1. James 4:1-3 uses the phrase ‘you want’ three times to describe why we end up fighting with each other. How do we convince ourselves that fighting or quarreling for something is acceptable? Share a time you wanted something but pursued it the wrong way.
2. Why do you think we get jealous of things that other people have (or that we think they may have)? What strategies have you found effective in dealing with jealousy in a godly way?
3. The sermon talked about the fact that we often end up asking God for things that don’t last or aren’t important. Why is it so hard for us to maintain an eternal perspective? How do you do this?
4. James 4:4 warns that ‘friendship with the world’ makes us enemies of God. In the sermon we said this does not mean separating from people who don’t follow Jesus. So how would you define friendship with the world, and how does it lead us away from God?
5. James 4:6 teaches that God opposes the proud. What does that mean? How would you explain that to someone? And what’s wrong with pride? (see Matthew 6:24)
6. James 4:7-9 outlines several actions we can take when we find ourselves ‘at war.’ What are they, and how do you think each might be accomplished?
