Pressure Point: Week 1

In this weekend's sermon, we heard that Barna's research reported that 65% of 18 to 42-year-old people in the United States have made a personal commitment to Christ, yet most of these people are not committed to Jesus in every area of their lives. This kind of lifestyle is not what Jesus calls us to live. He calls us to live as His fully devoted followers, holding nothing back. To live this way, we have to grow in our faith. Today we are studying the first chapter of the book of James, which will help us understand how to have genuine, authentic faith in Christ.

BREAK THE ICE

Who is someone you know who is fully devoted to Christ? What stands out about this person?

SMALL GROUP QUESTIONS

Bible Study Questions

1. What things hold people back from fully committing every area of their lives to Christ?

WATCH SERMON RECAP

2. Read James 1:1-4. What was the significance of the way that James introduced himself?

James 1:1-4

"This letter is from James, a slave of God and of the Lord Jesus Christ.

I am writing to the "twelve tribes"-Jewish believers scattered abroad.

Greetings!

2 Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. 3 For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. 4 So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing."

3. How does God bring good out of our difficult times?

4. Read James 1:16-18. What do we learn about God in these verses?

James 1:16-18

"So don't be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. 17 Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. 18 He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession."

 Application

1. When did God use a trial you faced to help you grow?

2. What is a difficulty you are currently walking through? How might God be growing you even now?

3. Every good gift comes from God. What is at least one of the gifts He has given you today?

MOVING FORWARD

James 1:5 reminds us to pray for wisdom when we need it. In what area of your life where you need wisdom? Share it with your group. After everyone has shared, pray together. Ask God for wisdom not only in those areas but in every area of your life. Remember, He promises to give us the wisdom we need when we ask Him for it.

 GOING DEEPER

When we face difficult times in our lives, we can either choose to quit or keep going. Scripture teaches us to keep going throughout our trials and difficulties. In other words, we need to persevere. The writer of Hebrews teaches us more about perseverance and how to persevere even when we want to give up.

Definition of Perseverance:

Before diving into teaching about perseverance from the book of Hebrews, we must first understand exactly what it means to persevere. Take a few moments to explore the definition of perseverance and then discuss what you learned about this word with your group.

1. Look up the definition of perseverance in several different dictionaries. (You can use your phone for this if you do not have dictionaries nearby.)

2. When you are finished, write out your own definition of what it means to persevere.

3. Share the definition you write with your group and what you learned about perseverance through this exercise.

Why We Must Persevere:

Keeping in mind what you have learned about perseverance, turn to the book of Hebrews to discover why perseverance is important.

1. Read Hebrews 12:1.

Hebrews 12:1

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us."

2. According to this verse, why are Christ followers called to persevere?

3. Browse Hebrews 11 in your Bible. What stands out about how these people persevered during difficult times?

4. How does the example these people in Hebrews 11 set encourage you to persevere?

How We Can Persevere:

Not only does the author of Hebrews tell us to persevere, but he also shows us how to persevere. Look at what this book of the Bible teaches us how to keep going when we want to give up.

1. Re-read Hebrews 12:1 along with verse 2.

Hebrews 12:1

"Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses to the life of faith, let us strip off every weight that slows us down, especially the sin that so easily trips us up. And let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. 2 We do this by keeping our eyes on Jesus, the champion who initiates and perfects our faith. Because of the joy awaiting him, he endured the cross, disregarding its shame. Now he is seated in the place of honor beside God's throne."

2. What are ways we can persevere, according to this verse?

3. What things easily “trip us up” (verse 1) today and keep us from persevering? What does it look like to let go of these things?

4. How can we “keep our eyes on Jesus” (verse 2)? How does focusing on Him help us persevere? 

Reflect:

Now that we have a good definition for perseverance, understand why endurance is essential, and know the steps to persevere, let's reflect on our own lives.

1. What is an area of your life you feel tired or like giving up?

2. Why is perseverance essential for you in that area?

3. What step can you take to persevere starting this week?

End your time praying together. Pray for wisdom and courage to persevere. Commit to praying for each other throughout the week as you all commit to persevere, even when things are difficult.

MONTHLY MEMORY VERSE (Available for download on Sagebrush App)

Wherever your treasure is, there the desires of your heart will also be. Matthew 6:21