Sermon Recap
From James 1 Pastor Justin Kendrick explored how our view of God drastically impacts every aspect of our live. Our circumstances can distort our understanding of God, but Pastor Justin explained that God is the ultimate Giver—proven definitively at the cross. He then shared how God transforms us through the new birth and concluded by encouraging listeners to receive the word of truth so they can know who God really is.
Ice Breaker Option
What's a time when your expectations and reality didn't quite match up, and what did you learn from this experience?
HEAD Read James 1:16-18
• What does James say about why he wrote these verses?
• What do we learn about God from this text?
• What did God choose to do and how is this accomplished? What does it mean that “we would be a kind of first fruits of his creation”?
HEART
• What are some ways people commonly misunderstand God's nature? What distorts our understanding of who God is?
• What impact does seeing God as a 'taker' versus seeing Him as a 'giver,' have? Why is this distinction so important for our faith?
• Are there areas of your life that you are struggling to trust God as a giver rather than viewing Him as a taker? How does understanding the cross shape your view of God's character and His intentions toward you?
HANDS — Go Deeper Together
God’s view of us shapes how we live. Seeing Him as a Giver changes everything—our trust, our choices, and how we relate to others. Use this table to reflect, discuss, and respond.
Reflection & Action
1. Pause and Compare: Which column do you relate to most in your current season?
2. Identify One Area: Choose one row where you want to shift from “Taker” thinking to “Giver” thinking this week.
3. Practical Step: What is one concrete action you can take to live out this truth?
o Example: Pray for a generous attitude, serve someone intentionally, or release control of a situation to God.
4. Share & Pray: If comfortable, share your plan with your group and pray for one another to trust God as the ultimate Giver.
PRAYER
Use these prompts to guide your group prayer
• Thank God for revealing His true nature through Jesus—the Giver of every good and perfect gift.
• Ask for a renewed mind that sees God as He actually is, not as circumstances have suggested.
• Invite the Holy Spirit to help you receive God’s generosity with an open heart.
• Pray for courage to follow Christ’s example as a giver in your own daily life.