Exhibiting a Productive Faith - James 1:17-27; 2:14-18

By David Woods

Discussion: If we were to ask your next door neighbor if he believed you were a Christian, what do you expect he would say? Why?

Big Idea: True faith in Christ results in a changed life.

It is easy to say that one's life should be changed by faith, but it sometimes becomes contentious when one tries to define what that means.

Discussion: How does our text say we are to know what to do as a Christian?

Verse twenty-seven says pure religion is marked by two things: 1) visiting orphans and widows who are distressed, 2) keeping ourselves pure from sin.

Discussion: Can we fulfill these obligations (especially the first one) passively? Why or why not?

Discussion: Is this scripture then saying a church cannot simply meet the needs of those who come to it, but rather must actively seek out those in need?

Discussion: What ministries does our church have that seeks out those in need - material needs?

Discussion: What are the reasons (often also known as excuses) that we give why we cannot or should not help others?

Discussion: What safeguard(s) concerning being taken advantage of are implied in verse fifteen?

Discussion: Can we maintain our Christian testimony by taking the attitude of simply refusing to help anyone because 1) they should be more industrious, or 2) we want to protect ourselves from being taken advantage of?