James 1:1-18

Study Structure

Sawyer

Intro Question: What does steadfastness mean?

Steadfastness- staying consistent and focused on God no matter what is happening in your life.

Context:

Read passage:

James 1:1–18 “James, a servant of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ: To the twelve tribes dispersed abroad. Greetings. Consider it a great joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you experience various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its full effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking nothing. 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. But let him ask in faith without doubting. For the doubter is like the surging sea, driven and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord, being double-minded and unstable in all his ways. Let the brother of humble circumstances boast in his exaltation, but let the rich boast in his humiliation because he will pass away like a flower of the field. 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. 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. 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. But each person is tempted when he is drawn away and enticed by his own evil desire. Then after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin, and when sin is fully grown, it gives birth to death. Don’t be deceived, my dear brothers and sisters. Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights, who does not change like shifting shadows. 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.”

Main Idea: Steadfastness is vital for Christian maturity

Big Question: How does steadfastness strengthen your faith?

Point 1: Steadfastness helps us stay faithful to God during trials (2-8)

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Madisyn

Point 2: Steadfastness helps us resist temptations that don’t truly satisfy (9-15)

In these verses he talks about things of this world fading, what do you find yourself chasing that will eventually fade away?

Why will that fade away?

(v 12) Your reward will be in heaven not on earth

What is something that you find yourself valuing more than you value God?

When you finally get that one thing you are chasing, how long does the satisfaction last?

How does it affect you when the temporary satisfaction wears off?

When you are chasing empty things of this world to try and satisfy you, it might for a little bit, but after a while it WILL fade and leave you more broken than you started.

Don’t find yourself relying on anything more than you are relying on God. What I mean by that is it’s ok to have hobbies and other people in your life, but it becomes a sin issue when you start putting those people or things over God. He is the one who ultimately deserves our praise and reliance.

2. How does being steadfast help you to pursue the right things in life?

When does it seem easiest to pursue Godly things? When does it seem hardest?

**Why do you often find yourself loving the things of this world more than you love God?

How does it affect everything else in your life (relationships, friendships, hobbies, etc) when you find yourself chasing meaningless things?

Having your eyes fixed on Jesus in the good AND the bad will greatly strengthen your faith. It will reveal the things that really matter, no matter what stage of life you are in. When you trust in God he will guide your steps, when you trust in the things of this world they will leave you unsatisfied.

You will find yourself being more consistent in every area of your life when your goal is to glorify God in everything you do. Which means you will be less tempted to chase after the things that don’t matter.

3. What tends to be some temptations in your life when it comes to doing ministry?

What seems to be your biggest weakness when it comes to sharing the Gospel?

How does it affect your ministry when you are struggling with your personal sin issues?

Why do you think that it is so important to still do ministry even when you might be struggling personally?

We all struggle with sin. And we are tempted to fall into it everyday. Whatever your biggest temptations are right now, know that when you are solely focused on God, those temptations become easier to deal with because you are pursing God and his commands.

It is hard to be motivated to do ministry when you feel like you are failing in your personal walk. But remember that none of us are perfect and we all have sin that we are working through. Sometimes God might even use your personal failings to share the gospel with those are around you. So recognize your sin and work through it, but don’t let it discourage you from doing ministry.

4. Why do you think that it is so dangerous to fall into temptation, especially when it is ministry related?

Is it easier or harder to resist temptation when you are doing ministry for yourself or for God? Why do you think that is?

What is the result of your sin?

How do you think sin could corrupt your ministry personally? (Give specific examples)

The text says, “But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.” The devil isn’t stupid, he knows what you struggle with most and he knows exactly when you are more likely to fall into sin. But remember that God is infinitely more powerful. The devil hates when you are focused on God because when He is your main focus all of your sinful desires seem to fade away.

Sin is a very dangerous game to play when it comes to ministry. One of the most common sins, at least for me, when it comes to sharing the Gospel is pride. It is so easy to think that you are responsible for all of the positive responses to your ministry. When in reality we are just a vessel through which God is working, we do not deserve the glory He does. So whatever you might be struggling with, repent of it, acknowledge it, and keep your eyes fixed on Jesus.

Point 3: Steadfastness reminds us of Gods grace and His good gifts (16-18)

The passage begins with “do not be deceived” why do we often assume evil and bad things come from God?

How quick are we to blame God for things that don’t go well in our lives?

Why is this our first response?

What are ways you can recognize truth, when you start to think this way?

It is easy to blame God for the bad things that happen in life. Because we are people who look to people to blame. But in reality God is not responsible for bad things in our life.

Hardship and trials are a result from sin. God did not bring sin into this world, man made the deliberate decision to do so. Our world is corrupted because of sin and it is what causes the chaos in our lives. And we are all guilty of sin, so we are in no place to accuse God of bringing us into these issues, when in all reality we brought it upon ourselves

2. What are some things that you might consider “good gifts”?

What are some ways that you are tempted to see good gifts in a warped view?

Do you recognize that these things are from God?

How does appreciation for these things spark the motivation to share the Gospel?

Where in your life have you seen God provide you a “good gift”?

God is the giver of all good gifts. We are so often satisfied with temporal things of this world that won’t satisfy us.

But when we recognize all of the things that God has blessed us with, it gives us a true sense of gratitude and inspires us to share that with others.

3. What is a recent example of where you have seen Gods grace in your life?

Are there any small things in your life that you notice could not be possible without Gods grace?

How does Gods grace inspire you to do ministry?

Why is it important to recognize Gods grace?

It is so much easier to do ministry when you recognize the significant amount of grace you have received. When you realize how unworthy you are it sparks your love for God which inspires you to share about Him to others.

When you are focused on your relationship with Jesus, you tend to notice the small ways His grace is shown to you in everyday life. But when you are focused on other things you tend to miss the small ways God is working in your life.

4. How does Gods grace show through the “good gifts” that He gives us?

How does this inspire you to be grateful for what you have?

How can you be thankful for what you have?

What are some ways this inspires you to share the gospel with others?

We do not deserve Gods grace AT ALL but we serve a gracious God.

He does not have to give us the things that we have. For one and most importantly He has given eternal life to those who believe. He has given us things like joy, Godly fellowship, and His presence. Things like this don’t come from anything else.

Madisyn & Sawyer

Encouragement/Application/Conclusion

It is vital in our Christian walk that we stay steadfast. Keeping your eyes fixed on Jesus is the most important thing in life, because He is the only one who truly satisfies. So first don’t settle or compromise for things of this world or let yourself get caught up in things that don’t matter. Also be thankful for what God has blessed you with, it’s easier to do that when you are focused on Him. Recognize that you are sinner in need of a savior and we are so underserving of His grace, yet He gives it to us anyways. And that should truly inspire you to go share Gods grace with other people. When you go through trails and hard things in life don’t blame God, it is because of sin that this world is corrupt. We are not tempted by God and the devil knows exactly how to get you to fall into sin, but when your main focus is to glorify God and follow His commands, those temptations quickly fade away. So as we go into school this week and start this new year make sure you are striving to be steadfast in your faith.

Ministry Questions

How can you stay steadfast even when you might go through tough things this week?

2. What are some ways you can use steadfastness to resist temptations as we go back to school this week?

3. How are you going to show others Gods grace this week as we go back to school?