James Chapter 3

Here are the questions for next week's study.

1. The tongue is "set on fire by hell" (James 3:6) and Satan is "the father of lies" (John 8:44). Does this mean that Satan, not we, is responsible for our evil words? Why or why not?

2. Animals can be tamed because God gave man dominion over them at Creation. Why can't man tame his own tongue? (James 3:8) If it isn't possible to attain perfection by completely taming our tongues, how, then, can we control our tongues and become mature (Matthew 19:25-26 James 1:5-8)?

3. Why do you think humility or meekness is such an essential sign of wisdom?

4. In contrast to the maker of disorder is the maker of peace. In light of 3:13-18, what do you think it means to be a peacemaker?

5. Sowing in peace produces a harvest of righteousness (3:18). Why do you suppose peacemaking and righteousness are connected like this?

Upcoming Events!

Nats Game!
Thursday July 5th
Feel free to bring friends!
Opening pitch (the best part!!): 7:05pm
Cost: $5 (Can't beat that) We'll get the tickets at the game that night.
Time/Meeting Place: Let's meet at the top of the escalators at RFK stadium metro stop (street level) at 6:45pm.

It should be fun (even if you don't like baseball)!

Service Opportunity
July 14 & 15
What we need:
Saturday - A group of 5 -10 girls willing to put together about 75 brown bag lunches. We can do this at Emily's or my apartment. I figure we can do this around 11a.m. and then go grab some lunch together or perhaps go to the zoo? =)
Sunday - A larger group of us to pass out the lunches from about 10:45 - 11:30a.m. at Union Station. (Also if anyone with a car is willing to help Em & I get the lunches to Union that'd be awesome.)

This is a great opportunity to serve and "walk" our "talk" this semester. I encourage everyone who is available to come out and take the time to pass out lunches and really engage the people you meet. A lunch is great but a sincere smile and encouraging word can go much farther.

Be still my soul

I experienced God in a very different way this weekend than Kristen did. (Yikes, I give her credit b/c I put on that pack that she carried on her back and I nearly fell over!) I experienced God in a beautiful way that I haven't experienced in quite some time. I was able to just rest on Saturday and He restored me in a lot of ways. I was telling my mom tonight that I just feel like I have had such a reflective past few days. Actually, since Alden left for his wilderness adventure in Alaska I have been able to just rest and be with God in a non hurried way. I am sure camping or just getting out of your element in any way can help you to connect with God in a new way. For me, just resting at my place for a whole day was out of my element and just felt so restorative. The Lord really just wants us to be still sometimes so that He can speak to us. I love it!!

Leadership 101

As mentioned on Tuesday, if you are interested in leading an NCC small group, or want to learn more about spiritual leadership and discipleship, we invite you to come to Leadership 101 this saturday (6/23) at Ebenezers (10:00am).

If you have any question, you can email Kristen . To RSVP, please email Heather Z.

James Chapter 2:14-26

Here are the questions for this Tuesday's group:

1) Why can't we separate faith from deeds (2:18,19)? How do people try to separate them today?

2) Abraham showed faith by holding nothing back from God, not even his most valued treasure. Are you holding anything back from God? Is there anything you wouldn't sacrifice for Him?

3) James 2:16 is an example of dead or worthless faith that doesn't save. Why is faith that is not demonstrated with deeds dead?

4) Do good deeds not motivated by faith in Jesus have any value in God's eyes? Why or why not?

5) If deeds demonstrate genuine faith, can we judge by their works whether other people are saved? (Read Matthew 7:1-5, 15-21) What does Jesus say about faith and deeds in Matthew 7-15-23, 25:31-46?

6) What truth from 2:14-26 most stands out to you as something that should affect your life?

Have a great weekend, everyone!! We look forward to seeing you all on Tuesday!

"West Virginia- mountain momma...

take me home, country roads". Everyone sing! Okay, maybe I'm the only one who knows this John Denver tune.

Yesterday I was out with the "Outdoors" small group with 9 others from NCC. We hiked in GW Nat'l Park on the border of W. VA and VA. It was so beautiful out there and a great time to take in some of God's creation. It really refreshed me for my week. It also gave me an opportunity to soak in some much needed sunshine and perhaps too much. Check out my ridiculous sock tan that I am proudly sporting at work today!

Anyone else have a different kind of encounter with God this weekend they'd like to share?

Favoritism

Hello everyone! My mom is visiting for a few days, so I will not be at group this week. However, I just have been meditating some on the idea of favoritism that James 2 addresses. This week I have really been thinking about how I treat people and my motivations behind my words and actions. James 2 was uncomfortable for me to read. Why? Probably because I realize I need to look at how I treat people a bit closer. Do I have selfish motivations as to why I kind or help a person out? Or, do I only help people less fortunate than me when I know I will be recognized by others for doing so? Service. Selfless service. That's what was speaking to me some as I was reading this passage. I want no part of "me" motivations to be involved when helping and serving others. That is my prayer.

