GPS ENG: A Faith You Can See

Let's read:

Let's read James 2:14-20 in three different translations. Today we're going to study this passage verse by verse, slowly, to understand what it says, what it means, and how we can apply it to our lives.

James 2:14

1. What two things is James comparing in this verse?

2. When James says, “If anyone says he has faith,” why do you think he emphasizes the word “says”?

3. Can a person know a lot about the Bible and still not let his faith change the way he lives? Why?

James 2:15-16

What real-life situation does James describe in this verse? What need does the person have?

What does a person do who has faith in words only?

What difference do you see between what he says and what he does?

Why do you think James uses a physical need to explain a spiritual truth?

What are some things we might say that sound very spiritual, but that can be empty words if we never put them into practice?

This doesn't mean that we can meet every need on our own. The question is: When God places a need before us, are we willing to do what is within our power? Why don't we do it?

James 2:17-18

What word does James use to describe faith without works? A dead thing can retain the appearance of what it once was. A body may have eyes, hands, feet, and a mouth, but without life, it cannot do anything. This is an important question because James is not saying that a person must be perfect to have true faith.

A living plant may be small, but it grows. In the same way, a living faith may be imperfect, but it brings about change. What changes should a living faith bring about in our lives? If we were to look only at our actions over the past week, what evidence would we find that our faith is alive?

_______________________________________________________________

In verse 18, someone says, “You have faith, and I have works.” James replies, “Show me your faith.” Why do you think James uses the word “show me”?

James 2:19-20

Here, James does something very interesting. When he says, “God is one,” he is referring to a very important truth for the Jews: there is only one God. This was a central tenet of their faith. But James wants to show us something else.

Read James 2:19 again

1. Who else believes that there is only one God? And what do demons do when they acknowledge this truth?

2. What does this teach us about the difference between knowing something and living according to what we know?

3. Demons know who God is. They believe that God exists and acknowledge His power. But that doesn’t mean they love Him or obey Him.

4. What is the danger of knowing a lot about God but not letting that knowledge change our lives?

5. Is there something we know God wants us to do, but we haven’t put into practice yet?

6. What does James want to correct: what we believe about faith, or the way we live out our faith?

Conclusion:

After studying James 2:14–20, we see a recurring theme: true faith is evident in the way we live. James is not saying that we do good works to earn our salvation. He is showing us that a living faith bears fruit. Therefore, the question is not merely, “Do I have faith?” We must also ask ourselves, “Does the way I live demonstrate the faith I claim to have?”

What part of James 2:14–20 stood out to you the most, or where do you feel God is speaking to your heart?

A TRUTH TO REMEMBER!!

True faith is seen in the way we live