By Fiona Soltes | Fiona Soltes is a freelance writer living in Nashville, Tennessee. | December 2009
How It Applies:
Today's teens get a pretty strong message about having it all. In the first chapter of James, however, the Bible talks about "not lacking anything" as a mark of maturity rather than evidence of financial success or material things. That level of completion only comes through perseverance in the hard times, holding on to God's wisdom, steadfastness and provision no matter what the challenge.
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Questions for group discussion:
· What does it mean to you to be "complete" and "not lacking anything?"
· In what ways can God use challenging times to mature us? In what ways can He use times when everything seems to be going right?
· Think back to a difficult time you've walked through. Looking back, in what ways was God involved (even if you didn't recognize it at the time)? What did He teach you through the experience?
· Put this week's verse in context by reading James 1:2-4. What do you think it means to face trials with "pure joy?"
