October 20, 2019

James teaches us that authentic Christian living is based on humbly receiving what God has said in his word. But how do you know if that’s what you’re doing? James shows us that receiving God’s word means not just hearing it, but putting it into practice in our lives, such that we see a lifestyle that mirrors God’s values and priorities. 

Application Questions

1. Why do you think it’s so tempting to hear what God says but not do it? What are some ways we rationalize it?
2. What does it look like for God’s Word to function as a mirror in your life? How could you practically grow in remembering that throughout the day?
3. Why do you think James included our words, our relationship to the needy, and our relationship to worldly values as part of “true religion”? Which comes the easiest to you and which is the most challenging?
4. How does the gospel teach us that Jesus’ commands are a “law of liberty”? How does that motivate you to be a doer and not just a hearer in all of these things?
   ​