1. “Words-” (James 2:14–17)
14 What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but does not have works? Can such faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is without clothes and lacks daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, stay warm, and be well fed,” but you don’t give them what the body needs, what good is it? 17 In the same way, faith, if it does not have works, is dead by itself.
Titus 3:8 CSB
This saying is trustworthy. I want you to insist on these things, so that those who have believed God might be careful to devote themselves to good works. These are good and profitable for everyone.
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2. The (James 2:18–20)
18 But someone will say, “You have faith, and I have works.” Show me your faith without works, and I will show you faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one. Good! Even the demons believe — and they shudder. 20 Senseless person! Are you willing to learn that faith without works is useless?
Matthew 7:15-20 CSB
15 “Be on your guard against false prophets who come to you in sheep’s clothing but inwardly are ravaging wolves. 16 “You’ll recognize them by their fruit. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes or figs from thistles? 17 “In the same way, every good tree produces good fruit, but a bad tree produces bad fruit. 18 “A good tree can’t produce bad fruit; neither can a bad tree produce good fruit. 19 “Every tree that doesn’t produce good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 “So you’ll recognize them by their fruit.
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3. The of Faith (James 2:21–26)
21 Wasn’t Abraham our father justified by works in offering Isaac, his son, on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active together with his works, and by works, faith was made complete, 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him as righteousness, and he was called God’s friend. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 In the same way, wasn’t Rahab the prostitute also justified by works in receiving the messengers and sending them out by a different route? 26 For just as the body without the spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead.
Genesis 22:1-13 CSB
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Community Life Group Questions
James 2:14-26
1. James describes a situation where someone offers a “God bless you” but no physical help. Why is it often easier for us to offer a prayer or a kind word than to meet a practical need?
2. The text defines “dead” faith as inactive, inoperative, and fruitless. If you were to look at your calendar or bank statement from the last month, what “signs of life” (actions) would someone see regarding your faith?
3. Is it actually possible to prove you have faith to another person without an action accompanying it? Why or why not?
4. If “Faith is the engine; works are the exhaust,” discuss a time when your “engine” was running, but you felt like the “exhaust” (actions) was missing. What caused that disconnect?
5. How does actually doing something for God change or mature your internal belief in a way that just thinking about it doesn’t?
6. Looking at the “Practical Acts of Mercy” (feeding, clothing, visiting), which one of these feels most outside of your comfort zone, and what is one small “work” you can do this week to move your faith from “words-only” to “action”?