THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING, Part 3: Joy in the Process

We loved seeing everyone this weekend! Feel free to message us during the week if you have any questions. If you missed this week’s message, or want to hear it again, check out our SERMONS Page. Messages are generally posted each week by Tuesday afternoon.

Every week, we aim to provide you with some questions to process the message deeper, either personally or with a small group. Here are some questions for you to consider from the message, “Joy in the Process”, part 3 of the THIS CHANGES EVERYTHING series, with Pastor Shawn M. Shoup.

KEY SCRIPTURE

• James 1:2-4 ESV: “Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.”

TALK IT OUT

Discuss these questions with someone—maybe a family member, friend, or member of your Connect Group. Use a communication method that works best for your situation. 

Start talking

Find a conversation starter.  

• The Sturgis Motorcycle Rally is coming to town this week. Do you do anything different when all tourists are in the area?
• Do you go to Sturgis to see the sights, visit the booths, and attend the events? Or do you stay far away as you can (grin)? Why?

Start thinking

Ask a question to get you/your group thinking. 

• Why do you think the book of James is so “in our face” and challenging? Do you think it has to do with Jame’s personal life/story?
• And why is a lot of what he says so challenging to so many of us? Is it challenging for you?

Start sharinG

Choose a question to create openness. 

• How do you respond when you hear or read James 1:2 — “Count it all joy… when you meet trials of various kinds”?
• Do you think God uses trials like a hammer and a chisel to whittle away at our former selves and shape us into our mature and complete selves? Is the process worth the promise of steadfastness and perseverance?

Start praying

Be bold and pray with power. 

Father,

I want to lean into and learn to trust You in the process. Hold me in Your hands. Prepare me for the storms that may come. And help me learn to live from your source of strength, hope, and wisdom.

Amen and amen.

Start doing

Commit to a step and live it out this week. 

1. Get ready. So that when hardship comes, you won’t fall prey to discouragement. Jesus said, “In the world, you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.”
2. Thank God in the trials and hardships: “God, I’m in hardship right now. And instead of despising it, I’m going to do what You asked me to do, and I’m going to ‘count it all joy.’ Because I know that You are making me mature and complete through the process.”
3. Rethink your view of hardship, trials, and tribulation.
4. More than anything, let trials cause you to lean on Jesus.
5. Read the book of James in one sitting for a week and journal what Holy Spirit speaks.

• Pick one or two of those options and take steps to walk them out this week.

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