Sermon Questions 2025-10-12

Sermon Questions – October 12, 2025

Series: The Book of James: Faith in Action
Text: James 1: 16-18
Title: Wisdom for Living as Firstfruits

Invited: What’s your favourite fruit? Are there any fruits that you hate?

Loved: Make an A to Z list, on your own or together with your group, of gifts that you’re grateful for from “the Father of the heavenly lights” (1:17). Take a moment to express gratitude for God’s generosity and love.

Shaped:

• James says that Christians are “firstfruits” (v.18). Explore the concept of firstfruits in the Old Testament by consulting Exodus 13:1-16, Numbers 3:11-13, and Deuteronomy 26:1-11. What do you learn from these passages that can enrich your understanding of being firstfruits?
• What does it mean to be given “birth through the word of truth” (v.17)? (See John 3:1-15.) Have you received this birth? If not, would you ask God for it? If so, what helps you to be grateful for this birth?
• What does it mean to be a “tantalizing” firstfruit or follower of Jesus? Share some examples of people who do or did this well.

Sent to live like Jesus:

• Pastor Cara spoke of four ways of living as firstfruits: grateful, set apart, patient, tantalizing. Which of these directives feels most relevant, convicting, or inspiring to you today? What is one step you’ll commit to this week?
• Based on the previous discussion, pray for one another to live well as firstfruits.