July 31 – August 6

Weekly Reading for July 31 – August 6

Preparing for Next Week’s Message

Sermon Series: Faith in Action
Sermon Title: Exercising Patience in Hard Times

This reading plan will get your heart and mind set for the next message on August 7, 2016:


Reflecting on the Most Recent Sermon

Sermon Series: Faith in Action
Sermon Title: Speaking with the Wisdom of Heaven
Delivered On: July 31, 2016

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Memorize and Reflect

But the wisdom that comes from heaven is first of all pure; then peace-loving, considerate, submissive, full of mercy and good fruit, impartial and sincere. (James 3:17)


Prayer Direction

Thank God for the ability you have to communicate to others and praise Him. Confess there are times when your words have hurt and discouraged others. Pray for an awareness of any ways and words you are currently communicating to others that are not reflective of God’s wisdom. Then, ask God to help you correct those practices and replace them with words that would be pleasing to Him and reflect His wisdom.


“Live It!” Challenge

Heart/Word Check - As you walk through the coming week, identify areas in your life and relationships that are potentially volatile or challenging. When communicating in these situations, seek to apply the Faith in Action model for communication (Search Your Heart, Seek Heavenly Wisdom, Speak Wise Words) and evaluate the response of others and the outcome of the communication.


Small Group Discussion

  1. Tell about a time you felt particularly discouraged by the words someone used. How did this experience affect you?

  2. Tell about a time someone used encouraging and affirming words to you. How did this experience affect you and how has it changed your communication habits?

  3. Comparing these two experiences, what were the different types of words that were communicated to you or about you?

  4. Read: James 3:1-12 James is speaking rather harshly about the power and the potential of the tongue to cause tremendous damage. Was he speaking to non-believers in general or to believers within the church? What types of issues do you believe James was addressing in this letter to the church?

  5. What are some of the ways that our words are reflective of the condition of our hearts? What are some possible consequences if we don’t identify these signs and deal with them?

  6. Jesus offers the only solution to “taming the tongue.” How does His presence in our hearts and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives help us to grow in this area and give us grace when we fall short?

  7. If we have harmed others (family, friends, co-workers, classmates, etc.) through the inappropriate use of words in the past and in our current situation, how can we seek forgiveness and healing in these relationships?

  8. How do you see Shoreline communicating the love of Jesus and speaking with the Wisdom of Heaven?

  9. What are some practical tips you could use as you seek to apply the Faith in Action model for communicating with the Wisdom of Heaven?

    • Search your Heart
    • Seek Heavenly Wisdom
    • Speak Wise Words
  10. Tell about a time you felt particularly discouraged by the words someone used. How did this experience affect you?

  11. Tell about a time someone used encouraging and affirming words to you. How did this experience affect you and how has it changed your communication habits?

  12. Comparing these two experiences, what were the different types of words that were communicated to you or about you?

  13. Read: James 3:1-12 James is speaking rather harshly about the power and the potential of the tongue to cause tremendous damage. Was he speaking to non-believers in general or to believers within the church? What types of issues do you believe James was addressing in this letter to the church?

  14. What are some of the ways that our words are reflective of the condition of our hearts? What are some possible consequences if we don’t identify these signs and deal with them?

  15. Jesus offers the only solution to “taming the tongue.” How does His presence in our hearts and the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives help us to grow in this area and give us grace when we fall short?

  16. If we have harmed others (family, friends, co-workers, classmates, etc.) through the inappropriate use of words in the past and in our current situation, how can we seek forgiveness and healing in these relationships?

  17. How do you see Shoreline communicating the love of Jesus and speaking with the Wisdom of Heaven?

  18. What are some practical tips you could use as you seek to apply the Faith in Action model for communicating with the Wisdom of Heaven?

    • Search your Heart
    • Seek Heavenly Wisdom
    • Speak Wise Words