Stepping In: Getting things started!
1- Are you a long-range planner or do you take it one day at a time? Give the perfect example of how this has played out in your life.
2- When you were a teenager, what did you think you’d be doing by now?
3- What is one way God completely redirected your plans/path?
Building Up: What is God Saying?
Read James 4:13-17. Now answer the following questions:
1- Starting with verses 13-14, discuss the balance of planning and yet being flexible to God’s ultimate leading.
2- What primary areas of our lives are discussed in verse 13? How have you seen that God is actually the one in charge of all of those areas?
3- What have you learned about how God works regarding our future?
4- James isn’t saying we should have NO plans, but according to these verses, what should be some of our guidelines for our planning efforts?
5- What is the connection here with planning and boasting? How can that get us in trouble?
6- How does verse 17 relate to this whole context (subject)?
Living Out: How do I obey?
1- Finish one of the following phrases:
- If the Lord wills, someday I’d like to…
- I’m glad God redirected my path because…
- One example of planning without God’s help cost me because…
2- What is the “good you ought to do” that comes to mind when you read verse 17?