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 ______.”

Colossians 1:15-20

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

What was one “highlight” from over the holidays? What what was one “lowlight?”

Talk it over

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

• Treasuring God: Why does the steadfast love of the Lord matter to me personally?

• Being Transformed: Which set of feelings do I relate to currently? In light of this, how do I need the Lord’s help?

• Loving Others: What set of feelings do I see most evident in those around me? What can I do to engage that reality?

• Pursuing Unity: How is the steadfast love of the Lord influencing my interaction with others?

A way to pray

God, Help… (create a time of open prayer and encourage everyone to engage through short “popcorn” prayers starting out with “God, help!” Maybe it’s, “God, help, I’m feeling…” Or “God help, so and so” Whatever words you choose to follow, “God, help.” Let them be a cry from your heart!

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Note: Grow Groups resume the week of January 15, so now is a great time to find a group or start one! Visit npberean.org/grow-groups to find out more/get more resources.

During the holidays, we’re encouraging Grow Groups to take a break from meeting regularly (season resumes 1/15). Throughout this time, first listen to the sermon (posts Sun. afternoon), then consider using the “Swedish Method” as a helpful approach to engage the key passage from the sermon further.

Talk it over

💡 What did you notice from the passage? What stood out to you while reading or listening to it?

❓ What questions do you have from the passage? Was there anything you did not understand? Was there something you would like to ask the writer or the Lord from the passage?

→ Where can we take what was said and apply it to our life?

Colossians 1:15-20

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

What Christmas tradition do you try to do every year? How many years have you been doing this?

Talk it over

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

• Treasuring God: How does this passage and a right understanding of the two Advents change my perspective of God’s character and plan?

• Being Transformed: What area of my life do I long to see be fully restored? How am I allowing Jesus to begin restoring that now?

• Loving Others: In what ways can the second Advent influence how I interact with others? (specifically those who aren’t following Jesus?)

• Pursuing Unity: Does the way that we interact as a group point to the complete restoration that is to come? What are some tangible ways we can grow in this area together?

A way to pray

Thank the Lord for His coming to be with us, that we celebrate this month. In the midst of all the Holiday festivities, ask God for the ability to keep Him at the center and everything else in right perspective. Thank the Lord for His plan of restoration and the beautiful hope that one day there will be complete peace and joy! Ask Him for strength and wisdom to be faithful as we wait for His second coming in this broken world that so longs to be restored.