MY NEXT STEP TODAY IS:

I need to receive Jesus Christ as my personal Savior for the first time

I need to be baptized
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/baptism

I need to attend Starting Point
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/starting-point

I need to join a small group
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/bridge-groups

I need to join a serve team
https://www.thebridgevenice.com/serve

Dig Deeper:
1. Do you know of someone who is a skeptic…someone who is constantly questioning or doubting what they hear? What are the advantages and disadvantages of being a skeptic?
2. Read James 1:1. Why do you think James left out that he was the brother of Jesus?
3. Read James 1:2. James is writing to the twelve tribes of Israel who were facing persecution for being Christians. They weren’t about to go through a trial, they were currently in one. Knowing this, what do you think might have been their initial response to “consider it great joy”? What might be a response from someone reading it currently?
4. Why is peace, comfort, and joy so important to us? Why do we want trials to go away so quickly?
5. What is the difference between joy and happiness?
6. What is the difference between rejoicing IN trials and rejoicing FOR trials? What is James stating we should do?
7. How does a child mature physically, emotionally, and socially as they grow up? Do trials play a part in this maturity?
8. How does God grow all his children in spiritual maturity? What role do trials play?
9. Read James 1:3-4. What can trials reveal about us?
10. Have you ever had to physically endure something…a race or athletic event, or even a physical ailment? How did endurance play a role in the outcome?
11. Why are we more vulnerable during trials to believe lies from the enemy? Why is there always a test associated with a trial?
12. Read James 1:5. What will God do if we feel we lack wisdom during trials? How does he give us wisdom?
13. What is the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
14. Read James 1:6-7. How does our trial, and us asking for wisdom, ultimately deepen our relationship with God?

Live It Out:

How do we take our faith into our trials?

1. Consider your trial a great joy: If you are in a trial, are you considering it a great joy? Spend time this week with God, asking Him to change your heart so that you can focus on joy that comes from the deep settled confidence that God is good and is in control of every aspect of your life.
2. Let endurance have its full effect: We mature in Christ through endurance. Have you lost your endurance…your ability to “remain under” your trust in God through your faith in God? Pray to God to provide you with a renewed sense of strength and endurance. Look up scripture verses that can provide encouragement.
3. Ask God for wisdom and trust Him to provide: We don’t go through trials alone. God is with us every step of the way. Have you asked God for wisdom in a trial you are facing? Wisdom is a gift God generously gives as we seek Him and ask expectantly. We must actively seek to understand from God’s point of view and then faithfully act on the wisdom He provides as He provides it.

Reading Plan:
Monday: James 1:1-8
Tuesday: Romans 8:18-30
Wednesday: Romans 8:31-39
Thursday: Acts 14:21-23
Friday: 1 Peter 4:12-19
Saturday: Romans 5:1-5