<aside> 💡 BIG IDEA: A life well lived declares “YOUR WAY,” not “MY WAY.”
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What is one personal goal you hope to accomplish or one activity you want to do before the end of this year?
READ James 4:13-17
ASK: According to James, what is the problem with how we might plan presumptively for the future? Is he saying that planning for the future is sinful? Why or why not?
What do verses 14-15 remind us about ourselves? What do they remind us about God and His sovereignty? How should these reminders affect how we plan for the future?
<aside> 📌 Note: The word translated “vapor” or “mist” could refer to smoke from a fire or morning fog—either way meant to emphasize how transient our lives are. The theme of human beings and the eternality and unchangeableness of God can be found throughout all of Scripture (see Psalms 39:5; 102:3; 144:4; and Job 7:7).
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According to verse 16, what sinful attitude is at the heart of presuming that we can control our own futures?
<aside> ✝️ Gospel Connection: READ Matthew 6:9-11 and 26:36-46. How does Jesus’ life and specifically His obedience to God the Father in going to the cross for us illustrate how we ought to submit our futures to God’s sovereign will for us?
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ASK: What areas of your life or hopes for the future are difficult for you to release to God? Why is it difficult?
Where are you still struggling with trying to control things in your life which you can’t control? What would it look like to release those things to God out of trust in Him?
How would surrendering your future to God and His will for you change how you live right now?
ASK: What would it look like for you to seek God’s will and God’s way this week? How can you practically commit your plans to Him on a daily basis?
RESPOND: Take time as a GROUP to praise God for both His sovereignty over every aspect of our lives, including the things outside of our control, and also for His care for us in the details of our lives.
Confess where you are trying to control what you cannot and where you are not humbly submitting your plans and your future to God’s will.