Be a Doer

Community Group Discussion Guide: Be a Doer
Read: James 1:21-25 NASB95 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [22] But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves. [23] For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; [24] for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was. [25] But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.
Icebreakers:

• When you look in the mirror, do you like what you see?  (What one feature would you like to change in your appearance?)
• Perhaps the most prevalent sin in the post-modern world is vanity.  This is certainly the case of our culture's preoccupation with celebrities.  Why do you think that famous people tend to be "stuck" on themselves?
• What do you think Solomon was referring to when he stated that "all is vanity?

​Big Idea: When it comes to "living out" the Gospel (the word implanted, which is able to save you) many Christians struggle with doing and living what they clearly understand.  That said, if we understand and believe the Word of God, and do not put it into practice, we are living in deception.  In other words, it is not "OK" to be a hearer of the word and not apply it to our lives. 

Scripture Exploration: James pulls no punches as he challenges "us" to live what we proclaim we believe.  He calls Believers to eliminate the gulf between the aspirations of how we think we should live and how we are actually living.
James 1:21-22 Therefore, putting aside all filthiness and all that remains of wickedness, in humility receive the word implanted, which is able to save your souls. [22] But prove yourselves doers of the word, and not merely hearers who delude themselves.

1. Why is humility necessary in our pursuit of God?
2. How is it to our benefit to lay aside all filthiness and wickedness?
3. How would you describe "the word implanted?"  (Greek - Logos)  
4. Why is it important to live what we say we believe?

James 1:23,24 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks at his natural face in a mirror; [24] for once he has looked at himself and gone away, he has immediately forgotten what kind of person he was.

1. ​What makes the man in the mirror such an unreliable measure of who we are and who God wants us to be?
2. What are some of the advantages of building our identity on Christ rather than on ourselves?
   

Wrap-up: James 1:25 But one who looks intently at the perfect law, the law of liberty, and abides by it, not having become a forgetful hearer but an effectual doer, this man will be blessed in what he does.

• ​I think that most people would like to live a life where they are being blessed.  James indicates that the "doer" who is living out the Word of God will be blessed.  Why do you think that some, who even believe this, still choose to be hearers only?