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MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship

Endless Light (Psalm 113:3-4) – Cornerstone by Hillsong Worship

How Deep The Father’s Love For Us (Galatians 6:14) – The Dispatch EP by The Dispatch

This I Believe (the Creed) (Romans 1:16) Fielding, Crocker  |  Hillsong Music Publishing

Jesus Paid it All (Colossians 2:13-14) – Everything Glorious by Kristian Stanfill

TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 20

To pray demonstrates confidence in God. To not pray demonstrates confidence in man.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss James 5:12-18. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
3. What tension between the text and your personal experience do you note in this text? How do you deal with such tensions?
4. How is prayer emphasized in these verses? What does this mean for us?
5. What is the importance of considering context when studying the Scriptures?
6. What is your view of miraculous healings or spiritual gifts of healing in our day & times?
7. In what ways do we tend to cover up our sins? Why is it important to confess our sins to each other? How does this develop community and camaraderie?
8. “To pray demonstrates a confidence in God. To not pray demonstrates a confidence in man.” How would you describe your prayer life?
9. Is there something burdening your soul that you need to release? Spend some time in prayer together for this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Alive in Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God is Able by Hillsong Worship

Good Good Father (2 Thessalonians 2:16) – The EP by Zealand Worship

Forever Reign (Lamentations 5:19) – A Beautiful Exchange by Hillsong Worship

Your Promises (2 Peter 1:3-4a) – Wake Up the Wonder by Elevation Worship

Be Thou My Vision (2 Corinthians 3:17-18) – Take the World by Giving Jesus by Ascend the Hill

TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 19

If life is a vapor, then so is suffering.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss James 5:7-11. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
3. What does this section tell us about suffering and perseverance? How does it play out in the three examples James gives us here (farmers, prophets, and the life of Job)?
4. Have you ever had to be patient in suffering? What happened? How did you relate to God through that time?
5. Have you ever experienced persecution directly because of your faith in Jesus?
6. What is the doctrine of imminence (v. 7) and why does it matter?
7. Consider Romans 8:18. Why does Scripture call our sufferings “not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed”? What does this mean for our daily lives?
8. How does the gospel of Jesus give us an eternal perspective, particularly when considering pain and suffering?
9. Is there an area of suffering where you need to be patient and persevere? What would it look like to view this area through the lens of an eternal perspective? Spend some time praying together about this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

I Will Look Up (Deuteronomy 7:9) –Only King Forever by Elevation Worship

With Us (Psalm 46:10-11a) – God Is Able by Hillsong Worship

Only King Forever (1 Timothy 1:17) – Only King Forever by Elevation Worship

O Praise The Name (Anástasis) (Romans 5:8) Open Heaven / River Wild  by Hillsong Live

Always (Psalm 121:1-2) – Here For You by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 18

The love of stuff is the seed of greed. Money always abandons us in the time of our greatest need.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Read and discuss James 5:1-6. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God? What commands, encouragements or warnings are there for us to heed?
3. Who are the “rich” whom James is addressing the verses above?
4. “Money is not bad in and of itself – but it is dangerous.” What does this mean? What examples can you think of?
5. “Treasures, because of time, become stuff.” How have you seen this principle to be true?
   
6. How is hoarding a way of presuming upon the future?
7. In what ways can we passively abuse the poor?
8. What is a way you can “do for one what you wish you could do for everyone”?
9. Consider Pastor Mike’s diagnostic questions: “Are you a hoarder? Do you love money? Has money ever gotten you in trouble? Do you have a giving plan? Do you think more about giving saving or spending?” How would you answer each of these?
10. How did Jesus become poor that we might become rich (2 Corinthians 8:9)? How should we respond to this great truth? Spend some time in prayer over the things you’ve discussed.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Great Things (Worth It All) (Galatians 6:14) –Wake Up the Wonder by Elevation Worship

How Great Thou Art (Psalm 145:3) – Hymns Ancient & Modern by Charlie Hall (Passion)

