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INTERACTIVE TEACHING/LEARNING GUIDE
WEEK 8
SESSION TITLE: “Following the Pacesetter”
FOCAL PASSAGES: James 2:20-26
Central Teaching/Learning Aim: To help the learner discover that good works prove the reality of genuine faith, bringing assurance that the follower of Christ has entered into God’s promised blessings.
I. Creating Interest in the Word (Hook)
A. Video Clip – “Space Cowboys” (Start the clip at 1:46:15 and end at 1:48:00.)
Tommy Lee Jones, Donald Sutherland, and James Garner join Clint Eastwood as old-school test pilots whose grasp of outdated technology make them the only ones able to repair a primitive, de-orbiting Russian satellite that imperils Earth.
Shocked to discover nuclear warheads on what was believed to be a mere Russian communications satellite, these four astronauts race against time to save the Earth from imminent destruction.
Hawk, played by Tommy Lee Jones, is surprisingly diagnosed with cancer during his training before the team’s mission into space. Now faced with no other option, Hawk makes the ultimate sacrifice to save his friends – and the entire planet from nuclear holocaust.
(Interestingly, James Garner’s character is a Baptist pastor. One wonders why he would not have been the first and most insistent member of the team to make this ultimate sacrifice . . .)
Today, we are going to discuss the importance of proving our belief (or faith) in God by our actions (or good works) which obey Him.
B. Optional Method – Read the following story from the October 1 issue of People magazine.
Tina Hansen (41) is quick and nimble in her wheelchair; diagnosed with juvenile rheumatoid arthritis at age 3, she has been using one for most of her life. But when the first plane hit the World Trade Center, Hansen, a marketing supervisor at the Port Authority of NY and NJ, was immobilized by the impossible task of descending 68 flights of stairs. Although she had a special lightweight chair designed for just such a scenario (it had been given to her after the 1993 World Trade Center bombing), it would be of little use without a couple of strong-armed carriers. Says Hansen: “I didn’t know how I was going to get out.”
Enter Michael Benfante, 36, a communications company manager who spotted her seated helplessly behind a set of glass doors. Hansen nodded toward her emergency chair, which was tightly folded. Joined by his coworker John Cerqueira, 22, “I was frantic trying to figure out how to get it open,” says Benfante, who lives in Verona, NJ . . .
With Hansen safely strapped into her lightweight chair, Benfanted and Cerqueira began making their way down. . . .
The mood darkened considerably when the group reached the fifth floor, which was pitch-black and flooded from the building’s sprinklers. . . . “It was slippery, and I was moving stuff out of the way so we could push Tina. I wasn’t going out unless she was with me.” . . .
When they reached the street, Hansen was placed into a waiting ambulance. Minutes later the tower began to collapse, and Benfante and Cerqueira – who narrowly escaped the crashing debris – feared that the ambulance carrying Hansen might not have made it out in time.
It did, and a few days later Hansen spoke by phone with Benfante and Cerqueira.
Michael and John risked their very lives by taking the time and effort to carry Tina to safety with them. No doubt Michael and John believed that helping Tina was the right thing to do. But they didn’t stop at just believing; they acted on their belief. Michael’s and John’s beliefs didn’t save Tina. Instead they saved Tina through the actions produced by their beliefs.
Today, we are going to discuss the importance of proving our belief (or faith) in God by our actions (or good works) which obey Him.
II. Getting Into the Word (Book)
A. Utilize the Discussion Guide to examine the Scripture passages.
III. Getting the Word Into Life (Look)
A. Utilize the Small Group Discussion Guides
IV. Conclusions (Took)
A. Read and discuss the following two poems by Emily Dickinson.
Emily Dickinson is considered by many to be one of America’s greatest poets. Though only seven of her poems were published during her lifetime, she left behind upon her death in 1886 a treasury of 1,775 poems – her “letter to the world.”
Perhaps only a few know that Emily Dickinson was a devout Christian. Her poems beautifully reflect her genuine faith, as she wrote about life, nature and eternity. One of her favorite topics was love, as evidenced in the following poem:
That I did always love,
I bring thee proof:
That till I loved
I did not love enough.
That I shall love always,
I offer thee
That love is life,
And life hath immorality.
This, dost thou doubt, sweet?
Then have I
Nothing to show
But Calvary.
In the poem above, Emily Dickinson highlights her imperfect love as a fallen sinner, contrasting it with God’s perfect love as seen in Christ’s sacrifice
(Romans 5:8).
In the second poem below, Emily Dickinson champions her loyal love for a dear friend.
Alter? When the hills do.
Falter? When the sun
Question if his glory
Be the perfect one.
Surfeit? When the daffodil
Doth of the dew:
Even as herself, O friend!
I will of you!
In the poem above, Emily Dickinson celebrates the endless love inextricably connected between friends. This is the kind of biblical love James challenges us to live out through our faith (James 2:8). In view of Christ’s love for us
demonstrated at Calvary (James 2:1), we are called to love others, sacrificially caring for their needs as our faith prompts us toward such good works (James 1:27; 2:12-26).
Like Emily Dickinson’s poems, our good works may not be published for the world to see. But our unrecognized deeds of mercy are recognized by the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus Christ. Let’s demonstrate our genuine faith through works of mercy as “our letter to the world” – it will be a best seller in the court of heaven for all eternity!
B. Optional Method – Read and discuss the following quote by St. Prosper of Aquitane.
“Lex orandi, let credendi” is a traditional axiom of the Christian faith coined by St. Prosper of Aquitane (390-463 A.D.). This Latin phrase means, “Law of prayer is the law of belief.” Using this theological axiom, St. Prosper admonished the Church in his day to remember that nothing demonstrates what God’s people of faith believe like what (and how) they pray.
