1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, to the twelve tribes which are scattered abroad, greeting.

² My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations;

³ Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience.

⁴ But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing.

⁵ If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.

⁶ But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.

⁷ For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord.

⁸ A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.

⁹ Let the brother of low degree rejoice in that he is exalted:

¹⁰ But the rich, in that he is made low: because as the flower of the grass he shall pass away.

¹¹ For the sun is no sooner risen with a burning heat, but it withereth the grass, and the flower thereof falleth, and the grace of the fashion of it perisheth: so also shall the rich man fade away in his ways.

HEARING AND DOING THE WORD

Today's Lesson: 11  August 16, 2020

Center of Joy Church of God in Christ

invites you to join our live Zoom Sunday School broadcast starting at 9:30 a.m. - Central Time, (10:30 am Eastern), (7:30 a.m. Pacific)

Directly followed with our Morning Services on Zoom, Facebook and YouTube starting at approx. 10:45 a.m. Central Standard Time.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4975195342?pwd=cUZSckZ1MjFOUWpPSWlFb0dKY3RTdz09

For Zoom users - Windows or Mac users

Member ID: 497 519 5342

Password: 006175

Bible Basis: James 2:14-26

Bible Truth: James instructs believers to to live their lives in accordance with God's Word.

Memory Verse:

26 - For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also. (James 2:26)

Lesson Aim:

By the end of the lesson, we will: COMPARE and contrast faith that is no more than empty talk with faith that is proved by actions; REFLECT on the power of Abraham's and Rahab's examples of faith in action;

and DECIDE to demonstrate faith with tangible works.

Background Scriptures: James 2:14-26 - Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

Lesson Scripture:

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith save him?

15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food,

16 And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?

17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.

18 Yea, a man may say, Thou hast faith, and I have works: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works.

19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe, and tremble.

20 But wilt thou know, O vain man, that faith without works is dead?

21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac his son upon the altar?

22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect?

23 And the scripture was fulfilled which saith, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness: and he was called the Friend of God.

24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.

25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent them out another way?

26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.

Please share this email and invite others to join

Center of Joy Church of God in Christ

invites you to join our live Zoom Sunday School broadcast starting at 9:30 a.m. - Central Time,  (10:30 am Eastern),  (7:30 a.m. Pacifc Time)   Directly followed with our Morning Services on Zoom, Facebook and Youtube starting at approx. 10:45 a.m. Central Time.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4975195342?pwd=cUZSckZ1MjFOUWpPSWlFb0dKY3RTdz09

For Zoom users - Windows or Mac users

Member ID: 497 519 5342

Password: 006175

Bible Basis: James  3:1-12

Bible Truth: James urges believers to use their speech to build others up rather than tear them down

Memory Verse:

5 - Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!  (James 3:5)

Lesson Aim:

By the end of the lesson, we will: EXPLAIN how James' illustrations demonstrate the power of the tougue; REPENT of times when the use of our tongues has ignited a destructive fire; and PRACTICE controlling the tongue so it becomes a consistent source of refreshment to others.

Background Scriptures: James 3:1-12 - Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

Lesson Scripture:

1 My brethren, be not many masters, knowing that we shall receive the greater condemnation.

2 For in many things we offend all. If any man offend not in word, the same is a perfect man, and able also to bridle the whole body.

3 Behold, we put bits in the horses' mouths, that they may obey us; and we turn about their whole body.

4 Behold also the ships, which though they be so great, and are driven of fierce winds, yet are they turned about with a very small helm, whithersoever the governor listeth.

5 Even so the tongue is a little member, and boasteth great things. Behold, how great a matter a little fire kindleth!

6 And the tongue is a fire, a world of iniquity: so is the tongue among our members, that it defileth the whole body, and setteth on fire the course of nature; and it is set on fire of hell.

7 For every kind of beasts, and of birds, and of serpents, and of things in the sea, is tamed, and hath been tamed of mankind:

8 But the tongue can no man tame; it is an unruly evil, full of deadly poison.

9 Therewith bless we God, even the Father; and therewith curse we men, which are made after the similitude of God.

10 Out of the same mouth proceedeth blessing and cursing. My brethren, these things ought not so to be.

11 Doth a fountain send forth at the same place sweet water and bitter?

12 Can the fig tree, my brethren, bear olive berries? either a vine, figs? so can no fountain both yield salt water and fresh.

