Week 1: Unshakeable Faith
James 1:1-18
- This weekend, we started a new series on the book of James. One of our House Rules at Grace is Biblical Maturity: We expect to grow. We teach through the Bible verse-by-verse because it is the best way to know the Bible, and the Bible is the best way to know Jesus. How would you rate your own knowledge of the Bible on a scale of 1-10? How do you hope to grow or change as a result of this study on James?
- Read James 1:1-8. If you could snap your fingers and receive instant, divine wisdom regarding one situation in your life, which situation would you choose and why?
- Consider this: God promises to freely and generously give us wisdom in all life’s circumstances, if only we ask in faith. Why do you think we ignore this offer? What does it look like to be a “doubter, blown and tossed by the wind” (verse 6)?
- Read James 1:12-15. What’s the difference between “trials” and “temptations”? What are some real-life examples of the progression described in verses 14-15? Have you ever experienced this progression firsthand?
- Read James 1:16-18. James contrasts earthly desires, which lead to death, with the good and perfect gifts of God. What are some of the greatest gifts in your life right now? How can you be a faithful steward of these gifts for God’s glory?
Week 2: Sincere Faith
James 1:19-27
- Read James 1:19-21. Why does James say we should be slow to anger? How have you seen “human anger fail to produce the righteousness God desires”? Think of examples in the world and your personal life.
- Complete this sentence in your mind: Uncontrolled anger has cost me ___. Would anyone like to share the answer that came to mind?
- According to verse 21, what is the antidote to a hot temper? Why is humility necessary for salvation and spiritual growth? Would those closest to you consider you a humble person? Why or why not?
- Read James 1:22-25. Do you think it’s possible to listen to the Word of God week after week, not do what it says, and still be a true follower of Christ? Why or why not?
- Read Luke 6:46. If you were to personalize this verse, how would you finish this sentence: “Why do you call me ‘Lord, Lord,’ and not ___.” Based on your answer, what next step could you take this week toward obedience? How can we encourage and support one another in following through with these next steps?
Week 3: Just Faith
James 2:1-13
- Let’s begin with some true/false prompts. Give a “thumbs up” if you agree with the statement and “thumbs down” if you disagree. (Feel free to pause and discuss as you go):
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- Everyone has personal biases.
- Personal bias is always wrong.
- Most people prefer to be around people who are similar to them.
- People tend to believe that people who are similar to them are superior to people who are different from them.
- In the 1970s Henri Tajfel coined the term “social identity theory” to describe the human tendency to categorize people into social groups. This theory helps explain what psychologists refer to as the “us/them” mentality. Imagine you are meeting a neighbor for the first time. When you open the door, you see an Asian woman dressed in a kimono. She greets you by holding her hands together and bowing. These cues signal that her culture is different than yours. Your brain immediately categorizes her as a “them” rather than an “us.” Why might this be helpful?
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- Recognizing that people are different helps us to be sensitive and curious, to learn and grow. But at what point does the “us/them” mentality become sinful?
2. Read James 2:1-7. How might a sinful “us/them” mentality corrupt the church? What are some categories other than wealth, in which we tend to view ourselves as superior to others? Would anyone be willing to share about a time when you were guilty of viewing yourself as superior to someone else? How have you learned and grown since then?
3. Read James 2:8-13. How can we safeguard against favoritism and discrimination? Refer back to James 1:21. What would change in our country if every single person demonstrated Christlike humility? What would change in your personal world at home and work, if you demonstrated greater humility?
Week 4: Serving Faith
James 2:14-26
- In chapter 2, James sets up an ethical question: Can you really have saving faith without works? Read James 2:14-17. Is this text proof that we are saved by works? Why or why not?
- James is not saying that we are saved by works, but rather that true faith in God produces works, which is evidence of life transformation. This is why Christ-followers are “doers” of God’s Word and not “hearers” only (James 1:22). Why is it damaging for someone to profess faith in Christ without any evidence of life change?
- Read Matthew 5:14-16. Do you live more like a “city on a hill” or a “lamp under a basket”? Does it depend on the setting? If so, why?
- Read Matthew 7:21-23. Explain what Jesus is saying in your own words. How does this passage affirm James’s message? Do you ever fear that one day you might be among those who are told, “I never knew you; depart from Me”? Why or why not?
- How can we be certain that our faith is genuine? Take turns reading the following Scriptures: I John 5:12-13, John 5:24, Jude 1:24, Romans 8:16, Hebrews 7:25. What principles from these verses comfort or encourage you the most?
Week 5: Disciplined Faith
James 3:1-12
- Read James 3:3-8. The Bible talks frequently about the tongue and the power it has to heal or destroy. What other Bible passages can you think of that reference the tongue or speech? (Examples: Psalm 19:14, Proverbs 13:3, 15:4, 18:21, Matthew 15:18, Ephesians 4:29, I Peter 3:10).
