Check the Events Page for What is Happening (not everything is listed here) (waterschurch.org/events):

ALL LOCATIONS:

Life Group Leader Training Session on Monday, October 21 at 5:45 online.  Here is the link for your apprentices ready to leade a group: Life Group Leader Training

NEW ENGLAND LOCATIONS

TRUNK OR TREAT OCTOBER 26, 11:00a to 1:00p: REGISTRATIONS FOR TRUNKS IN NA AND WOONSOCKET ARE NOW AVAILABLE ON OUR EVENTS PAGE.   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!  

SHOW IN NA OCT 27, 2024

Smokin’ Hot Life Tour feat. Jaron Myers & Shama Mrema

Join us for a fun night of great comedy with Shama Mrema, known for his viral hits and engaging comedy, and Jaron Myers, whose infectious joy and relatable humor have captivated millions. Don’t miss this comedy event packed with laughs and entertainment!

★ Jaron Myers is a Kansas City-based standup comedian with a devoted online following of over 1 million fans and 450 million video views. Known for his infectious joy and relatable humor, Jaron feels like a lifelong friend you can’t help but laugh with. With two Amazon Prime specials and features in Buzzfeed, Newsweek, and College Humor, Jaron is a rising star in comedy. Catch him on tour at colleges, comedy clubs, and churches nationwide.

★ Shama Mrema, an African-born, American-raised entertainer, gained fame in 2018 with his viral hit “Veggie Tales Remix.” This success led to a spin-off show on Yippee TV, where he starred and co-wrote the music. A homeschool graduate and former pastor’s kid, Shama now captivates over 400,000 followers with his engaging content on screens and stages alike.

TICKETS AVAILABLE ONLINE  AT https://showops.co/e/591/smokin-hot-life-tour 

(ALSO AT NA CAMPUS BOOKSTORE – CONSIGNMENT TIX AVAILABLE WITHOUT EXTRA FEES, WHILE SUPPLIES LAST)

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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:

LEADER: PLEASE NOT EACH POINT HAS A PRACTICAL APPLICATION TO SHARE WITH YOUR GROUP AND 3 KEY TAKEAWAYS AT THE END OF THE STUDY.

Key Verse: James 2

Ice Breaker:

Q. If you could instantly learn a new skill without effort, what would it be and why?

Opening Prayer:

“Lord, as we come together today to explore Your Word, we ask for open hearts and minds. May Your Spirit guide our understanding and help us live out our faith in a way that brings life to ourselves and others. Let our works reflect the love of Christ and bring glory to Your name. In Jesus’ name, we pray, Amen.”

James 1:22 ESV

If faith without words is dead, faith with works is alive.

 1. Faith comes ALIVE when it BENEFITS me.

James 2:14 ESV  

Faith is of no benefit to anyone when no works accompany it.  It is worthless.

Your faith should benefit someone.

Philippians 2:12–13 ESV 

You must work OUT what God has put in you.

Works of Faith that Benefit me:

A. BAPTISM & COMMUNION – it is about obedience to God’s word.

B. PRAYER & BIBLE READING – prayer is talking to God, and Bible reading is God speaking to you.

C. HEARING the PREACHING of the Word 

D. FELLOWSHIP with CHRISTIANS

Q. How have the personal works of faith—like baptism, communion, prayer, Bible reading, and fellowship—helped your faith come alive? 

Practical Application:

• Spend time reflecting on one area of your life where your faith has challenged you to grow.
• Write down a specific action this week to demonstrate humility or love towards others.

2. Faith comes ALIVE when it BENEFITS people OTHER than ME

James 2:15–17 ESV

James was addressing a Church where rich people were neglecting the basic needs of poor people.  

If you see someone in need, help them.  Don’t just “bless them” with words.

WORKS of FAITH that BENEFIT others:

A. SERVING – doing for others.

B. GIVING – giving to others.

C. FORGIVING – letting others off the hook.

D. WITNESSING – sharing Christ’s work with others.

James 2:18 NLT 

Q. Who in your life right now needs practical help, and how can you serve them?

Are you willing to sacrifice time, resources, or comfort to meet someone’s needs?

Practical Application: 

– Identify a specific person or family in need this week and commit to tangibly serving them.  

3. Faith comes ALIVE when I BRING my BEST to God. 

James 2:19 ESV 

Demons believe God is one, and they fear God’s existence, but they don’t do anything.

James 2:20-23 (ESV)

Abraham offered his best.  He did not hesitate at God’s command that day.  He was all in, and God intervened.

Hebrews 11:19 ESV

James 2:24 ESV

Romans 3:28 ESV

Two Axis of JUSTIFICATION:

1. VERTICAL justification: God DOES it; we BELIEVE it.

2. HORIZONTAL justification: We LIVE it, people SEE it.

Ephesians 2:8-10 ESV

I’m saved by grace through faith FOR WORKS, not of the LAW, but from LOVE.

Q. Think of a time when you felt entirely motivated to follow through on something you knew was right, even if it was challenging. What inspired you to take that step, and how might that same motivation apply to doing God’s will in your life?

Practical Application:

– Choose one area of your life to intentionally surrender to God this week—a relationship, a habit, or a fear.  

– Ask God to help you live out your faith in obedience and surrender.

4. Faith comes ALIVE when I BREAK from what’s COMFORTABLE

James 2:25-26 ESV 

(From Joshua 2)

When Joshua’s men were sent to check out Jericho, they met Rahab, who housed them and told them she was ready to change her life, leaving the city behind and embracing the God of Joshua and Moses.

They offered her an escape, and they would spare her from destruction.

Through works inspired by faith, Rehab detached from the world that was passing in order to join the world that was lasting.

Q. What is something God calls you to do that feels uncomfortable or risky?

Practical Application:

– This week, challenge yourself to take a step of faith in an uncertain situation.  

– Pray for the courage to trust God even when it requires stepping out of what’s familiar or safe.

Key Takeaways:

1. Faith is active and visible: James emphasizes that faith without works is dead (James 2:17). True faith must produce tangible actions that reflect a believer’s commitment to God. Just as a defibrillator returns a heart to life, our faith must be accompanied by good works that demonstrate its vitality. This means actively engaging in practices such as prayer, fellowship, and service to others, which benefit our spiritual growth and positively impact those around us.

2. Examples of Faith in Action: The lives of Abraham and Rahab serve as powerful illustrations of faith accompanied by works. Abraham demonstrated his faith by his willingness to sacrifice Isaac (James 2:21), showing his complete trust in God. Similarly, Rahab acted on her faith by protecting the Israelite spies and helping them escape (James 2:25). These examples underscore the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones and making sacrifices for the sake of our faith, illustrating that genuine faith transforms our actions and aligns them with God’s will.

Closing Prayer:

“Father, thank You for this time of learning and fellowship. We pray that You stir our hearts to put our faith into action. Help us to be doers of Your Word, not just hearers. Let our faith come alive in ways that glorify You and bless those around us. In Jesus’ name, Amen.”