Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Play Well With Others

Introduction:

How to Play Well With Others (James 4:1-12):

1. Stop being so Self-centered . (Jas 4:1-3)
2. Get Right with God. (Jas 4:4-10)

   4 Things I Must Do to Humble Myself:

   1. I must Submit to God. (Jas 4:7a-8a)
   2. I must Repent from my sin. (Jas 4:8b)
   3. I must Mourn over my sinfulness. (Jas 4:9)
   4. I must receive God's Grace . (Jas 4:10)
3. Stop Slandering . (Jas 4:11-12)

   3 Things You Also Say When You Slander:

   1. "I Hate that person." (Jas 4:11a)
   2. "God's word means Nothing to me." (Jas 4:11bc)

      Galatians 5:14 - For the whole law is fulfilled in one word: "You shall love your neighbor as yourself."

   3. "I should be God ." (Jas 4:12)

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 4:1-12

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

2. Why do you think people would rather fight for what they want than ask God for it (Jas 4:2)?
   

3. In Jas 4:3, James says when we ask God for something with selfish motives, He will not answer. How can you tell if what you are asking for comes from a selfish motive or a God-glorifying motive? If you realize you are being selfish in what you are asking for, what should you do? How does this change how you pray?
   

4. What does it mean to “humble yourself”? How do you know when you have done that? In what area of “humbling yourself” do you find the most difficult? Why? See Jas 4:7-10.
   

5. Why does James talk about slander here? How is slander destructive? What should you do if someone is slandering someone else to you?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Be Wise

Introduction:

James 1:5 - If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

How to be Wise (James 3:13-18)

1. Understand what wisdom is. (Jas 3:13)
2. Know the difference between Me-first wisdom and Godly wisdom. (Jas 3:14-18)

   Three questions to ask yourself that will determine what kind of wisdom you live by:

   1. Where does my wisdom come from?
   2. Who is my wisdom meant to benefit?
   3. What is my wisdom producing?
3. Apply liberally.

   Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

   1 Corinthians 1:30 - ...you are in Christ Jesus, who became to us wisdom from God...

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 3:13-18

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

2. How can you tell where your wisdom comes from - whether it’s demonic (Jas 3:15) or from above (Jas 3:17)?
   

3. In what area do you need God’s wisdom right now? How does this passage encourage you in both what to do and what NOT to do?
   

4. Have you ever held non-Christians to Biblical standards? (For example: telling your non-Christian coworker he shouldn’t swear because of what the Bible says about our speech.) Why doesn’t that work? How should you address them instead?

Breakout
Pray for one another to grow in godly wisdom.

Praying on Purpose - Living To Gain Wisdom

Introduction:

Living To Gain Wisdom (Psalm 1)

1. Wisdom comes when we Rise above worldy influence . (Ps 1:1)
2. Wisdom comes when we Rightly interact with God's Word . (Ps 1:2)

   2 Timothy 3:16 - "All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness."

3. Wisdom comes when we Recognize the alternative . (Ps 1:3-4)
4. Wisdom comes when we Righteously walk with God . (Ps 1:5-6)

   James 1:5 - "If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you."

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Small Group Discussion
Read Psalm 1

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

2. Is there a habit or an area of your life that might be holding you back from living to gain wisdom?
   

3. Do you humbly and genuinely ask God for wisdom? If you do or have, in what ways have you seen Him "give generously" to you (James 1:5)?
   

4. Is there a particular method of "meditation" that works for you to help you fully comprehend and absorb what God is saying to you through Scripture? Is there any method you'd like to try to implement?

Breakout
Pray for one another!

What Good is Wisdom?

Introduction:

Control What You Can, Forget What You Can't:
(Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:15)

1. I can't control Popular Opinion ...
   ... but I can control My Reputation .
   (Eccl 9:13-10:1)

2. I can't control People's Conduct ...
   ... but I can control How I Respond to People . (Eccl 10:2-7)

   Proverbs 15:1 - A soft answer turns away wrath, but a harsh word stirs up anger.

3. I can't control Accidents Happening ...
   ... but I can control How Carefully I Work . (Eccl 10:8-11)
4. I can't control What People Say ...
   ... but I can control What I Say . (Eccl 10:12-15)

   Matthew 12:34 - For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Ecclesiastes 9:11-10:15

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

2. Share something in your life that you have no control over. In that situation, what CAN you control (about yourself)?
   

3. In which area do you have the hardest time with self-control? Why? How can that change for you?
   

4. Since God’s wisdom is always successful and effective, why do you think the world is so enamored with foolishness (celebrity opinions, fools elected as rulers)? See Eccl 9:16-17, 10:5-6.

Breakout
Pray for one another as we officially launch Small Group season!

Walk Wisely: Seduction Destruction.

Introduction:

How to Avoid Destruction by Seduction (Proverbs 6:20-35):

1. Let God's Word direct you, not your Feelings. (Prov 6:20-24a)
2. Watch out for Bait. (Prov 6:24b-25)
3. Consider what it Will Cost you. (Prov 6:26-35).

1. The consequences are Inevitable. (Prov 6:27-29)
2. The consequences will get you no Pity. (Prov 6:30-31)
3. The consequences are foolishly Self-Destructive. (Prov 6:32-35)

Proverbs 4:26 - Ponder the path of your feet; then all your ways will be sure.

Moral Fences:

1. I will not ride alone in a car with someone from the opposite sex other than my spouse or immediate family member.

2. I will not counsel the opposite sex alone– in a closed room or more than once.

3. I speak often and publicly about my affection for my spouse, when s/he is present and when s/he is not.

4. I will compliment the opposite sex on character, not appearance.

5. I will give my spouse total access to my cell phone / computer.

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Small Group Discussion
Read Proverbs 6:20-35

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

2. List the consequences this passage lays out that people will face by getting involved in a wrong relationship.

3. If the danger is so obvious, and so devastating, why is this temptation so alluring?

4. What “moral fences” have you implemented to protect yourself?

BREAKOUT
Is there an inappropriate relationship that you have been flirting with? What do you need to do to repent?