James 3:13-18 Discussion Guide

Sermon Date: Oct. 15, 2023

ANNOUNCEMENTS

  • Middle School Outing - Thursday October 19, 5:30pm-9pm @ Skinny Bones (Register online at clb.church/upcoming >> “More” >> “Registrations”)

    Waiting Room - Saturday Oct. 14, 9am-noon @ CLB Offices (Register online at clb.church/upcoming >> “More” >> “Registrations”)

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WHY CITY GROUPS?

The point of a City Group is to help us apply God’s Word to our everyday lives through the power of the Holy Spirit, and to multiply faithful intimates of Jesus who make more disciples of Jesus. So we gather regularly to give ourselves to three basic Christian practices: sharing stories, reading the Bible, and praying.

PRAY

Ask if anyone would like to open up in prayer and ask God to bless your time together

STORY

Break the ice with a testimony..

Who has prepared their 5-7 minute story?

Who can give testimony of God’s goodness right now? (i.e. answered prayer, provision, transformation, etc.)


VISION FOR THIS DISCUSSION

In this discussion we will take a look at the topic of true wisdom. What is true wisdom? Is there “false” wisdom? How do we become wise in God’s eyes?

QUESTIONS ABOUT THE PASSAGE

Use the OIA (Observation, Interpretation, Application) method to read, study, and use Scripture to grow in knowing and following God.

Read James 3:13-18 to provide an overview for this study.

OBSERVATION

Take time to read the passage and make observations.

  • Any repeated words, phrases?

  • Any comparison/contrast between characters, topics, passages/stories?

  • Specific characters—named or unnamed?

  • Any connecting words/phrases to bridge verses, stories, or ideas?

    (“therefore..”, “however..”, “In the same way..”)

INTERPRETATION

-What? (What’s being said in the text?)

  • What would you say is the main idea of this passage in your own words?

  • What is the importance of being wise?

  • What makes God’s wisdom better than “worldly” wisdom?

  • Read v. 17. What does true wisdom look like?

    • If you were to take this list as a litmus test (pure, peaceable, gentle, etc.), what areas of godly wisdom is there room for growth in your life?

-Why? (Why is it being said?)

  • Why do you think James says that jealousy and selfish ambition are the opposite of godly wisdom?

    • Why are jealousy and selfish ambition “earthly, unspiritual, and demonic”?

    • Why do they lead to “evil of every kind”?

  • Read Matthew 5:3-11. This shows how James correlates this back to Jesus’s teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.

    Why do these verses model true wisdom?

    • What does this passage show us about our own hearts? Are we living a life that God is happy to bless?

    • What does this passage show us about God’s heart and character?

    • Why is this passage Good News to us Christians?

-So what? (So what does God want me to do about it?)

  • So what jealousy or selfish ambition is God calling you to turn from and let go of?

  • So what daily habits can we do to start practicing godly wisdom in our homes, jobs, marriages, friendships, neighborhoods/communities, and in the church?

APPLICATION

-Inward Application (for myself)

  • Head—What are the biggest obstacles and struggles we can have when dealing with jealousy? Selfishness?

  • HeartWhat do we really want (aka what’s our true motive) in the moments we choose to operate in jealousy or selfishness?

  • HandsWhat’s the next right step you can take to live in humility and purity with those around you?

-Outward Application (for others around me)

  • HeadWhat biblical counsel would you give to a Christian who struggles with jealousy and selfishness?

  • HeartWhat questions would you ask someone who is jealous and selfish?

  • HandsWho in your life is God calling you to care for and have a conversation with to talk more about godly wisdom vs. worldly wisdom?


PRAYER

  1. Feel free to ask the group for any pressing prayer requests that would be good to pray over together.

  2. Use the TACOS acronym to let the text you studied pray for you:

Thanksgiving - “Father, thank you…”

Adoration - “Father, You are…”

Confession - “Father, I confess…”

Others - “Father, I pray for…”

Self - “Father, please help me…”

*If size or group dynamics seem to hinder prayer, consider dividing into groups of men/women or groups of 3-4 to reduce barriers to praying out loud.

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James 4:1-10 Discussion Guide

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James 3:1-12 Discussion Guide