Revelation 12:11

James 3:13-18

The Big Idea: Godly wisdom is transformational for everyone involved

1. The Birthmark of Wisdom is a Humility

John 5:44

2. The Two Versions of wisdom

a. Ungodly wisdom – resulting in a disordered soul

b. God’s wisdom - resulting in human flourishing

3. The Fruit of Wisdom is a harvest of right relationships

Proverbs 3:13-18

Response:

• Ask God for wisdom

• Commit to peacemaking

• B.L.E.S.S. Your Oikos

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Ephesians 3:7-13

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Revelation 12:11

James 3:1-12

The Big Idea: Managing your mouth requires God’s constant help.

Problem #1: Presumptive authority

Problem #2: Your tongue is a very real and present danger.

“You know the saying, “Sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” I have no idea who came up with that. It’s simply not true at all. No one stays in a hospital with a broken bone forever, but the couches of counselors are dented by those who sit week after week searching for healing from hurtful words. Of the things you hate about yourself most are things others have said to you, probably when you were young and didn’t know how to handle them. Words can damage the soul.” - David McLemore

Problem #3: It all starts at the source

Matthew 12:34

Matthew 15:18

Response:

• Humble your heart before God

• Invite the Presence of God into your heart

• B.L.E.S.S. your Oikos

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: Matthew 6:25-34

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Revelation 12:11

James 2:14-26

Does this disagree with the Apostle Paul?

Ephesians 2:8-10

The Big Idea: Faith without Incarnation is worthless.

1. The Proposition (v 14-17): Dead faith cannot do a thing

James makes his point with two questions:

• What good is it? 

• Can such faith save him?

2. The Argument (v 18-25)

• Works are evidence that a person has faith.

• Even demons believe the Shema

• When faith and deeds work together, anyone can please God

3. The Concluding Statement (v 26)

The body without the spirit is dead - so faith without deeds is dead.

Response:

• Do I have a saving faith, or a dead faith?

• Let Christ live in you by His Spirit

• B.L.E.S.S. Your Oikos - This is your natural field of play for deeds

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: 2 Chronicles 34:26-28

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Revelation 12:11

James 2:1-13

The Big Idea: Our simple command is to love people.

1. Crucify your impulse to be God

2. Choose what God chooses

3. Live with your verdict in mind

The Conclusion of the Matter: James 2:13

“Mercy triumphs over judgment.”

Response:

• Leave judgment to God

• Choose mercy every time

• B.L.E.S.S. Your Oikos

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Walking With Jesus Week 4 - Our Identity: Joyful Exiles
May 21, 2017 Jim Ladd

The Big Idea: Following Jesus means living as resident aliens in this world, looking forward to being home in the future.

1 Peter 1:1-2; 1 Peter 2:9-12

What is this theme of how to live?
We are EXILES and are to live as FOREIGNERS.
We are RESIDENT ALIENS

Two Implications:
1. We are PILGRIMS
2. We are DIFFERENT but ENGAGED

The Test To Know How You’re Doing (vs. 11-12)
1. Are you winning over your SINFUL DESIRES?
2. Are you living a GOOD LIFE?
3. Are you misunderstood and OFFENSIVE?
4. Are you irresistibly ATTRACTIVE?

What is a good life?
SUBMISSIVE to authority
Living in FREEDOM
RESPECTING everyone
Skilled at experiencing UNJUST SUFFERING

How Do I Get The Power To Do This?
1. Know WHO I am:
2. Know the power of WHOSE I am.
Exodus 24

Revelation 12:11

James 1:19-27

God wired three desires into your DNA

• To properly worship God 

• To have God’s Blessing on all that you do.

• To be used by God to change somebody’s World

The Big Idea: To play the long game, “Listen Up, Grow Up, and Follow Up”

Three Rules for Life:

1. Listen Up

• Prov. 10:19 NLT “Too much talk leads to sin. Be sensible and keep your mouth shut.”

• The worst outcome possible: “He deceives himself and his religion is worthless”

2. Grow Up

Hebrews 12:1

3. Follow Up

• Listening does not put you into any special favor with God - only obedience does.

Psalm 1:1-3 

Galatians 5:6

Response:

• Lean into the supernatural work of God 

• Listen, Grow, Obey

• B.L.E.S.S. Your Oikos

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: 2 Corinthians 9:6-15

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)

Revelation 12:11

We will overcome this way as well: The Blood of Jesus, the story of our obedience and life, and not loving our lives as to shrink from death.

James 1:9–18

Big Idea: Temptation is an opportunity to move toward God or away from God.  

Two Forces on our Soul:

1. Outward trials and attacks that erode our faith in God.

2. Inward temptations to move away from our trust in God.

Are you tempted to move toward God or away from God?

Temptations become crossroads, an opportunity to press toward Jesus or toward our fleshly desires.

Keys to Choosing the Road Toward Jesus:

1. Reframe trials and temptations

God cares more for your growth than your comfort.

Every failure is a chance to experience God’s mercy, every temptation a chance to depend on Jesus, every trial a chance to lean into the Spirit.

2. Understanding the Kingdom concept: Conception to Birth to Outcome

“Jesus may be in your heart, but grandpa is in your bones.” Pete Scazzaro

2 Peter 1:3

God’s power is enough for us to find victory over temptations. He IS the source for us to overcome. 

3. Live like Jesus—a Humble State of Dependence on God

Every temptation pushes us toward a growing faith or away from a walk with Jesus. 

Response:

• Ask: what temptation can be converted to moving to be like Jesus?

• Reflect: Examine your heart, especially the beginnings.

• BLESS your Oikos

Revelation 12:11

James 1:1-8; 12

The Big Idea: Find joy in your trials because perseverance is the path.

‭‭Doctrine of God: He is the generous, holy, unchanging source of good; He is sovereign and just.

Doctrine of Sin: It is universal and indwelling all people, resulting in death. It expresses itself in anger, moral filth, blasphemy, discrimination, bitterness, pride, theft, and oppression.

Doctrine of End Times: The day of rewards, the day when God’s Kingdom will be introduced, the day of judgment, the day of the Lord’s return.

Trials are your servants

2 Corinthians 12:8-10

The greatest challenge in trials is the lack of wisdom.

There is nothing in God that keeps Him from giving, but unbelief is a barrier.

Mark 9:24 

Daniel 3:17-18

Matthew 26:39

Revelation 2:8-11

Response:

• Commit to kissing your cross

• Ask God for wisdom without doubting in Him

• B.L.E.S.S. Your Oikos

DISCOVERY BIBLE STUDY

► This week's Passage: 1 Corinthians 15:50-58

► Connection questions:

1. What are you thankful for?

2. What is a challenge you are facing?

3. How did you do with last week’s “I will” statement?

► Have at least one member of the group restate the passage in their own words

► Individual answers to five questions:

1. What stands out to you?

2. What does this passage tell us about people?

3. What does this passage tell us about God?

4. Based on the passage, what is one thing I could do differently starting now and what would happen if I did? (each person commits to their action for one week using an “I will…” statement)

5. Who are you going to tell about what you discovered? (each person commits to having that conversation before the next meeting)