Read James 2:14. Can there be or should there be proof of your faith, especially to those with whom you meet and interact? This is the question that James is asking in this Scripture passage; can a faith that is only a personal and private affair be a faith that is real. Even though Scripture is clear that you can’t work your way into heaven and into a right relationship with God, which only comes by the cross of Jesus Christ. You still should have evidence that the grace and love of God is within you.

• Would a stranger be able to tell that you were a follower of Jesus?  How?

Read James 2:15-17, Proverbs 25:19, and Matthew 21:28-31. To assume that your faith is only about belief is a deadly idea because what you then have and exhibit to the world is a worthless faith. A worthless faith is a faith of empty words and no action. Jesus makes it clear that the one justified before God is not the one who speaks the right words but the one who acts in the right way.  James even decidedly declares that kind of faith to be dead.

• Have you ever made a promise to someone but didn’t follow through? What was the result of your relationship with them?
• When do you most often use empty words with people?

Read James 2:18. Real faith is alive and active just like Jesus who changed and changes lives everywhere he goes. However, the problem with most Christians is not that their faith is dead, but that it is weak. Faith is just like a muscle, the more you use it the more it will grow, and the more you work it the stronger you will become. 

• How would you describe your faith over the past few years, one that is growing or deteriorating? Why do think that is?
• Have you stepped out in faith recently? Explain.

Read John 15:5 & Matthew 7:16-17. The great thing about faith is the more you grow the more God will use you; and the more God uses you the more you will produce fruit. Scripture is clear, the more you are connected to Jesus, the more fruit you will produce. And all in all the quality of your faith can only be judged when you put it to work. And the proof of your faith lies in the fruit.

• What is one fruit you have seen in your own life of faith?

Read James 2:19; I Corinthians 15:10; & Matthew 5:14-16. Finally, real faith is about God and not about you. We respond to God, unlike the demons, with great gratitude for all the things God has done for us and literally reach out with that same grace to others. If God is in your life you won’t be able to help taking action, shining God’s light in the darkness, reaching out to those around you in need.

• Name something God has done in your life this year for which you are extremely grateful. How have you responded back to God?
• How is God calling you to take the light of Christ to others? What steps do you need to take to show God’s love and grace to others?