Dear brothers and sisters, when troubles of any kind come your way, consider it an opportunity for great joy. For you know that when your faith is tested, your endurance has a chance to grow. So let it grow, for when your endurance is fully developed, you will be perfect and complete, needing nothing.
James 1:2-4

God blesses those who patiently endure testing and temptation. Afterward they will receive the crown of life that God has promised to those who love him. And remember, when you are being tempted, do not say, “God is tempting me.” God is never tempted to do wrong, and he never tempts anyone else. Temptation comes from our own desires, which entice us and drag us away. These desires give birth to sinful actions. And when sin is allowed to grow, it gives birth to death. So don’t be misled, my dear brothers and sisters. Whatever is good and perfect is a gift coming down to us from God our Father, who created all the lights in the heavens. He never changes or casts a shifting shadow. He chose to give birth to us by giving us his true word. And we, out of all creation, became his prized possession
James 1:12-18

Discussion Questions
  1. Pastor John-Mark spoke to some of the key words and ideas in James’ treatment of endurance in trials. Did you have any further questions about the meaning of trials, testing, temptation, and God’s goodness in this text?
  2. Are you now, or have you ever been an endurance athlete? Have you experienced a “runners high” or similar?What kind of training enabled you to reach that level of endurance? Is there a parallel to training in our spiritual
    lives?
  3. What is your default reaction to difficult situations? Do you wish you reacted differently? Does anything in this
    week’s verses encourage you toward a new maturity in enduring hardship? Why or why not?
  4. James 1:3-4 in The Message reads, “You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.” Pastor J-M put it this way, “When it comes to endurance, there are no shortcuts.” Describe a time in your life where you matured by learning to endure.
  5. In 1:13-14, James is correcting a wrong understanding of the relationship between trials and temptation to sin.
    1. How would you explain the relationship between testing and sin to a child or teenager?
    2. Have you experienced the attitude of blaming God (yourself or by others) when under stress or temptation?
      How does it come out? In your speech, attitude, emotions?
    3. Pastor J-M read verses 14-15 as a description of how our true “loves” (desires) are revealed in times of testing. How does the exposure of our heart’s desires help us to become mature in trials? Can it be a hopeful thing?
  6. “Does God want us to be happy?”
    1. How would you respond to a friend who asked you this question?
    2. What is the understanding of God’s character and role in our lives behind this question? (What does the
      question presuppose God wants to do in our lives?)
    3. If it’s not happiness, what is God’s primary desire for us? (James 1:4, 12, 18; Luke 21:19)
  7. Verses 17-18 are James’ “source code” regarding God’s character and intentions toward us.
    1. List some of the good and perfect gifts from God in your life. (Each participant can list 1 or 2 things.)
    2. How does believing we are God’s “prized possession” (James 1:18 NLT) change our attitude about the difficult seasons of life?
  8. What trial are you currently facing? What kind of encouragement would help you endure? Do you have someone in your life who can be “on your team”? (Think of Pastor J-M’s image of the endurance racers helping one another.)
  9. As you reflect honestly on your attitude toward following Jesus, have you approached discipleship as a marathon or a sprint? How does our attitude/outlook change when we see the Christian life from James’ perspective (life is an endurance race, not a 100m dash)?
  10. How does James’ understanding of trials and God’s nature differ from the beliefs of your family members, friends, co-workers, neighbours? What do they believe about the things in life that test us?
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