James Series Study Sheet Week 5 Text: James 1:22
James Series Study Sheet Week 5 Text: James 1:22-27 Message Title: Hearing and Doing
Read James 1:22-27 In what contexts do we ‘hear’ God’s Word (written, spoken, etc) today? Why do you think there is often a big chasm between hearing/reading God’s Word and putting it into practice in our lives? Make a list of the barriers to applying God’s Word—what things prevent us from putting the Bible into action in our lives? Read v23-24. In this analogy of a mirror, Reuben talked about how the word ‘face’ (v23) literally means ‘face of origin,’ another term for the image of God. Given that meaning, what kind of person is this analogy describing? Can you see yourself in this ‘mirror’? How true to life is this analogy for you? In v25 James describes the one who “continues” applying what he/she has learned in God’s Word. What does this look like in our lives? Why is it so hard? James gives three examples of hearing and doing: our speech (v27), caring for the vulnerable (v27) and avoiding worldliness (v27). In which of these areas is the gap between hearing and doing widest in your life? What steps could you take to bridge that gap? How can we become doers of the Word without drifting into legalism? Think about hearing God’s Word through the messages in church on Sunday. What things could you do during and after the service to help you retain and apply what you hear? What is the blessing that comes from hearing and doing God’s Word (v25)? How can you help each other to be both hearers and doers of Scripture?
Read James 1:22-27 In what contexts do we ‘hear’ God’s Word (written, spoken, etc) today? Why do you think there is often a big chasm between hearing/reading God’s Word and putting it into practice in our lives? Make a list of the barriers to applying God’s Word—what things prevent us from putting the Bible into action in our lives? Read v23-24. In this analogy of a mirror, Reuben talked about how the word ‘face’ (v23) literally means ‘face of origin,’ another term for the image of God. Given that meaning, what kind of person is this analogy describing? Can you see yourself in this ‘mirror’? How true to life is this analogy for you? In v25 James describes the one who “continues” applying what he/she has learned in God’s Word. What does this look like in our lives? Why is it so hard? James gives three examples of hearing and doing: our speech (v27), caring for the vulnerable (v27) and avoiding worldliness (v27). In which of these areas is the gap between hearing and doing widest in your life? What steps could you take to bridge that gap? How can we become doers of the Word without drifting into legalism? Think about hearing God’s Word through the messages in church on Sunday. What things could you do during and after the service to help you retain and apply what you hear? What is the blessing that comes from hearing and doing God’s Word (v25)? How can you help each other to be both hearers and doers of Scripture?
