Message Notes
- James 1:5 – The Lord gives wisdom for focused living.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- James 1:6-8 – When our hearts are divided, our lives are unstable.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- James 1:7-8 – The Lord’s wisdom anchors us in Him.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- James 1:22 – Our follow-through reveals our focus.(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
A Focused Doesn’t Chase ;
It Chases
- Let Obedience, Not Emotion, Be Your Decision Filter(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- Stop Overcommitting; Start God-committing(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- Summit Church Will Be a Congregation Known for Faithful Follow-Through(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Praying Together
Praise the Lord:
- for the gift of faith to trust Him with our financial futures, including our ongoing giving to the Lord through the ministry here.
- for using us to be part of bringing Jesus to our city, region, state, nation, and world.
- for the goal of enriching our city and county.
- for the physical and emotional healing of those in and connected to our church community.
- for all the new people the Lord is sending to join with us who are experiencing hope in Jesus.
- What are you praising the Lord for this week?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Ask the Lord:
- to bless, expand, and protect our brothers and sisters of the persecuted Church, especially in Yemen.
- to bless, provide, and empower our brothers and sisters of the Church of Merced.
- for the healing of physical and emotional illness of those in and connected to our church community.
- for our military member of the week: Ian McKee, Air Force.
- for the blessing and success for our missionary of the week: Jojo and Heather DeGuzman with CRU.
- for the ongoing financial provision for Summit Church.
- What are you asking the Lord about this week?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Discussion Guide
CHECKING IN
What’s something you started with good intentions but struggled to finish? What got in the way?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONVERSATION
- What is one thing that stood out to you from Sunday’s service?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- Who is someone in your life you would describe as “faithful,” and what makes them that way?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONSIDERATION
- As part of your S.I.P.S. (Sing, Investigate, Pray, Stay) for today, read James 1:5-8, 22, and then answer the questions:
- James says God gives wisdom “generously and without reproach” (verse 5). Why do you think we still hesitate to ask God for wisdom in real-life decisions?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- In verses 6–8, James describes the double-minded person as unstable. What does “double-minded” look like in everyday life—not just spiritually, but practically?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- How does James 1:22 challenge the idea that faith is mainly about beliefs or intentions?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- Where do you see the greatest temptation in your life to drift from commitments—time, priorities, relationships, or spiritual disciplines?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- Read John 14:21. Jesus connects love for Him with obedience to His commands.
- How does this passage deepen or challenge James’s call to be “doers of the word”?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- In what ways does love for Jesus strengthen our ability to remain faithful to our commitments when obedience is costly?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- During the sermon, Joel said, “A focused faith doesn’t chase feelings; it keeps its word.” Where do emotions most often compete with obedience for you?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONNECTION
- What is one area right now where God may be calling you to move from hearing to doing?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- What practical step could help you stay focused this week (a boundary, a habit, accountability, prayer)?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
Addendum: Marriage Groups
CONVERSATION
- Where do distractions most often pull your marriage off focus (busyness, stress, finances, kids, unresolved conflict)?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
- How does double-mindedness show up in marriage—not necessarily as unfaithfulness, but as divided priorities or inconsistent follow-through?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONSIDERATION
What does “being doers of the Word” look like in your marriage right now—practically, not ideally?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)
CONNECTION
What is one small, specific action you could take this week to center your marriage more intentionally on God’s character rather than convenience?(MULTILINE REVEAL SMALL)