Uniform Lesson for August 30, 2020 Scripture passage and lesson focus: James 3:13-18, 5:7-12 We now end up almost where we began. We led off our study of wisdom in the first chapter of Proverbs, where the voice of wisdom competed with the voices of those who urged us to “fill our houses with booty” (1:13). We end with James exhorting us to ground our lives in wisdom that comes down from above versus insight that is “earthly, unspiritual, devilish.” Are our works done with “gentleness born of wisdom” or with “bitter envy and selfish ambition” in our hearts? James 3:13-18 — Back to fruits In a world where futures can be determined by scores on tests with acronyms like MMPI, SAT and ACT, James gives us an invitation to a world where wisdom is measured by how our actions bring people together versus drive them apart. Presbyterians believe that education is not only a good thing but a necessary thing, in church as well as school. Sermons that cause us to think and classes that expand … [Read more...]

Uniform Lesson for August 23, 2020 Scripture passage and lesson focus: James 3:1-12 The writer of the letter of James has already wisely warned us to be “quick to listen” and “slow to speak” (1:19). What a difference, we observed, that would make: in sidewalk banter, boardroom discussions and presbytery deliberations! Now we are warned about the potential for both harm and help once we begin to form words with our tongues. This is not abstract wisdom but wisdom as tangible as the tongues and palates and vocal cords in our bodies. Just think about the power of words in the human community down through the centuries, especially words bearing false testimony surrounding gender, race or God. James 3:1-5 — A warning to teachers James leads off with a particular warning to teachers. In Scripture, spoken words can create and destroy not only people but worlds. God said, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3). Moses (through Aaron) said, “Let my people go” (Exodus 5:1). Jesus said, “Lazarus, … [Read more...]

Uniform Lesson for August 16, 2020 Scripture passage and lesson focus: James 2:14-26 James poses this question: “Can faith [alone] save you?” “Certainly!” all us Presbyterians shout back immediately — already having violated James’ admonition to be “quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to anger [or aggression]” (1:19)! Aren’t we the people of “grace alone, faith alone, Scripture alone” (Book of Order, F-2.04)? But now, let us circle back, think of our journey from Proverbs through the Gospels and on to James. Proverbs reminded us that “the fear of the Lord [and only the Lord] is the beginning of knowledge” (1:7). Jesus, in the Gospels, reminded us that “wisdom is vindicated by her deeds [works]” (Matthew 11:19). James calls us to be single-minded, versus “double-minded” (1:8), in our trust and/or allegiance to the Lord. Faith, then, can never simply mean intellectual assent or doctrinal purity. Faith is a matter of orientation and loyalty. A person can’t eat the bread and drink the … [Read more...]

Uniform Lesson for August 9, 2020 Scripture passage and lesson focus: James 1:19-27 As we move further into James, the reverberations from Proverbs grow louder and clearer. This is advice that’s practical, tangible and specific. James has little concern for wisdom that is limited to diplomas or creeds. James is looking for wisdom that has legs. James 1:19-21 — Acting fast and slow The world’s wisdom has a special place for quick responses — in sidewalk banter, board room discussions and presbytery deliberations. And yet, just as several authors are touting the benefits of thinking slow versus fast, so James advocates being quick to do one thing (listen), and slow to do two others (speak and get angry). Imagine, if you would, a meeting where everyone was as quick to listen as they were to speak. Have you ever noticed that, in a discussion, the one who waits longest to speak often has the most to say? And Lord have mercy on us regarding anger. The old adage about counting to 10 … [Read more...]

Uniform Lesson for August 2, 2020 Scripture passage and lesson focus: James 1:1-11 We wrap up our study of the “Many Faces of Wisdom” with five weeks in James, a practical counterpart in the New Testament to Proverbs in the Old. Many similar themes and subjects appear here. There is an emphasis on binary choices, like the invitation to the house of Woman Wisdom versus that of Woman Folly. There is a distrust of any thinking that does not translate into practice, though here the discussion shifts from wisdom and her deeds (Matthew 11:19) to faith and its works. There is a lot of talk about how we use the parts of our body, though while Proverbs talks much about the feet and their paths, James focuses more on the hands (extended in care) and the mouth (particularly the tongue). In this first lesson, we will recognize the call away from double-mindedness (James 1:8), but we may be surprised by what James has to say regarding riches and suffering. James 1:5-8 — Double-mindedness The … [Read more...]

Uniform Lesson for July 26, 2020 Scripture passage and lesson focus: John 14:1-14 Our last stop on this Wisdom/Gospel tour is John. Once more, this is a very familiar passage approached from a quite different perspective. Rather than hearing this as a word of comfort for a service of Witness to the Resurrection, let us hear the passage as a lesson from Wisdom to her class. How is Jesus, in John, portrayed as a teacher of wisdom as he prepares to depart from his students/disciples? How can Woman Wisdom help us hear the truth of Rabbi Jesus as we seek to follow in his and her way? John 14:1-6 — A homecoming invitation Way back in Proverbs, at the beginning of this series, we heard of Woman Wisdom’s invitation to come to her house: “Wisdom has built her house, she has hewn her seven pillars. She has slaughtered her animals, she has mixed her wine, she has also set her table” (Proverbs 9:1-2). Here, Jesus talks about his Father’s house with many dwelling places and promises to go and … [Read more...]