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CG Study Guide JAMES for the week of October 12, 2019

Oct 13, 2019 | Small Group Lessons

JAMES CG Study Guide for October 12, 2019 PDF

Community Group Study Guide

For the week of October 12, 2019

MY STORY

1. Back during your high school years how did you handle preparing for a test? (pick any that apply)

  • Study long and hard
  • Cram it in the night before
  • Wing it
  • Bring it on/like the challenge
  • Stress case
  • Skip class
  • Other

2.  What is one thing that happens in your world every day that tempts you to trip up?

 

3. Looking back at your notes from this week’s teaching, was there anything that particularly caught your attention, challenged or confused you?

 

DIGGING DEEPER

1. “If it feels good, it can’t be wrong” is a powerful lie the Enemy uses to tempt us. It offers deceptive shortcuts to fulfillment. Below is a short list of temptations we regularly encounter. Next to each temptation write what we consider to be a benefit of giving in to that temptation followed by what we lose.


Temptation


What do we “gain” by giving in?


What do we lose by giving in?


Cheating


Gossip


Over-spending


Sexual Impurity


Not working through conflict


Exaggerating the truth


Harsh Words


Any others you can add?

2. Read James 1:13-18.  If the process of sin is: Thought – Choice – Action – Habit – Stronghold, how can Philippians 4:6-9 change the course we are headed?  How can we use this process to win over temptation.

 

3. How does Galatians 6:1-5 show us how to help those who are asking for help to overcome temptation they have given in to?

 

4.  Confessing a thought/temptation is NOT a sin.  Revealing your struggle with a Godly friend could save your life.  Who in your life could you safely admit your thoughts/temptations with to help keep you from the rabbit hole of sin?

 

TAKING IT HOME

1. We need to use spiritual weapons for spiritual battles.   In Ephesians 6:10-18 the Apostle Paul uses the analogy of a Roman soldier suited up in full armor to help us understand what it takes to overcome the schemes of Satan. Read the passage carefully; look at each piece of armor, and in your own words, describe how it protects and why it’s important.

Truth  (transparency, integrity, both God’s and ours)

Righteousness  (progress, not perfection)

Faith  (taking God at His word no matter what)

Salvation  (eternal life)

God’s Word  (the Bible)

 

2. Looking back, can you think of a time or situation where one or more of these “pieces of armor” protected or equipped you in the midst of a tough spiritual battle, attack, or great temptation?

 

3. Why do you think Paul ends with such a big emphasis on prayer for one another?

 

4.  Where are you most tempted?  With whom, what situations, where are you, when temptation is at its greatest lure?  How can your group pray for you?

 

PRAYER REQUESTS