Happy Monday everyone! Yesterday, we looked at James 5:7-12, which teaches us how to hang tough in the face of difficult times. The following are questions to consider as we seek to live out the truths this ancient pastor promotes.
- Uncontrollable circumstances, unchanging people, and unexplainable pain are three “cards” many people have been dealt that can cause them (and us) to feel like giving up. Share a time in which you faced one of these and how you were able to get through it. List two or three activities that were “lifesavers” for you.
- It’s interesting that in dealing with hardship and injustices, James warns his audience and us that we should not complain about each other nor should we make careless promises. What is in us that tempts us to turn on each other or to make promises we do not mean or cannot make good on?
- The principle of expectation says we should live with the Lord’s return in mind. The early church did this...what are some activities or attitudes that could keep us from living with an eternal mindset.
- Describe a difficult time in your life where God continued to use you in spite (or perhaps because of) the trial you were facing.
- Share an important truth or lesson you learned as a direct result of facing a hard time in life. James teaches that difficult times bring about greater maturity as we learn to respond in ways that honor God. He also reminds us that there is reward or blessing for all those who hang tough in the face of trying times (James 5:11). How do these truths affect the way we view hard times?
May our great God help each one of us to move forward in our faith life in the face of tough times. Have a great week!
Grace and peace,
Pastor Frank
No comments:
Post a Comment