Welcome to The Breakdown, the weekly podcast designed for growth group leaders at ⁠⁠Soteria Church⁠⁠ in West Des Moines, IA. Each week, we provide time-sensitive announcements to keep you in the loop and walk through the sermon study to help you lead meaningful discussions. Whether you're preparing for your next group meeting or looking to deepen your own understanding, The Breakdown is your go-to resource. Tune in and stay connected!

REFLECT

1. Would anyone be willing to confess a moment over the past week when you were unfaithful to God in thought, speech, or action?
2. What is the significance of James’ use of the term “adulterous” in James 4:4? How does this strong language reflect the seriousness of spiritual unfaithfulness?

ENCOUNTER

In the opening to his letter, James states that he is writing to a predominantly Jewish audience. Naturally then, James assumes his readers are familiar with the Old Testament. When he opens up James 4:4 saying, “You adulterous people!”, he expects them to think back on Hosea’s prophecy. In this prophecy, God likens Israel’s idolatry to marrying a prostitute who continually falls back into unfaithfulness. And yet, God is still faithful to his people.

Compare the following passages in Hosea with James 4:4–8 and notice the gravity of James’ words.

1. Compare Hosea 13:4–9 with James 4:4–6. What did Israel’s pride lead them to do?
2. Rather than honoring God as supreme, Israel trusted in lesser things. What did Israel esteem in God’s place in Hosea 8:4–6?
3. Compare Hosea 14:1–3 with James 4:7–8. What does God call Israel to?
4. When Israel draws near to God again, how does God respond in Hosea 14:4–7?

TRANSFORM

James’ charge is serious. In likening worldliness to adultery, James’ audience would have trembled in fear. But Hosea’s prophecy and James’ preaching is a pleading to grow deeper in faithfulness to God.

1. Which of these poor responses to your own sin do you gravitate toward? Self-Deceit (convincing yourself that it’s fine), Self-Righteousness (condemning others and making excuses), Self-Atonement (making up for your sin by doing good works), Self-Indulgence (medicating with worldly pleasures), and Self-Grief (acting like the victim rather than the perpetrator).
2. James calls believers to “Draw near to God,” and promises that “He will draw near to you.” Instead of the response you gravitate toward, how can you draw near to God this week?