Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Prove You Have Faith

Introduction:

Matthew 7:21 - Not everyone who says to me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of my Father who is in heaven.

Romans 2:6-8 - He will render to each one according to his works: to those who by patience in well-doing seek for glory and honor and immortality, he will give eternal life; but for those who are self-seeking and do not obey the truth, but obey unrighteousness, there will be wrath and fury.

How to Prove You Have Faith (James 2:14-26)

1. A faith that doesn't Move you to Serve = dead faith. (Jas 2:15-17)
2. A faith that is just about Agreeing to Doctrine = dead faith. (Jas 2:18-19)

   John 3:2 - This man (Nicodemus) came to Jesus by night and said to him, "Rabbi, we know that you are a teacher come from God, for no one can do these signs that you do unless God is with him."

3. A faith that Makes your Choices = living faith. (Jas 1:20-26)

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 2:14-26

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What exactly is James talking about when he speaks of “works”? Give specific examples of the kinds of works that flow from authentic faith.
   

3. Suppose you see a church member who doesn’t seem to show any works resulting from saving faith. How do you know if they are just an immature believer or not really a believer at all?
   

4. How would you approach such a person (from question 2) if they were in your Small Group?
   

5. James says Abraham was justified by works (James 2:21), but Paul says in Romans 4:2 “For if Abraham was justified by works, he has something to boast about, but not before God.” Do James and Paul contradict each other? How would you explain this?

Breakout
Pray for one another!

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Love People Like God

Introduction:

Deuteronomy 10:17 - For the LORD your God is God of gods and Lord of lords, the great, the mighty, and the awesome God, who is not partial and takes no bribe.

Acts 10:34-35 - So Peter opened his mouth and said: "Truly I understand that God shows no partiality, but in every nation anyone who fears him and does what is right is acceptable to him."

How to Love People Like God Loves People (James 2:1-13)

1. Don't Deny your faith: Christ followers are not Partial. (Jas 2:1-4)
2. Don't Disregard reality: rich /= Great, and poor /= Bad. (Jas 2:5-7)

   Psalm 68:10 - ...in your goodness, O God, you provided for the needy.

   Psalm 41:1 - Blessed is the one who considers the poor!

   Proverbs 17:5 - Whoever mocks the poor insults his Maker...

3. Don't Disobey God's Word: Partiality is a serious Sin. (Jas 1:22-27)

   Matthew 5:7 - Blessed are the merciful, for they shall receive mercy.

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 2:1-13

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What are ways that you tend to label people that you need to refrain from?
   

3. Why is partiality such a serious sin? How did James show us that it is (see James 2:9-11)?
   

4. Is James condemning all rich people (James 2:6-7)? Why or why not?
   

5. If we are saved by grace, and works do not save anyone, why are works the basis for judgment (James 2:12)? See also Revelation 22:12.

Breakout
Pray for one another, and HBC, to never show partiality.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Get the Most Out of Church

Introduction:

How to Get the Most Out of Church (James 1:19-27)

1. Come ready to Hear God's Word. (Jas 1:19-21)
2. Leave ready to Apply God's Word. (Jas 1:22-27)

   Deuteronomy 6:24 - And the LORD commanded us to do all these statutes, to fear the LORD our God, for our good always, that he might preserve us alive, as we are this day.

   John 13:17 - If you know these things, blessed are you if you do them.

   Matthew 12:34 - For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks.

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 1:19-27

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. Explain James’ mirror illustration in Jas 1:23-24.
   

3. Why is the tongue a good indicator on where your faith is (Jas 1:26)? See Matthew 12:34.
   

4. What do you personally need to do to better prepare yourself for church next Sunday?

Breakout
Pray for one another.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Beat Temptation

Introduction:

My Temptation: --------------------------------------------------

How to Beat Temptation: (James 1:13-18)

1. Blame the right person. (Jas 1:13-14)

   Genesis 3:12 - The man said, "The woman whom you gave to be with me, she gave me fruit of the tree, and I ate."

   Proverbs 19:3 - When a man’s folly brings his way to ruin, his heart rages against the LORD.

   Isaiah 63:17 - O LORD, why do you make us wander from your ways and harden our heart, so that we fear you not?

2. Say No early. (Jas 1:15-16)

   Romans 13:14 - But put on the Lord Jesus Christ, and make no provision for the flesh, to gratify its desires.

3. Focus on God's Gifts . (Jas 1:17)
4. Remind yourself of your Identity . (Jas 1:18)

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 1:13-18

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. What excuses have you made - or heard - for giving into temptation? What does James say about who is responsible for our sin?
   

3. Why do you think people tend to blame God for their failures?
   

4. Are all desires bad (Jas 1:14)? How do you know what is a good desire and what is a sinful desire?
   

5. What gifts from God can you focus on when you are tempted to sin?

Breakout
Pray for one another - to resist temptation the way James lays out for us.

Intentional Faith: A "How To" Guide - How to Profit from Trials

Introduction:

My Trial: --------------------------------------------------

How to Profit from Trials: Change The Way You See Them (James 1:1-12)

1. See trials as Strengthening you. (Jas 1:3-4)
2. See trials as Teaching you. (Jas 1:5-8)
3. See trials as Humbling you. (Jas 1:9-11)
4. See trials as Testing you. (Jas 1:12)

   Hebrews 12:2 - looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.

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Small Group Discussion
Read James 1:1-12

1. What was your big take-away from this passage / message?
   

2. How are trials a “test” (Jas 1:3, 12)? What do they reveal?
   

3. James 1:4 says to let steadfastness have its full effect. What are ways people refuse to obey this and resist what God wants to accomplish in trials?
   

4. What does it mean that steadfastness makes us “perfect and complete, lacking in nothing” (Jas 1:4)?
   

5. Share a time when you asked God for wisdom in a trial, and He clearly answered (Jas 1:5).

Breakout
Pray for one another - to see trials according to God’s purposes.