THREE THINGS TO KNOW
DON’T MISS THIS
Join us for the final episode of the BEYOND THE WEEKEND PODCAST for this sermon series. Senior Pastor Aaron Buer joins other Ada Bible staff for a casual conversation to dig deeper, review things that didn’t make it into the sermon and answer your questions. They’ll discuss helpful biblical insights and how the book of James is growing their faith and can grow yours, too. Listen to the podcast HERE. You can also submit your questions about the sermon or the book of James HERE. Your question could be featured on the podcast!
GROUP VALUES
This March, we are focusing on SERVING. Just beginning to serve is often the best way to see where God is calling you to serve specifically. Discuss as a small group some ways to serve at church this spring and how you can help each other take that first step.
GROW AS A LEADER
Have you reached out to your STAFF CONTACT lately for a one-on-one meeting? Your staff contact would love to know how to pray for you and your group, answer any questions and encourage you. Reach out today to find a time to connect.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
Welcome to the eighth and final week of our series, MAKE IT REAL. This week, we look at James’s teaching about how our faith can help us endure in challenging times.
ICEBREAKER
What is your favorite season, and why?
THIS WEEK’S TEXT
Have someone read James 5:7-20 aloud.
What recurring themes or images do you notice in this passage?
What insights do we gain about the early Christian community’s challenges, values and practices through these themes and images?
What questions does this passage raise for you?
THIS WEEK’S SERMON
Pastor Aaron Buer taught us that real faith helps us endure challenging times. As a group, recall some of the sermon’s big ideas or main points.
How do people in our culture often respond to challenges or hardships?
Reflecting on the analogy of a farmer patiently waiting for the harvest, in what areas of your life do you feel like you’re in a season of waiting or endurance?
James encourages us to focus on the harvest and “see the gift of the rain” during difficult times. What are practical ways we can maintain this long-term perspective and see God’s provision in our adversity or pain?
Share about a recent experience in which you saw God’s provision in the midst of a challenging situation. How did that affect your perspective?
Do you find it easy to bring all of your emotions and situations to God, or do you tend to hold back in certain areas?
What is one way you can deepen your communication with God this week, in both good and hard times?
Practicing vulnerability and accountability with trusted Jesus followers helps us stand firm in our faith together. Discuss as a group how you are doing with being a safe space for vulnerability and accountability.
What is the next step your group could take to increase your vulnerability and accountability with each other? What might be preventing the next level of vulnerability and accountability?
Which part of the sermon encouraged or challenged you the most, and why?
WRAP UP
Reflect on the Make it Real sermon series. How has God grown or challenged your faith through the book of James? What is one area in which you would like to continue to grow during the coming months?