Please share this email and invite others to join

TWO KINDS OF WISDOM

Today's Lesson: 13  August 30, 2020

Center of Joy Church of God in Christ

invites you to join our live Zoom Sunday School broadcast starting at 9:30 a.m. - Central Time, (10:30 am Eastern), (7:30 a.m. Pacific time)     Directly followed with our Morning Services on Zoom, Facebook and Youtube starting at approx. 10:45 a.m. Central Time.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4975195342?pwd=cUZSckZ1MjFOUWpPSWlFb0dKY3RTdz09

For Zoom users - Windows or Mac users

Member ID: 497 519 5342

Password: 006175

Bible Basis: James  3:13-18; 5:7-12

Bible Truth: James compares two kinds of wisdom - wisdom from heaven and wisdom below - and exhorts believers to choose the wisdom that come from God.

Memory Verse:

17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy. (James 3:17)

Lesson Aim:

By the end of the lesson, we will: EXPLAIN how James' illustrations demonstrate the power of the tougue; REPENT of times when the use of our tongues has ignited a destructive fire; and PRACTICE controlling the tongue so it becomes a consistent source of refreshment to others.  Background Scriptures: James 3:13-18; 5:7-12 - Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

Lesson Scripture:

13 - Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.

14 - But if ye have bitter envying and strife in your hearts, glory not, and lie not against the truth.

15 - This wisdom descendeth not from above, but is earthly, sensual, devilish.

16 - For where envying and strife is, there is confusion and every evil work.

17 - But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without hypocrisy.

18 - And the fruit of righteousness is sown in peace of them that make peace.

James 5:7-12

7 - Be patient therefore, brethren, unto the coming of the Lord. Behold, the husbandman waiteth for the precious fruit of the earth, and hath long patience for it, until he receive the early and latter rain.

8 - Be ye also patient; stablish your hearts: for the coming of the Lord draweth nigh.

9 - Grudge not one against another, brethren, lest ye be condemned: behold, the judge standeth before the door.

10 - Take, my brethren, the prophets, who have spoken in the name of the Lord, for an example of suffering affliction, and of patience.

11 - Behold, we count them happy which endure. Ye have heard of the patience of Job, and have seen the end of the Lord; that the Lord is very pitiful, and of tender mercy.

12 - But above all things, my brethren, swear not, neither by heaven, neither by the earth, neither by any other oath: but let your yea be yea; and your nay, nay; lest ye fall into condemnation.

Please share this email and invite others to join

invites you to join our live Zoom Sunday School broadcast starting at 9:30 a.m. - Central Time,  (10:30 am Eastern),  (7:30 a.m. Pacific) Directly followed with our Morning Services on Zoom, Facebook and You Tube starting at approx. 10:45 a.m. cst.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4975195342?pwd=cUZSckZ1MjFOUWpPSWlFb0dKY3RTdz09

For Zoom users - Windows or Mac users

Member ID: 497 519 5342

Password: 006175

Today's Lesson: 1    -    September 6, 2020

ISSUES OF LOVE

Bible Basis: Genesis 37:2-11, 23-24, 28

Bible Truth: J

Memory Verse:

Lesson Aim:

By the end of the lesson, we will: EVALUATE the circumstances of love and hatred between Jacob's sons, REPENT of times when we've allowed jealousy to override a commitment to love and DEVELOP strategies to allow love to override feelings of jealousy and hatred .

Background Scriptures: Genesis 37 - Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

Lesson Scripture:

2 These are the generations of Jacob. Joseph, being seventeen years old, was feeding the flock with his brethren; and the lad was with the sons of Bilhah, and with the sons of Zilpah, his father's wives: and Joseph brought unto his father their evil report.

3 Now Israel loved Joseph more than all his children, because he was the son of his old age: and he made him a coat of many colours.

4 And when his brethren saw that their father loved him more than all his brethren, they hated him, and could not speak peaceably unto him.

5 And Joseph dreamed a dream, and he told it his brethren: and they hated him yet the more.

6 And he said unto them, Hear, I pray you, this dream which I have dreamed:

7 For, behold, we were binding sheaves in the field, and, lo, my sheaf arose, and also stood upright; and, behold, your sheaves stood round about, and made obeisance to my sheaf.

8 And his brethren said to him, Shalt thou indeed reign over us? or shalt thou indeed have dominion over us? And they hated him yet the more for his dreams, and for his words.

9 And he dreamed yet another dream, and told it his brethren, and said, Behold, I have dreamed a dream more; and, behold, the sun and the moon and the eleven stars made obeisance to me.

10 And he told it to his father, and to his brethren: and his father rebuked him, and said unto him, What is this dream that thou hast dreamed? Shall I and thy mother and thy brethren indeed come to bow down ourselves to thee to the earth?

11 And his brethren envied him; but his father observed the saying.

23 And it came to pass, when Joseph was come unto his brethren, that they stript Joseph out of his coat, his coat of many colours that was on him;

24 And they took him, and cast him into a pit: and the pit was empty, there was no water in it.

28 Then there passed by Midianites merchantmen; and they drew and lifted up Joseph out of the pit, and sold Joseph to the Ishmeelites for twenty pieces of silver: and they brought Joseph into Egypt.

