James 1-5

Grow:

• Remind yourself of all you’ve learned in the book of James in this excellent summary.

• In our study of James, what has been most encouraging? What has been most convicting? Journal your thoughts.

Share:

• What has James taught you about living in dependance on God rather than self-sufficiency? How might that change your daily rhythms of prayer?

• Six months from now, what do you hope will be noticeably different because of what God has taught you through this James series?

Connect:

• How can we hold each other accountable to practice what we’ve learned through James, in a way that builds up and encourages?

• Pray for each other. Specifically ask for help putting into practice truths God has impressed on our hearts through this series.

• Explore Acts 5:17-42 together to prepare for next week’s sermon.

James 5:12-20

Grow:

• Where have you allowed inconvenience, busyness, or changing priorities to keep you from following through on a commitment? Why? Journal your thoughts.

• If someone observed your prayer life over the past month, what would they conclude about your dependance on God? What needs to change?

Share:

• Who in your life seems to be drifting away from Jesus or Christian Community? How can you pursue and encourage them today?

• What specific step of obedience can you take this week in response to what God has shown you in this passage?

Connect:

• What does it look like to pursue someone who is wandering with both truth and gentleness? How can we avoid being judgmental while still taking sin seriously? (Gal. 6:1, James 5:19-20)

• James calls on believers to confess sins and pray for each other. How can we make our group a safe place for vulnerable confession and sincere prayer?Explore James 5:12-20 together to prepare for next week’s sermon.

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.