Like Jesus Series Discussion Questions

 

January 26, 2025 -James, like Jesus

  1. Have you read the letter of James before. How would you describe it?

  2. James begins with describing his identity, before the identity of Jesus. How did James’ identity and activity change as he truly got to know his brother? Matthew 13:55, Mark 3:21, John 7: 5, Acts 1:14, Acts 15:19, Acts 20:18

  3. What happened in 1 Corinthians 15:3-7 that radically changed James identity? How was Jesus' identity more deeply understood by James in this moment?

  4. James' identity found itself grounded in the Identity of Jesus in three ways. Talk through how this was a radical shift for James.

    James saw Jesus as LORD, which meant...

    James saw Jesus as JESUS/SAVIOR, which meant...

    James saw Jesus as CHRIST/MESSIAH, which meant...

  5. What does it mean for you to find Jesus as LORD, SAVIOR, and MESSIAH?

February 2, 2025 - Suffer Like Jesus

  1. In the 90's Dr. Tedeschi began researching Post Traumatic Stress Growth. How is this a discovery of what James calls us to with finding joy in suffering?

  2. How does James' greeting to "the scattered" set the tone for addressing suffering?

  3. Unrealistic expectations can be the beginning of letting trials overwhelm us. How does this greeting cause us to realize "you're not the first and you're not the worst" and establish our minds on what Jesus can do?

  4. Jesus can do a lot with our suffering. First He can produce steadfastness. How is this seen in Michael's sheep and the need for "hard ground" in our lives?

  5. Jesus can do more with our suffering. Steadfastness can lead to maturity in faith in Jesus. How was this seen in the tragedy of a family members death?

  6. Being double minded in life can prevent us from moving through our pain. James and Jesus calls us to stay focused on trusting God. When we do this we can ask God for wisdom. There is a wealth of wisdom in the experience of pain:
    Philip Yancey: Where is God When it Hurts
    Dr. Paul Brand: The Gift of Pain
    CS Lewis: The Problem of Pain and Surprised by Joy

    Craig Groeschel: Hope in the Dark

    Victor Frankle: Man's Search for Meaning

    Joni Earekson Tada: A Place of Healing

  7. James wraps up by calling us to hold fast to God instead of lesser things. James uses an illustration from Jesus to make this point. You can only find wisdom in someone who has experience and applied knowledge in faith. How is this seen in James' relationship with Jesus, the readers relationship with James, and our relationship with this passage?

  8. What does that say about how Jesus can use your joy in suffering and other people in need?

  9. Wrong expectations, being double minded, and holding on to lesser things will lead to frustration and being overwhelmed.
    James calls us to Focus on who Jesus is (compassionate and merciful)
    James calls us to establish our minds on what Jesus can do
    James calls us to know that Jesus is with us in our suffering and won't let our suffering be wasted. How can you pray for each other in the midst of suffering and trials?

February 16, 2025 - Live Free Like Jesus

  1. Read James 1:19-27 together again.

  2. James contrasts being "quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger" with the opposite. Where in your life do you struggle most with this, and what practical steps can you take to improve in that area?

  3. We discussed two yokes: legalism and liberalism which can lead to slavery to sin. Which of these do you find yourself wrestling with more, and how does that yoke impact your relationship with God and others?

  4. James emphasizes being "doers of the word, and not hearers only." Think of a specific truth from Scripture that you've been learning recently. How can you put that truth into practice this week?

  5. The message uses the analogy of looking in a mirror and forgetting what you saw. How can we cultivate a habit of remembering and acting on what we learn from God's Word?

  6. Read 1 Corinthians 6:12. What was the grid that was discussed that we can used from this passage to guide us in stewarding our freedom well?

  7. How does understanding your identity in Christ impact your choices and actions? Where do you see a disconnect between your identity and your behavior?

