THE BEAUTY OF FAITH IN THE MIDDLE OF TRIALS

JAMES 1:1-12

SCRIPTURE READING James 1:1-12 ESV 1 James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ, To the twelve tribes in the Dispersion: Greetings. Testing of Your Faith 2 Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, 3 for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. 4 And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. 6 But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. 7 For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; 8 he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways. 9 Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, 10 and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. 11 For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits. 12 Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.

ICE BREAKER QUESTION In your life, what “trials of various kinds” (James 1:2) have you experienced? What trials might you be experiencing now?

SERMON RECAP

Faith that holds fast when tested through trials is more precious than gold.

• Trials lead us to grow in the likeness of God.

• Trials are only joy when God is our ultimate goal.

• Trials teach us to trust in the wisdom of God.

• Trials remind us to rely on the resources of God.

• Trials drive us to live for the reward of God.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

Observation: What does the passage say?

1. Read James 1:1-12 aloud as a group. (Leader note: Before interpreting or applying the passage, let group members share observations about it.) • From the references to trials in this passage, what might you observe about their nature? (vv. 2-4, 12) • From the references to the LORD in this passage, what might you observe about His nature? (vv. 5-8, 12) • From the references to man across this passage, what might you observe about our nature? • What other noteworthy observations might you share?

2. How would you explain or summarize today’s passage in your own words?

Interpretation: What does the passage mean?

1. For the believer, what are the LORD’s purposes through trials in (or amid) their life? (cf. 1 Peter 1:6-7)

2. For the believer, what might distract him/her from the LORD’s purposes through trials in (or amid) their life? (James 1:10-11)

Application: How can we apply this passage to our lives?

1. How do you normally react to trials in (or amid) your life, and why? • How have your personal trials impacted your faith? What fuels this impact? • How has your faith impacted your personal perspective on and experience with trials? What fuels this impact?

2. How (i.e., on what grounds) might it be possible to genuinely know the joy of the LORD amid trials? (cf. Nehemiah 8:112)

3. In what ways do you desire the LORD to lead you into a deeper understanding and apprehension of Himself and His work, particularly during trials? Spend time as a group praying toward these ends.

LEADER NOTES • Global Outreach Prayer Guide – As a group, pray for the Global Outreach weekly prayer focus. • Church Family Meeting – This meeting will be held on Sunday, September 24. If you have questions about this meeting, please refer to the email from Pastor David, reach out to your Location Pastor, or find information on our website at Church Family Meeting.