Real Faith Session 2: It Takes Two: James

James 2:17-24, 26
See if you can fill in the blanks of the following:
● Peanut butter and ________________
● Macaroni and ____________________
● Batman and _____________________
● Brad and ________________________
Okay, Brad and Angelina may not be together any more, but otherwise there are some things that seem to go together perfectly. A perfect match is usually easy to spot. James 2 tells us that there is another perfect match for Christ-followers: faith and works.
In the same way, faith by itself-that does nothing-is dead. Someone might say, “You have faith, but I have deeds.” Show me your faith without doing anything, and I will show you my faith by what I do. You believe there is one God. Good! But the demons believe that, too, and they tremble with fear. You foolish person! Must you be shown that faith that does nothing is worth nothing? Abraham, our ancestor, was made right with God by what he did when he offered his son Isaac on the altar. So you see that Abraham’s faith and the things he did worked together. His faith was made perfect by what he did. This shows the full meaning of the Scripture that says: “Abraham believed God, and God accepted Abraham’s faith, and that faith made him right with God] And Abraham was called God’s friend. So you see that people are made right with God by what they do, not by faith only.
Faith and works are complementary. What you really believe is always reflected in what you do, not just in what you say. We can give lip service to a lot of things, but in the end how we live our lives demonstrates what we really believe in. When the Bible becomes the motivator and authority for the way we live our lives, we find ourselves serving, sharing our faith, encouraging others, giving, praying, and living better lives.
Discussion Starter
Have you ever considered faith and works to be a perfect match? Give some examples of good works.
Verse to Remember
James 2:26 (NLT) “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.”
Discussion Questions
1. How do our good works have a positive impact on the world around us?
2. James 2:26 says “Just as the body is dead without breath, so also faith is dead without good works.” What does this say to you about the importance of demonstrating faith?
3. Why do good works - generosity, prayer, encouragement, etc. - demonstrate true faith in Jesus? How do they point people to Jesus?
Application Questions
1. How does serving demonstrate your faith in Jesus? Where are you involved serving at Edge Church?
2. How we live our lives demonstrates what we really believe. How would people see the life-changing grace of Jesus Christ lived out in your life?
3. What is one way you feel most comfortable demonstrating your faith (prayer, serving, sharing your faith)? What is one area you need to grow in when it comes to living out your faith daily?
Prayer Focus
1. Think about the things that are keeping you from living out your faith on a daily basis. It could be not enough time, wondering what other people might think, or not knowing where to start. Ask God to give you strength and discipline so you can start living out your faith more regularly.
2. Pray that Edge Church would continue to be a place where committed Christ-followers do courageous things for God. Ask for God to give our church family opportunities to show our good works so that we can point them to Jesus.