community group discussion guide
April 26-27, 2024
Friday 7:30 pm, Saturday 3:30 pm & 7 pm
All CGs are highly encouraged to attend this year’s spring conference on how to engage friends and neighbors on hot topics with biblical wisdom and grace. Don’t miss out on an opportunity to learn from an incredible line up of guest speakers in person!
introduction
opening question
How do you know if someone is really listening to you?
read James 1:19-26 (NIV)
19 My dear brothers and sisters, take note of this: Everyone should be quick to listen, slow to speak and slow to become angry, 20 because human anger does not produce the righteousness that God desires. 21 Therefore, get rid of all moral filth and the evil that is so prevalent and humbly accept the word planted in you, which can save you.
22 Do not merely listen to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. 23 Anyone who listens to the word but does not do what it says is like someone who looks at his face in a mirror 24 and, after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. 25 But whoever looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues in it—not forgetting what they have heard, but doing it—they will be blessed in what they do.
26 Those who consider themselves religious and yet do not keep a tight rein on their tongues deceive themselves, and their religion is worthless.
Take a few moments to reflect on the Scripture. Share some insights, questions, or points that strike you. Then read what follows.
listening to his voice
In the biblical worldview, real listening includes responding. When God gives Israel the summary of the Law, known as the Shema (meaning “listen” or “hear”), he begins with listening: “Hear, O Israel: The Lord our God, the Lord is one. Love the Lord your God with all your heart” (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). James picks up on this core teaching, what he calls “the perfect law that gives freedom” (v. 25), when he says, “Do not merely listen to the word” (v. 22).
Real listening goes beyond just hearing words. It involves a change of will: “humbly accept the word” (v. 21), and a change of action: “Do what it says” (v. 22). When someone doesn’t listen, they have some other goal in mind. In the same way, James vividly describes competing aims as “moral filth” and “evil” (v. 21), which can show up as impulsive speech and anger (v. 19). Humble and responsive listening is required for the church to grow in “the righteousness that God desires” (v. 20). The stakes couldn’t be higher. The word “can save you” (v. 21)—a reference to salvation getting worked out now and finally in the future.1
James illustrates his teaching with a mirror (vv. 23-25). If you simply hear God, but don’t respond, it’s like looking in a mirror, leaving, then forgetting what you look like. This is spiritual forgetfulness. It’s only by practicing the word that you truly come to remember what it says. In the Bible, remembering also implies acting on that memory. “Remember that you were slaves in Egypt and the LORD your God redeemed you from there. That is why I command you to do this” (Deuteronomy 24:18).
The practical litmus test for religious devotion is not listening to scripture, sermons, and singing along in service. Among other things, it’s speech (v. 26). The divine word gets mirrored in everyday talk, which becomes a source of blessing (v. 25). When God calls you into his grand story, you can treat others as full individuals with their own struggles and wishes, not just supporting characters in your own story.
1 Grant R. Osborne, “James.” The ESV Global Study Bible. Crossway, 2018..
2 Awed to Heaven, Rooted in Earth: Prayers of Walter Brueggemann. Fortress Press, 2002. See this helpful blog post by Neighbourhood Church Beckenham on being a listening people.
- What are some practical ways to actively listen to God??
- How does being “slow to speak and slow to become angry” (v. 19) cut against cultural norms today?
- What does it mean to be a good listener, and how does trust factor in?
- Where in your life can you practice better listening?
- Reflect together on how God’s word both reassures and sends us into the world. In a written prayer, Old Testament scholar Walter Brueggemann says:
group application
As a group, pray that you would be especially tuned in to other people this week. Pick one person in your life to check in with. If you’re comfortable doing so, share with the group why you chose them.
invitation to pray
Would you join us in praying for Redeemer West Side as we search for our next senior pastor? You can use the following meditative prayer guide to reflect on God’s living word and to intercede on behalf of our church. It will be updated monthly with new Scripture and prayer requests.
Note: If your group is short on time, you can start with the 3rd reading.
Tips for small groups:
- Four volunteers can be the scripture readers.
- The facilitator can read the silent reflection questions aloud and keep time (30–60 seconds).
- During the prayer times after the 2nd and 3rd readings, we encourage you to use the style of conversational prayer, which emphasizes listening and uses short prayers that build upon one another. Review the Conversational Prayer Guide together before you begin.
meditative prayer
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart. I will be found by you.”
- Silent reflection: What words or phrases stand out to you?
- Share with the group: Take turns saying those words or phrases aloud.
2nd Reading: Read the Scripture aloud.
- Silent reflections (30–60 seconds each): What might God be inviting your to right now?
- Pray conversationally in response to reflection
3rd Reading: Read the Scripture aloud.
- Silent reflections (30–60 seconds each):Based on these verses, how can you confidently and expectantly intercede on behalf of Redeemer West Side?
- Pray conversationally about these topics:
- This transition period of our church
- Pastors, staff, lay leaders, congregants
- The pastor search committee and the candidate interview and discernment process during the month of April
- Redeemer’s future as part of God’s continued movement in the City
© 2024 Redeemer Presbyterian Church West Side
All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. Th
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