05 Jul
2026

The Lord’s Coming Is Near

Passage: James 5:7-12

REFLECTION QUOTES

“A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”
—Martin Luther

“The secret is Christ in me, not me in a different set of circumstances.”
— Elizabeth Elliot

SERMON OUTLINE: 
1.The Reality of Suffering
2.The Response to Suffering
3.The Motivation to Face Suffering

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS: 

Have you experienced good that has come out of difficult circumstances? Or what difficult circumstances are you experience where you would like to have hope and goodness break through?

Read James 5:7-12. What does this passage show you about God’s character and about being his follower? What challenges, encourages, or sparks questions for you in these passages?

James deals with how we are to face suffering in these verses and in James 1:2 he writes of “whenever you face trials of many kinds.” There is a reality of suffering or trails in our lives. What is your natural reaction to this truth? Are you inclined to fight or flight against trails, to numb or distract yourself, to ignore or wallow?
The patience James speaks of here means to endure without giving up or becoming bitter. It has to do with how we wait. Patience is remaining in place and standing firm is having roots deep enough to endure. How do James’s illustrations of a farmer, the prophets, and Job show us what it looks like to be patient and stand firm?
Suffering can negatively impact the way we speak to others. James notes two ways here: grumbling and manipulating. What impact can our words have and what helps you to use words wisely when you are in the midst of suffering?
How does James’s spiritual direction in these verses challenge or encourage you in facing trials? Consider the character of God and the reality that the Lord is coming to redeem his creation including us.
What from this passage and this discussion is something you want to put into practice or be more aware of this week or praise God for?

 

PRAYER

Share with your group how they can be praying for you: what is weighing on you from this past week? What are you praising God for from this past week?

Philippians 4: 4-7 “Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.”