08 Sep James | Part 1 “The Christians Field Guide to Trials” – All Locations
Life Group Leader Training: Only for apprentices ready to lead a group.
TWO SESSIONS AVAILABLE:
Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events):
NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS
TRUNK OR TREAT IS ON! REGISTRATION FOR TRUNKS WILL BE OUT SOON. IN THE MEANTIME, GET WITH YOUR GROUP AND COME UP WITH A THEME (NO SCARY STUFF PLEASE) AND DECORATE YOURSELF AND YOUR TRUNK! BRING LOTS OF CANDY TO GIVE OUT TO THE LITTLES!
MORE INFO TO FOLLOW!
PAT BARRET CONCERT INFO:
There are a limited number of General Admission tickets available at the NA Campus bookstore and there is a church presale discount available online through 10am Monday, June 17th.
NEW BOOK BY PASTOR TIM: “ENDING EMPTINESS” now available in our Lobbies, Kindle, and Nook endingemptiness.com
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Reminders:
✳ Please regularly check your Planning Center profiles for requests to join your life groups, remove members from the list that no longer attend, or add members not listed. Please ensure that you have added no-reply@churchcenter.com to your email contacts so that you do not miss an email from Planning Center and encourage your members to do so as well. This will ensure you do not miss a member request or any emails that come from the Planning Center site. Thank you!
Waters Class Schedule:
- 1st Sunday: Discover Waters – after 1st service
- 2nd Sunday: NO CLASSES
- 3rd Sunday: Connect Class – after 1st service
- 4th Sunday: Baptism Class – after 1st service
Waters Help: Need marriage and family care or have a group member in need of marriage and family care? Click here: help resources page or visit waterschurch.org/help
Location Text Alerts:
| North Attleboro | Text “subscribe” to 508 695-1300 | |
| Norwood | Text “subscribe” to 781 762-3357 | |
| Apollo Beach | Text “subscribe” to 813 642-6979 | |
| Woonsocket | Text “subscribe” to 833 241-4837 | |
| Southcoast | Text “subscribe” to 508 809-3490 | |
Key Verse: James 1
Ice-breaker
Q: What is your favorite book or movie of all time?
What we need in times of trial:
1. Joyful Optimism
James 1:2-3 (ESV)
- Trials are inevitable, but our response is a choice.
- The command to “count it all joy” is about viewing trials as opportunities for spiritual growth.
- The Greek word for “count” (hegeomai) implies taking charge of how we view trials, not letting them overwhelm us.
- Outlook determines outcome: We resist trials if we value comfort and ease. But if we value perseverance, steadfastness, and spiritual growth, we will welcome them as refining moments.
John 16:33 (ESV), 1 Peter 4:12-13 (ESV, Romans 5:3-5 (ESV)
Q. What specific trial has tested your faith recently, and how can you shift your perspective to see God’s purpose in this trial?
What we need in times of trial:
2. A Surrendered Will
James 1:4 (ESV)
- Steadfastness (patience) isn’t passive endurance but active perseverance.
- Surrender means trusting God’s process in trials rather than resisting or complaining.
- Jonah’s story (Jonah 1-4) shows the danger of outward obedience with inward rebellion. Don’t resist God’s work in the trial, as Jonah did.
Leader Prompt
Use the story of Jonah as an example when discussing resisting God’s will versus surrendering.
Q. Have you ever followed God’s will outwardly but struggled inwardly? What steps can you take to embrace God’s work in your life fully?
What we need in times of trial:
3. Humble Dependence on God
James 1:5 (ESV)
- Trials aren’t for avoidance; they’re for growing wisdom. God promises to give wisdom to those who ask in faith.
- Humility in trials means recognizing our need for God and seeking His wisdom to navigate difficult circumstances.
Riches and earthly success cannot shield us from trials but can be an opportunity to boast in God’s provision and grace.
James 1:6-7 (ESV), James 1:9-11 (ESV)
Q. How can trials help you grow in wisdom and deepen your dependence on God, even when you face success or difficulty?
What we need in times of trial:
4. Expectation of Blessing
James 1:12 (ESV)
- Blessed (Makarios) means a deep, abiding happiness that comes through enduring trials.
- Enduring trials in this life brings future rewards and present blessings of growth and joy.
Like Joseph (Genesis 41:51-52), who endured hardship for years but later saw God’s purpose and was “fruitful in the land of affliction,” we too can expect God to bring good out of every trial.
Q. How have you experienced joy and growth after enduring a trial?
Scripture Meditation ( Encourage your group to meditate on this scripture this week):
James 1:2-4 (ESV)
Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Closing Prayer:
Dear Lord, thank You for the trials You allow into our lives to shape and refine us. Help us to count them as joy, surrender our will, and humbly depend on Your wisdom. Remind us of the blessings You’ve promised as we remain steadfast. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Remember: Trials are not obstacles but opportunities to grow closer to God and reflect His glory. Keep the faith, endure, and be blessed!
Challenge: Reflect in prayer on any area where you may resist God’s leading, ask for His wisdom, and take a tangible step toward surrender. Trust that His plan is more significant than your own, and pray for the strength to let go entirely.
Pray for each other, your communities, our leaders in Church and government, and the lost.
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