How Faith Works
Reflection
Begin your study by sharing thoughts on this question.
1. Think of a time when you saw a group of people rally around someone in need. What motivated the group
to help that person?
Bible Reading
Read James 2:14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a say he hath faith, and have not works? can faith
save him? 15 If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, 16 And one of you say unto them, Depart
in peace, be ye warmed and filled; not withstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body;
what doth it profit? 17 Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone. 18 Yea, a man may say, Thou
hast faith, and I have works: show me thy faith without thy works, and I will show thee my faith by works. 19 Thou
believest that there is one God; thou doest well: devils also believe, and tremble. 20 But wilt thou know, O vain
man, that faith with works is dead? 21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works, when he had offered Isaac
his son upon the altar? 22 Seest thou how faith wrought with his works, and by works was faith made perfect? 23
And the scripture was fulfilled which satin, Abraham believed God, and it was imputed unto him for righteousness:
and he was called the Friend of God. 24 Ye see then how that by works a man is justified, and not by faith only.
25 Likewise also was not Rahab the harlot justified by works, when she had received the messengers, and had sent
them out another way? 26 For as the body without the spirit is dead, so faith without works is dead also.
Discovery
Explore the Bible reading by discussing these questions.
2. Why is faith without works dead?
3. How is living faith demonstrated?
4. How do some people rationalize inactive faith?
5. Explain why mere belief in God is not enough.
6. How did Abraham and Rahab demonstrate their faith?
Question 6. Prepare yourself before class by reading the story of Abraham (Genesis 12–24) and the story
of Rahab (Joshua 2 and 6).
Inspiration
Here is an uplifting thought from the Inspirational Study Bible.
“Add to your faith”: Supplement it, flesh it out. Being a Christian doesn't mean believing and then just sitting
around. Now that you have faith in God's part, make every effort—that's your part.
That's discipline.
That's regular “holy habits.”
That's pacing yourself for the cross-country run to your future.
Says Henri Nouwen, “A spiritual life without discipline is impossible.” Tighten your belt. Get tough on your
self. GO FOR IT.
A woman once said to the great Paderewski, “Sir, you are truly a genius.”
“Well,” he answered, “before I was a genius, I was a drudge!”
To get there, to win—your life needs discipline, order, and arrangement.
“If one examines the secret behind a championship football team, a magnificent orchestra, or a successful business,
the principle ingredient is invariably discipline” (James Dobson, Discipline of the Home).
You will only discover excellence on the other side of hard work.
(From My Sacrifice, His Fire by Anne Ortlund)
Response
Use these questions to share more deeply with each other.
7. What steps can you take to practice true Christianity?
8. Why is it important to help others?
9. How is helping others part of a disciplined spiritual life?
Prayer
Father, thank you for your perfect plan of salvation. Thank you for providing a way for us to spend eternity
with you. Until then, show us the good work you want us to do, then give us the strength to do it.
Journaling
Take a few moments to record your personal insights from this lesson.
How do faith and works go together in my life?
Additional Questions
10. List ways you can reach out to someone in need.
Question 10. Your class may want to apply this lesson by doing a service project as a group. Consider
opportunities in your church, a nearby shelter, or another ministry.
11. How does spiritual discipline help us to practice true Christianity?
12. How can you develop spiritual discipline in your life?
For more Bible passages on faith and works, see John 14:12; Philippians 2:17; 2 Thessalonians 1:11; Hebrews
6:9–12; 2 Peter 1:5–7.
To complete the book of James during this twelve-part study, read James 2:14–26.
From Life Lessons from the Inspired Word of God—Book of James by Max Lucado. Copyright 1996 by Word Publishing.
