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The Breakdown
The Breakdown episodes
- Godly Wisdom (James 3.2)
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
- Who is someone you know that you would classify as “wise”? What made them wise?
- Describe a time over the past week when you said something foolish. What made it foolish?
ENCOUNTER
In the middle of chapter 3, James compares the destructive nature of the tongue to a horse’s bit, a ship’s rudder, and a wildfire. In each metaphor, the tongue, a small part of the body, wields the power to damage or bless others and to determine one’s destiny. At the end of the chapter, however, James addresses wisdom from above, wisdom that comes from God himself.
Read James 3:13–18 and discuss the nature of true, godly wisdom in your growth group.
- In your own words, what does James teach about wisdom?
- What are the characteristics of unspiritual, demonic wisdom?
- How is biblical wisdom different from worldly wisdom?
- What is the destiny of those who obtain and practice godly wisdom?
TRANSFORM
Wisdom is the gateway to living a peaceful life with others and with God. Take some time to reflect on the place that godly, biblical wisdom has within your own heart.
- How have you taken steps toward godly wisdom this year? How have you failed?
- Look back at your answer to question two. What would that situation have looked like if your speech was seasoned with godly wisdom
- What are ways that you can pursue godly wisdom on a daily basis?
26 min - Faith According to Paul (James 2.3)
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
- What was your first experience of death? Maybe it was a pet, a neighbor, or a family member.
- How did you wrestle with that experience? What did you learn? How did it affect you?
ENCOUNTER
In Ephesians 2, the Apostle Paul makes an audacious judgment–“And you were dead in your trespasses and sins in which you previously walked according to the ways of this world, according to the ruler of the power of the air, the spirit now working in the disobedient” (vv. 1–2).
And lest you think he’s only talking about a few people, Paul drags everyone into this state when he says, “We too all previously lived among them in our fleshly desires, carrying out the inclinations of our flesh and thoughts, and we were by nature children under wrath as the others were also” (v. 3).
But that isn’t the end of the story. As a growth group, read Ephesians 2:4–10 and ponder the great news of the Gospel.
- Even though we were dead in our sins, what was God’s attitude and demeanor toward us in verses 4–6?
- Verse 7 gives us the reason why God did this. What was that reason?
- According to verse 8, how is all of this accomplished? How is God’s life-giving grace and mercy applied to us?
- What doesn’t contribute to salvation (v. 9)?
At this point, James and Paul seem to contradict one another. Paul says salvation is, “not from works.” James says, “faith, if it does not have works, is dead” (James 2:17). However, Paul and James actually agree with each other.
- How does Ephesians 2:10 fuse faith and works?
TRANSFORM
- How have you seen God’s grace empower you for good works over the past week?
- In what ways do you think we can cultivate gratitude for our salvation in our daily lives?
16 min - Faith in James (James 2.2)
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
Over the next two James sermon studies, we are going to focus deeply on the relationship between faith and works.
- If you were 100 miles from home with no money, no credit cards, no friends, no transportation, and no place to stay, what would you do to survive and make it home?
- What is the difference between someone who talks about a problem and another who does something about it?
ENCOUNTER
In chapter two, James lays out a problem. There are some people in our church who say the right things and believe the right things but do nothing to live for others. There are people who have faith without works and others who have faith leading to works.
- In James 2:14–17, how does James illustrate the problem of a faith without works?
- James is bold in his declaration: “Faith without works is dead!” What is wrong with having faith without works?
- James is bold once again in likening a “faith without works” to “the belief of demons” (2:19). Justify James’ analogy. What are the similarities between a “faith without works” and “the belief of demons”?
- What is one way to tell if someone has genuine, saving faith in Jesus?
- This week, who in your life can be a recipient of your faith leading to good works? In other words, as an act of faith, how can you step out of your comfort zone to serve someone over the next few days?
12 min - Favoritism (James 2.1)
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
- What is your favorite Thanksgiving food? Least favorite?
- Have you ever been subjected to someone else’s favoritism? How did it make you feel?
ENCOUNTER
At the beginning of chapter two, James talks about the sinfulness of favoritism. There are several passages throughout Scripture that say “there is no favoritism with God.” But one of the most clear happened early in the life of the Church.
Early in the life of the Church, Jews ostracized Gentiles because of their Jewish beliefs. But in Acts 10, God made it clear that he has no favoritism by incorporating Gentiles into the Jewish church. After spending time with the Gentile, Cornelius, Peter begins to proclaim the Gospel.
Read Acts 10:34–48 and find out what happens.
- In verses 34–35, what is it that makes someone acceptable to God?
- According to verses 36–42, how does someone obtain peace with God?
- What does verse 43 say is the result of faith in Christ?
- Verses 44 to 48 is where the rubber hits the road. In verses 34 to 43, salvation is summarized. But immediately after salvation, God gifts believers with his Holy Spirit.How did the Jewish believers respond to God saving Gentiles?
TRANSFORM
The Gospel is the opposite of favoritism. God only sees two types of people: forgiven and unbelieving. The world today, however, constantly places us into different categories and tempts us toward favoritism..
- How can the world’s favoritism influence how we treat one another in the church?
- How can our growth group be more welcoming to people from a different status or stage of life?
17 min - Hearers & Doers (James 1.6)
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
We made it to the end of James 1. It is likely that you have grown spiritually since we began.
As we begin this week’s discussion, let’s read through James 1 as a growth group. Use this time to reflect on how the Holy Spirit has been working in your heart and mind.
- What has James taught you about God and his word?
- How has James convicted or encouraged you to obey God and his word?
