September 30, 2018

Breaking Open the Scripture Scriptures for September 30th: Esther 7:1-6,9-10,9:20-22; Psalm 124; James 5:13-20; Mark 9:38-50: Theme: It is a Christian’s job to support one another. James: This is the last chapter and the last lesson of James. James wants us to have a faith that is able to sustain us in every day life. Some practical tools that we don’t have to search for. For James, wisdom comes from the fear of the Lord. James is teaching us that our faith is a gift from God, it is assurance that God is with us in our lives. The major lesson if James is that faith without works is dead. In this chapter James is not talking about a personal faith, but a communal faith. The last gift of faith that God gives us is a caring community.n James says that we as a community should pray for those who are in need and bless them. We should be confident to pray for others. James ends by saying that the greatest gift of community is teaching others a new way of life as they learn what it means to be forgiven and to give up their sin. Esther: This book is considered a book of wisdom. This is an interesting story – God is not mentioned, there is a lot of things that should not be mentioned or talked about in front of kids, yet it still made it into the bible. This is a story about a woman who chose to risk everything for her nation, and her bravery paid off. This story tells us not to be afraid to stand up for what we believe in, even in times when it would be easy to keep silent. In return, Esther will love forever in history. The Jews celebrate Purim in her honor. The celebration reminds us that God can work in the most difficult of circumstances, when things do no seem to be in our favor, God can still turn them around. Questions: How important is Christian community to you? Have you ever visited someone in the name of Jesus Christ? Has someone visited you? Name a time when you thought you were doomed, but God worked it out for you. What has the church done to make your life better?