we serve the Lord as sisters of Christ. How can we continue the work of James, Peter and John through our own lives. How can we live unchanged after meeting James through the pages of scripture. How can we live together as a church, so the forces of hell cannot overpower us. We can do all things through the lessons learned in our study. Mercy triumphs.

Thank you for participating in the study with us!

Prayer Requests

There are some special prayer needs from members participating in this bible study. Please take some time this week and pray for them. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.

Beth Moore Quotes

• Maybe we were never meant to arrive at our destinations unblistered.
• Whether or not James saw a glimpse of Jesus before he died, he most assuredly caught one after.
• We have a Jewish Messiah, and his earthly heritage is our spiritual birthright.
• To Christ’s great credit, we did not quit.

For Next Week

• Check-in with your small group leader
• Register for the next online bible study

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. What question would you ask James should you meet him in heaven? (page 195 )
2. What about James life impacted you most? (page 209 )
3. What scripture reference from James stood out to you most and why? (page 209 )
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s lesson.
5. Would you recommend James Mercy Triumphs to a friend? Why or why not.

Welcome to online bible study as we discuss week six of James, Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore. On day one we considered the idea of hoarded wealth paying for the trial against the hoarder. It reminds me of the husband who skims money from his weekly paycheck and makes deposits to a hidden bank account, unknown to his wife. When he loses his job, the hoarder is forced to live off the hidden money to provide for his family and his hidden wealth is used against him. Beth asks “Where is the line between saving and hoarding?” How much can the wife spend on her children and family, without crossing the line and displeasing God? I believe the difference is in the heart. Repent and confess that everything you own is His alone and to be used for God’s purpose, not yours. In the last days, she who has the most toys does not win… if she hoarded and gave nothing to others in need, or served herself and not the Kingdom. It’s time to stop pledging allegiance to the hope of prosperity and shed some “fear tears” in the name of the Lord, writes Beth.

We learned on the second day about the suffering of God’s faithful children. Beth makes this powerful statement: “The end He desires to bring about is never just for those involved. It’s also for those who hear. For those who see.”  If you are in the midst of suffering, know there is a bigger picture than your fiery trial. Know that others will see God in you and through your actions and outcome. There is a bigger picture that this earthly world. It’s critical that we know Jesus in order to see and hear and sometimes, just to survive a Job challenge. In a cluttered world, God will be visible to those who believe.

On the third day of our study we examined vows and oaths from a spiritual perspective. When Beth shared the story of Dodie and the toenails, I cried my eyes out for her pain. Then I sent up prayers for both friends and praised God for their eternal friendship as sisters in Christ. I’ll never look at my toenails without thinking of Beth and her vow.

In Memory of Dodie

The last two days of this week’s study were powerful and intense and Beth “nailed it” with her teaching style. She summarized the nine lessons of James: be still, trust God, hold your tongue, be patient, count it all joy, submit, confess, rest in Christ and pray. She suggested these nine elements are the key on having a healthy soul, in addition to the three bonus points:

1. Lose the victim mentality
2. When you feel powerless, don’t let anyone tell you there’s nothing you can do
3. LIVE LIFE WITH GOD

With that, I’m ready to replay the fireworks of New Years Eve…you nailed it Beth!

This week I read about vows… on a day when the world is making New Year resolutions. I read about asking church elders to pray when you are sick… on the same day a pastor of my church saw I was sick and posted a prayer on my Facebook page. I read about praying for yourself…when a month ago I was convicted by the Holy Spirit to “ask for what YOU need, not always for what others need.” If James, the brother of Jesus, doesn’t convict you to make some changes and see the world differently, then you need to pray over this and re-read the lessons beginning to end. James Mercy Triumphs is rich with knowledge. Absorb it like a sponge. Encourage others to push through the difficult language or complex format and dig for the meat….it’s there between page one and 213. It’s worth the spiritual warfare we went through to get here the past six weeks…and next week we’ll finish with the last chapter. God is good, always.

Prayer Requests

There are some special prayer needs from members participating in this bible study. Please take some time this week and pray for them. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.

Beth Moore Quotes

• Neither demonic harassment nor self-condemnation originate with God or bring Him honor.
• Satan is ecstatic when we make a vow we don’t keep.
• Relationships can never be stronger than the bond of trust between them.
• Helplessness is its own form of demoralization.
• Fellowshipping with Christ in our suffering guards it from purposelessness.
• Open your heart wide to the next call to prayer.
• confession silences the taunts of our accuser, makes our hearts clean, and makes our souls well.

For Next Week

• Read Week Seven in the workbook
• Listen to the Session Eight Audio or the Session Eight Video (optional)
• Check-in with your small group leader
• Register for the next online bible study

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Name a reason why patience might be more challenging in our current culture. (page 163 )
2. On page 164 Beth says “You can try to go without God but, chances are, you’ll come back because if you really have a heart for God you’ll be miserable beyond His blessing.” Have you ever experience the misery of a prodigal run?
3. How do you feel about making a vow or oath? Have you ever done anything similar to what Beth and Dodie did? (page 172 )
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s lesson.

