Read the above scripture twice
What strikes you in this scripture?
What does it mean to use the Word of God as a mirror in your life?
Read James 1:23 again
What is the difference between “hearing” and “listening”?
When you think of 2019 and all the things you wanted to do on a spiritual level – did it happen as planned?
What was your spiritual goal for 2019?
Read James 1:22 again
In what area do you need to challenge yourself again, and go and hear what the Word of God reveals?
If we look into the back-mirror on the past year – filled with some tough and challenging moments – what is one or two areas where you probably had to ‘be still’ more?
How would it have helped you to reflect or meditate more in these areas?
It is interesting that meditate/reflect relates to the word “ponder”, which is the root word for the Sterling Pound currency. This brings us to the weightiness of being still. Not just still in a worldly sense, but truly becoming still with God and his Word.
Read the following scripture:
What strikes you in this scripture?
What thoughts do you need to bring in line with the Word of God?
To deliberately become still in God’s presence can be hard work. This is when we are confronted with the true, raw and real Word of God.
Listen to the following song. What is God telling you while you listen?
What is the effect when we actively use the Word of God in our times of being still in God’s presence?
It confronts us with who God is.
What is currently the most amazing thing about God to you?
Read the following scriptures:
What strikes you in these two scriptures?
What does it teach us about God?
Being still is a process. Like it purifying water you first need rocks, then sand, then filters and then you add a purifying agent.
May the process of becoming still in God’s presence excite you again!
May God surprise you in the ways that He reveals himself to you!
And may your life be calibrated to the Word of God.
Pray together
Read this scripture as a group
Read it verse by verse – what strikes you in these verses?
There was a World War 1 soldier that wanted to ‘awol’ – and on a dark night he actually did it. He left the trench and went on his way. He was from England and wanted to catch a boat on the Italian coast.
At a road sign on the way he had to light a match to see where he is. To his surprise it was a sign with Jesus on the cross and the words, “Keep your faith active”.
The soldier realized that he can’t have faith in Jesus Christ and not actively show it by staying in the army. He returned to the trench that same night and served his time in the army.
Read James 2:26
James 2:26 confirms the principle that faith without works is dead.
Read Romans 13:11-14 again
What strikes you in this verse?
Why are our actions so important?
When we see the theme of ‘time’ or ‘day of the Lord’ in the Bible, it refers to the return of Christ.
What does it entail to sleep or to simply maintain?
This is important to note in terms of how we stay “awake” and alert in doing good works for God.
These deeds can’t look like the world’s, as works of faith testifies of a living relationship with Jesus.
What does your works of faith look like?
On what do you spend a lot of time that you can rather spend on your spiritual life?
Buying out time entails that we spend our time in a more Godly way. What do you need to spend more time on?
Being part of a community of faith means that every person has an active role to play where God uses you to serve and minister.
It is sad when people don’t play their part with passion.
Describe a situation where people drag and sleep, rather than actively enhance the Gospel.
How can we change this?
Read the following scripture:
What strikes you about this clothing?
God created us to work. In what area of your life do you need to put on God’s armor and use your weapons actively?
To actively buy out time and make the most of every opportunity is to “walk habitually before Me (God) with integrity, knowing that you are always in My presence, and be blameless and complete in obedience to Me”. (Genesis 17:1, Amplified Bible)
May you be reminded that Christ’s life was one of surrender.
May you be strengthened to actively life every moment of your life for Christ!
Pray together
When you think of 2019, the past year that is almost over, what were your high- and low points?
What are your criteria for determining achievements and success?
Success is often connected to money or status.
What do you think Godly achievements and success entails?
The congregation in Colossians attached their success to earthly things. This is not always wrong, but if it’s the only factor, you have a problem.
They thought only special knowledge and ceremonies give you access to God and salvation.
They had double standards. Paul wrote the following to them:
Read Colossians 1:11-20
This is a special scripture that describes something of Jesus’ being.
What strikes you in this scripture?
What aspects of it give you the message that “Jesus should be your everything”?
What verses give you the message that “Jesus determines your worth”?
What do you think currently determines your value?
This scripture reminds us that our value is determined by Jesus Christ!
The truth is … Jesus wants to be our centre and focus.
Watch the following clip (click on the red):
What is the current centre or focus point that you’re chasing in order to excel and be successful?
What in your life needs to be re-evaluated?
Read Luke 1:28-33
God meets Mary and share His sovereign plan with her. Her reaction is one of “Let your will be done in me”.
When was the last time that you told God, “Lord, be the centre of my life. Let your will be done in me.”
Read Colossians 1:11-20 again
What strikes you this time?
When you think of your life, especially the past year … what is currently first priority in your life?
If you’re in that place where your life wasn’t “great” this year …
May you remember that “When I have nothing, God is still enough”.
Read the following scripture:
What strikes you in this scripture?
There is a Greek word for “knowing” which is KINOOSKOO – intimate knowledge.
May you make the choice again to know Jesus in this intimate way and make Him the centre of your life.
Pray together and make the following scripture part of your prayer: