Doers of the Word 

Scripture Reading: James 1:19-27.

Memory Verse: "Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 7:21).

Introduction: On his first sermon to his new congregation, a young pastor thrilled the people with the sermon--it was so inspiring!
  The following week the church was packed with parishioners eager to hear another inspiring message. To their dismay, the pastor preached the same message he had the week before. This continued for a couple more weeks before the congregation felt something had to be done. They selected a spokesman to approach the pastor with their complaint.
  "Don't you have more than just one sermon?" questioned the spokesman, at a meeting with the pastor.
  "Oh, yes," he replied. "I have a large number of them."
  "Then why don't you preach them?" the spokesman asked.
  "Because," said the pastor quietly, "you haven't done anything about the first sermon yet!"
  Too often church-goers tend to regard listening to the Word of God or reading the Word as an end, in itself. However, God is looking for what we do with that Word. Listening is important, pondering the information is too, but we must also take ACTION! We must be doers of the Word. There is a time to listen, a time to ponder and a time to act.
  A story told about the philosopher John Dewey says that once when he found his son in the bathroom with the floor flooded, he began thinking, trying to understand the situation. "Dad," his son said, "this is not a time to philosophize--it is a time to mop!"

Lesson Questions:

1. By what means has God regenerated true believers? James 1:18; 1 Peter 1:23; Titus 3:5; Ezekiel 36:26.

2. How should a person respond to God's Word? James 1:19; Proverbs 8:34; 15:31; Ecclesiastes 5:1; Luke 8:15.

3. Why is it vital that we remain teachable and submissive to God's instruction? James 1:20; Romans 6:12; Psalm 37:8; Proverbs 14:17;
2 Timothy 3:14-17; 1 Timothy 4:12-16.

4. In what manner should we receive the Word? James 1:21; 3:13; Proverbs 28:13; Isaiah 55:7; Matthew 13:23; Acts 17:11; 1 Thessalonians 2:13; Zephaniah 2:3; Ephesians 4:1-3.

5. Examine the nature of a man that the Bible describes as a "hearer" but not a "doer" of the Word. James 1:22-24; Matthew 24:12; 7:26; Luke 12:47; 14:18-20; Mark 4:14-20; Deuteronomy 4:9; Ezekiel 33:31.

6. What blessings are given those who are "doers" of the Word? James 1:25; Matthew 7:21; 12:50; Luke 6:46-48; Romans 2:12,13;
Revelation 22:14; Exodus 19:5; 1 John 3:22.

7. What activity will mark the life of a man who hasn't been truly converted? James 1:26.

8. What activity will mark the life of a man who has been truly converted? James 1:27.