"Faith Produces Works. Works Serves Others." Discussion Guide

Main Thought

We receive salvation through our faith in Christ. However, James reminded the Jewish Christians that salvation is just the starting point for a life in Christ. Genuine faith causes positive change inside us, which then overflows to affect the people and things around us. Conversely, faith that does not lead to good works is useless and dead. James wrote that our good works, especially those which serve others, are a powerful proof of our faith in Christ. 

Main Passages

14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder!
- James 2:14-19

8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.
- Ephesians 2:8-10

Discussion Questions

1. When was the last time you acted on your faith in God? What happened? How did it affect you and those around you?
2. Is there a step of faith you want to take in your personal life? What it is, and how will that act of faith cause change in and through you?
3. Do you currently pray for, give to, or participate in an organization that serves others? How can you become more actively involved in these starting today? 

Prayer

Pray for God to show you a way you can actively serve others on a regular basis. Pray that your life of faith will be a way for others to meet God through your faith. 

"No Partiality in the Kingdom" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

James was speaking to the Christian Jews scattered because of persecution. While his letter started with encouragement during trials, it was also a reminder of how to act as followers of Christ. Here, we see how he reminded them to show no partiality and to love their neighbors as themselves. For those of us who hold to the gospel proclaimed (James 2:1), we must demonstrate the gospel by showing no partiality to others in what we see, what we say, or what we think.

Main Passages

1 My brothers, show no partiality as you hold the faith in our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of glory. 2 For if a man wearing a gold ring and fine clothing comes into your assembly, and a poor man in shabby clothing also comes in, 3 and if you pay attention to the one who wears the fine clothing and say, “You sit here in a good place,” while you say to the poor man, “You stand over there,” or, “Sit down at my feet,” 4 have you not then made distinctions among yourselves and become judges with evil thoughts?... 8 If you really fulfill the royal law according to the Scripture, “You shall love your neighbor as yourself,” you are doing well.
- James 2:1-4, 8

28 There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither slave nor free, there is no male and female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus.
- Galatians 3:28

2 Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind, that by testing you may discern what is the will of God, what is good and acceptable and perfect.
- Romans 12:2

Discussion Questions

1. Sometimes, we rank others as better or worse than one another based on these. Have you ever made a wrong judgment about people based on how they looked? What happened? 
2. When we see others as better or worse than one another, it comes out in how we speak to them and treat them. What does Galatians 3:28 say about who we all are in Christ? 
3. The gospel must be demonstrated, even in our thought life. What does Romans 12:2 say about the way we should think?

"True Religion" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

James wrote this letter to the believers in his time to challenge them to live out their faith: to not just hear the Word, but do it. The goal of Bible-reading and study is application, not information. We can be hearers who forget or doers who act, but the Bible promises the doers will be blessed (James 1:25). Because Christians are saved by grace through faith, we know that “doing” can not lead or add to our salvation. However, as Christians, we can now put our faith into action and practice true religion: serve the poor and afflicted, and guard against impurity. 

Main Passages

27 Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
- James 1:27

Questions

1. Recall an instance in which you helped a stranger, and share it with us.
2. Who are the poor and afflicted in your community? How can you serve them?
3. What is one thing you need to do starting this week to keep yourself unstained from the world?

"The Testing of Faith" Discussion Guide

Main Thought

The Bible promises that believers will face many trials of different kinds. But when trials come, we are to count it as joy—not because we like being tested or being given a hard time, but because of the effect it has on our lives. If we, as believers, persevere in a trial, we will become steadfast—which means to be fixed in place, dependable, and not easily moved. So although tests are difficult and we all face different trials, we mature as we go through them. 

Main Passages

“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him.”
- James 1:2-4, 12 ESV

Discussion Questions

1. How is a test, trouble, or trial an opportunity for growth and maturity?
2. How can you count the testing of your faith as joy? How can you encourage others to do the same and trust God?
3. Pray for a family member or friend whose faith is being tested. How can you be a channel of and remind him or her of God's goodness and faithfulness at this time?