As James wraps up his letter, he emphasizes the importance of prayer and faith. Throughout the Book of James series, we have received practical teaching and instruction to help us grow and live purpose-filled lives for God’s glory, but we cannot walk it out in our own strength. We need the power and presence of God, so we must pray! And we need faith in order to break through the natural into the supernatural. If we press into prayer and build our faith, we will see God do great things in our lives and the world around us. Reflection Questions 1. When you face a difficult situation, at what point do you usually stop and pray (right at the beginning, when it starts to get really hard, or when you reach a place of desperation)? How can praying first change the way you walk through trials? 2. What unknown future are you facing right now that might be causing anxiety or fear in your life? How does it make you feel to know God already knows exactly how it will turn out? What is something you’ve been praying for, for a long time? 3. Are you ever tempted to give up? Pray for these things as a group and stir up your faith together so that you can continue to persevere. https://www.ethosoh.com/churchonline Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org

In the church at Jerusalem who James was writing to, there was some major fighting, problems, conflict, and drama. Unfortunately, not unlike what churches across the world still experience today. This is why a lot of people never give church a chance. Many people are open to God, they’re just turned off by His church. Not only do we fight with people within the church – we fight with people outside the church. People who don’t believe what I believe, behave how I behave, value what I value, support what I support, vote how I vote. We spend so much time fighting unnecessary wars that only divides us further. But why are we at war with one another? We belong to the same family, we trust the same Savior, we are indwelt by the same Holy Spirit and yet we fight one another. James chapter four lays out how we can become spiritually mature by becoming peacemakers not troublemakers. “But the wisdom from above is first of all pure. It is also peace loving, gentle at all times, and willing to yield to others. It is full of mercy and the fruit of good deeds. It shows no favoritism and is always sincere. And those who are peacemakers will plant seeds of peace and reap a harvest of righteousness” -James 3:17-18- 1. What are some of the reasons Christians war against each other today? 2. Why are these wars a particularly bad commentary on Christians and the Church today? (See John 13:34-35) 3. Jordan said we receive God’s grace when we submit to God, draw near to God, and humble ourselves before God. Take a minute to reflect and discuss what that looks like in your life. Is there any area of your life that you have kept back from God? https://www.ethosoh.com/churchonline Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org

In James 3, James teaches us how powerful our tongues are. Like a rudder that steers a large ship, or a spark that turns into a forest fire, our tongues have the power to impact lives around us. Not only are they powerful, but they are also difficult to control. We’ve seen how destructive words can be, but the power of our tongues can also be used to give life and build people up. However, we know that behavior modification does not work or help us long term. Jesus says, from our heart the mouth speaks, revealing what’s inside of us. In order for us to use the gift and the power that God has given us, we must allow God’s love to transform our hearts. In doing so, we become mature followers of Jesus; gracious in speech, positively impacting people around us, the future, and ourselves. “If you claim to be religious but don’t control your tongue, you are fooling yourself, and your religion is worthless.” -James 1:26 (NLT) 1. What are some ways you have seen words impact people around us in a negative way? How have you personally been affected by destructive words? 2. Talk about how easy it is to be careless in speech. In what areas of your life can you be more intentional with your words and the way you speak? 3. What does it look like for you to allow God to continue to change your heart so that words can be like a fresh spring of water? Talk about ways you can begin to allow Him to transform you this week? https://www.ethosoh.com/churchonline Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org

James 2 says we must not show favoritism, but, instead, love our neighbor as ourselves. We cater to certain groups of people in hopes of getting something from them - Jesus served all people to give something to them. The enemy wants to divide the Church, and we need to be intentional and diligent to preserve our unity. We have to fight together against division. James examines five basic Christian doctrines in the light of the way we treat other people in order to learn how to love well, how to practice the “Royal law”. 1. What are some ways you have shown favoritism or experienced the negative effects of favoritism in your life? Why is it important to look at others from the inside out? 2. Talk about what kind of language divides us and what kind unites us. How can you use your words to promote unity in your home, church, and community? 3. What does it mean to show love without judgment? Talk about some practical ways we can love our neighbors as ourselves. https://www.ethosoh.com/churchonline Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org

The Book of James was written to a church that was scattered and couldn’t meet all together due to circumstances beyond their control. We’re still experiencing a similar separation as a church today. In difficult times like these, trials and temptations are inevitable, but God will empower us to persevere as we live out our faith and grow spiritually mature. This is what the book of James is all about, growing spiritually mature and the first mark of maturity that James identifies is learning to become “patient in testing”. Easier said than done but that’s where God comes in … 1. What does it look like to truly trust God in the middle of a trial? Share about a time in your life when God empowered you to persevere through something difficult. 2. In times of trial, do you tend to trust God or fight for control? In what ways do you need to fully surrender to God? 3. How have you become more mature because of a trial that you’ve experienced in the past or are experiencing in the present? https://www.ethosoh.com/churchonline Ethos is a life-giving community committed to keeping Jesus at its Center. We are on a mission to love all people in Jesus' name so that we may all Know God, Find Freedom, Discover Purpose, & Make a Difference. EthosOH.com Small Groups: EthosOH.com/Community ServeColumbus.org