O Praise The Name (Anástasis) (Romans 5:8) Open Heaven / River Wild  by Hillsong Live

Give Me Faith (Psalm 73:25-26) – Nothing Is Wasted by Elevation Worship

TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 17

God is not opposed to making plans. He is opposed to being left out of them.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. Where were you and what were you doing when you heard about 9/11?
3. Read and discuss James 4:11-17. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about God?
4. In what ways do people in general “presume upon the future”? How does this tend to manifest itself in your life? In what ways do you tend to “boast about tomorrow”?
5. What reminders has God put in your path to remind you of the brevity of life?
6. How would you answer the question in verse 14 – What is your life?
7. How do you respond to the statement that we are but “a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes” (v. 14)?
8. Is there an area or situation in your life where you know the right thing to do but haven’t done it (v. 17)? What would it look like to apply the gospel there?
9. Where in your life where you need to insert “…Lord willing…”? What plans have you made that you need to submit to the Lord? Spend some time praying together about this.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Unstoppable God (Matthew 17:20) – Wake Up the Wonder by Elevation Worship

This I Believe (the Creed) (Romans 1:16) Fielding, Crocker  |  Hillsong Music Publishing

O Praise The Name (Anástasis) (Romans 5:8) Hastings, Ussher, Sampson |  Hillsong Music Publishing

Your Great Name (Philippians 2:10-11) – Love Revolution by Natalie Grant

In Christ Alone (Galatians 2:20) – Let The Future Begin by Kristian Stanfill (Passion)

TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 16

The motive of the world system is that all people would declare independence from God. Befriend the people of the world, but not the philosophies of the world.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. What would you say is your “life message” – the message that you consistently proclaim to those around you?
3. Read and discuss James 4:1-10. What does this tell us about us? What do these verses tell us about the world? About God?
4. What is the world system? In what ways is it opposed to the kingdom of God?
5. “The motive of the world system is that all people would declare independence from God.” How do you see this play out in society and culture? How do you see it play out in your own life?
6. Why would we have no knowledge of the world system apart from divine revelation?
7. In what ways does the world system promote pride, self, hoarding, living to die and leading to be served? What other things or values does the world system promote?
8. In contrast to the previous question, what does the gospel of Jesus promote?
9. “Befriend the people of the world, but not the philosophies of the world.” How are you doing with this? Spend some time together in prayer about it.

MUSIC & SCRIPTURE

Open Up the Heavens (Psalm 108:4-5) – Worth It All by Meredith Andrews

Alive in Us (Ephesians 2:4-5) – God is Able by Hillsong Worship

Be Lifted High (John 3:30) –Nothing is Wasted by Elevation Worship

Forever (Matthew 28:26) – Majestic by Kari Jobe

Good Good Father (2 Thessalonians 2:16) – Housefires II by Housefires

TEACHING: James – Living Out Our Faith, Part 15

The primary root of all our problems is not found in external circumstances or situations. It comes from within.

CLICK HERE FOR THE SERMON AUDIO & VIDEO

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR SHEPHERD GROUPS

1. What was one thing you found particularly interesting, insightful, helpful or difficult to understand from this Sunday?
2. When a newspaper posed the question, ‘What’s Wrong with the World?’ G. K. Chesterton reputedly wrote a brief letter in response: ‘Dear Sirs: I am. Sincerely Yours, G. K. Chesterton.’ What do you think he meant by that?
3. Read and discuss James 4:1-3. What does this tell us about us? Why do you think the language is so strong here? How would you answer the first question in verse 1?
4. Read and discuss 1 Kings 21:1-16. How is this an example of good desires turning bad?
5. What other examples of runaway desires can you think of from Scripture, culture or your own life?
6. What desires in your life have cost you the most, or caused you the most problems?
7. How does the gospel heal, reshape, redirect and redeem our unsanctified desires?
8. What unsanctified desire are you currently dealing with that needs to be submitted to the Lord?
9. Spend some time in prayer about the last question. Pray that God would give you (heal, reshape, redeem) the desires of your heart and align your heart with His.