👋 Welcome
Thank everyone for coming and making this group a priority in their lives.
💛 Vision
Take 10 seconds to remind people why you are gathering.
We exist to form Acts 2 Community where we are committed to:
We exist to form Acts 2 Community where we are committed to:
- Make Disciples: We gather as disciples to learn the ways of Jesus and put them into practice while helping others do the same. Life on Life.
- Build Spiritual Family: We create relational environments for meaningful connection with Jesus and each other, and opportunities for transformation through biblical practices. Life in Community.
- Live on Mission: We intentionally pray for and make an effort to impact our friends and neighbors with the Gospel through word and deed and invite them into Christian community. Life on Mission.
📬 Announcements
🔥 Warm-Up
- Share a time when you faced a difficult challenge. How did you handle it, and what did you learn from that experience?
🎬 Sermon Recap
In this sermon, Brian introduced a new series focused on wisdom from the Book of James, emphasizing how wisdom plays a crucial role in navigating life's trials. Drawing connections from the Revelation series, the sermon explored the biblical journey of regaining wisdom, starting from Genesis, and how this pursuit leads us to godly discernment. The core message centered on viewing trials as divine opportunities for growth and understanding in faith. A key theme was the importance of asking for wisdom and the dangers of being double-minded, highlighting the need for unwavering trust in God's wisdom.
💬 Suggested Discussion Guide
Please choose ahead of time which of the following questions you want to use for your c-group.
Key Scriptures
- James 1:2-8
- Proverbs 9:10
- Psalm 22:1, 19, 24
Key Takeaways
- True wisdom is seeing life's trials as God's presence refining us rather than evidence of His absence.
- The fear of the Lord, understood as reverence and obedience, is foundational to wisdom.
- God's wisdom often contrasts human wisdom, but aligning with it results in spiritual maturity and perseverance.
- Double-mindedness, where one trusts both God's wisdom and worldly advice, leads to instability and lack of divine guidance.
Discussion Questions
- How do you typically react to trials or suffering in your life, and how might this sermon encourage you to view them differently?
- What does it mean to you to live with "the fear of the Lord" in the pursuit of wisdom?
- Can you identify areas in your life where you are double-minded? How might you address these?
- How can we support one another in seeking and applying God's wisdom amidst challenging circumstances?
Practical Applications
- This week, when you face a challenge or trial, practice reframing it as an opportunity for growth. Journal about how this shift in perspective affects your response.
- Set aside time each day to ask God for wisdom, using the prayer model provided in the sermon: "Lord Yahweh, will you give me understanding about this circumstance? Why am I reacting this way? Holy Spirit, please mentor me in how to properly react in these circumstances and how to see this test as an opportunity to trust in you and grow in wisdom."
- Identify an area in your life where you might be "double-minded." Commit to taking a step towards aligning more fully with God's wisdom in that area.
- Share with the group next week about a time when you boldly approached God with your questions or doubts, and how He responded.
🙏 Prayer
Encourage group members to meditate on James 1:1-8 throughout the week and to be prepared to share any insights at the next meeting.