Welcome to The Breakdown, the weekly podcast designed for growth group leaders at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Soteria Church⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ in West Des Moines, IA. Each week, we provide time-sensitive announcements to keep you in the loop and walk through the sermon study to help you lead meaningful discussions. Whether you're preparing for your next group meeting or looking to deepen your own understanding, The Breakdown is your go-to resource. Tune in and stay connected!

REFLECT
We made it to the end of James 1. It is likely that you have grown spiritually since we began.
As we begin this week’s discussion, let’s read through James 1 as a growth group. Use this time to reflect on how the Holy Spirit has been working in your heart and mind.

What has James taught you about God and his word?
How has James convicted or encouraged you to obey God and his word?


ENCOUNTER
Now let’s revisit the text from Sunday. James 1:22–27 addresses a truth about all of us. We have a tendency to confuse knowledge of God with obedience to God. In other words, we can replace obedience to God’s commands with theological/scriptural expertise.
James is very clear though. We ought not do this! Rather than saying we should do the opposite, James affirms both knowledge of and obedience to God as necessary for the Christian.

How is “hearing without doing” the word deceptive (verses 22–24)?
By calling God’s Word “the perfect law of freedom,” James infers that “hearing without doing” is enslaving. How does “hearing without doing” enslave us?


TRANSFORM
In his commentary on James, Sam Allberry provides this helpful application question:

Over the last week, how have you confused knowledge of God’s word with obedience to God’s word in your relationships with unbelievers?

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