Welcome back to online bible study as we discuss week five of James, Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore. On Day one we completed “The Interview” in our workbooks and walked through a 9-step process. While the interview wasn’t pleasant for many of us, it was based on the book of James and important to our study. We learned You do not have because you do not ask God. James 4:2 NIV So if you do not have the fruits of the Spirit- love, joy, peace, forbearance, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control- then ask God for it. If you do not feel like the Proverbs 31 women, then ask God for it. If you are in conflict over a situation or relationship, then ask God to repair and heal it. Jesus said “Ask and it will be given to you; seek and you will find; knock and the door will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives; the one who seeks finds; and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.” Matt 7:7-8 NIV

This week in our study we also examined if we are living by the Spirit or by the flesh. Did you enjoy the session on friendship? Beth brought social media into our study of James, showing us how Facebook, Twitter, email and blogging are aligned with the human spirit. “Friendship means closeness,” she writes, and “friendship also means neighbor.” She points out that intimacy with Christ comes intentionally and through closeness, or face-to-face. This is an excellent argument for attending church, volunteering or joining small groups in your local community. To be a neighbor and love one another as Jesus loves, we need physical closeness. There is much pride and narcissism in social media as we are empowered by the “delete” or “unfriend” button, or can simply “lurk upon others” and not engage our hearts with them. If you don’t think the devil is prowling social media setting traps and destroying others, you’re not seeing it with spiritual eyes. Know the difference between friends of the Spirit and friends of the flesh. As Beth says in the audio session, you may need to let a few friends go and seek spiritual friends. “Friendship with God makes a person humble and friendship with the world makes a person proud,” writes Beth. I chose humble friends and hope to be one myself.

Prayer Requests

There are some special prayer needs from members participating in this bible study. Please take some time this week and pray for them. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.

Beth Moore Quotes

• If we can’t ask God for it, He’s not in it.
• Authentic faith cannot help but act.
• Face-to-face or presence-to-presence intimacy with Christ only comes intentionally.
• Friendship with God makes a person humble and friendship with the world makes a person proud.
• Be deliberate in what you resist and what you draw near.
• Scripture by no means presents God and Satan as equal opponents. One is Creator, one is created.
• When we resist God, we draw near to Satan. If we’re in Christ, the Devil cannot have our souls.
• If it’s under God, it’s in order.
• Mercy triumphs over judgment.

For Next TWO Weeks (There is no lesson Dec. 26)

• Read Week Six in the workbook
• Listen to the Session SevenAudio or the Session Seven Video (optional)
• Check-in with your small group leader

Christmas Schedule

There will be no lesson on Dec. 26. For those of you who started late or are falling behind, use the time to catch up on your reading. We’ll be discussing week 6 on January 2.

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Which “submit to God” statement on page 143 spoke most you and why?
2. Why is the attitude that we control our destinies and can enforce the fulfillment of all our plans a little absurd? (page 150 )
3. Beth says “God looks upon a situation in context of what is, what was, and what is to come.” When you think of your present struggle from The Interview on Day one, how does this make a difference? (page 153 )
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s lesson.

Welcome back to online bible study as we continue discussing James, Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore. We’ve just finished reading week four in our workbooks and once again it’s time for a group discussion. We first learned from Beth two key points: first, faith is meant to do some good and second, faith shows works. This ties in to last week’s lesson where we discussed ways to love our neighbor. It reminds us that by loving others, we are demonstrating faith.

In the audio session, Beth talks about how the good life saves us from ourselves, while jealousy and selfishness make us spiritually sick. Then she explains how we carry this in our heart and try not to show it to others, because we’re “religious people.”  She says “it’s really un-cool to be jealous and have self-ambition and be a Christian!” It resides in the heart.  “Our culture is mass producing narcissists… If you are not fighting it, you are doing it,” says Beth. Instead of physical or mental illness, Beth proposes we have “social illness.” The more we put ourselves first, the more insecure and jealous we become. All of these are forms of pride.

We need the Holy Spirit inside us to keep us from being full of ourselves. On page 101 in the workbook Beth writes “the Holy Spirit convicts us and compels. If we can keep on living without any intervention, interference, or empowerment from Him, He may not be present with us.” If you haven’t invited the Holy Spirit into your life, do so now. If you are struggling with this, seek the advice of your pastor.

Once again Beth opens her heart as she discussed James 3:1 and shared her own teaching experiences. One of the reasons I like her studies so much is that Beth is transparent and real. She reminds us that she’s human, flawed as much as God allows it, and a living testimony of God’s powerful mercy and grace. Her testimony reminds me of my own life verse for teaching: He must become greater; I must become less. John 3:30 It’s been the focus of my heart since I started ministry and I carry it with me as Beth carries John 7:16-28 and Jeremiah 45:5 I know many women participating in the online study are also leaders of church studies…and I hope you were touched by this week’s lesson. It wasn’t written to create doubt and confusion (the work of the enemy) it was written by Beth to remind you false teachers exist and will mislead others. Be alert and of sober mind. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour. 1 Peter 5:8 NIV James reminds us to beware of false prophets too..and I think we’re so convinced everyone is a false prophet, we don’t recognize a real one when he appears. It’s an uphill battle for modern prophets to validate themselves.

