Simeon Sunday School

Unit 2: Face-to-Face Time
Session 4: Now Walk It Out
Lesson Passage: Read James 1:19-27

It’s time to quit talking a good game and start walking out our faith.
Throughout this letter, James spoke of injustices—from the
mistreatment of the poor in worship to the neglect of widows in the
church. James believed that a true faith would work itself out in the
way that people lived.

Here are the main points of the passage for this lesson.

1. Receive the Word– let it save your soul (Jas. 1:19-21)
The new birth comes by means of the “word of truth” (Jas. 1:18). God’s
Word not only shows us how to have eternal life, it also helps
believers grow and mature as new creatures in Christ. To this end
James stressed the importance of applying the spiritual truth of the
Word to Christians’ lives. The focus on the practical side of faith as
expressed in words and actions is one characteristic of this letter.

2. Act on the Word– let it make a difference in you (Jas. 1:22-25)
James 1:22 summarizes the entire message of his letter—Christians
should put into practice what they believe. Doers of the word are
those who obey it. The verb tense expresses continuing or habitual
action, “keep on showing yourselves to be doers of God’s Word.”
Listening and receiving the Word are not enough. Believers must put
into action what they hear and receive.

3. Put the Word to Use– let its effect be seen by others (Jas. 1:26-27)
James identified three specific ways Christians can put God’s Word
into practice—controlling their speech, showing compassion for the
needy, and living a pure life.

WHAT DO YOU THINK?

Let’s try something different. This week, be on the lookout for
questions about this lesson throughout the week.

Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Here’s the first set of questionsI would like to hear from you.  James 1:19 says “…you must all be quick to listen [to God's Word], slow to speak, and slow to get angry.”

• How do you prepare to listen to God through His Word, the Bible?
• What real life ways do you listen to God through His Word?