Over time, St. Prosper’s axiom assumed a broader meaning for the Church. “Lex orandi, lex credendi” eventually came to mean in common vernacular, “What we do is what we believe.”
James would certainly “Amen!” St. Prosper’s axiom. For James teaches us that our good conduct (“works”) demonstrates the reality of our good confession (“faith”).
Let’s remember James’ and St. Prosper’s spiritual insights, as we prayerfully seek to demonstrate the reality of our genuine faith through our works of mercy.
Close in prayer.
DISCUSSION GUIDE
(Teacher’s Copy)
1. Who is the “foolish man” James is referring to in verse 20?
The “foolish man” is James’ imaginary, orthodox objector who argues against any necessary connection between genuine faith and good works in verse 18. James again addresses his make-believe opponent (a common rhetorical strategy employed in his preaching) in verse 20, pressing his argument concerning the necessary relationship between faith and works forward in verses 21-26. James intends for the listener/reader to hear/see his impending “evidence.”
2. In what two ways does James demonstrate that faith without works is useless (i.e., worthless, unhelpful, non-profitable) in verses 14-19?
In verses 15-17, James uses a man-ward example of a Christian speaking words of faith but not serving works of faith to a fellow Christian in physical need of help.
In verse 19, James uses a God-ward example of a demon believing in the one, true God (orthodox faith) but not submitting to Him, thus experiencing terror before God instead of peace with God (obedient faith).
3. Who considered Abraham righteous for obediently offering his son, Isaac, on the altar (verse 21)?
Abraham is James’ second, God-ward example of genuine faith. In contrast to the demons (verse 19), Abraham submits to God, demonstrating his genuine faith through his extreme act of obedience. Thus, God considers Abraham righteous.
4. To what extreme act of faith-obedience has or is God asking you to submit?
5. How was Abraham’s faith “made complete” by his act of obedience in offering his son, Isaac, on the altar?
Abraham’s faith promoted or produced his act of obedience. Abraham’s faith and his actions “were working together” (verse 22a) in the sense of a senior partner (“faith”) with a junior (“works”). Our English word, “synergy,” comes from the Greek verb in verse 22a, with the implication that faith is first. Faith and works are not co-equals. Faith precedes good works; good works cannot be an independent exercise.
Even though faith is the first and basic reality in Abraham’s relationship with God, faith needs good works in order to grow to maturity or completion. Abraham’s extreme act of obedience demonstrated his maturing faith before God.
6. What are some areas of obedience in your life that your faith needs to express in order to mature?
7. Why was Abraham called “God’s friend”?
In Genesis 15:6, Abraham believed God’s revelation of His plan and promises, and in response to Abraham’s faith, God considered him righteous. In Genesis 22, God tested Abraham’s faith by asking him to sacrifice Isaac. Again, Abraham demonstrated his faith in God’s power and promises. Because of Abraham’s maturing faith, then, God considered him His friend.
8. Has God ever extremely tested your faith? Did you pass the test?
9. How is James’ example of Rahab a startling contrast to Abraham? Why does James select Abraham and Rahab?
Abraham’s faith-work is a positive, God-ward example; Rahab’s faith-work is a positive, man-ward example. Abraham is a major biblical figure; Rahab a minor. Abraham is the father of the Jews; Rahab a foreigner. Abraham is reputable; Rahab disreputable. Abraham is a man (important in patriarchal Judaism); Rahab a woman.
James’ comprehensive contrast is important. He means to communicate an all-encompassing teaching, namely that our faith-works are both God-ward and man-ward in scope. Like Abraham, our faith demands works of total surrender and submission to God. And like Rahab, our faith demands works of mercy toward others, regardless of the cost.
10. In what ways is God leading you to care for the needs of others, regardless of the cost?
DISCUSSION GUIDE
(Student Copy)
1. Who is the “foolish man” James is referring to in verse 20?
2. In what two ways does James demonstrate that faith without works is useless (i.e., worthless, unhelpful, non-profitable) in verses 14-19?
3. Who considered Abraham righteous for obediently offering his son, Isaac, on the altar (verse 21)?
4. To what extreme act of faith-obedience has or is God asking you to submit?
5. How was Abraham’s faith “made complete” by his act of obedience in offering his son, Isaac, on the altar?
6. What are some areas of obedience in your life that your faith needs to express in order to mature?
7. Why was Abraham called “God’s friend”?
8. Has God ever extremely tested your faith? Did you pass the test?
9. How is James’ example of Rahab a startling contrast to Abraham? Why does James select Abraham and Rahab?
10. In what ways is God leading you to care for the needs of others, regardless of the cost?
Group #1: The Story of Abraham
Read Genesis 12:1-8; 15:1-6; 22:1-19 and discuss the following questions.
1. In chapter 12, how did Abraham demonstrate his faith in God’s promises and plan?
Abraham demonstrated his faith by obeying God’s command to move to the land of Canaan (12:4,5).
2. What is the significance for our lives between believing what God says and acting on that belief in obedience?
3. In chapter 15, what did Abraham believe that God reckoned his faith as righteousness?
Though time had passed since God first stated His covenantal promises (chapter 12), Abraham believed God’s re-affirmation that he would become the father of a great nation through his own offspring.
4. As time passes between God’s promises and the fulfillment of those promises, do you find your faith is tested? What helps you pass the test?
5. In chapter 22, why did God test Abraham’s faith so severely by asking him to sacrifice Isaac, the child of promise?
God knew Abraham would be tempted to re-focus his faith on Isaac (the human means of promise fulfillment), instead of remaining focused on God (the divine basis of promise fulfillment).
6. How has God severely tested your faith, so that you do not wrongly misdirect your faith toward anyone or anything other than God?
Group #2: The Story of Rahab
Read the story of Rahab in Joshua 2 and discuss the following questions.