Study Questions for Groups
1. What was the biggest challenge you faced last week?
2. What did you put into practice from last week’s study?
Ask three people—two readers and one reteller—to help. Ask the readers to read James 1:22-27 and James 2:14-26 one after the other, preferably from different Bible versions.
Ask the third person to summarize the main points of the passages.
3. Imagine parents instructing their child in a basic command, i.e., “Don’t run into the street” or “Brush your teeth.” Time after time, however, the child disobeys. The parents ask, “Didn’t you hear me?” to which the child consistently replies, “Yes, I heard you.” Exasperated, the parents say, “It’s very important you do what we say. Do you believe what we’re saying is true?” and the child responds, “Yes, I believe you!” If you were counseling this family, what would you tell them?
4. Let’s dig deeper into this Bible passage:
- Studying Scripture can protect us from outward deceptions, but how might we deceive ourselves?
- What are some godly motives and poor motives for reading the Bible?
- How does this passage define religion?
- What words did James use to describe faith without action (deeds), and what do those words reveal to you?
- How would you compare and contrast the faith and righteousness of Abraham and Rahab?
5. What do you learn about God from this passage?
6. What do you learn about yourself?
7. Each of us could easily create a list of biblical commands for which we can better “do what it says.” The passages we read today mentions several. What specifically will you do that will put your faith into action?
8. Based on our study and discussion, complete this sentence: “This week, I will . . .”
9. What challenges do you anticipate this week as you live out your faith?
For Next Week: Read and reflect on James 2:1-13 as we continue our focus on “Faith in Action” in the book of James. You can also read next week’s supplemental texts as well as the Study and Application sections as part of your personal study.
Author: Michael C. Mack
Michael C. Mack is editor of Christian Standard. He has served in churches in Ohio, Indiana, Idaho, and Kentucky. He has written more than 25 books and discussion guides as well as hundreds of magazine, newspaper, and web-based articles.
