Good morning and happy Monday!
Two weeks ago we started our new Casual Summer Teaching Series titled, Faith That Works, based on the New Testament Letter of James. James is all about learning to live out what God says about a grown up faith life.
Yesterday we tackled the not-so-popular subject of temptation from James 1:13-18. It's something everyone faces. The following are a few questions to consider in your small group or with a couple of friends as we seek to win over those things that would hinder or hurt our journey of faith.
1. Temptation is seeking to meet an honest need in harmful ways. Spend a few minutes discussing some of the everyday temptations that people give into without even realizing it.
2. James says that God is untemptable and unable to temp us. Why is that important to remember when we face temptation?
3. The Course temptation takes has never changed since Adam and Eve. It begins with desire, then deception, then disobedience (sin), and if allowed to continue it will, sooner or later end in death. The Evil One never deviates from this course, yet, we continue to get "stung" by temptation. Why? What's the real issue? Why does this Course continue to be so effective?
4. The Cure for temptation is to Wake Up to how temptation works, Look Up to God, and Store Up God's truth. Share a time when you got "stung" by temptation, and then explain how the Cure could have helped you win over temptation.
James argues that everyone of us can more and more, enjoy the life God invites us to live. It will require that we grow deep and wide in our love and commitment to Christ. Growing up in our faith life is a process that takes time! So don't give up, keep at it, knowing that God is working for our good as we seek to win over temptation.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Frank
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