James Chapter 2- Part 1

This week we are doing James chapter 2:1-13. Here are discussion questions to guide your study.

1) Why is it inconsistent for a believer "in our glorious Lord Jesus Christ" to show favoritism? What leads a person to treat rich people better than poor ones?

2) Who are currently leading the the attacks on Christianity? Are they well-off, well-educated people or poor people? How should htis affect our attitudes and actions (2:1-7)? Should we discriminate against the rich?

3) Study how Jesus treated the poor and the working class. (Luke 5:27-31, 14:12-14, 15:1-7) How is this a model for you and how can you follow it?

4) Why does breaking one of God's laws make us guilty of breaking the whole (James 2:10-11)? Consider what we are saying about God when we break a law.

5) What will happen to those of us who have not shown mercy to the needy and why? (James 2:13; See also Luke 6:37-38)

6) In the context of 2:1-13, what kind of mercy is James saying we should practice?

7) What one truth from 2:1-13 impresses you as something you need to apply?

Kenya Pictures

Here are some pics from my Kenya trip. I can't remember who I sent these to so I figured I'd just put up a link.

http://www.kodakgallery.com/ShareLandingSignin.jsp?Uc=z4eyg51.axav54kl&Uy=-i6hrwx&Upost_signin=Slideshow.jsp%3Fmode%3Dfromshare&Ux=0&UV=583745172528_827946827109

Wisdom in the midst of "trials"

Wisdom in the midst of trials can be a difficult virtue to truly attain especially when our own minds want something but God's purpose and final deliverance is different than ours, we ask for wisdom but not for our purpose but for the purpose that we are the agents of God, and we are here to handle trials in the best possible way that will reflect how he wants us to not only to face the trials but as Christians we carry a higher responsibility that we must demonstrate with wisdom and character. Therefore, as Christians to earn wisdom we must not "expect to be treated fairly in this life. [because] people will say and do hurtful things [tho those who don't deserve] [rather we must] try to view those trials as an opportunity to grow in grace" and trust that the ultimate goal is to stay close to God, and that the only way for us to view them in a Godly way is by acquiring [His] truthful "wisdom" which Is summarized into "Love everyone and judge no one" learning to do those two things is one of the most challenging tasks but by practicing them is that we can attain true "wisdom" to handle almost everything in a joyful manner

I hope my small reflection can help, a while ago I was praying very hard as to how could I serve the Lord better and how could I truly reflect Jesus in my life, so I prayed for wisdom, etc, etc, and then after a few days I continue to ask thesame question and the two words of "Just love everyone and judge no one" came to my mind so I said "just that its easy" but it is not,

Look forward to see everyone on Thursday and hope you have a great week

God Bless

James Chapter 1

It was great to see everyone on Tuesday and get to know you all a little better. I'm looking forward to this summer's group! Below you will find some study questions to guide you through Chapter 1 of James. We will go over some or all of the questions and any other comments, obeservations, or applications you may come up with.

1. How do you normally feel and respond when you have to face a trial?


2. In the middle of discussing trials, James mentions wisdom(1:5). What does wisdom have to do with facing trials? Why should we pray for wisdom, not just perserverance?


3.How can you cooperate with God in accomplishing the purposes for which He is allowing this trial (1:3-4)?


4. James 1:8 What does it mean to be double-minded?


5. Have you ever felt that God was putting you into temptation? If so, what gave you that impression? (James 1:9-18)


6. Why doesn't human anger bring about the righteouness that God desires (James1:20)? What is often wrong with our anger?


7.How is a man who hears without doing like a man who looks in a mirror and later forgets (1:23-24)?


Looking forward to seeing you all next week.

Have a great weekend!

What a joy!

It was such a joy to come to group Tuesday and meet all the new women and reunite with other girls! I am really excited for what this summer and our study of James has to bring. I love resting in the thought that it is not just by chance that each person came to group on Tuesday....He had it planned from the beginning! I look forward to growing with everyone this summer!

Happy almost birthday Lydia!

thank you

hey ladies, i'm going back Indonesia this noon, yup this is the end of one chapter from my life’s journey.

I have a great time with our small group and learned lot of things. so grateful that I may know all of you. This group sooo crazy .. I luv it !

Thanks for sharing journey of desire, supporting me and make me feel like at home. I’ll keep blogging and give you update soon. And for Lisa, can't thank you enough, including for invited me to this group. C O O L !
the old leaders, thanks a lot ! for new leaders good luck and keep rockin'.
Have a great summer time =) I'll miss you all !
ok time to go, so thanks everyone and take care .

Almost time to kick off our summer small group!!

Hey everyone! Looking forward to seeing everyone this coming Tuesday (June 5th) at Daphne's! Hope everyone has a great weekend. Gear up for a fun summer diving into the book of James! Kristen will be back from Kenya and I am sure she will have some great stories to share with everyone. When doesn't she??