Study Questions
for
Joy In Suffering
James 1:2-4, 12-18
Pastor Bryan Walmer
September 7, 2025
Before answering these questions, take some time to read the passage from the sermon together or on your own.
What did this sermon tell us about God?
What did this sermon tell us about us as people?
What did you hear in this sermon that applied the most to your own life?
How does knowing that James’ instructions concerning trials are not about what to feel but how to think change the way you read his command? How do you often think (not feel) about the trials that you face? Do you have a steady contentment (joy)? Or something else? Why do you think about your trials that way?
How does knowing that God does not expect you to call your trials good change the way you think about suffering? How does knowing God can bring good effects like endurance and completeness in faith strengthen you to face trials?
What is the hardest trial you have faced in your life? As you look back on it, how has it shaped you? How might Jesus want to use it to shape you differently? Are you currently in a trial and can start looking at it differently? How so? How does knowing Jesus will end all trials and suffering change the way you think about those things?
What did this sermon tell us about God?
What did this sermon tell us about us as people?
What did you hear in this sermon that applied the most to your own life?
How does knowing that James’ instructions concerning trials are not about what to feel but how to think change the way you read his command? How do you often think (not feel) about the trials that you face? Do you have a steady contentment (joy)? Or something else? Why do you think about your trials that way?
How does knowing that God does not expect you to call your trials good change the way you think about suffering? How does knowing God can bring good effects like endurance and completeness in faith strengthen you to face trials?
What is the hardest trial you have faced in your life? As you look back on it, how has it shaped you? How might Jesus want to use it to shape you differently? Are you currently in a trial and can start looking at it differently? How so? How does knowing Jesus will end all trials and suffering change the way you think about those things?