Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Rescue a Stray

Introduction:

1 John 2:19 - They went out from us, but they were not of us; for if they had been of us, they would have continued with us. But they went out, that it might become plain that they all are not of us.

How to Rescue a Stray (James 5:19-20):

1. Learn how to Recognize a stray. (Jas 5:19a, 20a)

   Matthew 9:13 - For I came not to call the righteous, but sinners.

   Romans 5:8 - but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us...

2. Remember what's at stake. (Jas 5:20b)

   Revelation 21:8 - But as for the cowardly, the faithless, the detestable, as for murderers, the sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars, their portion will be in the lake that burns with fire and sulfur, which is the second death.

3. Take Responsibility . (Jas 5:19b, 20a)

   2 Corinthians 5:18, 20 - All this is from God, who through Christ reconciled us to himself and gave us the ministry of reconciliation... Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, God making his appeal through us.

4. Encourage Repentance . (Jas 5:19b, 20)

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 5:19-20

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. How do you know when someone is “wandering from the truth”? How do you know when to stop pursuing a stray?
   

3. What is the motivation behind rescuing a stray? How much does this motivation move you?
   

4. Why is repentance a necessary part of receiving Jesus? Can you receive Jesus without repenting? Why or why not?
   

5. Have you been going after a stray? Share your experience with the group (no names!).

Breakout
Who do you know who has “wandered away” from Harvest? Pray for them, and call / text them NOW.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to See Prayer Answered

Introduction:

How to See Prayer Answered (James 5:13-18):

1. Make prayer the Norm . (Jas 5:13)

   1 Thessalonians 5:17 - pray without ceasing…

2. Call for Help . (Jas 5:14-15)
3. Deal with Sin openly. (Jas 5:16)
4. Believe that prayer Works . (Jas 5:17-18)

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 5:13-18

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Why do you think most of our prayer requests are about physical needs, and relatively few are about spiritual needs?
   

3. Why does James instruct us to call on church leaders for prayer (Jas 5:14)? What do you think is the purpose of the oil?
   

4. How would you respond to someone who says “I tried praying - and it didn’t work.”?
   

5. What was the point of the Elijah illustration (Jas 5:17-18)? What does this teach us about answered prayer in our lives?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Tell the Truth

Introduction:

If I'm Going to Tell the Truth: (James 5:12)

1. I must understand Truth is the highest priority .
2. I must stop Seaking Deceptively .

   Matthew 5:33-37

   Matthew 23:16-19

3. I must speak Honestly .
4. I must reckon with the Consequences for lying .

   Matthew 5:34-37

5. I must do What is true .

   Colossians 3:9 - Do not lie to one another, seeing that you have put off the old self with its practices.

   Ephesians 4:25 - Therefore, having put away falsehood, let each one of you speak the truth with his neighbor, for we are members one of another.

   Matthew 7:12 - So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the Prophets.

   1 John 2:3-6 - And by this we know that we have come to know him, if we keep his commandments. Whoever says “I know him” but does not keep his commandments is a liar, and the truth is not in him, but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked.

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 5:12

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What are some reasons we may not take our responsibility to tell the truth seriously? How valid are those reasons?
   

3. What are some excuses people make to minimize the wrongfulness of lying?
   

4. What types of lies are you most prone to telling? For example, exaggeration, excuse making, stonewalling (“I’m fine”), etc.?
   

5. Does the connection between keeping the Lord’s commands and being truthful make it simpler or harder to tell the truth? (1 John 2:3-6; Matthew 7:12)

Breakout
Pray that the Lord will impress on our hearts the imperative to be truthful, and that as a congregation we will be committed to telling the truth in love..

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Be Patient with People

Introduction:

Five Things to Say to Yourself When You Are Losing Your Patience with People: (James 5:1-11)

1. Lost people act like Lost People . (Jas 5:1-6)

   Matthew 6:21 - For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

2. Things won't Always be as they are now. (Jas 5:7-8)

   Romans 8:18 - For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us.

3. Don't forfeit your Rewards . (Jas 5:9)

   2 John 8 - Watch yourselves, so that you may not lose what we have worked for, but may win a full reward.

4. Faithful people are patient. (Jas 5:10)
5. Patience is Good for me. (Jas 5:11)

   Job 1:22 - In all this Job did not sin or charge God with wrong.

   Job 42:5 - I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you...

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 5:1-11

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Do you struggle to be patient with people? What kinds of things do people do that require extra patience (no names!)?
   

3. How is the Christian life like being a farmer, according to Jas 5:7?
   

4. Which of these 5 reminders from James on how to be patient with people is the most helpful to you? Why?
   

5. Which person from the Bible (besides Jesus Christ) do you find most inspiring to you in your walk with Christ? Why?
   

6. How is patience ultimately a benefit for the one who has to show patience (Jas 5:11)?

Breakout
Pray for one another to be patient with people.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Craft Your 5-Year Plan

Introduction:

Goal for 2024: I will - ___

How to Craft Your 5-Year Plan (James 4:13-17)

1. You need to know what you Don't Know . (Jas 4:13-14)
   1. You don't know what is going to Happen tomorrow. (Jas 4:14a)

      Proverbs 27:1 - Do not boast about tomorrow, for you do not know what a day may bring.

   2. You don't know if you will Have a tomorrow. (Jas 4:14b)
2. You need to stop the Self-Confidence . (Jas 4:15-16)

   Numbers 20:10-12 - Then Moses and Aaron gathered the assembly together before the rock, and he said to them, "Hear now, you rebels: shall we bring water for you out of this rock?" And Moses lifted up his hand and struck the rock with his staff twice, and water came out abundantly, and the congregation drank, and their livestock. And the LORD said to Moses and Aaron, "Because you did not believe in me, to uphold me as holy in the eyes of the people of Israel, therefore you shall not bring this assembly into the land that I have given them."

3. You need to do whatever God says - ASAP . (Jas 4:17)
4. You need to acknowledge God has the Final Say . (Jas 4:15)

   Acts 18:21 - I will return to you again if God wills.

   1 Corinthians 4:19 - I will come to you soon, if the Lord wills.

   1 Corinthians 16:5-7 - I will visit you after passing through Macedonia, for I intend to pass through Macedonia, and perhaps I will stay with you or even spend the winter, so that you may help me on my journey, wherever I go. For I do not want to see you now just in passing. I hope to spend some time with you, if the Lord permits.

   Philippians 1:20 - as it is my eager expectation and hope that I will not be at all ashamed, but that with full courage now as always Christ will be honored in my body, whether by life or by death.

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 4:13-17

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Did you make a 2024 New Year’s Resolution? What are some resolutions you made in the past?
   

3. Is James saying it is wrong to make plans? Why or why not?
   

4. Explain why making plans apart from God is “arrogant” and “evil” (Jas 4:16). Why is this such a serious sin?
   

5. Is there anything you know God wants you to do, but you’ve been putting it off? What is keeping you from obeying God today?

Breakout
Pray for one another to make your 2024 plans in the way that acknowledges God in all things.