Five Appointments with God I’m Supposed to Do What?
February 8 - 12, 2010
Like jumping into freezing water, the book of James starts off with a bang! There is no easing into things. He gets right to his point of having a “prove it” kind of faith by telling us to be joyful when tough things come our way. Huh!? That’s right. What better way to test our faith than to see how we respond when something difficult or frustrating comes across our path? When under pressure the “real us” comes out; our real faith is on full display! Dive in with gusto and examine how you react when something unexpected or difficult comes up.
- Pastor Barry
Read James 1:2-4. From this passage, how do you know James is talking to believers? Why are these two verses a paradox? What does perseverance or endurance mean? What have you ever done in life that needed or required this? Was it easy or hard to obtain? What was the result when you achieved endurance? What is the destination God has for our endurance?
Tuesday - What is the Wise Thing to do?
Read James 1:5-8. When you face trials, where do you turn to for help? Where should we turn to? Why? Why should we ask for wisdom? How does this fit with facing trials of various kinds? How does struggling with doubt play into this passage? Read verses 9-11. How does this passage fit with verses 2-4? What does it mean?
Wednesday - Parallel Progression!
Read James 1:13-15; Romans 5:3-4. How do these passages parallel each other? What is the four step progression in the passage in James? What is the four step progression in the passage in Romans? Why does James need to differentiate between trials and temptation? Why do people often think that God is tempting them?
Thursday - The Tester!
Read James 1: 12. This verse gives us an indication of the originator of the trial. Who is it? What is the reward for passing a test of our faith? Why does God test our faith in the first place? What benefits are there for our faith being tested? What are you going through right now where your faith in God is being tested? What in your past has really tested your faith?
Friday - Refined by Fire!
Read I Peter 1:6-9. In what ways are Peter and James saying the same thing? How can our trials result in praise, glory, and honor to God? What does joy in the midst of trials look like? How would you explain, to someone who does not believe in Jesus as their Savior, this whole concept of rejoicing in trials? How would you advise a new believer when trials hit them? Do you take your own advice?
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