What am I Worth?

What Am I Worth?

How do I know that I am valuable?

1.

Psalm 139:13-18

2.

Peter 2:9-10            Ephesians 1:4-5                     1 Corinthians 1:26-30

3.

The value of an item is determined by how much someone is ___________________  _________________________ for it”.

1 Corinthians 6:20         1 Timothy 2:5-6

4.

Romans 8:16-17 1 Peter 1:3-4

5.

John 3:16 Ephesians 1:18-19

 

Genuine Faith Endures through Prayer

Genuine Faith Endures through Prayer

James 5:7-20

Four Keys to Enduring Hardships:

___________________________ (James 5:7)

___________________________ (James 5:8)

___________________________  (James 5:11)

___________________________ (James 5:13-18)

James 5:16 “The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working.”

“Great power” refers to something that gives us _______________________________________ and enables us to _______________________________.

There’s a correlation between _________________________ and the _________________________________.

Is anyone suffering?  __________________________________________.

Is anyone sick?  _____________________________________________.

If anyone has sinned?  _________________________________________.

 

Connection Group Questions

Read James 5:7-20

What attitudes does James tell us underlie effective prayer? 

See James 1:6-8   James 4:3

Specifically, how did Elijah pray? (James 5:17) ________________________  

Look up the following verses and note how they support this approach in prayer:

Luke 18:1

Colossians 4:2

Romans 12:2

Acts 1:14

Why do you think God values persistent prayer?

James offers us Elijah as an example of someone whose prayers were powerful and effective.  But he also reminds us that “Elijah was a man (a person…just like us).”  In what ways is your prayer life strong, like Elijah’s?  In what ways is it not?

Group Prayer Time:

In our worship gathering this week, we prayed individually for a few specific areas  that are mentioned in James 5:13-16.  (forgiveness, healing and strength).  Have each person share about one area they need prayer for, and then take time for a few others pray for them in this area.

After praying for needs, take a few minutes as a group to offer prayers of praise, worship, adoration and thanks to the Lord. 

 

 

 

Genuine Faith Submits to God’s Will

Key Question:

James 4:4

James 4:7

Submit means to be ___________________________________________.

James 4:13-15

Our _____________ have to do with how we use our ________________. 

We need to take time to ________________  and ________________  the Lord.

Our ______________ have to do with how we spend our______________. 

2 Corinthians 8:7 (NIV)  “But since you excel in everything–in faith, in speech, in knowledge, in complete earnestness and in the love we have kindled in you –see that you also excel in this grace of ______________.”   

________________  is not a ________________  issue; it’s a   ________________ issue.

Matthew 6:21

Practical Steps:

Start by __________________________________________________.

Commit to _________________________________________________.

Grow in __________________________________________________.

ARE YOU WILLING TO GIVE GOD CONTROL OVER THESE TWO AREAS OF YOUR LIFE?

Connection Group Questions

Read James 4:1-5:6

James 4:4  What do you think it means to have “friendship with the world”?  Why do you think James uses the term “adulterous” to describe people who practice friendship toward the world?

What ideas come to mind when you think of the word ‘submit’?  How does that differ from the idea of being “under God’s arrangement” and having our life oriented around Him?

Plans/Time:  How difficult or easy is it for you to give time to God?

What are the greatest obstacles you have to spending time “seeking” Him?

What are the greatest obstacles you have to spending time “serving” Him?

What are some things you could do to create time to seek and serve Him in a greater capacity? Do you believe it’s something he is calling you to do?

Priorities/Money

Do you agree that giving is more of a heart issue than a money issue?  Why or why not?

2 Corinthians 8:7 says we should excel in the grace of giving.  How important is that to you personally?

Is it difficult or easy for you to give your money to God?  What are your greatest obstacles to giving with greater generosity?

In the message this week some practical steps were given in regards to becoming more generous.  Is there a step that you plan to commit to? Why (or why not)?

Read James 5:1-3.  What does James point out about the relationship between worldly wealth and the passage of time?

Look up Matthew 7:19-24.  What similarities do you find between the to the words of Jesus and the words of James?

Based on the words of James and Jesus, what is the right relationship to have with wealth and possessions?   Why?

What one step can you take this week to better live in light what we’ve discovered this week?

 

Genuine Faith Shows Godly Wisdom

Genuine Faith Shows Godly Wisdom

James 3:13-18
James 3:13
Proverbs 9:1 “Wisdom has built her house; she has hewn her seven pillars.”
Proverbs 9:10 “The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom, and knowledge of the Holy One is insight.”
The foundation on which wisdom stands is a _______________________ .

7 Pillars of Wisdom from James 3:17
Godly Wisdom is _________________________.
Godly Wisdom is _________________________.
Godly Wisdom is _________________________.
Godly Wisdom is _________________________.
Godly Wisdom is _________________________.
Godly Wisdom is _________________________.
Godly Wisdom is _________________________.

James 3:14 -16
James 1:5-8

If we _____________ God’s wisdom, we will _______________________.
But He expects us to __________________________.

Matthew 7:24-27

Connection Group Questions

Read James 3:13-18
James:13. How do you think can we recognize wisdom and understanding in ourselves and in others?

Why do you think James says wisdom should be seen in our good conduct and shown in our works?

James 3:14 What can bitter jealousy and selfish ambition look like when it takes root within community of believers?

Much of the book of Proverbs is an appeal to pursue and seek wisdom. Look up the following verses. Note what each adds to your understanding about wisdom.
Proverbs 8:10-12
Proverbs 8:32-36
Proverbs 1:7
Proverbs 2:1-6
Proverbs 3:5-8

James 3:17 Why do you think the premiere pillar/quality of wisdom is that it is “pure”?

James 3:18 One of the pillars of wisdom is that it is ‘peaceable’ and James says a crop of righteousness is sown in peace by the peacemaker? What do you think James means by this phrase?

Which of the 7 pillars that show Godly wisdom would you like to see more of in your life?

Which specific relationships in your life would greatly benefit from you operating out of a greater Godly wisdom?

What one step can you take this week to better live in light of this truth?