Christianity 101: Wisdom

Text:  James 3:13-18

Summary:  Everyone wants to make better decisions, to know what God's plan and will for their life is, and avoid mistakes in the future.  To do those things, it's going to take wisdom.  James not only helps to define wisdom in these verses, but also gives us a sneak peak into how different our lives will look if we choose Godly wisdom over earthly knowledge.


1.  Wisdom vs Intelligence.
a.  How would you describe someone that is wise?  Is it age, life experiences, etc?
b.  How would you describe someone that is smart or intelligent?  Is it education, a large vocabulary, book sense, or common sense?
c.  What is the difference between wisdom and intelligence?  (wisdom comes from God and is defined in Ecclesiastes and Proverbs as knowing God and His Will for your life.  Intelligence is simply head knowledge, education, or common sense).
d.  According to verse 13, how does a person prove himself to be wise?  (Wisdom is shown by a person's actions, decisions, and their life, not just their eloquent speech or large vocabulary).

2.  READ Proverbs 9:10.
a.  Where does wisdom begin?
b.  How does a person gain insight?

3.  READ James 3:16.

a.  One indicator that a person may be caught up in worldly knowledge verses Godly wisdom is that their life will be marked by "disorder."  Some other translations use the word "chaos."  Would anyone be willing to share a story where your life was in disorder or chaos as a results of trying to do things on your own and using your own abilities as oppose to seeking and obeying Godly wisdom?

4.  READ James 3:17.
a.  What do you like about this description of a wise person?
b.  What do you find most challenging about this description? 

5.  READ Proverbs 3:5-6.  What is the key that we have to learn in order to jump from relying on our own personal intelligence, smarts, or experience, and start to seek, listen, and trust in God?  (Stop leaning on your own talents, abilities, and knowledge, and trust in God and lean on His wisdom and understanding of your life).


When it comes to wisdom and having the ability to decipher the voice of God, here's a simple phrase to remember:  "Intimacy determines clarity."  Do you want to know God's Will for you life?  Do you want clarity?  Then the pathway to clarity starts with having intimacy with God through prayer, the Scriptures, worship, and an authentic relationship with Him.


Read James 1:5 and Matthew 7:7-8 to close out your time together.  Remember that if you want wisdom, the Bible is very clear what your next step needs to be, and also promises what God's response will be to those that request wisdom.

Christianity 101: Taming the Tongue

Text: James 3:1-12

Summary:  This week, James mentions the importance of our speech as followers of Jesus.  He gives us examples of how powerful our words really are and how negative and divisive speech is actually just a symptom of a much deeper problem.


1.  Take a minute to list the people that you have influence over.  Everyone is a "teacher" to someone.  (Parents are teaching their kids, higher employees teach newer employees, friends teach other friends that seek them out for advice and counsel).  How are you doing with those people?  Are you teaching, equipping, challenging, encouraging, and pushing them towards a relationship with Jesus?  What feeling does it produce in you that you'll be held responsible one day for what you told them?


2.  Big things come in small packages.  Rudders steer the entire ship.  A small metal bar controls an animal that can weigh 1,000 pounds.  A small spark can burn down an entire forest of trees.  What have been some times in your life when a small word or act of the tongue caused huge ramifications (good or bad)?  How has language changed the entire course of your life?  (possible phrases: I do, It's cancer, I'm sorry, You're fired).


3.  Your tongue has the ability to build up or tear down.  It can be used to give life or to bring death.  Scripture encourages us to use our tongues for good:
a.  Read Ephesians 4:29 and Ephesians 5:1
b.  Read Proverbs 10:19-21and Proverbs 17:27
c.  Ephesians 4:1-3
What good is described in these verses?  How do these verses help show us how to use our tongue?


4.  What is the real problem that we have, and how do we fix it?
a. Read Matthew 12:34 and Matthew 15:19


HOMEWORK:  What's one thing from this week's message that you will commit to applying in your life to be a doer of the word and not just a hearer only?

Christianity 101: Faith and Works

REMEMBER:  Communion is next Sunday, so that means next week is your groups INVITE NIGHT!  Remember, this is so much more than a party to be had by the existing members.  It's a chance to invite someone to your rGroup and have some fun!  Here are 3 things I'd love for you to commit to each other tonight:

1.  Commit to each other that EVERY PERSON in your group is going to bring someone with them next week.
2.  Commit to each other that you will make your guests feel extremely welcome.  If they have a good time and make connections with other people, they are more likely to come back to an rGroup.
3.  Commit to following up with the guests the following week and inviting them back to your rGroup.



Text:  James 2:14-26

James make is very clear that faith and belief in Jesus is the only requirement for salvation, but true faith is ALWAYS accompanied by works.  There is no way that you can be truly changed by Jesus and your life not reflect that in some way.


1.  If someone asked you if you were a Christian, you would have a "yes" or "no" answer.  But what if you were asked to "prove" this faith?  What would your response be?  James argues that the real test of the authenticity of your faith is your action.  What actions would you give as examples in your life that your faith in Jesus is real?  Would your finances reflect your faith in Jesus?  What about your calendar? What about your relationships with others?

2.  What are the differences between faith and works?  Is it an either/or proposition, or do you see it as both/and?  Do you believe that faith can exist and be real without works?

3.  Read over these passages.  What is some of the graphic language that illustrates how God views people that claim to believe and have faith, yet live their lives void of any actions or works?
a.  Revelation 3:15-16
b.  John 15:5
c.  2 Corinthians 5:17

4.  Read Isaiah 29:13.  In what areas of your life do you have "big lips" that honor God, but your heart is small and is not moved?  (e.g., You may believe and confess that childhood hunger is an unacceptable problem, but you aren't moved enough to give or sacrifice to end it.  You may WANT your friends and family and co-workers to have a relationship with Jesus, but you aren't willing to talk with them about it and share the Gospel).


Here are some quick phrases to help wrap up the loose ends on understanding the connection between faith and works:

1.  You don't work to GET God; you work because you KNOW God.
2.  You're not saved BY works, but you WILL WORK if you know Jesus.
3.  You don't work TO know God; you work BECAUSE you know God.
4.  You don't work FOR your salvation; you work FROM your salvation.


Homework:  What was one thing you learned from this passage and message that you can apply to your life this week?

Announcements: Shelter Serve!
From Sunday, Feb. 16th through Thursday, Feb. 20th REVO will be serving at the Overflow shelters in downtown Winston to serve the homeless of our city during the frigid,winter weather.  We'll looking to get our people involved in prepping and serving meals, assisting with the check-in and doing overnight stays at the 2 shelters at Augsburg Lutheran Church and First Baptist Church. Take a moment to decide which night your group would like to serve.You can sign up here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1oKwFP3wnpfZ3opcknosjE5vOQINsGaf0m_U7t-oTktA/viewform