Unfractured

A 4-week series on how to avoid the mistakes of fractured faith from the book of James.

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Living an Unfractured Life – Intro to the Book of James

Posted: July 22, 2020
James, the leader of the early Christian church wrote this book to challenge Jewish Christians to prove their genuine faith through authentic living.

Talking Points:

  • James was the half brother to Jesus and the leader of the early church. He wrote the book to Jewish believers to encourage them in their new faith. James 1:1
  • James warned against fractured faith – a divided loyalty between loving God and loving the world. James 1:6-8, Matthew 6:24
  • James puts an emphasis on genuine faith – a new heart that produces authentic works. Galatians 5:22-23, Ezekiel 36:26-27, James 2:17-18
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. What do you think it was like for James to be the brother of Jesus? Have you lived in the shadow of a sibling/friend? Share the pros and cons of having a stellar sibling/friend.
  3. Define in your own words what fractured faith means. What are some of the cultural issues that have been hard for you to navigate or understand with biblical principles in mind?
  4. Read James 1:6-8 and Matthew 6:24. What does loyalty mean to you? Why won’t it work to have one foot in the world and one foot in with God?
  5. In your opinion, why does it matter how we live? What do our choices/values communicate to those around us?
  6. Read Galatians 5:22-23 and Ezekiel 36:26-27. What’s the role of the Holy Spirit in our lives? What does a stony heart look like? What does a tender, responsive heart look like?
  7. Read James 2:17-18. What does James mean that our faith is useless if it doesn’t impact the way we live? How have you seen Christians trample on the Gospel due to their actions?
  8. Share how your life has changed since putting your faith in Jesus. What areas of your life are still fractured and need to change?
  9. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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Listening and Doing – James 1-2

Posted: July 22, 2020
For some Christians, the pursuit of God is only a Sunday thing – leaving Monday through Saturday to live according to their own desires.

Talking Points:

  • Fractured faith means your desires inform your views – on modesty, success, even social issues – rather than letting God have the loudest voice. James 1:21
  • A heart divided can’t stand. The double-minded are lost, confused, and easily deceived. James 1:22-24
  • Genuine faith means practical obedience – simply read God’s word and obey what it says. This is the path to lasting joy and peace. James 1:25, James 2:14-16, James 2:17-18
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. How would you describe yourself: total rule follower, rule breaker or somewhere in between? How has that way impacted your life?
  3. How have you typically made decisions about things like dating, marriage, modesty or social issues? What would you say has influenced those decisions most?
  4. Read James 1:21. What are some examples of things we need to get rid of once we put our trust in Jesus? What does it look like to humbly accept God’s word into our lives?
  5. How have you experienced confusion or a loss of peace when you’ve gone against God’s way in the past? Are there some areas in your life that you just don’t want to turn over to God? Explain.
  6. Read James 1:22-24. What does James mean that we’re only fooling ourselves if we don’t obey what God’s word says?
  7. In your own life, when you establish rules (as a parent, worker, property owner, etc) why do you have those rules? What does it communicate when others don’t obey those rules? Why does God have rules for us? What does our willingness or unwillingness to obey communicate to God?
  8. Read James 1:25. Why does obeying God’s word set us free? How have you experienced freedom when you’ve chosen to go God’s way despite your own desires?
  9. Read James 2:14-16. What is the attitude of the person James refers to in this passage. How does our willingness to listen and obey compare to this?
  10. Moving forward, what will you do to read God’s word more? Check out some great topics on Spiritual disciplines to help you grow in your Christian faith.
  11. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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Taming the Tongue – James 3

Posted: July 22, 2020
Our words can speak life or death-we get to choose.

Talking Points:

  • The tongue is a practical example of the dangers of fractured faith: praising Jesus on Sunday and gossiping, belittling, and slandering the other six days. James 3:3-10
  • Godly wisdom is demonstrated through carefully chosen words. Understanding the power of words, you speak words of life, not death. James 3:17-18, Ephesians 4:29
  • Use the WORD acronym:
    • Work through your emotions
    • Order your thoughts
    • Remember biblical principles
    • Deliver the message
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. Share a time your words did damage to someone you care about or share a time someone’s words did damage to you. Why are words so powerful?
  3. Read James 3:3-10. Why is the tongue so wicked and hard to control? How is the tongue such an obvious indicator of what’s in your heart?
  4. Read James 3:17-18. Identify all the traits of godly wisdom mentioned in these verses. How can you do better at choosing your words wisely?
  5. Read Ephesians 4:29. What do you think it means that your words should benefit others? What does that look like when you have to confront someone?
  6. Review the WORD acronym. What happens when you just act on your emotions with no thought? Why is it important to order your thoughts before expressing something?
  7. Make a list of other biblical principles that apply to how you should use your words in relationships.
  8. Moving forward, how will you avoid a fractured approach with your words- lifting up Jesus on Sundays but tearing down people the other six days?
  9. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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Three Warnings For Christians – James 4-5

Posted: July 22, 2020
The book of James concludes with some final warnings and some concluding thoughts on how to love others.

Talking Points:

  • James warns against the hedonistic view of seeking pleasure above all else. James 4:1-3, 7-8
  • James warns against the judgmental, critical types who elevate their perspective over God – who is the only perfect judge. James 4:11-12
  • James warns the arrogant who act as though they have full command of the future. James 4:13-17
Discussion:
  1. Initial reactions to this topic? What jumped out at you?
  2. How would you describe our culture today. Identify some positive and negative things. How do you see the hedonistic view influencing your friends and family?
  3. Read James 4:1-3. What do you think James means about coming to God with the wrong motives? How have you demanded or expected things from God?
  4. Read James 4:7-8. What does it look like to come to God on his terms, not ours when it comes to prayer requests? Share a time you prayed for something and later realized that it was a blessing that God didn’t give it to you.
  5. Read James 4:11-12. How have you seen Christians violate God’s law by how they treat others inside and outside the Church? How does this passage challenge you?
  6. Read James 4:13-17. How have you violated this warning in your life? What have you learned when you’ve tried to control the future?
  7. Read James 5:16. How will you incorporate this verse into your life? What steps are you going to take to live an unfractured life moving forward?
  8. Is there a step you need to take based on today’s topic?
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