Please share this email and invite others to join

Directly followed with our Morning Services on Zoom, Facebook and Youtube starting at approx. 10:45 a.m. cst.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4975195342?pwd=cUZSckZ1MjFOUWpPSWlFb0dKY3RTdz09

For Zoom users - Windows or Mac users

Member ID: 497 519 5342

Password: 006175

Today's Lesson: 2    -    September 13, 2020

GOD REWARDS OBEDIENCE

Bible Basis: Genesis 41:25-33, 37-40, 50-52

Bible Truth: Joseph runs from sexual sin, is wrongly imprisoned, but elevated by God.

Memory Verse:

39 - And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

40 - Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou. (Genesis 41:39-40)

Lesson Aim:

By the end of the lesson, we will: AGREE that God rewarded Joseph's faithfulness with sucess in Egypt, Determine to obey God, and REJOICE in God's providential care during times of suffering.

Background Scriptures: Genesis 41:14-57 - Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

Lesson Scripture:

25 And Joseph said unto Pharaoh, The dream of Pharaoh is one: God hath shewed Pharaoh what he is about to do.

26 The seven good kine are seven years; and the seven good ears are seven years: the dream is one.

27 And the seven thin and ill favoured kine that came up after them are seven years; and the seven empty ears blasted with the east wind shall be seven years of famine.

28 This is the thing which I have spoken unto Pharaoh: What God is about to do he sheweth unto Pharaoh.

29 Behold, there come seven years of great plenty throughout all the land of Egypt:

30 And there shall arise after them seven years of famine; and all the plenty shall be forgotten in the land of Egypt; and the famine shall consume the land;

31 And the plenty shall not be known in the land by reason of that famine following; for it shall be very grievous.

32 And for that the dream was doubled unto Pharaoh twice; it is because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

33 Now therefore let Pharaoh look out a man discreet and wise, and set him over the land of Egypt.

37 And the thing was good in the eyes of Pharaoh, and in the eyes of all his servants.

38 And Pharaoh said unto his servants, Can we find such a one as this is, a man in whom the Spirit of God is?

39 And Pharaoh said unto Joseph, Forasmuch as God hath shewed thee all this, there is none so discreet and wise as thou art:

40 Thou shalt be over my house, and according unto thy word shall all my people be ruled: only in the throne will I be greater than thou.

50 And unto Joseph were born two sons before the years of famine came, which Asenath the daughter of Potipherah priest of On bare unto him.

51 And Joseph called the name of the firstborn Manasseh: For God, said he, hath made me forget all my toil, and all my father's house.

52 And the name of the second called he Ephraim: For God hath caused me to be fruitful in the land of my affliction.

Please share this email and invite others to join

invites you to join our live Zoom Sunday School broadcast starting at 9:30 a.m. - Central Time,  (10:30 am Eastern),  (7:30 a.m. Pacific)

Directly followed with our Morning Services on Zoom, Facebook and YouTube starting at approx. 10:45 a.m. Central.

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4975195342?pwd=cUZSckZ1MjFOUWpPSWlFb0dKY3RTdz09

For Zoom users - Windows or Mac users

Member ID: 497 519 5342

Password: 006175

Today's Lesson: 3   -    September 20, 2020

LOVE VERSUS GUILT

Bible Basis: Genesis 42: 6-25

Bible Truth: 

God positions Joseph in reunited with his brothers who traveled to Egypt to purchase food during the famine.

Memory Verse: Genesis 42:2

Lesson Aim:

By the end of the lesson, we will: EVALUATE why Joseph's brothers interpreted their misfortune as punishment for their sins, VALUE wholeness in their personal relationships, and FORGIVE  those who mistreat them.

Background Scriptures: Genesis 42
- Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lessons.

Lesson Scripture: Genesis 6-25

⁶ And Joseph was the governor over the land, and he it was that sold to all the people of the land: and Joseph's brethren came, and bowed down themselves before him with their faces to the earth.

⁷ And Joseph saw his brethren, and he knew them, but made himself strange unto them, and spake roughly unto them; and he said unto them, Whence come ye? And they said, From the land of Canaan to buy food.

⁸ And Joseph knew his brethren, but they knew not him.

⁹ And Joseph remembered the dreams which he dreamed of them, and said unto them, Ye are spies; to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

¹⁰ And they said unto him, Nay, my lord, but to buy food are thy servants come.

¹¹ We are all one man's sons; we are true men, thy servants are no spies.

