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Faith and Deeds—James 2:14–26 Open It 1. *If you were 100 miles from home with no money, no credit cards, no friends, no transportation, and no place to stay, what would you do to survive and make it home? 2. What is the difference between someone who talks about a problem and someone who does something about the problem? Explore It 1. What is the relationship between faith and deeds? (2:14) 2. What illustration did James use to explain how real faith affects a person’s deeds? (2:15–17) 3. How did James describe faith that has no accompanying deeds? (2:17) 4. What is wrong with having faith without deeds? (2:18–26) 5. What do the demons believe about God? How does it affect them? (2:19) 6. *What did Abraham do to show his faith? (2:21–23) 7. *What made Abraham righteous? (2:23) 8. *How is a person justified before God? (2:24) 9. What did Rahab do? (2:25) 10. How did Rahab show faith? (2:25) 11. How are faith and deeds like the body and the spirit? (2:26) Get It 1. How is being a Christian supposed to change the way we live? 2. What can a Christian do to help the people around him or her? 3. What is one way to tell if a person has a real, living faith? 4. *What is difficult about applying what we hear in church to our everyday lives? 5. What are some of the biblical commands which are hard for you to live out? 6. If God has forgiven us and promised us eternal life, what motivation do we have to live in obedience to Him today? 7. Which is easier for you—talking about your faith with others, or demonstrating love toward them? 8. *In what areas of your life do you want to begin acting more like a Christian? Apply It 1. *In what home, work, or neighborhood situations might you be able to show faith in God this week? How? 2. How can you show greater faith in God by what you do this week?

Favoritism Forbidden—James 2:1–13 Open It 1. *How much money would it take to make you consider yourself rich? 2. For what reasons might a person think he or she is more important than another person? 3. Where do you see prejudice being practiced? Explore It 1. What practical example did James use to illustrate how favoritism was practiced in the church? (2:1–4) 2. *What has God promised to the poor of this world? (2:5) 3. *What does the church do to the poor person when it shows favoritism toward the rich? (2:6) 4. *What do rich people have a history of doing to people in the church? (2:6–7) 5. What is the royal law found in Scripture? (2:8) 6. What does practicing favoritism do to a person who is trying to keep the law? (2:9) 7. What does a person have to do to be considered a lawbreaker? (2:10–11) 8. By what standards should a person speak and act? (2:12) 9. What promise is made to people who judge without mercy? (2:13) 10. Why should we be merciful? (2:13) Get It 1. In what ways have you been a victim of favoritism or prejudice? 2. How have you shown favoritism or prejudice toward other people? 3. Why do we often treat rich people as more important than poor people? 4. How do we use physical appearance, job status, and athletic ability to show favoritism toward people? 5. *How can we welcome poor people in our church? 6. Why does God have a special concern for poor people? 7. *In what practical ways can we show genuine love to people of different races, cultures, and economic standing? 8. Why is favoritism or prejudice often overlooked as a sin? 9. Why would God condemn us as lawbreakers if our sins are only “minor” ones, such as prejudice? Apply It 1. From whom can you ask forgiveness this week for showing prejudice toward him or her? 2. *How can you change the way you look at wealth this week so that you value it as God does?

Listening and Doing—James 1:19–27 Open It 1. Who do you admire as a religious or spiritual role model? 2. How does it affect you when a person is caught doing what he or she tells others not to do? 3. *When are you most likely to lose your temper? Explore It 1. *What instruction did James give about the relationship between speaking, listening, and anger? (1:19) 2. *What is the relationship between anger and righteous living? (1:20) 3. *What should a Christian clean out of his or her life? (1:21) 4. What is the relationship between listening to God’s Word and doing it? (1:22) 5. What analogy did James use to describe a person who does not do what the Bible says? (1:23–24) 6. What promise did James give to the person who studies God’s Word and practices it? (1:25) 7. What does the Bible give to people? (1:25) 8. How is a person’s speech related to the credibility of his or her faith? (1:26) 9. What did James describe as pure religion? (1:27) 10. What is pure religion? (1:27) Get It 1. What makes it hard for us to be good listeners? 2. *How can being quick to speak and quick to anger get you into trouble? 3. *How do displays of anger and temper affect the witness of a Christian? 4. What attitudes and habits can inhibit our growth as disciples of Christ? 5. What makes it hard for us to practice what we know to be good? 6. How does our speech reflect our relationship with God? 7. How have you experienced freedom by doing the Word of God? 8. What can we do to help widows and orphans? 9. In what ways can the world pollute us? 10. How can we keep ourselves from being polluted by the world? Apply It 1. *In what situations this week will you need to curb your anger? How can you? 2. What do you need to change in your actions this week to match your talk? 3. Whom will you help this week in obedience to God’s Word?