ENCOUNTER
Now let’s revisit the text from Sunday. James 1:22–27 addresses a truth about all of us. We have a tendency to confuse knowledge of God with obedience to God. In other words, we can replace obedience to God’s commands with theological/scriptural expertise.
James is very clear though. We ought not do this! Rather than saying we should do the opposite, James affirms both knowledge of and obedience to God as necessary for the Christian.
- How is “hearing without doing” the word deceptive (verses 22–24)?
- By calling God’s Word “the perfect law of freedom,” James infers that “hearing without doing” is enslaving. How does “hearing without doing” enslave us?
TRANSFORM
In his commentary on James, Sam Allberry provides this helpful application question:
- Over the last week, how have you confused knowledge of God’s word with obedience to God’s word in your relationships with unbelievers?
15 min - Anger (James 1.5)
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
- How did this week’s sermon expand your understanding of anger?
- Often, we excuse ourselves of anger by using words like “upset” or “disappointed.” What are other words we use to describe our anger?
ENCOUNTER
In Matthew 5, Jesus preaches the famous Sermon on the Mount. In the sermon, Jesus addresses the sin of anger. But rather than defining anger and condemning it, Jesus equates anger with murder.
Read Matthew 5:21–24 and allow Jesus’ words against anger begin to soak in.
- Matthew 5:21–22, Jesus says that anger expressed through insult and slander deserve the same eternal judgment as murder. What are the similarities between anger and murder that leads Jesus to this conclusion?
- What scenario does Jesus give to the listening Jews in Matthew 5:23–24?
- Because Christ was sacrificed on the cross, we no longer have to offer sacrifices to worship God. If Jesus preached Matthew 5:23–24 to believing Christians, what scenario could he have used instead?
- How does Matthew 5:23–24 relate to verses 21–22?
TRANSFORM
By comparing anger, murder, insult, slander, and the breaking of a relationship, Jesus shows that we can’t excuse our anger simply by calling it something else. Whatever word we use for it–irritation, annoyance, etc.–it is still anger.
- Describe an instance when you were angry over the past week. How did you fight against it?
- Anger is reactive. What situations coming up over the next week do you anticipate a struggle with anger?
14 min - Missions Emphasis (Psalm 67)
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
- When you hear the word “missions,” what do you think of?
- Who comes to your mind when you think of a missionary? What did they do on the mission field?
- What encouraged or challenged you as you listened to the missionary updates this week?
ENCOUNTER
Read Psalm 67 together as a group and hear God’s heart for the nations.
- Verse 2 expresses a desire for God's ways and salvation to be known among all nations. How does this verse connect to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18–20)?
- Verses 3 and 5 both repeat the phrase, "Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you." How does worship relate to evangelism and missions?
- Verses 6–7 talk about the earth yielding its increase and God’s blessing leading the ends of the earth to fear Him. What is the connection between God’s provision and the spread of the gospel?
TRANSFORM
- In light of Psalm 67, what steps can we take as individuals and as a church to better engage in the work of missions and evangelism?
- As a growth group, how can we encourage one another toward evangelism?
13 min - James 1.4 – Temptation
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
- What non-sinful indulgence is a temptation for you (a certain food, hobby, activity, etc.)?
- When are you most likely to succumb to that temptation?
- How would you define temptation?
ENCOUNTER
- What temptations did the nation of Israel succumb to in the following passages: Numbers 25:1–9; 21:4–6; and 16:41–49.
- Read 1 Corinthians 10:1–11. How do the Israelites serve as examples to us? What are they examples of?
- According to 1 Corinthians 10:12, who fights against temptation?
- According to 1 Corinthians 10:13, how does God assist us in our fight against temptation?
TRANSFORM
- The passage mentions that the nation of Israel serves as an example to us. They are an example of how not to face temptation. On the other hand, the Holy Spirit gives believers the strength to overcome temptation. How can we serve as examples to one another in overcoming temptation?
- What comfort does 1 Corinthians 10:13 give you? How does it strengthen your resolve to fight temptation?
13 min - James 1.3 – The SOTERIA Journal (James 1:13–18)
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. What did you take away from this Sunday’s sermon?
In this week’s sermon study, we begin a two-week discussion on temptation. Today we will prepare for the sermon on James 1:13–18. And next week we will reflect on it.
2. How did you overcome temptation over the past week?
ENCOUNTER
This sermon study is a guide to reading Scripture. How do we study God’s Word? While there are numerous methods for reading the Bible, one of the ways that we advocate for is The SOTERIA Journal. In this method, SOTERIA is an acronym for: Seek God, Observe, Take Away, Explain, Respond, Intercede, and Apply. Use this method of Bible study as you prepare for next week’s sermon.
3. Seek God’s help through prayer. Ask God to help illuminate hearts and minds to what God says in his Word. Then, read James 1:13–18 together.
4. Observe what the text says. What is going on in this passage? What is being discussed?
5. What takeaways do you have from this passage? What stood out to you? What truths were you reminded of?
6. Explain the message of this passage. What is the author’s intended meaning? How should we interpret James 1:13–18?
PRAYER
7. Respond to God in prayer. How can you adore/thank God? What do you need to confess?
8. Intercede for one another. What temptations do you struggle with? Pray that God would strengthen each of you in your fight against temptation.
TRANSFORM
9. Apply James 1:13–18. How can you respond to this text? What practical steps can you take to apply the truths from James 1:13–18?
13 min - In Pursuit of Wisdom /// James 1:5–8
Welcome to The Breakdown, the weekly podcast designed specifically 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!
14 min
About The Breakdown
From the publisher's feed
Welcome to "The Breakdown," the weekly podcast designed specifically 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!