Stepping In: Getting things started!

1- What would be your personal definition of a “hypocrite”?

2- Although we know people aren’t perfect, why do we want and need them to be the people they say they’re going to be? Why do we want the walk to match the talk?

3- Why can’t our faith just be something we think about or talk about?

 

Building Up: What is God Saying? 

Read James 2:14-26. Now answer the following questions:

1- From verses 14-17 James gets serious about this subject. What are some of the tools he uses to communicate his strong point?

2- While saved by faith, and not our works, why is the life we live actual evidence of our faith that is firmly placed in Jesus?

3- Verses 18-20 really push our understanding of what it must mean to really believe. How do these verses help you move beyond just thinking there is a God?

4- What are the lessons learned from Abraham and Rahab in verses 21-26?

5- How can we make sense of verse 24 as it might seem to contradict that we are actually saved by faith in Jesus and His “work” on the cross?

6- What are the major differences that you’ve learned from these verses between a dead faith and a living faith?

 

Living Out: How do I obey?

1- Rate yourself for where you are at TODAY and tell your group why you chose that number:

     DEAD FAITH—1   2   3   4   5   6   7   8   9   10—LIVING FAITH

2- What is your next step to move further toward “living faith” as a consistent way of life?