¹² And he said unto them, Nay, but to see the nakedness of the land ye are come.

¹³ And they said, Thy servants are twelve brethren, the sons of one man in the land of Canaan; and, behold, the youngest is this day with our father, and one is not.

¹⁴ And Joseph said unto them, That is it that I spake unto you, saying, Ye are spies:

¹⁵ Hereby ye shall be proved: By the life of Pharaoh ye shall not go forth hence, except your youngest brother come hither.

¹⁶ Send one of you, and let him fetch your brother, and ye shall be kept in prison, that your words may be proved, whether there be any truth in you: or else by the life of Pharaoh surely ye are spies.

¹⁷ And he put them all together into ward three days.

¹⁸ And Joseph said unto them the third day, This do, and live; for I fear God:

¹⁹ If ye be true men, let one of your brethren be bound in the house of your prison: go ye, carry corn for the famine of your houses:

²⁰ But bring your youngest brother unto me; so shall your words be verified, and ye shall not die. And they did so.

²¹ And they said one to another, We are verily guilty concerning our brother, in that we saw the anguish of his soul, when he besought us, and we would not hear; therefore is this distress come upon us.

²² And Reuben answered them, saying, Spake I not unto you, saying, Do not sin against the child; and ye would not hear? therefore, behold, also his blood is required.

²³ And they knew not that Joseph understood them; for he spake unto them by an interpreter.

²⁴ And he turned himself about from them, and wept; and returned to them again, and communed with them, and took from them Simeon, and bound him before their eyes.

²⁵ Then Joseph commanded to fill their sacks with corn, and to restore every man's money into his sack, and to give them provision for the way: and thus did he unto them.

invites you to join our live Zoom Sunday School broadcast starting at 9:30 a.m. - Central Time,  (10:30 am Eastern),  (7:30 a.m. Pacific)

Directly followed with our Morning Services on Zoom, Facebook and YouTube starting at approx. 10:45 a.m. Central Standard Time)

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/4975195342?pwd=cUZSckZ1MjFOUWpPSWlFb0dKY3RTdz09

For Zoom users - Windows or Mac users

Member ID: 497 519 5342

Password: 006175

Today's Lesson: 4   -    September 27, 2020

GOD PLAN REVEALED

Bible Basis: Genesis 45:1-15

Bible Truth: God positions Joseph in Egypt to provide food for his family during famine.

Memory Verse:

Lesson Aim:

By the end of the lesson, we will: EVALUATE Joseph's response to his past mistreatment by his brothers, EXPRESS faith that God is at work in difficult circumstances, and REACT to mistreatment not with vengeance, but with creative transforming initiatives.

Background Scriptures: Genesis 43; 45:1-15 - Read and incorporate the insights gained from the Background Scriptures into your study of the lesson.

Lesson Scripture:  Genesis 45:1-15   KJV

1 Then Joseph could not refrain himself before all them that stood by him; and he cried, Cause every man to go out from me. And there stood no man with him, while Joseph made himself known unto his brethren.

2 And he wept aloud: and the Egyptians and the house of Pharaoh heard.

3 And Joseph said unto his brethren, I am Joseph; doth my father yet live? And his brethren could not answer him; for they were troubled at his presence.

4 And Joseph said unto his brethren, Come near to me, I pray you. And they came near. And he said, I am Joseph your brother, whom ye sold into Egypt.

5 Now therefore be not grieved, nor angry with yourselves, that ye sold me hither: for God did send me before you to preserve life.

6 For these two years hath the famine been in the land: and yet there are five years, in the which there shall neither be earing nor harvest.

7 And God sent me before you to preserve you a posterity in the earth, and to save your lives by a great deliverance.

8 So now it was not you that sent me hither, but God: and he hath made me a father to Pharaoh, and lord of all his house, and a ruler throughout all the land of Egypt.

9 Haste ye, and go up to my father, and say unto him, Thus saith thy son Joseph, God hath made me lord of all Egypt: come down unto me, tarry not:

10 And thou shalt dwell in the land of Goshen, and thou shalt be near unto me, thou, and thy children, and thy children's children, and thy flocks, and thy herds, and all that thou hast:

11 And there will I nourish thee; for yet there are five years of famine; lest thou, and thy household, and all that thou hast, come to poverty.

12 And, behold, your eyes see, and the eyes of my brother Benjamin, that it is my mouth that speaketh unto you.

13 And ye shall tell my father of all my glory in Egypt, and of all that ye have seen; and ye shall haste and bring down my father hither.

14 And he fell upon his brother Benjamin's neck, and wept; and Benjamin wept upon his neck.

15 Moreover he kissed all his brethren, and wept upon them: and after that his brethren talked with him.

Please share this email and invite others to join