James, the leader of the early Christian church wrote this book to challenge Jewish Christians to prove their genuine faith through authentic living.
Talking Points:
- James was the half brother to Jesus and the leader of the early church. He wrote the book to Jewish believers to encourage them in their new faith. James 1:1
- James warned against fractured faith – a divided loyalty between loving God and loving the world. James 1:6-8, Matthew 6:24
- James puts an emphasis on genuine faith – a new heart that produces authentic works. Galatians 5:22-23, Ezekiel 36:26-27, James 2:17-18
Discussion:
- Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
- What do you think it was like for James to be the brother of Jesus? Have you lived in the shadow of a sibling/friend? Share the pros and cons of having a stellar sibling/friend.
- Define in your own words what fractured faith means. What are some of the cultural issues that have been hard for you to navigate or understand with biblical principles in mind?
- Read James 1:6-8 and Matthew 6:24. What does loyalty mean to you? Why won’t it work to have one foot in the world and one foot in with God?
- In your opinion, why does it matter how we live? What do our choices/values communicate to those around us?
- Read Galatians 5:22-23 and Ezekiel 36:26-27. What’s the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives? What does a stony heart look like? What does a tender, responsive heart look like?
- Read James 2:17-18. What does James mean that our faith is useless if it doesn’t impact the way we live? How have you seen Christians trample on the Gospel due to their actions?
- Share how your life has changed since putting your faith in Jesus. What areas of your life are still fractured and need to change?
- Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
