Count it all Joy! (James 2:14-26)

14 What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man 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 ; notwithstanding 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: shew me thy faith without thy works, and I will shew thee my faith by my works. 19 Thou believest that there is one God; thou doest well: the devils also believe , and tremble . 20 But wilt thou know , O vain man, that faith without 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 saith , 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.

OBSERVATION QUESTIONS:
1) What is the proof of our faith (v.14)? 
2) What example of “dead” faith does James write about (v.15-17)?
3) What is one way that a believer may demonstrate their faith (v.18)?
4) Is belief sufficient to prove one’s faith in God? Why or why not? (v.19)
5) Why were Abraham and Ruth righteous? (v.21-25)
6) What makes faith useless or dead (v. 26)?

APPLICATION QUESTIONS:
1) How do you demonstrate your faith in God?
2) What motivates you to do good deeds?
3) What makes you righteous in the eyes of the Lord? 

LIFE LESSONS:
1) Good works do not prove that one has faith.
2) Simply believing in Jesus does not prove that one trusts in the Lord.
3) When one truly has faith in God, their faith will be demonstrated by what they do as a result of their faith.
4) Righteousness can never be earned by performing good works. Performing good works is proof of one’s righteousness.