In part 9 of our series through James Pastor Jeffrey teaches on perseverance leading to maturity. In James 1:2-4 we learn that trials strengthen faith and produce Christlike character.

"God is not merely trying to help you survive your trials. God is forming you through them!"

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Belonging Part 9: Grow

March 15, 2026

In part 8 of our series through James Pastor Jeffrey teaches on prayer. Our attitude surrounding prayer directly correlates to our true dependance on God.

"Prayer is belonging lived out loud."

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Belonging Part 8: Pray

March 8, 2026

In Part 7 of our series through James Pastor Jeffrey echos the call of James to put aside favoritism and prejudice. To take up the call of God to show mercy.

"Unforgiveness does not imprison the offender. It imprisons the soul."

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Belonging Part 7: Forgive

March 1, 2026

In Part 6 of our series through James Pastor Jeffrey challenges us as believers to answer the call of God to give. Give of our time, attention, finances, whatever God is impressing on each of our hearts, as an outward sign of an inward transformation.

"If your treasure never moves toward the mission of God, your heart will slowly drift from the mission of God."

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Belonging Part 6: Give

February 22, 2026

Pastor Jeffrey continues our series through James with part 5: Decide. He lays out the necessity of deciding to obey, and how that is the true way to live freely.

"Belonging is not formed by intention. It is formed by obedience."

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith

Donelson First

Belonging Part 5: Decide

February 15th, 2026

Pastor Jeffrey continues our series through James with part 4: Listen. He discusses the constant noise of our culture, as compared with James' call to humility and wisdom through listening.

"Sometimes your greatest ministry to someone is not what you say but how you listen."

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith Donelson First Belonging Part 4: Listen February 8th, 2026

Pastor Jeffrey continues our series through James with part 3: Surrender. Surrendering our pain to God and trusting that He will do what He has already promised.

" Your trials are not signs of God's absence. Rather, they are tools of God's formation."

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith Donelson First Belonging Part 3: Surrender February 1st, 2026

In this the second part of our series through James Pastor Jeffrey unpacks the importance of the believers identity as belonging to Christ and how this informs our lives as a whole.

"Exile is not the evidence of God's absence. It is often the environment of His deepest work."

Pastor Jeffrey Dean Smith Donelson First Belonging Series, Part 2: Belong January 18th, 2026