An Active Faith

Here's the link to the Sermon: The Real Deal

 

Reading: James 1:22-25

 

1.    What is the difference between believing and doing?

2.    What is the consequence of professing faith but ignoring God’s word?

3.    The truth of the Bible is useless until it is obeyed (AW Tozer). Discuss this statement.

4.    What are the things our society believes are acceptable that God does not. How should we deal with these issues?

5.    Like many passages we discuss, this one is easy enough to talk about in general, however our verse for the year strikes at the very heart of our personal faith and our priorities – it challenges us with words like obedience, commitment and discipleship. In the sermon we mentioned a number of things, and there is an excerpt pasted below. Take a look at the excerpt, perhaps add other bullet points in, then discuss how important our individual attitude is when it comes to examining ourselves and why we should regularly examine our own lives:

So we need to be people who respond to God’s instructions. We need to examine our own lives. How? Well let’s be practical:

·        Is there a sin you need to confess? 

·        Do you need to stop ignoring a problem and admit it as such? God does not expect you to be perfect but He does want you to be honest.  We need to admit when we have fallen short of God’s standard. In what ways is God calling you to change your course? 

·        Is God pushing you to change a certain attitude or behaviour?

·        Does He want you to reach out to someone, to forgive something they’ve done wrong, or simply to give of yourself to show kindness?

·        Is God calling you to step out in faith?  Perhaps He is calling you to use your gifts more?

·        Maybe He wants you to mend a relationship?

·        Are you praying regularly with others in our church?

·        Perhaps He is calling you to make regular worship a priority…

The real test of a believer is how we respond to what God tells us to do.  The real test of faith is not what we say, but more what we do in response to what God says.

2B - what's that?

This week as Housegroups we're setting off in a different direction, we'll be introducing a mini series on what it means to 'Be' a Christian.
 
Inspired by a couple of Conference teaching sessions by Bob Payne, we'll take a few weeks to consider, unpack and think through the application of Six "B's"
 
You can download the teaching sessions here: Teaching Sessions (just click on the file then click download – the middle arrow at the top of the page).
You'll find two files entitled there is much more sessions 1 and 2 and a bonus track entitled the Holy Spirit and you. Listen to "there's much more" first

Getting to grips with: Being a Submissive Church

If you missed it, here's a link: Getting to grips with: Being a Submissive Church


 Reading: James 4:1-10
 

1. What thoughts come to mind when you think about being submissive?
2. What are the results of a lack of submission to God? Read through the first 4 verses and discuss the various points James raises.
3. James looks back to the Old Testament in Verses 5 and 6. Discuss what it means for God to be a jealous God? And how does this link with His desire to give us overwhelming grace?
4. Verse 7-10: what is the difference between submission and obedience?
5. How can/should we apply this to our lives today?