James 5:1-6 Discussion Guide
Sermon Date: Nov. 12, 2023
ANNOUNCEMENTS
Baptism Zoom Classes - Want to know more about baptism? Do you know someone who hasn’t been baptized? Invite and attend our Baptism Zoom class Nov. 12 @ 1pm (Register online at clb.church/upcoming)
CLB 101 - Nov. 12 @ Westview High School 9:30am-11:30am (Register online at clb.church/upcoming)
A.M. Encounter - Join us to pray for CLB and the Sunday gathering as we encounter God’s presence and love every Sunday 8am Room 120 (CLK Hallway)
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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 money and how to invest in God’s Kingdom rather than our own.
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 5:1-6 to provide an overview for this study.
OBSERVATION
Take time to read the passage and make observations. This will help you understand the thought process of the writer. It’s ok if nothing is observed from the specific list below. Feel free to move on to Interpretation.
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 ways are we pursuing money more than God?
What can come at the cost of our pursuit of wealth (relationships/friendships, time with family, our marriages, physical/mental/emotional exhaustion, etc.) ?
Read v. 1-3. What does James say a selfish desire for wealth will do to our lives?
-Why? (Why is it being said?)
Why does money seem to bring a sense of security in our lives? Why does money fail to bring lasting satisfaction?
Why does God bring ultimate security to our lives? How have you seen God provide in your life?
Read Matthew 6:19-21. This shows how James correlates this back to Jesus’s teaching from the Sermon on the Mount.
-Why does God want to rid us of selfishness when it comes to money? Why does He get more glory when we are generous with the money He gives us?
APPLICATION
-So what? (What does God want me to do about it?)
For myself:
So what ways may the Holy Spirit be convicting me of how I spend His money?
So what ways may the Holy Spirit be calling me to be more generous with His money?
So what is the next right step I can take to better steward God’s money in ways that honor Him?
For others:
So what questions would you ask someone who struggles with being selfish with money?
So what biblical counsel would you give to a Christian who is hesitant to be more generous with money?
So what person in your life is God calling you to talk to about why giving to God is better than keeping for ourselves?
PRAYER
Feel free to ask the group for any pressing prayer requests that would be good to pray over together.
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.