Truthers Week 1 – Discussion Guide
Getting Started
Main Idea:
Trials are a good thing.
Discussion Starter:
What is the wildest conspiracy theory you have ever heard?
Introduction:
This week we begin a new series on the book of James called Truthers. James did not initially believe his brother Jesus was the Messiah, but after the resurrection, James was convinced and became a leader of the church. The book of James contains practical advice for following Christ while living in the world.
Encounter God
Primary Scriptures: James 1:1-8
Discussion Questions:
- Read James 1:1-4. What is your first response to trials? Have you ever experienced the testing of your faith producing endurance? Share with your group. Hearing others’ stories of faith and endurance encourages us to keep going!
- Read James 1:5-8. When you have to make a decision, who do you ask for advice? Do you pray about it? Think of a time you made a big decision and the process you used. How did it work out?
- Discuss with your group what it means to ask in faith and not doubt. Everyone doubts at some point. How do we avoid being “double-minded and unstable”?
Discovery Bible Method:
For deeper study, as an alternative to the questions above, read James 1:1-8 and use the Discovery Bible Method to explore the passage.
Embrace Others
Suggestion: Consider breaking the group into twos or threes for this section.
Live out James 1:5. If you are facing decisions (big OR small), pray for each other and ask God for wisdom and discernment in these decisions.
Engage the World Around Us
Engaging at Faith Promise:
Are you back to in-person worship and missing someone you used to see weekly at church? Or are you watching FP online and missing the people you used to see on campus? Reach out! Call or text them this week. Invite them to group. Maintain connections!
Engaging in Community and the World:
Many schools are now back in session. Even if you don’t have kids or your kids are not attending in-person, the schools are still in need of supplies. Could you donate some cleaning wipes or Keurig coffee or tea pods for a school’s teachers lounge? Contact [email protected] if you want to make a donation but you don’t know where to take it!
Expand God’s Kingdom
Maybe you have friends and family who think Christianity is just another conspiracy theory. Does it encourage you that even Jesus’ own brother did not believe in Him at first? When you speak with people who do not yet believe, try to understand that they may think that faith in Christ is as crazy as believing the earth is flat. The first step to convincing someone to believe what you believe is to listen to their beliefs, understand their experiences, and see where they are.
Leader’s Notes
ALL groups at Faith Promise should follow Jesus Christ and lead others to do the same. Below are the marks of a growing follower and disciple of Jesus.
– A follower of Jesus desires to encounter God through the deeper study and application of God’s Word.
– A follower of Jesus embraces people and values relationships on a deeper level so everyone can grow together.
– A follower of Jesus engages and serves the world around them and in their community, through local partners or God-directed opportunities.
– A follower of Jesus expands God’s Kingdom through development and multiplication of disciple-makers, possibly to lead more groups at Faith Promise.