February 23, 2025 - Value Others Like Jesus

  1. What stood out to you from the message from James 2:1-13?

  2. What was it like when you visited Cascade for the first time?

  3. Where are you experiencing dissonance between what you SAY you believe vs. how you actually live?

  4. Who gets overlooked in our community? In our church?

  5. How will you welcome those whom God is sending to our church?

March 9, 2025 - Work Like Jesus

  1. What was the most destructive thing ever spoken over you?

  2. What was the most encouraging and life changing thing ever spoken over you?

  3. James begins this focus by calling everyone out (especially leaders) over the judgment that is waiting for them based on how they use their words. Why is this judgment more pronounced for teachers?

  4. Talk through the heart illustration of the motivations that lead us to love and live for Jesus. How does this fit with Jesus' parable in Luke 12:48. You have been given all of this! What are you doing with what has been given you. What words should be coming out of you if this is your new identity?

  5. James speaks of the impact your words can have on your personal life and life immediately around you. How has your life been shaped by the words you have used or the words spoken over you?

  6. James intensifies this illustration with the rampant impact fires can have. How do our words collectively bring death or life to our communities? Could our immature life as believers impact our cities and nation?

  7. James leans back into his original point with fruit and water illustrations. If we are swimming in the living water of Jesus then we should begin speaking His words. How did Jesus use His words with a variety of people? How and why should we begin speaking like him?

  8. Speak no evil. challenge! 1. Don't complain or grumble. 2. Don’t boast or brag. 3. Don't gossip or repeat bad info. 4. Don't tear anyone down.
    5. Don't defend or excuse yourself. 6. Always lift people up. How would this redefine your relationships?

  9. Speak blessings like Jesus. As you think through the relationships around you how can you say "This is what I see in you" and "This is the possibilities I see of Jesus working in and through you". What would this look like in each of your relationships?

March 16, 2025 - Wise Like Jesus

  1. James brings our attention to a common thread that runs through scripture. The world was founded in His wisdom and flourishes in His wisdom but our individualism corrupts and destroys. How is this seen in 3:13-18?

  2. How is selfish ambition found in the “Happy Lies” that empower our individualism? How have Ralph Waldo Emerson’s words become central to our world’s philosophy of life? How is this seen throughout our nation? How is it working for us?

  3. What happens when this attitude comes into our church? What does it mean to have “precious” things that are too important to us? James likens this to murder within the church. Why was he so extreme with this example?

  4. How have you seen “precious” things become primary and divisive within the church?

  5. James depicts a path out of idolatrous individualism through the grace of Jesus. Individualism corrupts our hearts and destroys our community. How does grace give us a new Identity that leads to activity to unite the church?

  6. How is this similar to Jesus’ call for us to ABIDE in Him? How did this impact the adulterous woman and the disciples of Jesus?

  7. Pray through these closing thoughts:

    • What do I need to repent of as being too precious and primary?

    • Jesus call me back by your grace… thank you for giving me more grace now.

    • How do I need to exhibit your grace to those around me?

March 23, 2025 - Pray Like Jesus

  1. What is prayer? How did James model prayer and how would James describe prayer?

  2. When we fall out of alignment with God and are not connected to Him in prayer our life degrades. How do current medical journals prove that prayer can change that?

  3. In James 4:13-17 he challenges our tendency to feel capable to do life our way. How does James highlight the fragility of life? How should that affect us?

  4. In James 5:1-6 he challenges our tendency to hold onto earthly treasures. What happens to our life and the life around us when we depend on corruptible treasures?

  5. James 5:13-16 demonstrate the power of prayer. When are we supposed to pray?

  6. How does praying in community reinforce our ability to align with God and live out new activities?

  7. Talk through the four points of praying in community. You’re not alone. You belong to Him. You are forgiven. You can walk in His peace (alignment).

  8. James calls us to fervent prayer that continues to be working in our life… This is a lifestyle of prayer. When this is a lifestyle we live before God we can anticipate power and change. What does that look like in your life?

March 30, 2025 - James Like Jesus

  1. What did you notice as you heard the whole book in one sitting?

  2. Where do your actions need to line up with your profession of faith?

  3. When are you tempted to have your words curse instead of bless?

  4. How can you change that?

  5. What perspective shift do you need to have in your prayer life?