What’s True?
What do I see in the Bible?

1. Wisdom is shown in word and deed. (James 3:13 / Luke 2:52)

“It’s not just what I say, it’s also how I live.”

My deeds must be marked with humility.

2. False wisdom is born in an unsettled heart. (James 3:14)

We distort wisdom because of jealousy.

What do I not have?

Jealousy will only make me miserable. (Proverbs 14:30)

We distort wisdom because of selfishness.

What do I really want?

3. False wisdom produces the wrong focus. (James 3:15 / Philippians 3:19 / 1 Corinthians 2:14 / Jude 19)

4. False wisdom produces the wrong fruit. (James 3:16 / 1 Corinthians 14:33)

5. Godly wisdom produces righteousness and peace. (James 3:17-18 / Proverbs 2:6, 9, 20)

What’s Real?
What do I see in my life?

How do I spot wise living in my own life?

When am I most focused on what I don’t have?

Would others describe me as a peace-maker? Why?

How can I pray for the attributes in James 3:17?

What’s Next?
Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s True?
What do I see in the Bible?

How Our Mouths Reveal Our Faith

What I say matters to God. (James 3:1-2)

God will judge me by my words. (James 3:1 / Matthew 12:36-37)

My words expose my heart. (Matthew 12:33-35 / Proverbs 4:23)

My words reveal my maturity. (James 3:2)

What I say sets the course of my life. (James 3:3-8a)

My tongue is small but powerful! (James 3:5-8a / Proverbs 10:11 / Proverbs 18:21)

My tongue cannot be tamed, but it can be directed. (James 3:7-8a)

What I say is up to me. (James 3:8b-12)

I can’t control what’s in my tongue, but I can control what comes out of it. (James 3:8b-10)

My words should build others up, be timely, and give grace. (Ephesians 4:29)

What’s Real?
What do I see in my life?

How important are my words to God?

How does my faith in Jesus influence my speech?

How do my words impact my life?

How do my words affect others?

What’s Next?
Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

The Old, Old Story
The First Easter

Christianity Is Founded on the Gospel. (1 Corinthians 15:1-3)

It’s the only way to be saved. (1 Corinthians 15:1-2 / Acts 4:12)
- You must receive it by faith.
- You’re either all in, or you’re not in.

It must be of first importance. (1 Corinthians 15:3 / Romans 1:16)

There Is No Gospel without the Resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8, 12-17)

It includes the death, burial, resurrection, and appearances of Jesus. (1 Corinthians 15:3-8)

Christianity relies on the resurrection. (1 Corinthians 15:12-17)

Easter is a celebration of the Gospel.

His Resurrection Provides Us New Life.
How Jesus’ resurrection applies to me today (Colossians 2:13-14 / 1 Peter 1:3-5 / Romans 6:1-14)

I have a relationship with Jesus. (Colossians 2:13 / John 11:25-27)

I have forgiveness and peace. (Colossians 2:13-14)

I have a living hope. (1 Peter 1:3-5)

What’s Real?

How would I describe my relationship with Jesus?

Does the Gospel take first importance in my thoughts and actions?

Is my life marked with forgiveness and peace? Why?

What is my hope for life after death?

What’s Next?
Write a prayer and practical step in light of truth.

What’s Real?

How would I describe my faith? Is it active and powerful? Is it present but idle? Is it in my heart as well as my head?

How would the people closest to me describe my faith?

What kind of faith do I admire? What is stopping me from making it my own?

Can I have a true faith in something/someone if it doesn’t make a real difference in the way I act and think?

Does my faith inspire me to sacrifice my life or comfort for God and others?

What’s Real?

Have I ever broken God’s Law? What effect does that have in my life?

What does God’s Law ultimately represent?

When has God shown me mercy recently?

When have I shown mercy? Why did I do it?

What’s Real?

Have I ever been treated unfairly? How did it make me feel?

When have I treated somebody well based on what they could do for me?

When have I treated somebody poorly based on what they couldn’t do for me?

How am I treating people at my work or in my home? (Eph. 6:9)

Why is being “partial” opposed to God’s Kingdom?

What’s Real?

What position does the Bible have in my life?

In which area am I most likely to hear without doing?

What does “bridle his tongue” mean for me? (1:26)

How can a religion be “worthless” if it is based on the One truth God of the Bible?

How can I partner with God to care for the hurting?

What’s Real?

Have you ever spoken to someone that wasn’t really listening to you? How did it make you feel?

Reading the Bible is the absolute best way to listen to God. Besides that, how else do you “listen to God?”

How do you spot His voice when other voices are competing for your attention?

In which situations are you most easily angered? Why?

What’s Real?

What am I easily tempted by? How does my childhood link to those desires?

Could I be misidentifying a test as a temptation, or vice versa? (“Lord, give me wisdom.”) If so, how?

How does knowing that Jesus was tempted help me address my own temptations? (Hebrews 2:18, 4:15)

What good gifts (from God) can I focus on to keep my attention off temptations?

What’s Real?

Why does boasting feel like a wicked word? Is it always wrong to boast?

James uses the word boast, which means “to take pride in something.” It’s also translated as glory, rejoice in, brag. How do these other translations change your understanding of what boasting means?

What do you boast about (e.g. children, grandchildren, family heritage, sports team)? Why?

How can you boast in such a way that points to God and His work in your life and not yourself or your efforts?