Prayer Requests

There are some special prayer needs from members participating in this bible study. Please take some time this week and pray for them. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.

Beth Moore Quotes

• Yesterday’s failure can become tomorrow’s hero of faith.
• Aside from Rabbi Jesus, no teacher masters teaching.
• God will never call you to sacrifice your intimacy with Him on the alter of ministry.
• Many lessons will be taught to you before they’re profitably taught through you.
• I’m not sure which is more toxic: the criticism of people or their adulation.
• Let’s quit trying to take people’s pulse to see if they love us.
• We have a choice which fire lights our tongues (Holy Spirit of flesh).
• You can be rescued by God from your Egypt and still be filled to the brim with bitterness.
• Jealously takes root in the soil of insecurity.

For Next Week

• Read Week Five in the workbook
• Listen to the Session Six Audio or the Session Six Video (optional)
• Check-in with your small group leader

Christmas Schedule

We’ll be reading up to week 5, discuss it a week from today and take a Christmas break.  There will be no lesson on Dec. 26. For those of you who started late or are falling behind, use the time to catch up on your reading. We’ll be discussing week 6 on January 2.

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. Do you struggle with superficial faith or legalism? (page 105 )
2. Do you believe in modern prophets? How do you know they are real?
3. Beth says “Our culture is mass producing narcissists… If you are not fighting it, you are doing it.” What can you do personally to fight this?
4. Share your example of wisdom and understanding by completing these sentences: wisdom knows that…. (and) …understanding knows that… (page 123 )
5. Share a favorite moment from this week’s lesson.

Welcome back to our third week of online bible study as we continue discussing James, Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore. We’ve just finished reading week three and a favorite moment is when Beth writes “with the study of the book of James, you can either change or quit. Let’s not quit.” A few of you have already mentioned convicting moments from this study and how the lessons seem to touch you personally. Keep sharing your experiences and walk forward in faith as we discover more about the book of James.

Last week we studied joy amidst anguish. This week we looked at controlling anger and our voices, and spending time listening. We’re reminded to hear the bible and not just read the bible. This week I challenge you to listen to scripture. Find an audio bible, listen online, or if you’re using the audio CD’s for this study listen to the bonus CD where Beth Moore reads the book of James. You might even ask your husband or a friend to read it aloud to you. Challenge yourself to listen and hear the bible, not just read it. Here’s the Bible Gateway Audio Bible.

In scripture we know Jesus listened to the heart and not just to the words. He gave many examples of listening through the Spirit and when he left us, the Holy Spirit remained with us. We have the gift to listen to the hearts of our neighbors, our family members, our coworkers and our friends. If we’re too busy focused on our own hearts, on distracted with prejudices, the Spirit cannot do his work in us. Quieting our mouths, stilling our minds and listening to the Counselor gives is the wisdom to love our neighbors as we love ourselves.

Listening to James 1:27 I had a jaw-breaking moment with my bible. As I pondered the words, I thought….

• what if James was referring to spiritual orphans?
• what if James was referring to widows of the church?
• what if James was referring to the pure blood of Jesus?

If so, then for me the verse would mean:

Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after (spiritual) orphans and (church) widows in their distress and to keep (your heart) from being polluted by the world.

In this case, pure religion would be finding and caring for spiritual orphans as lost sheep and bringing them back to the Father. It would be caring for those who divorced religion and bringing them back to God. It would mean keeping your heart flowing with the blood of Jesus’ love for others so they could see God working inside you.

I’ve always looked at this verse as children without parents (orphans), wives without husbands (widows) and purity. Listening to the verse gave me a deeper meaning. I’m not suggesting you re-write the bible….however I.m showing you an example of how you can listen to the bible and apply a scripture verse to your situation or life. That’s the joy of bible study.

Prayer Requests

There are some special prayer needs from members participating in this bible study. Please take some time this week and pray for them. If you have a prayer request for our prayer wall, please click here.

Beth Moore Quotes

• True religion is all hands on deck and all heads out of the sand.
• Left to ourselves, we’re mud pies baking in the elements of preference and prejudice.
• At the end of the day, what impresses us dictates us.
• Because we look up, we’re compelled to look out.
• We’re not bound to ritual laws but we are bound to love.
• Faith and favoritism don’t mix.

For Next Week

• Read Week Four in the workbook
• Listen to the Session Five Audio or the Session Five Video (optional)
• Check-in with your small group leader

Group Discussion- Answer one question or as many as you like

1. What kind of things spark feelings of anger in you?
2. What are some ways you manifest devotion to Christ?
3. How can you show love to your neighbor this month?
4. Share a favorite moment from this week’s lesson.