Study Title: The Flight of the Radiant Woman Author: Kirby Williams Lesson Title: The Ecclesia in Peter and James Lesson No.: 10 Lesson Text: 1Peter 1:1-2 Memory Verse: "" -ESV -------------------------------------------------- IV. The Ecclesia in the New Testament. G. The Ecclesia in Peter. ** The word "ecclesia" is not found in either of Peter's letters. 1. According to Peter, what kinds of people comprise the church? (1Pet. 1:1-2, 2:11) 2. How does Peter see the church being built? (1Pet. 2:5) 3. Read 1Pet. 2:9. As far as the history of the church is concerned, what is so significant about this designation of the Christian church? H. The Ecclesia in James. 1. Read James 2:1-7 and find the word that would refer to the church. a. Read James 2:1. - What is immediately apparent as the subject of this discussion? - According to James, what kind of partiality is acceptable in the church? - What is James' point here? - What is the significance of referring to Jesus as the "Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory". b. Read James 2:2. - The word of interest is "assembly" here, but it is not the word "ecclesia" but the word "sunagoge" (sun-a-goe-gay). - What kind of identifiers is James using in pointing out the difference between the two men? c. Read James 2:3-4. - Why according to James have the people of the church become judges with evil thoughts? - What social phenomena is James pointing out to his congregation that is still true today? - Why do you think this is so? d. Read James 2:6-7. - In these last two verses, why is James telling his readers collusion with the wealthy is so damaging 2. Read James 5:13-15. a. Read James 5:13. - What do you notice about the two situations listed in verse 13? - What according to James is the solution in both situations? - That is the subject of this discussion. b. Read James 5:14. - In verse 14 what is the third situation James lists that should be answered in prayer? - What is the divine prescription for these problems? - Is there anything magical or mystical about the anointing with oil? c. Read James 5:15. - What specifically does James say will heal the one who is sick? ** The word for prayer here is a rare one in the context it means "a fervent request or petition". The prayer of faith is fervent prayer, knowing that God can heal the person, but trusting in His sovereignty in that choice. **All quotations are taken from the English Standard Version of the Bible unless otherwise noted.