Yass Community Baptist Church
This week we continue our series on the book of James in the New Testament of our Bibles. James wrote a letter calling the followers of Jesus to get real about their faith. This week we explore the 2nd chapter of James.
James 2:14-26 NIV
Get Real!
Today we continue exploring James' call to Get Real about our faith and life in Jesus. In Chapter 2 James calls for believers to put their faith into action.
Faith Without Deeds is Dead
James poses a challenging set of questions for us:
What good is faith if it does not produce any action?
Can such a faith save a person?
These questions from James hit at the heart of what it means for us to have real faith in Jesus. Faith is more than well wishes and more than even correct theology.
Faith without action is dead.
James 2:14-19 NIV
James 2:26 NIV
Are we Saved by Faith or Works?
Another way of asking this question would be, what must we do to be saved?
Are the Apostles Paul and James in disagreement about what is required for salvation?
On the surface it seems to be the case, but in reality the answer is no! James has no notion of any works themselves adding up to salvation apart from faith. Paul has no notion of saving faith that does not produce in the believer good deeds.
Ephesians 2:8-9 NIV
James 2:24 NIV
Ephesians 2:10 NIV
Examples of Faith in Action
James continues his call for us to put faith into action by providing examples form Israel's history.
James 2:1-13 NIV
As our life groups gather this week, we have attached our reference verse and some questions to prompt a deeper discussion and search into this week's topic.
If you are not currently part of a life group, and would like to join a small group of like minded people in fellowship and connection during the week, please contact Nick on 0417472474 to register your interest.
James 2:1-13 NIV
Life Group Discussion - Read James 2:1-13 above
(1) In what way should our belief in Jesus transform our behaviour towards others in James 2:1-13?
(2) How else should our actions towards others be transformed as believers in Jesus?
Read James 2:14-26
(3) From this passage and from your own understanding how would you describe what is required for us to be saved?
(4) What kind of deeds do you think James is talking about?
(5) What things hinder our faith leading to action in the church today? How can we overcome these barriers?
(6) How can we be confident that our faith is real?
Take some time to pray for one another
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