Benefiting From Your Problems | James Pt 1 | LifeGroup Study Guide

May 3, 2022 | by Mike Prah

HOW TO BENEFIT FROM YOUR PROBLEMS (Pt 1)
James 1:2-6, 12
LIFEGROUP MEETING DISCUSSION GUIDE
James 1:2-6, 12
Mike Prah - Week of May 1, 2022

Take personal notes around your Sermon Outline as you listen to the sermon and prayerfully ask the Lord to deal with you personally. Then select a few of the following questions from each section to discuss during your LifeGroup meeting. Don't preach; use the LifeGroup moment as a forum for open discussion and sharing.

A. OPEN YOUR SESSION WITH PRAYER

B. ICE BREAKER

Take time to share what's going on in your life, testimonies, or upcoming events. Recognize birthdays and anniversaries. And/or select Icebreaker questions to discuss.

C. BIBLE DISCUSSION: PICK THE POINTS YOU WANT TO DISCUSS

I. REVIEWING SERMON MESSAGE

(a). If you could summarize the sermon, what would you say?

(b). What insight did you learn from the sermon?

(c). What character or attributes of God were stated in or implied by the message?

(d). What Bible verse cited in the message stands out to you the most? Why?

II: PERSONALIZING SERMON MESSAGE

(a). What did you hear that encouraged or reassured you?

(b). What did you hear that challenged or convicted you?

(c). From your personal experience, how can you illustrate a point from the sermon?

III: ENCOURAGING APPLICATION OF THE SERMON

(a). Who can share the positive results of applying the message to your life or the painful consequences of disregarding its truth?

(b). What personal application of the message has the Lord shown you? How do you feel about following through with it?

(c). How should the message we heard affect or change our prayers?

D: DIGGING DEEPER

"Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, 3 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything. 5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord." James 1:2-6 (NIV)

"Consider it pure joy … whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know"… James 1:2, 3a (NIV)

According to James 1:2-3a, what are the 4 facts of problems?

PROBLEMS ARE INEVITABLE
PROBLEMS ARE UNPREDICTABLE
PROBLEMS ARE OF MANY KINDS
PROBLEMS ARE PURPOSEFUL

What does this teaching mean to you?

According to James 1:3-4, what does the Bible say are the 3 benefits of problems?

PROBLEMS PURIFY MY FAITH
PROBLEMS DEVELOP MY PATIENCE
PROBLEMS HELP ME GROW

What does this teaching mean to you?
Can anyone share a personal experience where a problem you once had turned into a benefit over time in your life?

HOW TO HANDLE YOUR PROBLEMS

Why does the Bible tell us to "consider it pure joy" when we encounter problems? What does James say will result from these trials in life (verses 3-4)?

"If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you" James 1:5 (NIV)

Most of the time, we don't understand why problems come our way or their purpose. What does James tell us to do in verse 5?
Why is this good advice when we find ourselves in difficult circumstances?

James urges three godly responses to problems: Rejoice, Pray, and Relax. Which of these responses is the most difficult for you when you are facing problems? Why?

"All praise to God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God is our merciful Father and the source of all comfort. 4 He comforts us in all our troubles so that we can comfort others. When they are troubled, we will be able to give them the same comfort God has given us." 2 Corinthians 1;3-4, NLT

According to 2 Corinthians 1:3-7, what does God do for us when we face our suffering so that we can help others in their times of suffering?

What are some specific ways God has comforted you in your times of suffering?

What experience has God helped you to be able to comfort or help others in their times of need?

E. PRAYER TIME - PRAYER POINTS

Pray for each LifeGroup member to respond positively to this message and follow through on the application. Pray for a divine, positive impact as God's people apply this Word to everyday living.
Ask for individual prayer requests and pray for your group's individual needs.

PLEASE REACH OUT TO ANYONE WHO DID NOT MAKE IT TO YOUR LIFEGROUP MEETING & CHECK ON ANYONE SICK OR IN NEED IN YOUR GROUP.

THANKS FOR COMING! PLEASE COME BACK NEXT WEEK! GOD BLESS YOU!

F. ADDITIONAL STUDY

Read each Scripture passage and be encouraged by promises and testimonies of God's deliverance for others. God has done it for others. He will come through for you in your time of trouble.

“The righteous person faces many troubles, but the Lord comes to the rescue each time.” Psalm 34:19, NLT

“For you have rescued me from my troubles and helped me to triumph over my enemies.” Psalm 54:7, NLT

“I prayed to the Lord, and he answered me. He freed me from all my fears. Those who look to him for help will be radiant with joy; no shadow of shame will darken their faces. In my desperation I prayed, and the Lord listened; He saved me from all my troubles. For the angel of the Lord is a guard; He surrounds and defends all who fear him. Taste and see that the Lord is good. Oh, the joys of those who take refuge in Him!” Psalm 34:4-8, NLT

“Then Nebuchadnezzar said, “Praise to the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego! He sent his angel to rescue his servants who trusted in him. They defied the king’s command and were willing to die rather than serve or worship any god except their own God.” Daniel 3:28, NLT

“When Job prayed for his friends, the Lord restored his fortunes. In fact, the Lord gave him twice as much as before! Then all his brothers, sisters, and former friends came and feasted with him in his home. And they consoled him and comforted him because of all the trials the Lord had brought against him. And each of them brought him a gift of money and a gold ring. So the Lord blessed Job in the second half of his life even more than in the beginning. For now he had 14,000 sheep, 6,000 camels, 1,000 teams of oxen, and 1,000 female donkeys.” Job 42:10-12, NLT

“In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.” 1 Peter 5:10, NLT