Jan. 22 - Pure & Faultless Religion

James 1:19-27

First listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon). Then use the ideas below to help you and your group apply what the Lord is teaching you.

Icebreaker idea

Share about a time that you “put your foot in your mouth,” or didn’t control your tongue.

What impact did that have on me and the other person?

Talk it over

• What was one thing from this week’s sermon that impacted/challenged me?

• Treasuring God: Whether or not we engage the helpless says a lot about our “religion” or what we truly believe about God. Why do you think that is?

• Being Transformed: What are some things that keep me from doing what this passage talks about. How can I allow Jesus to begin to change that?

• Loving Others: What is one step that I can take to play a part in caring for the “orphans” that were shared about today?

• Pursuing Unity: How can we pursue this more intentionally together? Is there an “orphan or widow” that we can care for as a group?

  RightNow Resource: Check out the VIDEO of James 1:19-27 in Francis Chan’s James Study. (If you aren’t yet set up on RightNow media text NPBEREAN to 49775 to set up an account)

A way to pray

Create a time of open prayer and encourage everyone to participate through short “popcorn” prayers starting out with “God, move, have mercy, help or thanks! Maybe it’s, “God move in my heart so that what comes off of my tongue glorifies You!. Or “God, help… me to know how to begin to engage _________ (who is an orphan or widow in my life). Or “God, help… me to be quick to listen, slow to speak, slow to become angry this week as I _______." Or maybe, “God, thanks… for the way that You ______.”