Trevor Hunt                                            Rockford Campus                                           October 1, 2023

 

In Significant Moments

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION GUIDE

 

REMINDERS

Leader Development Class (Sunday nights) – Our team has come together to make space for our leaders to come together to connect, to grow, and to leave charged up to lead well. This opportunity begins this week and will run weekly during the Sunday evening programming. It is a class you can jump in on at any time. Our goal is that all of our leaders would be connected into trainings at least 4 times a year in order to keep sharp and to help sharpen others. For questions or suggestions on class topics, please reach out to Trent Heaton ([email protected]).

 

New Additions – We have new folks reaching out to connect about groups on a weekly basis. Please let us know if you’re able to welcome some of these new members into your group to have a space to experience Jesus’ love together.

 

TOGETHER IN LIFE

Warm Up QUESTION: Share about a trip that you’ve taken. Was it the best, worst, most fun, exciting, surprising, disappointing, etc?

 

 

TOGETHER IN THE WORD

 

THIS WEEK’S KEY PASSAGE: James 2:14-26

 

Note: We encourage you to read the entire text together as a group out loud.

 

 

IN SIGNIFICANT MOMENTS

James is writing to a specific audience, people whose faith is on cruise control.

 

Faith in Action

QUESTION: What area in your life are you longing for comfort/ease/cruise control?

QUESTION: Have you ever experienced a time when you really needed physical help, but were only offered words? How did you feel?

 

Faith Unapplied is Unprofitable

Paul’s audience is those who are unsaved, while James is writing to those who are already saved.

QUESTION: How would you explain the tension between what Paul says in Romans 3:38 and Ephesians 2:8-9 and what James is saying in this section of scripture?

QUESTION: Share about a time where you took a step of faith that felt risky.

 

• Sin – Am I aware of, acknowledge and repent of my sin?
• Cross – Am I aware of the sacrifice Jesus made for me, have I accepted this gift?
• Gratitude – Am I grateful for Christ’s rescue in my life?
• Fruit – Is the fruit of my spiritual life evident?

Do you see spiritual fruit in your life? If not, work backwards up the former words asking yourself questions until you find where you’re lacking.

QUESTION: In Hebrews 11, there are many great examples of faith written. Take some time to imagine what you would like your faith story to be and share with the group.

QUESTION: What evidence of faith do you see in the lives of your group members? Take some time to share and encourage one another.

TOGETHER IN ACTION

Next Steps: Reflect on the relationship between sin, cross, gratitude and fruit. Ask God to help you better understand their impact on your faith.

Think of one person this week that you can encourage about the fruit you see in their life.

 

TOGETHER IN PRAYER

Pray 1 Peter 1:13 together, “Therefore, preparing your minds for action, and being sober-minded, set your hope fully on the grace that will be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ.”