Trials and Temptations—James 1:1–18 Open It 1. Why would you agree or disagree with the statement, “Life is 10 percent what happens to you and 90 percent how you respond to what happens to you”? 2. *How would you respond to someone who tells you that good can come from the trials which you are experiencing? 3. What doubts about God and prayer does the average person usually experience? Explore It 1. Who wrote this letter? (1:1) 2. To whom was this letter written? (1:1) 3. *What attitude did James tell people to exhibit when they are facing trials? (1:2) 4. *What is produced when our faith is tested? (1:3–4) 5. What is God’s response when we ask for wisdom? (1:5) 6. What effect does doubt have on a person when he or she prays? (1:6–8) 7. What will eventually happen to the wealth of a rich person? (1:10–11) 8. *What reward awaits the person who perseveres under trial? (1:12) 9. From where does temptation come? (1:13–15) 10. How does sin start and end? (1:13–15) 11. From where do all good and perfect gifts come? (1:16–17) 12. How did James describe God’s relationship with the people He created? (1:17–18) Get It 1. What trials and difficulties have you experienced during your life? 2. Why does God allow people to go through trials and difficulties? 3. *What good has ever come out of a difficult situation in your life? 4. How does a person’s relationship with God change as he or she goes through trials and problems? 5. When do you find it hardest to pray? 6. With what doubts have you struggled concerning God and prayer? 7. How can doubting affect a person’s prayer life? 8. How can a person who pursues wealth and riches be disappointed? 9. In what way have material possessions disappointed you once you possessed them? 10. *How would you explain to a ten-year-old why a person does something wrong or evil? 11. Why do we often blame God for tempting us when we sin? 12. What can a person do to stop an evil desire from becoming an actual evil act? Apply It 1. *What do you believe God is trying to teach you this week through the trials and situations you are experiencing? 2. In what specific areas do you need to ask God for His wisdom this week? 3. What temptations do you need God’s help to resist this week?

The Return to Antioch in Syria—Acts 14:21–28 Open It 1. *What kind of vacation most appeals to you (trips to other cities, backwoods hiking, visits to the beach, etc.)? 2. How busy is your daily schedule? 3. What do you do to relax? Explore It 1. *What did Paul and Barnabas do in Derbe? (14:21) 2. What was the result of the apostles’ evangelism? (14:21) 3. *Why did Paul and Barnabas retrace their steps to Antioch? (14:22) 4. What kind of warnings did the missionaries give the young converts? (14:22) 5. How did the apostles establish leadership in the young churches? (14:23) 6. *What encouragement and help did the apostles give the new Christians? (14:22–23) 7. Where did the return journey to Antioch take the apostles? (14:24–26) 8. On their way to Antioch, where did the apostles preach? (14:25) 9. When they returned to Antioch, what did Paul and Barnabas do? (14:27) 10. Why was it important that Paul and Barnabas report on their activity to the church at Antioch? (14:26) 11. How long did the apostles remain in Antioch? (14:28) Get It 1. Why would you return to a church or community that had made you feel unwelcome before? 2. What does the apostles’ ability to withstand rejection say about their faith and leadership? 3. What would your pastor do if faced with persecution? 4. *How does your church disciple new Christians? 5. In your church, how does a person become a leader? 6. How should missionaries be accountable to the church? 7. How has your church been blessed by the work of missionaries? 8. *How can you help younger Christians get established in the faith? Apply It 1. In what ways can you benefit from the teaching of your church elders this week? 2. *What younger Christian can you encourage this week? How? 3. What can you do this week to become a stronger Christian?

