Here it is November and the kids and I have finally finished our summer bible study!  It’s a very in-depth study and completing it in 8 weeks just wasn’t an option for us.  It took us about 4 months after we started it in late June but it was such a good study that it was well worth the extra time.

Have you ever heard of the National Bible Bee?  Several years back in Colorado, we joined the National Bible Bee summer study program.  Several of our friends started a bible bee club where each we would would gather and play games with the intent of helping us remember what we studied during the week.  I remember that first year the study was on Jonah.  We also helped each other study our memory verses because at the end of the summer our local chapter held a huge competition with a written test and recitation of memory verses to see who would qualify to go on to the national championship in November.

This past summer NBB’s study was on the book of James so the kids and I spent weeks pouring over James, learning many greek words, memorizing scripture, singing, praying and being immersed in God’s word.

I love how you can study the same Scripture multiple times and learn something new.  Our workbook gave a summary of James…

…James was written by James to scattered Jewish believers.  It exhorts Christians for all time to live in such a way that their saving faith is vibrant and alive, not anemic or dead.  James gives practical, obligatory maxims that, when put into practice, produce a joyful, Christian lifestyle that is thriving and maturing in God.  We are not told our lives are free of trials, yet our key verse, James 1:2, admonishes us to be joyful in the midst of tests.

Some things that stood out to me from this study…

• Enduring trials builds our faith and helps us be steadfast.
• In James it says to ask for wisdom we need to pray in earnest without doubt.
• The result of a faithless prayer is to be double-minded with little faith.
• Temptations come from our own desires and lusts.
• Following the enticements of my own heart ultimately leads to death.
• James spoke strongly about temptation leads to sin, which leads to death.
• By remaining steadfast in trials we will become mature in our walk.
• Those that endure and persevere receive the crown of life.
• James 1:2 Consider it all joy my beloved brethren when you encounter various trials.
• We must be quick to hear, slow to speak and slow to anger.
• Prove myself doer of the Word.
• Moral filth in our life is an impediment to our ability to receive with meekness the Word implanted.
• The anger of man does not achieve the righteousness of God.
• Our tongue can bless and curse… all in the same sentence.
• God’s grace is sufficient, rejoice in my trials and the power of Christ will rest upon me.

My kids were able to memorize many passages over the last 4 months and they all said this was one of their favorite studies.  Can’t wait for next summer’s National Bible Bee study.

Next up, we are going to go through the DVD series call How Do We Know the Bible is True? by British theologian Brian Edwards.