Discussion Questions:

1. Clearing up a MISINTERPRETATION

• What do you think of when you hear the word "grace?" Why is grace so important to understanding the gospel message? What are some ways that you have experienced God's grace in your own life?
• Read Galatians 2:15 - 21 and James 2:14 - 26. Why is it important to understand that these are not at odds with each other? How would a true contradiction undermine our faith?
• Thinking about the idea of "justification by faith alone," where are you tempted to cling to your own track record of performance before God? What does it look like for you to surrender that mentality to the Lord daily?

2. More than INFORMATION

• Where do you find yourself influenced by the "brains-on-a-stick" model of Christianity? Why does James say that intellectual assent is not enough to constitute a living faith?
• How would you counsel someone who claims to have faith apart from their works? What is the antidote to a dead faith?

3. A living faith that leads to TRANSFORMATION

• James speaks of our works completing or fulfilling our faith. Other than Abraham and Rahab, what other stories and characters from Scripture illustrate this dynamic of inward faith leading to outward action? How are their examples an encouragement to us?
• Where do you see this dynamic in your own life? What parts of your life are only explainable by the fact that you follow Jesus?
• In the spirit of James' letter, the sermon highlighted three specific areas of application (finances, justice/mercy, and evangelism) where we can actively live out our faith. Which of these areas do you find the most challenging to put into practice? What other areas of life come to mind when you think about walking out your profession of faith?