James 5:7-11

Grow:

• Read Psalm 37:7-8. How can we distinguish between patiently trusting God and passively doing nothing? What could faithful patience look like in your everyday life?

• Where are you most tempted to take matters into your own hands rather than patiently trusting God’s timing? Journal your reflections.

Share:

• Is there someone in your life you’ve grown impatient, frustrated, or critical toward? What would it look like to extend the same patience and mercy God has shown you?

• If you genuinely believed Jesus could come back at any moment, what would you want to change about the way you’re currently living? What step can you take today?

Connect:

• How can we remain confident in God’s goodness when we don’t understand what He’s doing or why He’s allowing suffering?

• What is one situation in your life where you need to surrender your timeline to God and trust His compassion and mercy. Spend time praying for what is shared.

• Explore James 5:12-20 together to prepare for next week’s sermon.

James 5:1-6

Grow:

• For a deep dive into Jesus’ teaching on wealth, watch this video.

• What do your spending, saving, and giving habits reveal about your priorities. Are you prioritizing your comfort over opportunities to bless others? Journal your reflections.

Share:

• What is one practical step you could take this week to become more generous and attentive to someone else’s needs?

• What resources besides money has God entrusted to you? (time, abilities, influence, possessions, etc.)? How could you use one of these to benefit someone else this week?

Connect:

• How can we tell when money/possessions have become more important to us than God? What are some warning signs that wealth is starting to control our hearts?

• Read 2 Cor. 8:9. How does Jesus’ example challenge the way we think about wealth, comfort, and generosity?

• Explore James 5:7-11 together to prepare for next week’s sermon.

James 4:11-17

Grow:

• For more insight into the biblical meaning of the word, “judge,” watch BibleProject video.

• Why is it often easier to identify what is wrong with someone else than to examine our own hearts? In what situations are you tempted to criticize, compare, or judge others? Journal your reflections.

Share:

• Who is someone you are tempted to criticize or condemn? What is one practical way you can show them the same mercy God has shown you?

• What is something you already know God wants you to do, that you have been putting off? How can you take a step towards obedience in that area today?

Connect:

• In what areas of life are you tempted to live as though you control your future? Why is that? What can we do to fight this?

• How can we pray for one another as we seek to surrender our judgments and desires to control to the Lord?

• Read James 5:1-6 together to prepare for next week’s sermon.

James 4:1-10

Grow:

• Explore how “desire” appears throughout scripture. What do these verses reveal about our “desires”?

• Reflect on a recent conflict or frustration. What did you want? How did unfulfilled desire contribute to your response?

Share:

• What would it look like for you to practically “draw near to God” this week rather than just trying harder to fix your circumstances?

• Where is God calling you to respond differently because of James’ teaching? What step do you need to take to align your desires with God?

Connect:

• How do our desires affect the way we treat God, our spouse, children, coworkers, friends, church family? What needs to change?

• James offers very practical ways to repent: submit to God. Resist the devil. Draw near to God. Cleanse your hands. Purify your hearts. Humble yourself. Where is God calling you to repent? Why?

• Read James 4:11-17 together to prepare for next week’s sermon.