Christian Service

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This Month's Topic: Christian Service

Scripture Reference: James 2:14-26

Discussion Objective:

Opening

These passages were just taught by Sandor a few weeks ago so some of my questions & notes are derived from that teaching. You can always see my discussion and teaching notes at biblestreams.online as I post new ones. I take notes during the Sunday morning teachings.
"We have decided to keep the August topic of "Spiritual Gifts". Because of the content at Team Christland this fall, it seems helpful to give out gift inventories (surveys) at DC on 8/6, 8/7, and 8/8. This will replace the teaching portion of DC and instead people will fill out the attached survey during that time. I'll have copies on the tables."

How do you describe a "dead faith" vs an "living faith"? How do you harmonize this with "saved by grace"? Eph 2


14 What good is it, my brothers, if someone says he has faith but does not have works? Can that faith save him?
15 If a brother or sister is poorly clothed and lacking in daily food,
16 and one of you says to them, “Go in peace, be warmed and filled,” without giving them the things needed for the body, what good is that?

V14-16: Thief on the cross

The bible is no longer seen as authoritative or even relevant in many circles. How do our acts of Christian service help with this reality?


17 So also faith by itself, if it does not have works, is dead.
18 But someone will say, “You have faith and I have works.” Show me your faith apart from your works, and I will show you my faith by my works.
19 You believe that God is one; you do well. Even the demons believe — and shudder!
20 Do you want to be shown, you foolish person, that faith apart from works is useless?
21 Was not Abraham our father justified by works when he offered up his son Isaac on the altar?

V17-21:

What are some personal examples of how you are living your faith out?


22 You see that faith was active along with his works, and faith was completed by his works;
23 and the Scripture was fulfilled that says, “Abraham believed God, and it was counted to him as righteousness” — and he was called a friend of God.
24 You see that a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.
25 And in the same way was not also Rahab the prostitute justified by works when she received the messengers and sent them out by another way?
26 For as the body apart from the spirit is dead, so also faith apart from works is dead.

V22-26: Comments and/or follow up questions

Intentionally look for ways to live out your active faith this week.

Notes from same book of the bible

File Chapter Resource
1_James Overview - Bible Book Overview
Part 1 1 Teaching
Part 3 1 Teaching
God Does Not Tempt 1 Discussion
Works with Faith 2 Teaching
Book of James - Worldliness 4 Teaching
James 4 11 16 4 Teaching
James 5 1-6 5 Teaching
Book of James last 5 Teaching
Praying In All Occasions 5 Discussion