OPENING QUESTIONS:

1. What is your favorite summertime memory as a kid?

2. How do you like to eat corn?

IN THE WORD:

1. What are some of the qualities of patience a farmer must have and how can they apply to being patient for a lifetime? James 5:7-8 NLT

2. Why would James talk about grumbling and complaining in the context of patience? James 5:7-9 NLT

3. James undoubtedly believed that Jesus would return in his lifetime. What does that mean for us nearly 2,000 years later who are still waiting? James 5:7-9 NLT

4. What prophet do you think of from the Old Testament that would be a good example of patience in suffering and why? James 5:7-11 NLT

5. James talks about prayer as part of this discussion on patience. How do these examples of prayer impact our patience? James 5:13-18 NIV

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Why is it hard to be patient when you are suffering or are in pain?

2. What is your natural response when you are needing to be patient and you do not want to be?

3. How can we pray for you today in this area of persevering with patience?

4. Spend some time in prayer, personally, asking the Holy Spirit to suggest any unconfessed sin. Confess that sin to Jesus and thank Him for His forgiveness and His patience with you.

MAKING IT PERSONAL:

CONTINUED LEARNING:

Read through Luke 15:11-32 NIV and list all the ways that the father in the story demonstrates patience. Thank God for all the ways that He has been, and continues to be, patient with you.