LEADERS CG Study Guide JAMES for Oct. 20, 2019 PDF
Leaders Community Group Study Guide
For the week of October 20, 2019
ANNOUNCEMENTS/REMINDERS
We hope that you are using the daily devotional along with the CG Study Guide for a more in-depth experience of this sermon series. Please continue to encourage the members of your group to be part of the daily study as well. Text/email/or call them when something you read challenges you.
STF’s Annual Fall Festival – Sunday, October 27, 5:30 – 7:30pm at the BP campus.
Have the kids wear their costumes and come join the fun at this year’s festival!
-Carnival Games
-Free Hot Dogs
-Face Painting
-Candy
-Trunk or Treat
-Free Popcorn
-Bounce Houses
-Music
Fall Women’s Conference – November 15 – 16!
The conference will take place at our Ballast Point Campus, kicking off Friday evening at 7:00 p.m. and concluding Saturday at 1:00 p.m. Tickets are $49. If you have a need for financial assistance, please contact Lauren Cordner at Lauren@stfchurch.com.
Please take attendance. Thanks!
MY STORY
1. Which best describes your temper: Short fuse, BIG bomb? L-O-N-G fuse, little fizz? Other?
2. Why is it wrong for believers to show favoritism?
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. How does the term “Sunday Christian” illustrate James’ point in verses James 1:22-24 Conversely, what does the life of someone described in verse 25 look like?
“I fear we have many such in all congregations; admiring hearers, affectionate hearers, attached hearers, but all the while unblesssed hearers because they are NOT doers of the word.” (Spurgeon) The ancient Greek word translated “observing/looks” has the idea of a careful scrutiny. By application, James had in mind people who give a careful scrutiny of God’s word; they may be regarded as Bible experts but it still doesn’t result in doing.
2. One of the more subtle ways of evaluating our personal relationship with God is taking a look at how we treat his people. What do the following verses have to say about how our treatment of others impacts our relationship with God? John 13:35; 1 John 3:17; 1 John 4:12; 1 John 4:20
James just explained that real religion is not shown by hearing the word, but by doing it. In God’s sight a pure, unsoiled religion expresses itself in acts of charity and in chastity. A real walk with God shows itself in simple, practical ways. It helps the needy and keeps itself unstained by the world’s corruption. “True religion does not merely give something for the relief of the distressed, but it visits them, it takes the oversight of them, its takes them under their care. . . it goes to their houses, and speaks to their hearts; it relieves their wants, sympathizes with them in their distresses, instructs them in divine things, and recommends them to God. And all of this is done for the Lord’s sake. This is the religion of Christ.” Clarke
3. It’s not hard to find people all around us with needs. The challenge is knowing which of the needs has your name on it (i.e. knowing if this is something you need to respond to). How can each of the following verses help shape your response to the needs of people around you?
Matthew 6:1-4
We should not miss the strength of the promise – these things done the right way will certainly be rewarded. We can be sure of that, even when it doesn’t feel like it.
Proverbs 22:3
Wisdom does not always engage in a fight; it knows there are times when the best response to evil is to hide and let the danger go past.
Proverbs 28:27
He who hides his eyes…”Describes an attitude which is very common, though popularly supposed not to be wrong. To hide the eyes means to refuse to see poverty. It is the sin of those who say they are too sensitive to visit the slums.” (Morgan) God will not bless the one who ignores the troubles of the poor and the needy.
How do you decide if a need has your name on it?
TAKING IT HOME
1. In what area of your life could you do a better job at applying God’s Word rather than merely listening to it? How can your group pray for you?
2. God, who looks upon the hearts of all people, is rich in mercy. How has God shown mercy to you?
3. How can you show mercy to others?
PRAYER REQUESTS