Perseverance in Trials. James 1v1-4 // June 1st, 2025
Teaching overview
On June 1, 2025, Elder Tucker Tillman opened Mountlake Church’s summer series “Vital Signs: Evidence of a Living Faith” by teaching from James 1:1–4. He highlighted the practical nature of James, emphasizing that true faith is shown through action, especially when responding to trials. Tucker encouraged the church to embrace difficulties as opportunities for growth and maturity in Christ.
Our prayer for your Community
“Lord, help us to trust You in every trail and challenge, and let our faith grow stronger as we learn to persevere with joy and courage.”
Group questions
What part of Sunday’s message convicted, encouraged, or surprised you? (Seek)
Take time to revisit your notes or reflect on what you heard during the teaching. Consider where God might have been drawing your attention—not just what you thought, but what God might have been saying. A helpful practice is to spend a few quiet moments in Lectio Divina—slowly reading the passage of Scripture again, listening for a word or phrase that stands out, meditating on it, and letting it speak to your heart. Before speaking your own thoughts, let the Word speak first and ask that God's presence would join you.
What perspective do I need to change or adjust to come under the authority of scripture? What action does the text call me to do in light of this perspective? (Practice)
Hearing the word is just the beginning—following Jesus means living in obedience to it. The Spirit often prompts us toward simple obedience, repentance, or renewed action. This is not about being perfect, but about being faithful. What small step could you take this week to practice what was preached?
How can we as a group support you in living out what we’ve discussed this week? (Mission)
Discipleship is not only about inward formation but also outward compassion, and we want to walk that journey together as a community. As we pray for one another and seek Jesus together, our hearts are shaped toward His mission to renew all things. Our group isn’t just for us, but a place where we practice loving each other and live out the Kingdom of God.
For further meditation through the rest of your week…
Meditation 1: Identity in Christ
“What defines my life?”
Take time to reflect on how you introduce or think about yourself. Like James, who called himself a servant of Jesus rather than Jesus’s brother, consider how your relationship with Christ shapes your identity and how that identity is expressed in daily life.
Meditation 2: Purpose in Trials
“How has God used past trials to grow my faith?”
Think back on a season of hardship or discomfort in your life. Reflect on how God met you in that space, what He shaped in you through it, and how your faith may have deepened because of it. Let that remembrance give you hope and perspective for whatever you may be walking through now.
Meditation 3: Faith in Action
“Where is my faith being lived out?”
Look for a specific area where your beliefs are—or are not—showing up in your behavior. Ask God to help you align your actions with your faith so that others may see the evidence of a living, active trust in Him.
