James - Chapter 2
Introduction
James continues with very practical lessons. The two primary themes of the second chapter of James are:
- Not showing partiality/how to treat others
- Faith without works is dead
James 2:1-7 Not Showing Partiality
- Is it tempting to treat people differently based on their appearance (riches, youth, style, beauty)
- Why is it called a royal law?
- If we show partiality, what do we commit?
- Does keeping the law vs not keeping it have a simple majority determinant?
- How about, if we keep it all except one point?
- Will the temptation to exclude one point, choose the same point for everyone?
- Since we aren’t perfect, what do we require to triumph over judgment?
- Since we know that mercy is needed for ourselves, how should that affect our attitude toward others?
James 2:8-13 Love Your Neighbor as Yourself
- Why is it called a royal law?
- If we show partiality, what do we commit?
- Does keeping the law vs not keeping it have a simple majority determinant?
- How about, if we keep it all except one point?
- Will the temptation to exclude one point, choose the same point for everyone?
- Since we aren’t perfect, what do we require to triumph over judgment?
- Since we know that mercy is needed for ourselves, how should that affect our attitude toward others?
Controversy Over Faith and Works
Some disputed that the book of James belongs in the canon of the New Testament, because they do not want to accept what the 2nd chapter of James says about faith and works. They miss that the same lesson is taught in other places in the Bible.
Galatians 5:6
- What does avail?
- What does it mean for faith to work through love? Would faith not working in love avail?
Mark 10:17-22
- Had he heard?
- Did he believe?
- Was hearing and believing enough for him?
Matthew 7:24-29
- Who did Jesus say was a fool?
- Was hearing and believing alone enough to be wise?
- What earthly example did he compare this foolishness with?
- Why did the house fall, what did it lack?
- If we don’t have this foundation in our lives, what is our result?
- Is hearing and having the right answers, enough?
- Is this a temptation for us today?
James 2:14-26 Faith Without Works is Dead
- Can faith without works save?
- What would you think about someone who saw a poorly dressed person in the cold, who said be warmed and then went on his way?
- Did telling them be warmed actually accomplish anything?
- What does it mean to say faith is dead?
- Is belief without action any different than what demons do?
- Even knowing this, do we have a temptation to place too much trust in knowing the right answers vs. putting it into practice?
- What areas can be strong temptations to believe but not act?