- Imagine you’re teaching a child to have a biblical understanding of the tongue. What are three simple principles you could pull from these Bible verses? How faithfully do you live these principles? Which one is most difficult for you?
- Ultimately, James is reiterating the importance of internal consistency, which is a primary theme in his letter. Read James 3:9-12. By show of hands, have you ever been guilty of this? Why do you think we do this?
- How can we cultivate genuine love for people who are difficult to love? How is loving others a blessing not only to others, but to ourselves?
- One of our House Rules is Grace-Centered Truth: We challenge people to be their best and love them at their worst. What does this look like in everyday life? Can you think of a time when you challenged someone to be their best, or loved them at their worst?
Week 6: Drama-Free Faith
James 3:13-18
- Have you ever met someone who seems to live in a constant state of drama? Without naming people, what are some characteristics of a person who invites drama into their life?
- What’s the difference between going through a difficult season and living a drama-filled lifestyle?
- Read James 3:13-18. What adjectives does James use to describe worldly wisdom versus godly wisdom? What are some everyday examples of worldly wisdom? Think about advertisements, product slogans, social media messages and more.
- Think about middle and high schoolers. How does a lack of wisdom contribute to a life of drama? How does godly wisdom protect against drama-filled living? How can we impart godly wisdom to the next generation?
- Read I Thessalonians 4:9-12. According to these verses, there is biblical tension between “loving others” and “minding our own affairs.” Which of these two practices come more naturally to you? As believers, what does it look like to do both?
Week 7: Surrendered Faith
James 4:1-12
- Read James 4:1-3. Think of a fight you’ve had recently. Can you pinpoint the underlying desire that caused the fight? If you’re comfortable sharing, tell us about it.
- What are two reasons James gives for why our desires go unfulfilled? (See verses 2 and 3). Share an example of a time when you asked God for something with a selfish motive. How might you have asked God for the same thing but with a pure motive? Would a purer motive have changed your request altogether?
- Read verses 4-5. Our motives expose our desire to be like the world, or as James puts it, our “friendship with the world.” How do you feel about James likening “friendship with the world” to spiritual adultery? Does that language seem overly harsh? Why or why not?
- Does it surprise you to know God yearns jealously for you – for your wholehearted love and devotion? Why is this type of jealousy pure?
- Read verse 6-10. Everything changes as James writes these powerful words: “But He gives more grace.” Based on this grace, James lists a series of commands or imperatives. Name every imperative you see in these verses. What does it look like to put these commands into practice? Which of these commands do you find most convicting and why?
Week 8: Effective Faith
James 5:13-20
- We have arrived at the final week in our study on James. What were some of your favorite takeaways from this series?
- Read James 5:13-18, pausing to focus on verse 16. This is one of those daunting verses we tend to skip over. But in the spirit of being doers of the Word, let’s put this verse into practice: If you’re comfortable doing so, confess one sin that’s presently gripping you. (At the group leaders discretion, gCs may want to split into male/female groups.) Take some time to pray for spiritual healing and freedom over each confession of sin.
- One of our House Rules at Grace is Genuine Family: Grace frees us from performance and lets us live unafraid. What we just did is a great example of what genuine family looks like – it’s a safe space where we can be authentic and grow together. How can we continue to promote a spirit of genuine family within our gC? How can we move beyond our gC to promote a spirit of genuine family at our Grace campus?
- As we close out this study, let’s pause and take spiritual inventory of our own lives, not for the sake of condemnation, but for the sake of growth. Grab a sheet of paper and a pen. The primary theme of James is practical faith, or living like Jesus in the real world. To what extent do you live like Jesus in the following areas? As your gC leader reads each category, rate yourself on a scale of 1-5 (1=not at all / 5=by God’s grace I’m a good representation of Christ in this area):
- Daily Dependence on God (Reading the Bible, Prayer, etc.)
- Living in Genuine Christian Community (Attending Church, gC, etc.)
- Sharing My Faith with Others / Missional Living
- Serving Others
- Generosity / Putting My Hope in God Not Wealth
- Loving People Who Think Differently Than Me
5. Based on this brief spiritual inventory, where are you doing well? Where do you need to grow? How will you take a next step to move beyond good intentions to practical action?
Ice-Breakers and Extra Questions for Extra Time:
- How did God encourage you through our worship experience this weekend, whether through singing, giving, serving, communion, confession, or listening to the preached Word?
- What was your greatest takeaway from the sermon?
- Was there anything that confused you in the sermon?
- What has been your greatest joy and struggle this week?
- How can we pray for you?
- How can we hold you accountable?
- How have you seen evidence of God’s grace in your life this year?
- Share some ways you’ve been growing in wholeness lately.
- Share three things for which you’re thankful.
- Share one unexpected blessing from God you’ve experienced this week.
