CHAPTER 5 - "Are any of you suffering hardships?"

This week, we look at James 5:13-20, and how a community built on prayer and vulnerability can lead to healing and transformation for all its members.

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Question for contemplation and conversation:

How has prayer been a lifeline for you in times of difficulty or joy, and in what ways might you be invited to deepen your practice of prayer?

How can you practice being more vulnerable and open in your relationships, especially when it comes to confessing struggles and receiving support from others?

What role has community played in your personal healing and growth, and how can you actively contribute to making your community a place of grace and restoration?

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 5 - "Now listen, you rich people..."

This week, we look at James 5:1-12, and explore how we can be people who approach huge problems of injustice like economic differences, caring for the environment, and even political divides with a sense of abundance first and trust in one another.

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Question for contemplation and conversation:

How do my own attitudes and actions contribute to or perpetuate injustice? In what ways can I demonstrate greater compassion and solidarity with those who are suffering?

How can I work with others in my community to address issues of injustice? What are some mindset shifts I might need to make to do this well?

How can I deepen my faith and trust in God's promises, especially in the face of adversity? What practices can help me cultivate patience, perseverance, and a sense of hope?

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 4 - "You don't know the first thing about tomorrow..."

This week, we dive into James 4:13-17, exploring what it means to live in the present and let go of our need to control the future. Building on last week’s message, we talk about how to embrace the moment and be open to the ways we can show love in our everyday lives. Join us for a time of reflection and conversation as we learn to trust in the flow of life and find peace in the present.

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Question for contemplation and conversation:

How do you personally navigate the tension between planning for the future and staying fully present in the moment? What practices help you find balance?

In what areas of your life do you struggle with surrendering control? How might trusting in the divine flow change your perspective or actions in those areas?

Can you share a recent experience where you felt truly present and aware of the sacredness of the moment? How did that awareness impact your actions or thoughts in that situation?

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 4 - "You want what you don't have..."

This week, we dive into James 4:1-10, where we confront the internal conflicts that disrupt our peace and learn how they connect to the broader conflicts in our world. Discover how to find true, lasting peace in the midst of life’s storms as we align our hearts with God’s will.

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Question for contemplation and conversation:

Where are we at war within?

What desires are driving us and how are they affecting our relationships, our peace and our sense of wellbeing?

What are we trying to control that we need to surrender?

Where do we feel resistance, and how might that resistance be an invitation to let go?

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 3 - "If we could control our tongues..."

This weekend we continue our “Beyond Words” series, diving into the third Chapter of James for inspiration on how to live out a life of aligned action. 

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Question for contemplation and conversation:

What goodness and beauty can you name, out loud, in your life right now?

What goodness can you name in others? Can you share those words with them? (If not, what is preventing you?)

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 2 - "Love others as you love yourself."

This weekend we continue our “Beyond Words” series, where we’ll dive into the second chapter of James. We’ll explore the radical call to love our neighbors as ourselves, challenging us to extend true hospitality and compassion in a world that desperately needs it. Let’s gather to reflect on how we can put our faith into action and make a difference in our communities.

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

CHAPTER 1 - "You must all be quick to listen, slow to speak, and slow to get angry."

Join us for “Beyond Words: James’ Perspective on Actionable Faith,” a five-week teaching series exploring the practical wisdom of the Book of James. Each week, we’ll walk through one of the five chapters, focusing on the vital importance of living out our faith rather than merely believing it in our heads or talking about it. Through themes of actionable faith, radical inclusivity, and the transformative power of our words, we will embrace an embodied spirituality. Together, we will engage in meaningful discussions and activities that inspire humility, curiosity, and a deeper connection with our community. Let’s journey beyond words and embody a faith that transforms and renews.

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Question for contemplation and conversation:

Reflect on a time when you felt truly heard and understood. How did that experience impact your relationship with the listener?

What practices can you adopt to become a more attentive and present listener in your daily interactions?

Recall a situation where you reacted in anger. How might the outcome have been different if you had paused and responded thoughtfully?

What strategies can you use to create a space between stimulus and reaction, allowing for more compassionate responses?

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO? - WEEK 6

Join us for the final conversation in our “The Bible Tells Me So?” series as we explore the phrase “The Bible Says It. I Believe It. That Settles It.” We’ll delve into its origins, discuss its implications, and challenge the black-and-white thinking it represents. In a time of deep polarization, we’ll consider how this mindset affects our faith and society, seeking a more nuanced, compassionate approach to biblical interpretation. This thought-provoking and transformative conversation will guide us toward a deeper understanding and a more inclusive path forward.

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Question for contemplation and conversation:

What are some of the big influences that shaped the way you view Scripture? How has your view of the Bible changed over the course of your spiritual journey?

What does it mean to you to read the Bible with humility and curiosity? How can we have respectful conversations about Scripture with people who have diverse perspectives?

As we finish this “Bible Says So?” series, is there a particular idea or perspective you’d like to carry with you? Is there a belief or attitude you’d like to let go of as you journey forward?

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

Summer seems to pass by in the blink of an eye. In honor of the holiday weekend, Scott, Anna, and Benjamin take a pause from our regular series to reflect on the lessons and experiences of this summer. We’ll discuss what we’re learning, how life is teaching us, and our intentions for the rest of the season. Tune in for insights on staying present and connected to our families and relationships.

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Question for contemplation and conversation:

• What is life teaching you this summer?

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com

THE BIBLE TELLS ME SO? - WEEK 5

This week, we explore Jesus' statement, "I Am the Way, the Truth, and the Life," and discuss its broader, inclusive implications for our lives and faith. Join Lead Pastor Scott Hodge and Benjamin Jay Thomas as they discuss new and transformative insights about this phrase.

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Question for contemplation and conversation:

What does it mean to you personally to follow 'the way, the truth, and the life' that Jesus describes?

How does rethinking Jesus' statement, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life,' as an invitation to a transformative way of living rather than an exclusive path to salvation impact your understanding of your faith?

How does shifting the focus from the afterlife to living a transformed life here and now, as Jesus taught, change the way you practice your faith and interact with others?

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To learn more about The Orchard Community visit theorchardcommunity.com

Subscribe to Orchard Conversations in your favorite podcast app or at orchardconversations.com