The question was “What do you believe about Jesus?” I asked the guys from 2 Deep to list 10 thing that they believed about Jesus. Then I asked the harder question - “How would you prove to someone that you believe that?” At first, a few guys tried to share how they would prove that it was true. Then we realized that proving something is true is different than proving that we believe it.Then we studied James 2: 14-26 which in part reads “…I by my works will show you my faith… You see that faith was active… ” We discussed the false faith without action, of words only, that James warns against. And we talked through each of the examples that James gives in this section, and came up with 5 “Real Faith Statements” to help guide our actions:

1) Real Faith backs up faith words and faith speech with faith life, choices and actions;
2) Real Faith is sacrificial, turning over control to God;
3) Real Faith is an obedience process, of actions that move past our hesitations;
4) Real Faith is risky, is bold confidence exercised in service and showing mercy to others;
5) Real Faith is beneficial, is profitable - it is good for us.

What was most significant from our time in this section of James, though, was merely the statements of faith, but the wrestling with the implications - the works - of faith in our lives. From sharing Jesus to tithing to serving people that are ungrateful to taking a stand against pressures from peers, seeing young men be engaged by the Bible in real and tangible ways was a holy sight. These young men aren’t perfect - nobody is - but I rejoice over the growth in their life with God even in the decision to come to study the Word each week at the sacrifice of all the other options on their plate.