As we all know, great physical demands are placed on the lives of our young people and a number of extra curricular activities are vying for their attention. Consequently, devoting time to study their Sunday School lessons is a low priority on their agendas. Once a student told me that because I was so well prepared as the teacher, she did not feel she had to study. This disturbed me greatly because I knew what the Bible said about studying. I also knew what it said about teaching.
So, one Sunday I asked the class to take a moment and think about how they handle and resolve life’s challenges. After a few moments of contemplating, I asked if anyone wanted to share their most debilitating and stressful situation. What I learned from this exercise was that no student’s dilemma was resolved from hearing a word from the Holy Spirit.
So, now, I had each student’s undivided attention. And because I had altered my lesson plan, I told them the story of Job’s dilemma through the scriptures as recorded by the Apostle James. Which opened the students eyes to just how much guidance a person can receive from delving into the Holy Scriptures.
My BRETHREN, COUNT IT ALL JOY WHEN YOU FALL INTO VARIOUS TRIALS. James 1:2
(Job, I know you are not feeling well, but, do you recall when Eliphaz said…”Behold, happy is the man whom God corrects; therefore do not despise the chastening of the Almighty. Job 5:17
KNOWING THAT THE TESTING OF YOUR FAITH PRODUCES PATIENCE. James 1:3
[Well, Eliphaz said that after your calamity came upon you, you declared that you wished you were dead, for you said,]…There the wicked cease from troubling, and there the weary are at rest. Job 3:17
BUT LET PATIENCE HAVE ITS PERFECT WORK, THAT YOU MAY BE PERFECT AND COMPLETE, LACKING NOTHING. James 1:4
[But from the very beginning, Job, you kept declaring how righteous you were and that there was no advantage to be gained if you were cleansed from your sin.] Job 35:3
[I was right there when you said]..Though he slay me, yet will I trust him. Even so, I will defend my own ways, before him. Job 13:15
IF ANY OF YOU LACK WISDOM, LET HIM ASK OF GOD, WHO GIVES TO ALL LIBERALLY AND WITHOUT REPROACH, AND IT WILL BE GIVEN TO HIM. James 1:5
[Honestly, Job, you should not have added that last part about maintaining your own ways, for you have spoken] …without knowledge, and your words were without knowledge, and wisdom. Job 34:35
BUT LET HIM ASK IN FAITH, WITH NO DOUBTING, FOR HE WHOM DOUBTS IS LIKE A WAVE OF THE SEA DRIVEN AND TOSSED BY THE WIND. James 1:6
[Our true friend Elihu suggested the manner in which you should have prayed, remember]…For has anyone said to God, ‘I have borne chastening; I will offend no more; teach me what I do not see;’ Job 35:31, 32a
BLESSED IS THE MAN WHO ENDURES TEMPTATION; FOR WHEN HE HAS BEEN APPROVED, HE WILL RECEIVE THE CROWN OF LIFE WHICH THE LORD HAS PROMISED TO THOSE WHO LOVE HIM. James 1:12
[Job, stop that]…Do not desire the night. For people that are in darkness are cut off.l Shhhh]…Lest He take you away with one blow. [Then a Great Ransom (Jesus) cannot deliver you and you will not receive the crown of life.] Job 36:20, 18
SO THEN, MY BELOVED BRETHREN, LET EVERY MAN BE SWIFT TO HEAR, SLOW TO SPEAK, SLOW TO WRATH; James 1:19
[Oh, good, Job, You have calmed down. You have repented to God by declaring,]…Behold, I am vile; what shall I answer you? I lay my hand over my mouth. Job 40:4
THEREFORE LAY ASIDE ALL FILTHINESS AND OVERFLOW OF WICKEDNESS, AND RECEIVE WITH MEEKNESS THE IMPLANTED WORD, WHICH IS ABLE TO SAVE YOUR SOULS. James 1:21
Then Job answered the Lord and said: I know that you can do everything, and that no purpose of yours can be withheld from you. Job 42:1, 2
TO BE CONTINUED……
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