Community Group Discussion Guide

James 2:14-26 – Weekend of September 29 & 30, 2018

I. Starter Question:

Easy question: Do you have a negative or a positive association with the concept of “Works” when it comes to Christianity?Vulnerable question: Do you consciously do Good Works as a natural part of your Christian walk? How? When? Is this a weakness or a strength in your life?

II. Discussion of Scripture:

Context: The book of James is considered to have been written by James, brother of Jesus. James is writing this letter to a group of Jewish Christian house churches in Palestine who are in conflict. His intent in writing the letter is to encourage the believers to “be doers of the word, and not hearers only”. This book is practical, dealing with the day-to-day issues of life and faith, instead of some of the deeper theological issues in other books of the Bible. This week’s theme of “Works” is interesting because the Apostle Paul emphasizes Faith through Grace (not Works) in the Christian’s life whereas James emphasizes Works as a product of Faith. The great Reformation pioneer Martin Luther had a negative view of the Book of James for this reason. Today, we grapple through the role of Works in the Christian’s life.

A. James 2:14-26 (ESV) - 2 14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him? 15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food, 16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good] is that? 17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead. 18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works. 19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe—and shudder! 20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar? 22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works; 23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness”—and he was called a friend of God. 24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone. 25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way? 26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

For Discussion:

1. Christian author John MacArthur has used the term “Easy Believism” to define those who hold to the position of “Free Grace” – that is the belief that a person can believe in Jesus intellectually and therefore be Saved even if there is no adherence to Jesus as Lord (no obedience to Christ), no Works, and no Fruits. How does James’s teaching here address “Easy Believism?”

2. As mentioned above, Martin Luther (among others) felt that the book of James was problematic because of its emphasis upon Works. However, Paul and James are discussing different moments in the Salvation process. Paul is addressing the moment when we are Saved and how Works can have no role to Save us. James is addressing Christians who are already Saved and how that Salvation plays out in our daily lives through Good Works and Fruits. Read Paul’s teaching on this below and see how it relates to James’s teaching above.

Ephesians 2:8-9 – 8 For by grace you have been saved through faith. And this is not your own doing; it is the gift of God, 9 not a result of works, so that no one may boast. 10 For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them .

3. Matthew 7: 15-20 – 15 “Beware of false prophets, who come to you in sheep's clothing but inwardly are ravenous wolves. 16 You will recognize them by their fruits. Are grapes gathered from thorn bushes, or figs from thistles? 17 So, every healthy tree bears good fruit, but the diseased tree bears bad fruit. 18 A healthy tree cannot bear bad fruit, nor can a diseased tree bear good fruit. 19 Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. 20 Thus you will recognize them by their fruits.

Jesus here emphasizes “Fruits” similarly to the way James emphasizes Works.” What are some “Fruits” that have grown in your life since becoming a Christian? What are some “Works” you have done or are doing as a natural product of God’s Grace in your life and your love for Him?

4. Since (according to Paul) we were “created in Christ Jesus for good works ” what steps can we take today to increase in Good Works? 1) As a Community Group for each other? 2) For others at Henderson Hills? 3) For other Christians? 4) For the OKC/Edmond Community? 5) For the Broader World?

III. Responding in Prayer:

1. Pray for our church that we would be led by the Spirit to practice Good Works, reflecting the image of Jesus Christ in our world.

2. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to mind ways we can practice Good Works as a regular, supernatural outflow of our daily walk with Christ.

3. Ask the Holy Spirit to help us practice Good Works as a means to be “Live Sent,” that is, as a means to reach out to, connect with, and love on family members, friends, co-workers, associates, and neighbors who have not yet believed in Jesus.