In an effort to fully cover the book of James over the next 10 weeks, Pastor Jeff is providing these supplemental studies for use in your LifeGroup or personal devotion time. Use the following study guide along with the corresponding video below. If you’d like to rally some of your friends together and start a new LifeGroup discussing the AUTHENTIC series, contact Pastor Jeff at pastor.jeff@att.net.

AUTHENTIC

a look at real faith from the book of James

Week 1 – The Lure

This week, Pastor Jeff taught on being faithful during economic trials. Do you find it easy or difficult to trust God when your finances are in question?

Can you share a time when God provided for you financially in a time of extreme need?

Joy is considered one of the fruits of a Spirit-filled life. What reason does James give for us to choose joy during tough times? (JAMES 1:2-4) Why do you think perseverance is so important to our faith?

Would you consider yourself financially disciplined or undisciplined? Do you see poor stewardship as simply a wisdom issue or is it a sin issue? What does MATTHEW 25:14-30 teach us about Jesus’ attitude toward poor stewardship?

What’s one financial adjustment that you feel God might be wanting you to make? Will it be an easy or difficult change? What would be the benefit/reward in making that change?

PLAY DVD LESSON/YOUTUBE VIDEO

READ JAMES 1:13-18

Do you ever think of God as some sort of cosmic trickster/tempter? Does God ever seem cruel or unfair to you? Why/why not?

In the Jewish tradition there was a strong belief in yeserim – the existence of two desires within each of us: a good impulse (yeser ha-tov) and an evil impulse (yeser ha-ra). They believed they had a strong responsibility to keep those evil impulses in check. They took responsibility for their actions whether good or evil.

Do you tend to see your evil choices to be a result of Satan’s tempting, or a result of evil that lies within you?

Why do you think James refers to God as the “Father of Lights”? (1 JOHN 1:5)

Pray together that God would be your strength in times of temptation. That you would lean on Him as the author of all that is good, rather than blame Him for your circumstances. If you feel comfortable to do it, share a specific temptation that you’re struggling with and ask the group to lift you up in prayer.