I. The Purpose of the Pressure (James 1:2–4)
2 Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. 4 And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing.
2 Corinthians 12:9-10 CSB
9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is perfected in weakness.” Therefore, I will most gladly boast all the more about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may reside in me. 10 So I take pleasure in weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and in difficulties, for the sake of Christ. For when I am weak, then I am strong.
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II. A Path Provided (James 1:5–11)
5 Now if any of you lacks wisdom, he should ask God — who gives to all generously and ungrudgingly — and it will be given to him. 6 But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, 8 being double-minded and unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, 10 but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 11 For the sun rises and, together with the scorching wind, dries up the grass; its flower falls off, and its beautiful appearance perishes. In the same way, the rich person will wither away while pursuing his activities.
Proverbs 3:5-7 CSB
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not rely on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways know him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Don’t be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and turn away from evil.
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III. Temptation vs. Goodness (James 1:12–18)
12 Blessed is the one who endures trials, because when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. 13 No one undergoing a trial should say, “I am being tempted by God,” since God is not tempted by evil, and he himself doesn’t tempt anyone. 14 But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. 15 Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. 16 Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 18 By his own choice, he gave us birth by the word of truth so that we would be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.
1 Corinthians 10:13 KJV
13 There hath no temptation taken you but such as is common to man: but God [is] faithful, who will not suffer you to be tempted above that ye are able; but will with the temptation also make a way to escape, that ye may be able to bear [it].
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What is the temptation?
Unbelief
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Life Group Discussion Questions
1.What is one “good gift” you’ve received this week that you can thank God for?
2.James 1:16 James warns us not to be “deceived” (v. 16). When life gets difficult, what are the common lies we tend to believe about God’s character?
3.Read James 1:17 James calls God the “Father of heavenly lights” who does not change like “shifting shadows.” How does the “unchanging” nature of God provide peace when your personal circumstances are in a state of flux?
Read James 1:18 What does it mean to you that God chose to give you new birth through the “word of truth”? How does this highlight His sovereignty?
James describes believers as a “kind of firstfruits of all he created.” If our lives are meant to be a “preview” of God’s coming kingdom, what should people notice about our community/Life Group?
How can we pray for you?