Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Get the Most Out of Church

Introduction:

How to Get the Most Out of Church (James 1:19-27)

1. Come ready to Hear God's Word. (Jas 1:19-21)
2. Leave ready to Apply God's Word. (Jas 1:22-27)

   Deuteronomy 6:24 - And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.

   John 13:17 - If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

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

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 1:19-27

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

2. Explain James’ mirror illustration in Jas 1:23-24.
   

3. Why is the tongue a good indicator on where your faith is (Jas 1:26)? See Matthew 12:34.
   

4. What do you personally need to do to better prepare yourself for church next Sunday?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Beat Temptation

Introduction:

My Temptation: --------------------------------------------------

How to Beat Temptation: (James 1:13-18)

1. Blame the right person. (Jas 1:13-14)

   Genesis 3:12 - The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate."

   Proverbs 19:3 - When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD.

   Isaiah 63:17 - O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not?

2. Say No early. (Jas 1:15-16)

   Romans 13:14 - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

3. Focus on God's Gifts . (Jas 1:17)
4. Remind yourself of your Identity . (Jas 1:18)

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
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Small Group Discussion
Read James 1:13-18

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

2. What excuses have you made - or heard - for giving into temptation? What does James say about who is responsible for our sin?
   

3. Why do you think people tend to blame God for their failures?
   

4. Are all desires bad (Jas 1:14)? How do you know what is a good desire and what is a sinful desire?
   

5. What gifts from God can you focus on when you are tempted to sin?

Breakout
Pray for one another - to resist temptation the way James lays out for us.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Profit from Trials

Introduction:

My Trial: --------------------------------------------------

How to Profit from Trials: Change The Way You See Them (James 1:1-12)

1. See trials as Strengthening you. (Jas 1:3-4)
2. See trials as Teaching you. (Jas 1:5-8)
3. See trials as Humbling you. (Jas 1:9-11)
4. See trials as Testing you. (Jas 1:12)

   Hebrews 12:2 - looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

Sermon Notes (PDF): BLANK
Hint: Highlight blanks above for answers!

Small Group Discussion
Read James 1:1-12

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

2. How are trials a “test” (Jas 1:3, 12)? What do they reveal?
   

3. James 1:4 says to let steadfastness have its full effect. What are ways people refuse to obey this and resist what God wants to accomplish in trials?
   

4. What does it mean that steadfastness makes us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Jas 1:4)?
   

5. Share a time when you asked God for wisdom in a trial, and He clearly answered (Jas 1:5).

Breakout
Pray for one another - to see trials according to God’s purposes.