In Lystra and Derbe—Acts 14:8–20 Open It 1. If you suddenly could have the ability to do something you had never done before, what skill would you like to have? 2. *What would you do if you received an expensive gift that you didn’t think you deserved? 3. When has someone unexpectedly turned against you? Explore It 1. What did Paul do for the crippled man in Lystra? (14:8–10) 2. *How did the crowd respond to what Paul had done? (14:11–13) 3. Why were the apostles horrified when they discovered what was happening? (14:14) 4. *Why did Paul and Barnabas tear their clothes? (14:14) 5. *What was the apostles’ message to the crowd? (14:15–17) 6. How did Paul tailor his message to the audience? (14:15–17) 7. In spite of the apostles’ message, why was it difficult to restrain the crowd? (14:18) 8. Who came from Antioch and Iconium to poison the minds of the people against the missionaries? (14:19) 9. What did the crowd do to Paul? (14:19) 10. Who helped Paul? (14:20) 11. When did Paul return to Lystra? (14:20) 12. After Paul and Barnabas left Lystra, where did they go? (14:20) Get It 1. Paul knew when someone needed to be healed and what people needed to hear; why was he so perceptive? 2. How can you be sensitive to the needs of others? 3. *When have you received credit or recognition you didn’t deserve? 4. *Why is it important to give glory to God? 5. The early missionaries had a demanding schedule and dangerous life-style; how might you have coped with the pressures they faced? 6. When are you typically in the company of people who are very different from you? 7. In talking about Christ with non-Christians, what can you do to speak their language? 8. Paul paid an enormous price for his testimony; what risks are there for you in living for Christ? Apply It 1. How can you challenge yourself to serve the Lord completely each day? 2. *What can you do to direct people’s attention to Christ and away from you? 3. Where can you go to witness to an unbeliever this week?

In Iconium—Acts 14:1–7 Open It 1. What makes a person successful in your line of work? 2. When do you feel best about your work? 3. *What are some issues that often cause disagreement among people? Explore It 1. At Iconium, where did Paul and Barnabas go? (14:1) 2. Where did the apostles begin telling others about Christ? (14:1) 3. Who became believers at Iconium? Why? (14:1) 4. *How did unbelievers oppose what Paul and Barnabas were doing? (14:2) 5. *How did the apostles respond to the opposition? (14:3) 6. What did the Lord enable Paul and Barnabas to do? Why? (14:3) 7. *How was the city divided? (14:4) 8. What did certain people plot against the apostles? (14:5) 9. When Paul and Barnabas discovered the plot against them, what did they do? (14:6) 10. Despite the setback Paul and Barnabas suffered, what did they do in Lystra and Derbe? (14:6–7) Get It 1. When faced with conflict and opposition, how did the apostles pull together? 2. Which pastoral task do you think your minister enjoys most? 3. When does your pastor speak most effectively? 4. *What happens to the church when a congregation divides its loyalties among leaders? 5. *How can you and others in your church support your ministerial staff? 6. What should you do when people oppose you for being a Christian? 7. When is it best to run from persecution or leave a situation that threatens your faith? 8. Why is important for us to pray daily for the missionaries we support? Apply It 1. When you face conflict this week, how can you rely on the Lord for help? 2. *How can you support those whom God has called to lead your church? 3. For what missionary will you pray every day this week?

In Pisidian Antioch—Acts 13:13–52 Open It 1. What are some of your favorite quotes? 2. Who is one of the best speakers you have ever heard? 3. When have you been moved to action by great preaching? 4. *Who is one person who can affect whether you have a good or bad day? How? Explore It 1. What happened at Perga? (13:13–14) 2. Where did the missionaries go after leaving Perga? (13:14) 3. What did the synagogue rulers say to Paul and Barnabas? (13:14–15) 4. What were Paul and his companions invited to do in the synagogue? (13:14–15) 5. In his initial response to the invitation to speak, what did Paul say? (13:16) 6. In surveying the history of Israel, what key events did Paul mention? (13:17–22) 7. How was the mention of David an easy transition to refer to Jesus (and his forerunner, John) in Paul’s message? (13:23–25) 8. To whom was the message of salvation sent? (13:26) 9. How did Paul confirm the fact of Jesus’ resurrection from the dead? (13:33–37) 10. How is forgiveness of sins possible? (13:38–39) 11. What did Paul say would happen to his hearers if they failed to recognize Jesus as Savior? (13:40–41) 12. How did people respond to the message Paul preached? (13:42–43) 13. What did the people do and say as Paul and Barnabas were leaving the synagogue? (13:42–43) 14. What happened on the Sabbath after Paul first spoke in Perga? (13:44–45) 15. Why did Paul and Barnabas turn their attention to non-Jewish (Gentile) audiences? (13:45–48) 16. How did Paul and Barnabas turn to the Gentiles? (13:46–48) 17. How did the Gentiles respond to the Word of the Lord? (13:48) 18. *What happened to Paul and Barnabas while God was causing the church to grow and become strong? (13:49–52) 19. *What price did Paul and Barnabas pay for telling people about Christ? (13:50) 20. *What effect did the opposition have on Paul and Barnabas? (13:51–52) 21. What gave Paul and Barnabas joy? (13:52) Get It 1. How should Christians settle their differences? 2. If you had an opportunity to speak to a group of people about Christ, what would you say to challenge them to turn to Him? 3. Paul clearly assumed leadership in Pisidian Antioch; how do you think Barnabas felt when this happened? Why? 4. How would it be hard for you to give up a position of leadership? 5. What is the importance of timing in telling people about Christ? 6. From whom have you kept the gospel? 7. When have you been rejected because of your faith? 8. How should we handle rejection? 9. *Why were Paul and Barnabas able to have joy? 10. *How can we experience joy during difficult circumstances? Apply It 1. *What verse or principle will help you have joy in whatever circumstances you face? 2. In what settings can you be a witness for Christ this week? 3. How can you stand strong when your Christian identity leaves you alone or isolated in some way?

