James (Faith/Works)

Faith…Works. This is the message of James. We don’t work to be saved; we work because we are saved.

That we, in our own ability, cannot stand in the face of adversity. We could never find the strength to trust without faith because we don't have the capability to see above the trials we meet, to keep our eyes focused on the King while counting the situation we are currently experiencing as joy. The book of James is filled with practical wisdom for Christians, calling us to live out genuine faith through good works.

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1. Brother / Slave (James 1:1) Group Discussion Questions for the week of August 24, 2016
The book of James is filled with practical wisdom for Christians, calling us to live out genuine faith through good works. But who was James?

2. Trials / Temptations (James 1:2-18) Group Discussion Questions for the week of September 4, 2016
As believers, we will face trials and temptations in this world, and these hardships test our faith and dependence on God. But enduring adversity is ultimately for our joy.

3. Hearer / Doer (James 1:19-27) Group Discussion Questions for the week of September 11, 2016
True belief causes Christians to live out their faith according to the Word. We don’t just passively hear the Word and receive it, rather action should always follow genuine heart change.

4. Judgment / Mercy (James 2:1-13) Group Discussion Questions for the week of September 18, 2016
We sin when we show partiality to some over others, whether they are rich or poor or different in any other way. Believers should extend mercy rather than harsh judgment to others.

5. Faith / Works (James 2:14-26) Group Discussion Questions for the week of September 25
Faith and works aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, James tells us that faith apart from works is dead. Works don’t save us, but good works should follow true faith.

6. Faith / Works (Part 2) (James 2:14-26) Group Discussion Questions for the week of October 2
Faith and works aren’t mutually exclusive. In fact, James tells us that faith apart from works is dead. Works don’t save us, but good works should follow true faith.

7. Words / Wisdom (James 3:1-18) Group Discussion Questions for the week of October 9, 2016
This week James taught us that our words can be deadly. Either we can speak words of life or we can speak words that kill. As believers we need to make sure our speech is consistent with our faith. It's not a matter of mustering up enough strength to control our tongue, we must bring it along with all of ourselves under submission to Christ. In living out our lives as his followers we will not just be known as wise by our words, true wisdom plays itself out in action motivated by the truth. God's wisdom is found in no other place than in Himself. Know God and know wisdom. That will transform the way you speak and the way you live.

8. Worldliness / Godliness (James 4:1-12) Group Discussion Questions for the week of October 16, 2016
Our passions and desires are at war within us, and we must fight against them. While pride, boasting and divisiveness mark worldly people, humility, obedience and repentance mark the godly.

9. Arrogance / Humility (James 4:13-17) Group Discussion Questions for the week of October 23, 2016
Our view of the future has great influence on where we place our assurance. James urges us to humbly view all of our days as lived under the sovereign will of the Lord.

10. Oppressor / Laborer (James 5:1-6) Group Discussion Questions for the week of October 30, 2016
In this passage James gives a warning to the rich who oppress and exploit the underprivileged warning them about the danger of money, the deceit of the heart and the ultimate death that this worldly mindset of self-indulgence will bring. Riches will amount to nothing in the end, but the humble and righteous will prevail.

11. Patient / Steadfast (James 5:7-11) Group Discussion Questions for the week of November 6, 2016
James taught us this week that the believer’s life should be characterized by patience and steadfastness motivated by Jesus’s sovereignty and imminent return. While that sounds good, each of us know we struggle with being impatient and anxious about many things. In this study James gives us four examples to follow as we endeavor to live our lives mindful of the Lord’s sovereignty and imminent return.

12. Oaths / Judgment (James 5:12) Group Discussion Questions for week of November 13, 2016
Our speech is important to God. We are commanded numerous times through the book of James to bridle our tongue, add action to our words, and guard our mouth from saying things that are not truthful or that cut down and destroy. Today James gives a final exhortation concerning the oaths that we make and judgment we will face if they are not kept.

13. Prayer / Faith (James 5:13-20) In this last session in our series on James, James will teach us about prayer. James 5:16 says “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective”. In our self-sufficient, self-help culture we often fail to pray because we do not truly believe that prayer can change anything. What James reminds us of today is of the powerful working of the prayers of the righteous. Hear James and be reignited in your passion for prayer.

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