Read James 1:12-18.
1. What truths about God did James mention in 1:17-18?
2. How might knowing these truths help you when you deal with temptation or trials? In other words, why may you need to know them? What may you be tempted to believe about Him?
Be sure and memorize James 1:17. You may need to remember this truth about God next time you encounter a trial
Stronger Jeans (optional): Upon what other truths about God do you lean when you struggle with trusting God in a hard time? Find some verses that are helpful to you at those times. Pray for God to show you someone in your small group with which to share those verses. You may want to write a note which includes a verse. You may want to write out several verses on index cards for her to carry with her during her current trial.
3. Sharing Question: Write down the story of a difficult time in your life when you doubted the truths that James teaches about God here. Be prepared to share it with your group.
4. Sharing Question: How do the truths about you as a believer in 1:18 encourage you today? Why do you need that encouragement?
5. Responding to God: Write down your poem or prayer expressing your praise of God for what you learn about Him in James 1:17-18.
Week 2 - Day 5
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6 comments:
I think we are able to recognize the difference between good and evil but sometimes we trick our minds into buying into the temptation. I like James 1:17, "Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows." Temptation is constantly changing in order to entice us to sin but God's Word stays constant. In this world full of chaos and unpredictability it is very reassuring to put my faith in one God, one Truth!
I agree, Crissy. I couldn't imagine life w/o God. There is so much craziness in this world that there must be something out there that provides meaning. I like the scripture that you brought up, as well: "[God] does not change like shifting shadows." Our lives, relationships, desires, emotions, etc. all change, but God is constant. Thank God! As long as I keep my eyes fixed on Him, I can walk through this messy world with confidence that I will walk in victory!
I sometimes forget and apply my human reactions to God. Even if my feelings are fickle: one day I'm strong but the next day weak, I am encouraged again that God never changes and His promises endure despite my feelings.
OH MY GOSH! I was desperately trying to remember that verse today, without knowing what verse it was. James 1:17. Everything that we're blessed with is from God, and sometimes I struggle with remembering that the gifts I have and the blessings I have are from Him. I've not done anything to deserve it.
I am sure that there have been many times when I thought that God would change His mind about things or that He was the cause of something bad happening in my life. Awhile ago I was taught about God's permissive will. Though God doesn't want alot of the bad things that happen in our lives to happen, His permissive will allows those things to happen to help us grow closer to Him. Its kind of how all things work together for good.
Just like you all have said, we need the encouragement of knowing that God doesn't change in this world where everything is unstable. Its the light in the tunnel that keeps us going.
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