On Cyprus—Acts 13:4–12 Open It 1. When was the last time you were taken in by a particularly good sales pitch? 2. When you were in elementary school, what tricks did you play on others? 3. *Who helped you get settled into your first full-time job? How? Explore It 1. *Who directed Barnabas and Saul on their journey? (13:4) 2. Where did Barnabas and Saul go? (13:4–5) 3. *What did the missionaries do in Salamis? (13:5) 4. *Who helped Barnabas and Saul? (13:5) 5. Whom did Barnabas and Saul meet at Paphos? (13:6–7) 6. Why did the proconsul send for Barnabas and Saul? (13:7) 7. What did Bar-Jesus (Elymas) do? (13:8) 8. How did Saul (also called Paul) respond to Elymas? (13:9–11) 9. Why did Elymas oppose the Word of God? (13:10) 10. What was the judgment against the sorcerer? (13:11) 11. When Sergius Paulus saw the miracle, what did he do? (13:12) Get It 1. How often do missionaries speak at your church? 2. *When missionaries visit your church, how can you benefit from their teaching and experience? 3. *How can we be helpful to missionaries and other Christian workers? 4. What are some ways that people oppose the gospel? 5. How is Paul’s aggressive approach to dealing with sin a helpful example for us to follow? 6. Given your background, training, and interests, to what group of people are you best suited to share the news about Christ? Apply It 1. *How can you be helpful to a missionary or Christian worker in your church this week? 2. In what situation do you need the Holy Spirit’s guidance this week?

Barnabas and Saul Sent Off—Acts 13:1–3 Open It 1. *What send-off or farewell stands out in your memory? 2. If you were going away on a long trip, what kind of send-off would you prefer? 3. If you and a coworker of your choice were transferred to jobs overseas, whom would you want to go along with you? Explore It 1. *Who made up the leadership of the church at Antioch? (13:1) 2. What was the leadership like at the church in Antioch? (13:1) 3. What was the background of the church leaders at Antioch? (13:1) 4. How did the church at Antioch become so cosmopolitan? (13:1) 5. Despite their various backgrounds, how did the leaders of the church at Antioch function? (13:2) 6. While they were worshiping and fasting, what did the Holy Spirit say to the men? (13:2) 7. What did God want the church to do with Barnabas and Saul? (13:2) 8. Why did the Holy Spirit tell the leaders to “set apart” Barnabas and Saul? (13:2) 9. *What were Barnabas and Saul called to do? (13:2) 10. What preceded the departure of the missionaries? (13:3) 11. *Why did the church leaders lay hands on Barnabas and Saul? (13:3) 12. Where did the missionaries go? (13:3) Get It 1. What variety of people attend your church? 2. How diverse is your church leadership? 3. *Why should churches pray over and lay hands on missionaries and other ministers? 4. *When should church leaders lay hands on members of the congregation? 5. How important is worship to the life of a church? 6. How can your church best serve missions? 7. What can you do to serve missions and missionaries? 8. What is the purpose of fasting? 9. Why should Christians fast? 10. When might a church want to fast as a congregation? 11. How can you show support for the leadership of your church? Apply It 1. *What time can you commit to prayer each day for the staff of your church? 2. When can you find time this week to write a letter of encouragement to a missionary?