Real Faith Session 1: Don't Just Stand There: James

James 1:22-25

Several years ago I decided to try P90X. I saw the before and after pictures on an infomercial, and I thought, “I’ve got to sign up. Gena is going to be blown away when she sees my P90X body.” I was so excited and fired up to look like that.

I was so pumped to try it out when my DVDs came in the mail. On the very first workout I was going all out to keep up with Tony Horton. Then, at the end, he said, “All right, we’re going to do that again!” I thought, “Oh my gosh! I’m too tired to keep going. I need P90X for kids!”

The second day I was sore all over. Apparently, you’re supposed to do the workouts every day for an hour, for 90 days in a row. The next day I put in the DVD and did the first set of exercises at the beginning. Then I said, “Man, forget this. This is way too difficult for me.” So you know what I did? I sat on the couch, ate ice cream, and watched the video for the rest of the workout!

A lot of people approach their spiritual lives by a P90X approach. It’s easy to watch other people say and do incredible things for God, and it’s easy to listen to the Word of God during a service or on a podcast, but it’s another thing entirely to put it into practice. The book of James speaks to this specifically in chapter one, beginning in verse 22:

“But be doers of the Word, and not hearers only deceiving yourselves for if anyone is a hearer of the Word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. For he looks at himself, and he goes away, and once he forgets what he was like. But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty and perseveres being no hearer who forgets. But a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

God has a word for us today, and that is that He wants us to do the Word. Sometimes the Word of God reflects areas in our life where we need to change. The question is, are we going to reject the Word of God, or are we going to respond? When we begin to respond to the Word we begin the most exciting journey of all – the journey of unlimited spiritual growth.


Discussion Starter

When is a time when you knew there was something you should do, but decided not to do anything instead? What impact did doing nothing have on your situation or circumstances? How do you think taking action would have changed things?


Verse to Remember

2 Timothy 3:16 (NCV) “All Scripture is inspired by God and is useful for teaching, for showing people what is wrong in their lives, for correcting faults, and for teaching how to live right.”
Discussion Questions

1. If P90X workouts are supposed to help you build muscle, lose weight, and get physically fit, what are some of the benefits of completing a “spiritual workout?”

2. The same way a mirror reflects our physical condition, the Word of God reflects our spiritual condition. What are some common distractions that keep you from changing your spiritual condition once you’ve seen your reflection from God’s Word?

3. Read 2 Timothy 3:16. Why is it important to read the Bible regularly? How can the Bible be helpful?


Application Questions

1. Read Matthew 28:19. What is one way you can “do the Word” this week by sharing your faith with someone?

2. What does Philippians 4:6-7 reflect about your personal life? Do you struggle with anxiety, or do you “pray about everything?” How would relying on God’s peace in your heart have a positive impact on your daily life?

3. 1 Peter 4:10 challenges Christ-followers to use their God-given gifts in serving the church. Are you using your God-given gifts to serve as a part of the Edge Church family?


Prayer Focus

1. Ask God to help you continue growing in your spiritual life, responding to the Word of God instead of rejecting it. Consider some of the specific areas in your life – your finances, your marriage, your family, etc. – where do you feel you need to grow? Specifically ask God for encouragement and direction from the Bible on how you can grow in some specific areas.

2. In Luke 9, Jesus says we are to daily follow Him. Pray for the people in your group that God would give them the spiritual focus and strength to daily follow Jesus and the Word of God.

3. Pray that Edge Church would continue to be a church that follows the Bible. Pray that, by focusing on the Word of God, more people can experience the life-changing grace of Jesus Christ.