July 1st- July 6th Life Group Notes

June 27th, 2024
by Nancy Wiltshire

The Joy of Hope

James 1:2-18

LEADERS - Take attendance in the TLC app.

Open in Prayer

Welcome/Introductions/Cast Vision – Remind the Life Group of the Guidelines– See bottom of page.

Doing the Mission: Did anyone share Jesus or last week’s passage?

Does anyone have a God story? An undeniable encounter or experience with God that creates an impact or breakthrough in your day-to-day life. These moments can be extraordinary or very humble, but always personally powerful.

Opening Question: Share a time where all you could was cling to Jesus in hope. What happened?

Share background for the passage: James writes to Jewish believers who have been scattered around the Roman Empire and often persecuted on how to live righteously and maintain their joy while battling temptations, trials, and selfish desires.
Thought/Focus: James says we can choose joy by believing that God is doing something good through our times of testing (hanging on to hope).
Have someone read this week’s passage: James 1:2-18

Discuss these questions: Go deeper as led. Remember Head, Heart, Hands.

What does James say that the testing of our faith produces?
What does James say is the ultimate outcome of letting God produce this in us?
When we don't know what to do next or how to do what's next what does James say we can do (vs. 5)?
How important is trusting God (having hope in His promises) to our prayer life?
Why should we find glory in humbling ourselves or being humbled by God?
What kind of person does James call "blessed" in verse 12?
Where does James say that our temptation comes from?
How does verse 16-17 offer hope to people struggling with temptations or other trials?

Next week’s passage/story: TBD

Dismiss in Prayer

Life Group Guidelines

This needs to be a place where people feel comfortable opening up and sharing with one another. Below are some group guidelines that will help create a safe environment.

CONFIDENTIALITY: What is said in the group stays in the group.

LISTEN: Let’s value one another during the discussions by really listening to what is being shared. Try to avoid thinking about how you are going to respond or what you are going to say next.

PAUSE: Allow a pause in conversation after someone shares. Give the person sharing a chance to finish and the group the opportunity to consider what was just shared before responding.

NO “CROSS TALK”: Be considerate of others as they are sharing- no side conversations.

NO FIXING: We are not here to fix each other. Jesus does that part. Speak truth is love, give
encouragement, empathize, point to Jesus. You may share solutions God has led you through. The other person should never feel shame or failure, but rather connection & hope.

NO HIJACKING of shared stories.

NO RESCUING: When people are sharing something deeply personal, there can be a tendency to try to make them feel better about themselves or the situation by providing immediate condolences. This will often cause them to stop sharing. Resist the temptation to rescue people.

SHARING: Be sensitive about the amount of time you share.

SILENCE: It is important to allow silence in the group as it provides an opportunity for someone else to share and for members in the group to process the topic or question being considered.

BE SELF-AWARE: Be self-aware of how you are personally affecting the environment through your words, actions, and non-verbal communication.

“I” STATEMENTS: It’s easy to talk about the issues of others, but for our purposes, we want you to put yourself on the table. Try to use “I” statements rather than “them”, "they", "you", “the church”, “us”, “we”, etc.

FIGHT FOR RELATIONSHIP: We will commit to resolve conflict biblically. When conflict or sin issues arise between group members, we want to make sure that we are honoring God and each other in the way we deal with these issues. We will fight for relationship. I will discuss the struggle with the person I am in conflict with first, & if not resolved, seek wise advice. The following are a few key Scriptures in this regard (there are many others.)